Staying in León: Useful tips & links

Accommodation

Budget accommodation options in León are limited but thankfully HitchHikersHandbook is here to help. Below we list a selection of the cheapest budget options for your convenience but be warned that you may need to book in advance.

Alda Centro Leon Hostel (Calle de la Torre, 3) is located in the heart of the old town a mere 250 m from the Cathedral. There are mixed dorms (14€-18€), private rooms (14€-28€) and the hostel offers free WiFi, kitchen facilities, lockers and maps.

Hotel Alda Casco Antiguo (C/ Cardenal Landázuri, 11) is run by the same Alda hostel chain and is ideally placed in the city centre. It offers 4 bed mixed dorms (16€) and privates (15.50€-24.50€) and facilities include 24hr reception, lockers and free WiFi throughout.

Apartahotel Exe Campus San Mamés (Calle Vegamián, 13) situated a short walk outside the centre, there are a variety of rooms including 3/4 bed mixed dorms (20.50€-26.50€) and privates (27€-48€). Amongst the many services on offer there is 24hr reception, WiFi, parking and air conditioning.

Pensión Puerta Sol (Calle Puerta Sol Número 1, Piso 2º) is a small family run hostel, fantastically positioned with balconies overlooking the main square. Single rooms cost (20€) and double rooms (28 €). We stayed there and would definitely recommend it. It’s a little tricky to find as there are no boards or adverts ourside. Simply find the building and ring the buzzer #2.

Market day on Main square - Leon, Spain (5)

Great view from Pensión Puerta Sol!

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Going Out

The nightlife in León is very centralised with the majority of bars and restaurants packed into ‘Barrio Humedo‘, the city’s old town. Plaza Mayor (Main square) contains slightly more expensive bars and cafés so be sure to check out Plaza de San Martin where you can find some wonderful tapas at extremely affordable prices. To the north of the Cathedral, in “Barrio Romántico” there are a number of restaurants to choose from for a more fixed meal. There our a few nightclubs outside the city centre, most notably ‘Oh León!’, located to the south near the large Carrefour supermarket. Remember that bars in Spain don’t really start filling up until 11 p.m.!

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Things to try & buy

León has a number of local specialities to keep all gastronomy fans happy. Make sure to try some of the following: cecina (cured, smoked beef), morcilla (blood sausage), botillo (meat-stuffed pork intestine), and the heavy el cocido leonés (different meats with vegetables and chickpeas, served after a vegetable-vermicelli soup) and mantecadas (a local pastry sweet) are all unique to León. Wine is extremely popular here especially the Tierra de León selection which includes Pardevalles, Tampesta, Barcillo and Los Palomares.