Castilla and Leon is the largest region of Spain: a high plateau plain, encircled by mountains. These mountain peaks reach up to 500 and 1000 metres in height. The river Duero crosses the plateau towards Portugal. Castilla and Leon were central areas of Spanish medieval history. The foundations of modern Spain were laid in the kingdom of Castilla, that’s why this is a land of frontier fortresses.  Apart of its great monumental patrimony, Castilla and Leon offer natural parks and kilometres of practically virginal nature, with woods and cereals. 

The landscape of Castilla and Leon

Although the Castilian soil is fertile, the harsh extremes of land and climate don't encourage rural settlement and the vast central plateau, the 700 to 1000 metres high meseta, is given over almost entirely to grain. In some areas you could see the clean line of the horizon without a single landmark, not even a tree.

Large cities in Castilla and Leon

Salamanca is a city of outstanding beauty and rich cultural heritage with one of the oldest Universities in Europe. The monumental town of Burgos is one of the greatest examples of Gothic style’s cathedral in Spain.

Tourist attractions in Castilla and Leon

Besides the big cities, you should stop in some of the smaller towns such as Ciudad Rodrigo, El Burgo de Osma or the village of Covarrubias. In all of them you'll be struck by a wealth of mansions and churches incongruous with present, or even imagined past. The most impressive of the castles are at Coca, Gormaz and Berlanga de Duero. The other architectural feature of the region is the host of Romanesque churches, monasteries and hermitages.

Sports activities in Castilla and Leon

Hiking, climbing, trekking, walking along the Camino de Santiago (St. Jacques way) any kind of water sport in the rivers of Castile: kayaking, canoeing in the Hoces of Duratón river. It is easy to be in touch with nature in the land of Castile and León.   

Gastronomic characteristics of Castilla and Leon

Castilian cuisine is based upon the traditional products of the meseta. Gastronomy is distinguished by excellent meat like the cochinillo (suckling pig) and lechazo or cordero asado (lamb) almost everywhere, as well as thick sopas castellanas, usually containing chickpeas or white haricot beans. Fresh water fish, particularly trout, is popular, while Salamanca province is known for its ham and sausage.

Castilian Wine is excellent: the well known Rioja wine and Ribera del Duero wine comes from this area.   

The climate of Castilla and Leon

The high average altitude and the encircling mountain perimeter define its continental climate with cold and long winters and hot and short summers. Rainfall on the central flat lands varies between 600mm and 400mm. In the mountainous areas above 2,000 m, the snow can be permanent.