Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Leon

Most travelers land in Barcelona or Madrid, take photos of the most famous landmarks, and then leave, thinking they've "done" the country. But surprisingly, the really interesting architectural styles hide in underrated cities in Spain that can barely be found in guidebooks. The lesser-known Spanish cities on this list aren't just "nice alternatives." On the contrary, each one represents a great chapter in Spanish architecture history.

León is a historic city in northwest Spain’s Castilla y León region. It draws visitors with its impressive Gothic cathedral, called "Pulchra Leonina" (Beautiful Leonese), which has Europe’s largest collection of medieval stained glass windows. Once an ancient Roman settlement, León became a key stop on the Camino de Santiago and is filled with architectural treasures from Roman walls to Gaudí’s Casa Botines. The cathedral’s 125 stained glass windows, covering 1,800 square meters, fill the interior with colorful light and make it Spain’s top Gothic masterpiece. The Royal Pantheon in the Basilica of San Isidoro, often called the "Sistine Chapel of Romanesque" for its 12th-century frescoes, preserves outstanding medieval art. Barrio Húmedo, or the Wet Quarter, is famous for its many tapas bars, where León’s tradition of free tapas with every drink makes it a great value for food lovers.