León, a city in northwest Spain set on the Bernesga River, has been highlighted by Lonely Planet as one of the best destinations for nightlife and tapas, earning a spot on its prestigious 'best in travel' list for 2027. Described as 'two cities in one,' the city is praised for its fascinating history and late-night energy.
Lonely Planet's Praise for León
Lonely Planet wrote: 'By day you'll encounter a city with its roots firmly planted in the soil of northern Castilla, with its grand monuments, Catholic heritage and access to the Camino de Santiago.' The guide added: 'By night León is taken over by a deep-into-the-night soundtrack of revelry that floods the narrow streets and plazas of the picturesque old quarter.'
Locals have also shared their appreciation for the city. On the r/howislivingthere Subreddit, @Expensive_News9720 said the city might have 'coldest winters in Spain,' but it's home to its most 'breathtaking landscapes.' Another user, @Delde116, described a 'foreign tourist deciding to go to León' as a 'holy sight to behold in itself,' adding, 'finally, someone with the guts to say, "NAY, I SHAN'T GO TO BARCELONA!"'
Things to Do in León
León is known as a stop along the Camino de Santiago, with pilgrims visiting since the Middle Ages. The route features 13 days of walking, covering 320 kilometres, and ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of St James lie. The entire path is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and a European Cultural Route.
Popular sights for visitors include León Cathedral, famous for its Gothic architecture and enormous collection of medieval stained glass, which has earned it the nickname 'House of Light.' The Convento de San Marcos is also notable for its scallop shell shapes on the exterior, a symbol of the Camino de Santiago.
León also pays tribute to Antoni Gaudí with the Museo Casa Botines Gaudí. The architect designed the building but died in 1929 before seeing his plans come to fruition. The local bank of León bought the building and completed the designs as Gaudí intended. Today, it houses a museum dedicated to Gaudí and features Spanish art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Plaza San Martin is known for its colourful buildings and thriving tapas culture, with spots like Taberna Los Cazurros, La Bicha, and Meson Jabugo serving dishes like morcilla, octopus, and croquettes.
Nightlife and Getting There
For nightlife, León has almost 1,200 drinking venues, roughly one pub per 100 residents. The Taxman Beatles Bar is filled with Beatles memorabilia, including the Abbey Road pedestrian crossing picture, and is one of the few places to buy a Guinness. El Gran Café León offers live music and stays open until 4.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3am on Sundays.
There is no direct flight from London to León. Travelers can fly to Barcelona and connect, with Google Flights flagging routes in October and November ranging between £300 and £400. Alternatively, one can fly from London to Madrid and take a train about two hours north to León, with tickets starting from about €55 (£47).
