Castilla y León

The large region of Castilla y León is located inland, bordering Portugal to the west. It has a rich legacy dating back to the Romans, with an extraordinary wealth of castles, cathedrals and mansions, historic cities and towns.

Steeped in history and architectural sights, the major towns and cities of the provinces all have something to offer. In the south, the town of Ávila is set on a high plain, surrounded by 11th-century walls; and the graceful city of Salamanca was once home to one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Its grand Plaza Mayor is the finest in Spain. 

In the east, Segovia is well known for its magnificent Roman aqueduct, with 163 arches and 29 metres at its highest point; the cathedral; and the fairytale Alcazár, complete with turrets and narrow towers. The attractive city of Soria still retains a Romanesque legacy in its network of medieval streets. Burgos, in the north, is the birthplace of El Cid and has a Gothic cathedral of exceptional quality. The lively university city of Leon boasts a Royal Pantheon, decorated by Romanesque wall paintings, and also an impressive Gothic cathedral. There is also a Gothic cathedral in Palencia, plus an archaeology museum. 

South of León, the old walled quarters of Zamora have a retained medieval appearance, with a dozen Romanesque churches. Valladolid, in the centre of the region, is famous for its processions during the Holy Week celebrations

The region is made up of the following provinces: Avila, Burgos, Leon, Palencia, Salamanca, Valladolid, Zamora, Segovia and Soria. 

Places of interest

Astorga: city of Roman origin, chocolate museum, cathedral.

Ciudad Rodrigo: Renaissance mansions, cathedral, 12th-century walls.

Coca: impressive Mudejar castle, birthplace of the famous Roman emperor Theodosius the Great.

Pantano de Burgomillodo: reservoir, great for birdwatchers.

Parque Natural del Cañón del Río Lobos: park created around the canyon of the River Lobos with rock formations, cave and good walking tracks.

Parque Natural del Lago de Sanabria y alrededores: mountainous area with deep valleys and glacier lagoons, variety of flora and fauna including 76 types of birds and 17 large mammals.

Cuisine of the region

The region is best known for its roast pork and lamb which has earned it the nickname España del Asado (Spain of the Roast). Other local products include trout from León and Zamora, and a variety of pulses: white, red and black beans, Castilian and Pedrosillano chickpeas, and various types of lentils. Soups feature a lot in winter: trout soup, typical of Órbigo de León; garlic soup; Zamora soup, a garlic soup with ripe tomatoes and hot chilli peppers. 

Bizcochos de San Lorenzo: sponge cakes.

Farinatos: sausages made from breadcrumbs, pork fat and spices.

Hornazos: sausage and egg tarts.

Judias del barco con chorizo: haricot beans with sausage.

Yemas: a sweet made with egg yolks and sugar.