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León is not the most well-known city in Spain, but it does have lots of things to see and do for its small size. As with other cities in the Castile and León region, the architecture is stunning. However, I was not in León for the historic buildings, but rather the cortos and tapas. Cortos are small glasses of beer while tapas are small plates of food. In León, it is typical to order a drink and receive a tapa for free.

What is a Corto?

In Spain, there are different ways to order your beer. This can even differ by region. In León, you usually see people ordering smaller glasses of beer, which are referred to as “cortos” and “cañas.”

corto = 100 milliliters/~3.5 ounces

caña = 200 milliliters/~6.7 ounces

>> Ordering a smaller size beer keeps it colder during hotter months of the year! <<

Where to Eat and Drink

Partaking in a tapa crawl is the best way to experience León’s fun corto and tapa culture. There are various bars to try, but here are several I visited and what I ate:

• El Rincón del Gaucho: sopa de ajos and patatas con picadillo
• La Bicha: morcilla de León
• La Competencia: pizza
• El Patio: croquetas
• Clandestino: nachos
• Valor: churros with chocolate (not a bar, but I love churros!)

[Click here] for other recommendations.

Tip: It is normal for restaurants and businesses to close midday in Spain. Try your best to plan around opening hours, which generally run 11 am – 4 pm and 7 pm – 12 am. Places do have slightly different schedules, so it is best to check websites ahead of time.

Sites of Interest in León

Santa María de Regla de León Cathedral: This Catholic church and cathedral is regarded as the city’s landmark. It is known for its 130 windows and three rose windows, which are stained-glass style windows with medieval origins. They are considered among the best in the world.

Fortress walls: The walls in León’s city center were built between the 3rd and 4th century by the Romans. The medieval wall that extends to the south is an addition built by King Alfonso VI at the end of the 14th century.

Camino de Santiago: The Camino de Santiago is a historic pilgrimage route that has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage for its important role in encouraging cultural exchanges between people from across the world for centuries. Part of it runs through León, with small golden shells and footprints marking the path.

León was a great day-trip from Valladolid, which is where my sister was teaching English in Spain! If you are in the northwestern region of the country, taking a day to experience the cortos, tapas, and history of León is highly recommended.

Peace & happy travels,

Tay