Castilla y Leon Travel Guide

Castilla y Leon (strictly speaking 'Castile and Leon' in English) is the biggest region in Spain, covering the regions to the north and west of Madrid right up to the coastal regions of Galicia, Asturias and Santander.

Cities and Towns in Castilla y Leon

1. Segovia
2. Salamanca
3. Leon
4. Burgos
5. Avila
6. Zamora
7. Palencia
8. Soria

Castilla y Leon in a Week

It would be pretty much impossible to cover Castilla y Leon in a week, simply because it's so big. However, though the region has a number of interesting sights, few could be described as 'unmissable' if you are really pressed for time. So pick and choose from the following and see how much you can realistically fit into your week.

If you're starting from Madrid, two essential stops can be crammed into a single day - the walled city of Avila and the sights of Segovia (see below), but I'd recommend at least a day for Segovia alone. A day in Salamanca is enough to take in the cathedrals and famous Plaza Mayor. From here the 'must-see' status of the remaining sights is greatly diminished. There are the numerous Romanesque churches of Zamora and the spectacular cathedrals of Leon, Palencia and Burgos (see them in that order to avoid backtracking).

Whether you want to take in Soria depends on where you want to go next. From Soria it makes sense to return to Madrid or to head for Zaragoza or Logroño. Alternatively, head north from Burgos (missing out Soria) and head to Santander or Bilbao.

Castilla y Leon Highlights

• The aqueduct of Segovia
• Still in Segovia: the fairytale castle Alcazar
• The plaza mayor in Salamanca
• The two cathedrals of Salamanca
• The fortress walls of Avila
• The cathedral in Burgos
• The cathedral in Leon
• The cathedral in Palencia

Arrival and Departure

There is an airport in Valladolid, but most people tend to arrive from Madrid.

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