Hotels in León

León is a Castilian city that punches well above its size thanks to its cathedral, one of the finest Gothic buildings in Spain, with stained glass that outshines Chartres for sheer coverage even if the city around it doesn't get the crowds. It's a stop on the Camino de Santiago, so you'll share the old town with pilgrims following the yellow arrows, and the Barrio Húmedo delivers some of the best free tapas culture in the country — order a drink and food usually turns up unasked.

The Gaudí-designed Casa Botines adds an odd architectural footnote near the main square. Be honest: León is a small provincial capital with limited nightlife beyond the tapas crawl, and outside the historic core there's not much to detain a second day. With only eight hotels listed here, options are modest rather than plentiful. Stay in or near the Barrio Húmedo, so the cathedral, tapas bars and old town are all within walking distance.