León
You'll have to check into the Hostal de San Marcos parador to appreciate most of this palatial former monastery, although the historic chapter house and…
Must-see attractions in Castilla y León
Ribera del Duero
This fine, early-13th-century hermitage has a wonderfully lonely aspect and showcases a fusion of styles between late Romanesque and early Gothic,…
Castilla y León
The 13th-century Romanesque Iglesia de San Miguel sports an unusual, octagonal cupola–bell tower that reveals Mudéjar influences and a lovely circular…
Castilla y León
Turégano, about 30km north of Segovia, is dominated by a unique 15th-century castle-church complex built by the then archbishop of Segovia, Juan Arias…
Segovia
This 12-sided church is one of the best preserved of its kind in Europe. Built in the early 13th century by the Knights Templar and based on Jerusalem's…
Salamanca
One of the city's most endearing buildings, Casa de las Conchas is named after the 300 scallop shells clinging to its facade. The house's original owner,…
Castilla y León
Towering above the village is the one-time Muslim fortress that gave Calatañazor its name (which comes from the Arabic Qala'at an-Nassur, literally 'The…
Castilla y León
Archaeology buffs with a passable knowledge of Spanish should enjoy this well-organised museum dedicated to finds from ancient sites across the province…
Iglesia de San Pedro & San Isidro
Castilla y León
The fusion of 12th-century Romanesque-Mudéjar elements with later Gothic modifications makes this church worth seeking out. Don't miss the porticoes in…
Valladolid
Cervantes was briefly imprisoned in Valladolid; his house is happily preserved behind a quiet little garden. The museum is a mix of period furnishings…
Burgos
Located in peaceful woodlands 4km east of the city centre, this monastery contains a trio of 15th-century masterworks by Gil de Siloé, the man responsible…
Segovia
This engaging little private museum takes you through the wonderful world of Spanish foods, with a focus on those from the Segovia region. There are…
Castilla y León
Medina de Rioseco is famous for its Easter processions, but if you can't be here during Holy Week, this museum provides an insight into the ceremonial…
Castilla y León
If you take the N234 southeast of Burgos, a worthwhile stop some 35km out is the 7th-century Ermita de Santa María de Lara, close to Quintanilla de las…
Castilla y León
This 13th-century former convent has been stunningly restored, with glimpses of elaborate 13th-century frescos and 17th-century Mudéjar plasterwork (the…
Castilla y León
In Baños de Cerrato, close to the singularly unattractive rail junction of Venta de Baños, lies Spain’s oldest church, the 7th-century Basílica de San…
Salamanca
This much-modified convent started life as a Romanesque structure and now houses a small museum. You can admire the beautiful frescos and climb up some…
Centro Didáctico de la Judería
Segovia
This interpretation centre and museum in Segovia's old Jewish quarter provides a fascinating history of the Jewish community in Segovia. It occupies the…
Castilla y León
Although modified down through the centuries, this gate on the west side of the village first served as one of four entrances to the settlement in Roman…
Castilla y León
At the top of the village, this striking town square is surrounded by some fine historical buildings. The 17th-century ayuntamiento (town hall) has a…
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rivero
Ribera del Duero
The 12th-century Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rivero sports the porticoed side galleries that characterise the Romanesque style of the Segovia and Burgos…
Castilla y León
Halfway up the hill towards the historic centre from the river, the Concatedral de San Pedro has a pleasing plateresque facade. The 12th-century cloister…
Castilla y León
The long, sloping Plaza Mayor is a fine centrepiece for this beautiful town. At the top of the hill, the double-storey arches of the Casa Consistorial are…
Castilla y León
The narrow streets of Soria's old town converge on the Plaza Mayor. The plaza's appeal lies in its lack of uniformity, and in the attractive Renaissance…
Castilla y León
Crowning the village's high point and dominating its skyline for kilometres around, the castle has some interesting displays on local history, flora and…
Castilla y León
The 16th-century Palacio de los Ávila y Tiedra boasts one of the town’s most engaging plateresque facades – it's the pick of a handful of fine examples…
Monasterio de Santa María la Real
Castilla y León
Just outside town, on the highway to Cervera de Pisuerga, is the restored Romanesque Monasterio de Santa María la Real. Its 13th-century Gothic cloister…
Valladolid
The main facade of this church is an extravagant masterpiece of Isabelline Gothic, with every square centimetre finely worked, carved and twisted to…
Ribera del Duero
Just five minutes north of Peñafiel, this winery offers excellent tours and has a wine bar in a striking building. Well-regarded reds are its hallmark,…
Castilla y León
This excellent museum is a window onto the cultural history of Castilla y León, with everything from artefacts from everyday life down through the ages to…
Ribera del Duero
The 11th-century Iglesia de San Miguel is a fine example of a rural Romanesque church, with the pleasing porticoes so typical of this corner of Castilla y…
Castilla y León
Overlooking the town and providing its picturesque backdrop is a 12th-century castillo (castle) and the graceful Romanesque Ermita de Santa Cecilia, a…
Castilla y León
This excellent little boutique winery produces some lovely reds and an intriguing white. With prior notice, it opens for tastings and for tours of the…
Castilla y León
Within the 18th-century Palacio Episcopal, this museum showcases art from the Middle Ages through to the Renaissance. Pride of place goes to works by…
Ribera del Duero
Crowning the summit of the old town, the massive Plaza Mayor is fronted by the oversized Palacio Ducal, notable for its courtyards and 210 balconies. The…
León
León's recurring Renaissance theme finds expression in the splendid Palacio de los Guzmanes (1560), where the facade and patio stand out. The latter is…
Castilla y León
This museum will initiate you into the weird and wonderful rites of Easter, Spanish-style. It showcases the carved and painted pasos (figures) that are…
Valladolid
Dedicated to post-WWI Spanish art, this surprising museum contains works by Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida, Jorge Oteiza,…
Iglesia de Santo Tomé El Viejo
Ávila
This church dates from the 13th century, and it was from this pulpit that Santa Teresa was castigated most vehemently for her reforms. It has been…
Castilla y León
Notable for its pleasingly unadorned Romanesque sanctuary dominated by a multidomed ceiling, this is where you can hear the monks chant vespers six times…
