‘Two cities in one’: Lonely Planet reveals best Spanish spot for nightlife and tapas

One northern Spanish city should be firmly on your radar (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Spain is a country beloved by British tourists – so much so that 19 million of us fly there each year. By now, most of us are familiar with La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, or the many glorious beaches of the Costa Del Sol. With that in mind, there’s a lesser-visited destination that’s tucked away in one of Spain’s quieter regions, with a popping nightlife scene and tapas so good it rivals the cities it’s best known for, like Seville. Meet: León. Set on the Bernesga River in northwest Spain, it’s finally getting its flowers, as it’s appeared on a what is arguably the most prestigious ‘best in travel’ list for 2027 out there. Described as ‘two cities in one,’ Lonely Planet praised it for its fascinating history and late-night energy, writing: ‘By day you’ll encounter a city with its roots firmly planted in the soil of northern Castilla, with its grand monuments, Catholic heritage and access to the Camino de Santiago. ‘By night León is taken over by a deep-into-the-night soundtrack of revelry that floods the narrow streets and plazas of the picturesque old quarter.’ @spain.reels You’re just walking through the old town, looking for somewhere to eat, when suddenly this appears at the end of the street. No dramatic viewpoint, no special setup — just centuries of history casually becoming part of an ordinary evening in Spain. This is León, one of northern Spain’s most beautiful historic cities, where narrow streets, traditional architecture, tapas bars and lively terraces surround the spectacular León Cathedral. ⛪️🌙 Famous for its Gothic architecture and incredible stained-glass windows, the cathedral feels even more impressive when you discover it between the buildings of the old town. And maybe that’s one of the best things about traveling through Spain. Sometimes the moments you remember most aren’t planned. They happen while wandering through an old street, hearing conversations from nearby restaurants and suddenly realizing you’re standing in front of something built hundreds of years ago. ❤️🇪🇸 Spain really has a way of making an ordinary walk feel like a movie. 🇪🇸Estás paseando por el casco antiguo, buscando dónde cenar, y de repente aparece esto al final de la calle. Así se siente León, una ciudad llena de historia, calles con encanto, terrazas, tapas y una de las catedrales más impresionantes de España. ⛪️ La Catedral de León domina el corazón de la ciudad con su arquitectura gótica y sus espectaculares vidrieras. Pero lo mejor es descubrirla así, casi por sorpresa, mientras simplemente paseas por las calles del centro. 🌙✨ Porque en España hasta un paseo cualquiera puede convertirse en uno de esos momentos que no quieres olvidar. ❤️ #Spain #VisitSpain #Leon #SpainTravel españa⁣ 🇪🇸 Good to know: León Cathedral is especially famous for its enormous collection of medieval stained glass, which has earned it the nickname “House of Light.” ✅ FOLLOW @SPAIN.REELS for more Spain content 🇪🇸❤️ ♬ original sound – spain.reels Locals are well aware of its magic. Writing on the r/howislivingthere Subreddit, @Expensive_News9720 said the city might have ‘coldest winters in Spain,’ but it’s home to its most ‘breathtaking landscapes.’ Meanwhile, @Delde116 described a ‘foreign tourist deciding to go to León’ as a ‘holy sight to behold in itself.’ They added, ‘finally, someone with the guts to say, “NAY, I SHAN’T GO TO BARCELONA!” Already tempted to switch up your usual Spanish getaway with a different destination? Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Here’s everything you need to know about León. The city is on the historic Camino de Santiago route (Picture: Joaquin Gomez Sastre/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Things to do in León Known as a stop along the Camino de Santiago, pilgrims have been visiting León since the Middle Ages. The route features just shy of two weeks of walking (13 days), and covers 320 kilometres along the way. The end destination is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of St James lie. The entire path is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as a European Cultural Route. These days, some of the most popular sights for those visiting León as part of the pilgrimage include León Cathedral and the Convento de San Marcos, known for its scallop shell shapes on the exterior, which serve as a symbol of the Camino de Santiago. Barcelona is closely associated with the work of Antoni Gaudí, a Catalan architect famous for works including Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, and, famously, La Sagrada Família. It might have some of the ‘coldest winters’ in Spain, but it sure is pretty (Picture: Getty Images/Cavan Images RF) But León has also paid special tribute to him, with the Museo Casa Botines Gaudí. The man himself designed the building, but died before he could ever see his plans come to fruition. After his death in 1929, the local bank of León bought the building and saw through the designs, just as Gaudí intended them. These days, in addition to having a museum dedicated to Gaudí, it also features Spanish art from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Plaza San Martin is known primarily for its many colourful buildings, but also its thriving tapas culture. Here, you’ll find spots like Taberna Los Cazurros, La Bicha, and Meson Jabugo, all serving up dishes like morcilla, octopus, and croquettes. If you’re ready to hit the town afterwards, there are almost 1,200 drinking venues – which translates to roughly one pub per 100 residents. There’s the aptly-named Taxman Beatles Bar, which is filled with random Beatles memorabilia, including the famous Abbey Road pedestrian crossing picture. And, amid a sea of Spanish beer, it’s one of the only places you can buy a Guinness, if that’s your thing. Elsewhere in the world of music-themed bars, there’s also El Gran Café León, which puts on live music and is open until 4.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3am on a Sunday. Berghain, who? Many bars are open until 4 in the morning (Picture: Getty Images) How to get to León Part of the reason León is so less popular with British tourists is because there isn’t a direct flight from London. To get there, you’ll need to fly to Barcelona and connect, which can end up being pretty expensive. Google Flights is flagging routes throughout October and November ranging between £300 and £400. If you’re truly dedicated to the cause, there’s also the option of flying from London straight through to Madrid. From there, León is about two hours north by train, and tickets start from about €55 (£47). Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Our Top Shopping Picks This new Cricut gadget turns your favourite photos into stickers in minutes From kitchen hatches to burgundy walls – the biggest home trends for 2027 Oodie’s cosy blanket sale has arrived just in time for Christmas shopping Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 Arrow MORE: The bohemian Greek island with no cars, no chaos and timeless charm Arrow MORE: The ‘spectacular’ European road trip that’s at its most beautiful in autumn Arrow MORE: Three European nations warned of possible Russian aerial drone attack The Getaway Expert Your exclusive seven-day guide to travelling with confidence from Metro's resident travel expert, Alice Murphy.