León's imposing cathedral and Gaudi's "Casa Botines"

Spain is a big country that allows you to fulfill almost all your dreams as a traveler. It offers you breathtaking mountain ranges and national parks, stunning beaches, historical sights, castles, cathedrals, a strong culinary culture, and of course, party and fun. I always get amazed by all the beauty I keep finding within my country when I travel! The north part of Spain is incredibly green and beautiful, and it was once a key area for one of the most prominent Spanish historical periods, the Reconquista against the Moors. This is one of the reasons why you can find cities in the community of Castilla y León with such amazing medieval sights. Let's start with León!

León is a city located in the northwest of Spain, and you can explore it right after Asturias since it is on the way and they are close enough to each other. It is not such a big city, so I would say that you can have a good understanding of León in one or two days. León is also the place where many people start the Camino de Santiago or stop on their way for a couple of days. It is totally worth stopping by.

León's old town

The old town is not excessively large, but it is full of small alleys that reach remote squares - where a tapa is definitely a must. Eating tapas, which are of course included in the price you pay for your drink, is a tradition that can also be found in other parts of Spain, especially in the south. In the old town, you can also find the Barrio Húmedo, the drinking and partying area of León. 

My favorite sight is undoubtedly the city's huge cathedral, which is the most famous monument in the town. Santa María de León Cathedral- also called The House of Light- is one of the most relevant examples of Gothic architecture in Spain. León’s Cathedral is best known for its stained glass windows, the most extensive and best-preserved collections of medieval stained glass in Europe. With at least 1,764 square meters of surface, the original windows are imposing. The entrance only costs 5€, and it includes an audio guide. 

Gaudi's Casa Botines

If you are a Ga[udí](https://www.livetheworld.com/post/gaudi-s-barcelona-ifg9) fan, you can also find one of Gaudi’s few pieces of work out of Cataluña, Casa Botines. Casa Botines is a modernist building built between 1891-1892. It was first designed to be used as houses or as a warehouse, but it was later adapted to serve as the headquarters of Caja España, a local savings bank.

Discover León and get to know more about its long and historical background! Don't miss out on visiting its incredible cathedral and Gaudi's only masterpiece that can be found outside Cataluña!