//
Autonomous community in northern Spain
Photo: David Corral Gadea, CC BY-SA 3.0 es via Wikimedia Commons
Castile and León (Spanish: Castilla y León) is a region of Central Spain, named for its many medieval castles. It's on a plateau and is bordered to the north by coastal Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, east by Madrid and Castile-La Mancha, south by Extremadura, and west by Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro in northern Portugal.
By plane
Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) is usually the best airport for reaching this region, for its wide range of flights and good onward transport. Several buses for Castile and Leon start from this airport.
By train
High-speed trains fan out from Madrid Chamartín to all the main cities, continuing to Ourense, Vigo and Portugal. Slower trains start from Madrid Principio Pio, eg to Ávila.
By bus
Alsa is the main inter-city bus line, plying from Madrid Estación Sur ("south station") and stopping at Moncloa interchange in the northwest suburbs. Some buses start from Madrid Airport.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Valladolid · Regional · VLL
Loading places around the airport…
León is a city in Castile and León in northern Spain, with a population of 121,000 in 2023. It's on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, and has a vast cultural, historical and architectural heritage.
Astorga is a town in the Castile and León region of northern Spain, 43 km southwest of León city. It has a well-preserved old centre and is a stop-off on the pilgrimage route to Santiago.
Ávila is a city in Castile and León in northern Spain, 120 km northwest of Madrid. Its old town is spectacularly ringed by ancient walls, and has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Bembibre is a town in Castile and León, with a population of 8200 in 2024. It has a couple of old churches, which won't take long to see.
Burgos is a city in Castile and León in northern Spain, with a population of 175,000 in 2023. It's best known for its cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and stopover on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail.
Miranda de Ebro is in Castile and León. Although it is an industrial city, it has a rich cultural history that undoubtedly surprises the tourist who arrives.
Palencia is a city in Castile and León in northern Spain, with a population of 76,300 in 2023. It was industrial from about 1840 to 1960 and its centre is modern, but with several interesting old buildings and plazas.
Ponferrada is a city in Castile and León, with a population of almost 64,000 in 2021. It's best known for its castle built by the Knights Templar, and as a stopover on the pilgrimage trail to Santiago de Compostela.
Salamanca is a city in Castile and León in western central Spain, with a population of 143,500 in 2021. It has a magnificent old town centre, with multiple Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque buildings inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list.
Segovia is a city in Castile and León in northern Spain, with a population of 51,000 in 2023. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the top sights being the Roman aqueduct, the cathedral, and the Disneyesque castle.
Soria is a city in the Castile and León region of northern Spain, with a population of 40,000 in 2023, and another 50,000 in its surrounding province. Its main attraction is its collection of Romanesque churches.
Valladolid is a city in Castile and León in northern Spain, with a population of just over 300,000 in 2024. Much of it is modern and industrial but there's a concentration of sights in its medieval core.
Zamora is a city in Castile and León, with a population of 59,000 in 2023. The Old Town within the medieval walls has a remarkable collection of Romanesque churches.
Atapuerca is a village in Castile and León, Spain. It has about 120 inhabitants and lies on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Belorado is a village in Castile and León, Spain. It has about 1,700 inhabitants and lies on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Berlanga de Duero is a small Castilian village in Castile and León with a strong historical character, a hilltop castle, timbered houses, and archaeological remains.
Castrojeriz is a village in Castile and León, Spain. It has about 500 inhabitants (2023) and lies on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Frómista is a village in Castile and León, Spain. It has about 750 inhabitants and lies on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Hontanas is a village in Castile and León, Spain. It has 68 inhabitants (2023) and lies on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Hornillos del Camino is a village in Castile and León, Spain. It has 54 inhabitants (2023) and lies on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Rabé de las Calzadas is a village in Castile and León, Spain. It has about 250 inhabitants and lies on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Sahagún is a town in Castile and León in northern Spain, with a population of 2,100 in 2024. The town lies on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Santa Lucía de Gordón is a village in the central mountain of Castile and Leon. It has a population of 400 people (2019) and it is the second biggest village of the municipality.
Tardajos is a village in Castile and León, Spain. It has about 800 inhabitants and lies on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Villafranca Montes de Oca is a village in Castile and León, Spain. It has about 110 inhabitants and lies on the French Way of the Camino de Santiago.
Articles and travel topics about Castile and León and Spain.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
InspirationExplore the best places to visit in November across autumn foliage, mild desert warmth, southern spring blooms, and off-peak travel bargains.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.