León

Camino Frances

To end of camino
305.7
Altitude
842

Puente de Castro

3.00

León

3.70

Trobajo del Camino

Services
ATM
Yes
Bar
Yes
Bus
Yes
Bus Terminal
Yes
Correos
Jardín de San Francisco, 24004, Mon-Fri: 0830-2030 & Sat: 0930-1300, 987 876 081
Grocery
Yes
Medical Center
Yes
Pharmacy
Yes
Public Pool
Yes
Train
Yes

León is now a fully modernized city home to more than half of the population in the province and like Burgos it is worthy of more time than the average pilgrim spends here. To explore in full would take many days, to cover the basics at least two. If you are keen to keep your feet moving every day, consider spending an extra afternoon in León and setting out after lunch for a half day of walking. Between here and Astorga there are two routes to choose from and plenty of albergues.

The Catedral de Santa María de la Regla is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture whose multicolored windows are not to be missed, particularly on a sunny day when the interior is filled with light. The Virgen Blanca on the main portico is a reproduction, the original is in a chapel behind the main altar. You’ll also notice that quite a few sculptures have been removed for restoration.

The Iglesia de San Isidoro is the other not to be missed church; it houses the relics of San Isidoro and is the site of the Panteón de los Reyes where 23 of the Leonese monarchy are resting. It also preserves some of the best, and most intriguing, 13th century Romanesque frescoes as well as the easternmost Holy Door on the Camino Francés.

Fans of Gaudi will not want to miss the Casa de Los Botines, just a short stroll from the Cathedral, and perhaps capture a selfie with a bronze statue of the architect seated on a bench in front.

The best food and the liveliest crowds are in the Barrio Humedo, a twisted knot of narrow streets near the Plaza Mayor whose well-earned name implies that the drinks are overflowing. The region of León is unique in Spain as the only one that grows hops for the production of beer. A few new breweries have appeared on the scene in recent years (Four Lions is recommended) and most produce a local wheat beer known as Zerep.

As you walk around town you will notice several types of plaques embedded in the pavement. One is the impression of the left foot of a Roman soldier (their marches began with the left foot) and marks the boundary of the original Roman settlement and wall. The other, seen closer to the Plaza Mayor, is a symbol of the peninsula and bears the Hebrew word ספרד which translates as Sefarad, the Jewish name for Spain. It was that Jewish population that was expelled from Spain under the Alhambra Decree in 1492. The marker indicates the start of what was once the original Jewish barrio of León.

Fiesta

León hosts one of the more specacular Semana Santa celebrations to be seen along the Camino Francés.

San Juan and San Pedro are celebrated from the 21st to the 30th of June. La Virgen del Camino on the 18th of September. And a romería for San Froilán on the 5th of October.

History

Nearly one thousand years ago, the city of León was the jewel in the crown of the most powerful king in the Iberian peninsula, at the time a fractured version of what would not become a unified nation for several hundred years. One thousand years before that, it was a Roman settlement critical in protecting the wealth of gold that came from the mines to the west of Ponferrada. Only briefly was it under Muslim control and it holds the distinction of being the seat of Europe’s first democratic parliament.

The Road

Perhaps the best place to get your bearings is the Cathedral, and the familiar yellow arrows are visible directly opposite the principle facade. The journey through town is short, passing first the Church of San Isidoro and later the Parador (once hospital) of San Marcos before crossing over the río Bernesga and leaving the city limits. That said, it is several more kilometers through the suburbs of Trobajo and La Virgen.

Comments

All Caminos App User (not verified)

This air B and B is 10 stars.
It’s right next to the Cathedral.
It’s Quiet.
Bed and lien is 10 plus stars.
Migal is amazing with his communication.
The place is spotless.
The furniture is tops!
So much food , drink’s everything.
It’s a Gem for a fussy 10 star Pilgrim.
If you are in Leon for a few days this place is a must.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Staying another night in León almost entirely because of this amazing hostal/albergue. Owned and run by a seasoned pilgrim, he’s thought of everything - amazing beds with linens and comforters, towels, hair dryers, entry codes, small rooms and cozy sitting areas that make it all feel so homey. Juan is a DELIGHT and this albergue should definitely be at the top of your list. (He’s leaving soon for his 19th (?) Camino, so may not be open mid November.) So thankful for special places like Covent Garden!

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Staying another night in León almost entirely because of this amazing hostal/albergue. Owned and run by a seasoned pilgrim, he’s thought of everything - amazing beds with linens and comforters, towels, hair dryers, entry codes, small rooms and cozy sitting areas that make it all feel so homey. Juan is a DELIGHT and this albergue should definitely be at the top of your list. (He’s leaving soon for his 19th (?) Camino, so may not be open mid November.) So thankful for special places like Covent Garden!

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

I have just stayed here last night and although it was clean and the walk in shower fabulous, I still would not recommend it. This is because of the very complicated, to me, lighting system in the room, it also took me 3 attempts to actually get into my room and more times to get out! How ridiculous is it that you cannot just push a switch up or down to get the lights to work. You had to press your finger on the pad and hope for the best!! Stay away at all costs.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

If you are looking for a hotel stay in León, the Hospedería Monástica Pax in the old town is wonderful.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Went to the Vodafone store in Leon (the one nearby the museum) to add more data since the prior time period was nearly up. Was charged for a refill. A couple of days later, the prior time period was up and I was suddenly unable to access anything on my phone without wifi. Took a bit of time to fix this. So fuck you to the guy working there.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

The bar scene in leon is fun and its very easy to stay out very late. I left a part of my soul in Hostal Albany but it was a very nice place with AC. If you are staying the night be sure to check out the Gaudi and the cathedral.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Located 5 min walk from cathedral and has a Spa. 10-15 euros for 1 hour and 20 min. Dry and wet sauna, pool, and a few other facilities. See hotel website for details. A nice place if planning a rest day. Rates were reasonable. See booking.com or Google.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Leon was nice, but was missing the charm of Burgos and Astorga. We stayed two nights, but we felt only a 2-hour visit to the cathedral was necessary and could have been done with one night.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

if you have to choose between the cathedral and the Real Colegiata de San Isidoro, see the cathedral of Leon. It was far more interesting. In the latter only the pantheon and the chalice were mildly interesting, and they charged us full price on museum day, unlike many of the other museums we had visited during the week which were free.