Although Leòn is not a big city, you can spend a hole day, or even longer, visiting the numerous and well preserved monuments that the city of Leon proudly holds. Starting from the most famous one, Leon’s Cathedral (http://www.catedraldeleon.org/) also known as “The house of the light”, a masterpiece of the gothic style with more than 1800 square meters of stained glass from the 13th century is the perfect enclave to start realizing that Leon is a magic city.
Not so far, around five minutes walking down one of the most pictorial streets of Leon, you can find two of the most significant buildings in the city;
El palacio de los guzmanes, one of the best examples from the Spanish Renaissance Palaces, and right on its side, La casa de Botines, with unique style and highly individualistic design by Antonio Gaudi, one of the most influential artists from the Art Noveau.
Another five minutes walking (almost everything is near here) you find “La basilica de San Isidoro” with Romanesque paintings and a very interesting museum about the history of “El Reino de Leon” and its kings.
Take a relaxing walk althrough the riverside and get to el “Parador de San Marcos” and old monastery holding one of the most luxurious hotels in the city, and a beauiful museum inside.
Take a little rest having some tapas in the new zone of Eras de Renueva and don’t miss a chance to visit “MUSAC” The museum of contemporary art of Castilla y Leon, (http://www.musac.es/) recommended by the New York times as one of the most important recent buildings in Spain.
MUSAC: Contemporary Art Museum of Castilla y Leon
Auditorio Ciudad de Leon, by Mansilla y Tuñon, visit http://www.auditoriociudaddeleon.net/
Cultural Activities :
Dont miss the chance to enjoy the performances that the auditorio ciudad de leon offers you : theatre, dance, music... visit the website above!
In addition, all saturdays there are plays in the little theatre situated in the ''Albeitar''at the back of the '' Casa del estudiante''.
The students of the university of leon have a discount in the plays!
If being a mere spectator is not enough for you, you can practise cultural activities such as photo, theatre, poetry,etc .. visit the website : http://www.actividadesculturales.unileon.es/ and click in ''talleres creativos'' .
Shopping around León:
Spread over three floors and surrounding 37.000 square meters, Espacio Leon is the newest and most famous commercial centre in the city. Inaugurated in October 2004 it has become the most important shopping area in the city, and most of the stores that already had branches in the city centre’s old commercial area, have new ones inside Espacio Leon. There is plenty bus lines and a generous schedule to get there, and even by car, the three floors parking lot allows you to come anytime without problems to park.
Technology, various stores gathering everything from the sports casual to the most elegant... a nine-screen cinema, all kind of restaurants..Get to know more at http://www.espacioleon.com/.
Espacio León
And if you better feel like going for a walk you can always go shopping in the city centre, streets such as Ordoño II, Calle Ancha and surroundings, have a great variety of stores in which you can find whatever you look for while going for a walk through a monumental area.
Tapas and Nightlife:
The widest variety of appetizers ever, more than 150 bars and clubs within the Barrio humedo, (http://www.barriohumedo.net) a beautiful area concentrated inside the roman city walls.
The philosophy is getting inside a bar, drinking a shot of wine, beer, or whatever you feel like, and taste the tipical, delicious and free “tapa” from the bar…but no for so long, as we said before, there are almost 150 bars waiting for you to taste their great foods...so five minutes in each bar will be more than enough. It could appear as an expensive activity, but 30 euros for two people, (around 40$) will be plenty money to eat or drink one’s fill and have a great time. This can be done every day of the week, before lunch time or from 7.00 pm on, so it will be a great idea to mix the monumental visit with little stops in bars. And from Thursdays to Sundays and inside the same zone, when tapas bars close their doors, you can party out until 9 am if your body resists.
Every kind of music and ambients, from the smallest and most calm Rock bar, to the biggest and noisiest house club.
Useful Links :
* http://www.aytoleon.com/ info about the city to the citizen and the tourist.
* www.fontun.com/leon here you can know all necessary about the province and their town councils, routes, art, history, gastronomy and popular fiestas. You can also look for accommodation.
* http://www.dipuleon.es/ get more info about sports, culture ( Instituto Leonés de Cultura ),youth and tourism.
* http://www.vivaleon.com/ a perfect way to find out all about sports in León (climbing, hill walking,4x4, Skiing, paintball, etc..) and lodging ( youth hostels, camping, etc..)
* http://www.turismocastillayleon.com/ discover the tourist opportunities that Castilla y León offers you
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