Camping Castille and León

This is one of the destinations that offer the greatest diversity of natural landscapes in Europe, as well as spectacular monuments and varied and abundant gastronomy. The region is full of natural parks and kilometres of practically virginal nature, with woods of oaks and cork-oaks. This means that you will easily find a place to settle and stretch your legs in the cosy summer shade of centuries-old trees. All these areas are perfect for climbing, cycling, and kayaking. You and your whole family will be fascinated by this location, full of various leisure activities and the hot Spanish sun!

Castile and León is a landlocked region, bordered by Portugal as well as by the Spanish autonomous communities of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, the Basque Country, La Rioja, Aragon, Castilla–La Mancha, the Community of Madrid, and Extremadura. It is surrounded by mountain barriers (the Picos de Europa to the North, the Sistema Central to the South and the Sistema Ibérico to the East) and it is drained by the Douro River, flowing west toward the Atlantic Ocean. 

The autonomous community of Castile-León was established on February 25, 1983, in the historic region of Old Castile. The area was originally inhabited by Celtic people until the Romans invaded the Iberian Peninsula around 219 BC. During their control, the Romans influenced much of the region through architecture, religion, and language. Later on, the region fell into Muslim hands. During this time, the Muslims pushed out the Roman Catholics who practised Christianity. These Christians fled to northern Spain until the Christian Reconquest in the 13th century.

Until Castilla y Leon was formed in 1983, there were many requests for Leon to become its own autonomous region, separate from Castilla, but it was unsuccessful. Eventually, one unified group was formed, which led to the formation of Castilla y Leon in 1983.

The region is full of stunning, picture-perfect cities and towns where you will find natural and historical monuments, uncovering local experiences. Ávila is an easily recognisable, fortified city. In fact, the walls, the old town centre and the churches on the outskirts have earned Ávila UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Head to the beautiful Burgos, home to a stunning World Heritage Site cathedral, built in an impressive Gothic style. See the beautiful Basilica of San Isidoro in León. Palencia is a must-visit place for architecture enthusiasts as the city is notable for its Romanesque art, but its beautiful cathedral is an example of flamboyant Gothic architecture.

To discover the delights of Salamanca, all you need to do is stroll around the old quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Do not miss Segovia, a World Heritage City well known for its Roman aqueduct, built in the 1st to 2nd centuries CE. Visit beautiful Spanish villages such as Caín de Valdeón, commonly known as Caín, which is a picturesque mountain village located in the Picos de Europa. The village of Frías has a special charm, with a medieval town centre declared a historic-artistic site. And finally, do not miss Calatañazor, not only one of the most beautiful villages in Castile and León, but also one of the most picturesque in Soria.

1. Basilica of San Isidoro, León

The Royal Collegiate Church of Saint Isidore is considered among the most important Romanesque monuments in Spain. You will have a chance to visit the San Isidoro Museum here, which features exhibits about the historic Kingdom of León.

2. Museo Casa Botines Gaudí

This striking Neo-Gothic palace is the work of renowned Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí. Standing in the spacious town square of Plaza de San Marcelo, the Museo Casa Botines Gaudí has the look of a fairy-tale medieval castle with a few surprising modernist architectural details.

3. Aqueduct of Segovia

The Aqueduct of Segovia is a Roman aqueduct in Segovia. It is one of the best-preserved elevated Roman aqueducts and the foremost symbol of Segovia, as evidenced by its presence on the city's coat of arms.

4. Las Médulas

Las Médulas is a historic gold-mining site near the town of Ponferrada. It was the most important gold mine, as well as the largest open-pit gold mine, in the entire Roman Empire. The Las Médulas Cultural Landscape is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

5. Picos de Europa

The Picos de Europa are a mountain range extending for about 20 km, forming part of the Cantabrian Mountains in northern Spain. Take your family to this amazing place and enjoy the numerous scenic panoramas.

1. Enjoy the panoramic views from Alcázar de Segovia

The Alcázar of Segovia is a medieval castle located in the city of Segovia. The fortress is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will have an opportunity to watch the most beautiful sunsets from the observation deck here.

2. Taste the famous cured meats of Castile and León

Castilla y León is a region which is becoming famous for its high-quality epicurean delights, stretching from wines and craft beer to cured meats and dairy products. Do not miss the unique experience of tasting some regional specialities.

3. Visit the centuries-old castles

The region is dotted with medieval castles and stunning cathedrals, fascinating tourists with their majestic architecture. Some of them would be Burgos Cathedral, Salamanca Cathedral, Castilo de Coca or Peñafiel Castle.

4. Have a picnic in the Sierra de Gredos Regional Park

The Sierra de Gredos is an impressive granite massif that rises in the middle of the Central System mountain range. Gather your family, pack your lunch, and head to one of the most remarkable places in Spain.

5. Discover the Romanesque architecture

As the region of Castile and León fell into the hands of the Romans, they had a superb influence on culture, art, and architecture here. Wander around the area and discover the magnificent buildings.

Without a doubt, Castilla-Leon is best known for its roasted suckling pig and lamb. These may be the main dishes of the local cuisine, but they are by no means the only ones. There are many others that are well worth trying and are prepared with all sorts of different ingredients. Suckling lamb roasts stand out above all the other main dishes of the region! If you like lamb, visit the triangle between Segovia, Soria, and Burgos. Stews were a common daily dish in all households until very recently. For centuries, this area relied on chickpeas (garbanzo beans) as one of the basic foods of this region, and it is the main ingredient of Castilian stews. 

Due to the long, cold winters in the region, soups are also popular. Try the Sopa de Ajo or Castillian Garlic Soup. Castilla is known for its wonderful bread, and the history of baking is a very long one. Although Castilla is not situated along the coastline, it does have some wonderful fish recipes, including cod, trout, and crayfish. For example, Bacalao al ajoarriero is a very popular dish that has spread to all other parts of Spain.

You can either follow your own routes throughout the region or try at least some made by local guides. Wine lovers will be amazed by the Ribera del Duero wine route. It runs through inland Spain, and more particularly, through four provinces in Castile and León: Burgos, Segovia, Soria, and Valladolid. Besides underground wine cellar tours, they will take you back in time to the origins of wine, the tradition of wine-producing families, the combination of avant-garde architecture, the typical gastronomy of Castile, cultural heritage and natural landscapes.

Do not miss the Mudéjar Theme Park, a miniature park located in Olmedo. It contains 21 scale models of buildings in Castile and Leon, including castles and churches that were constructed in the Mudéjar style.

Head to the Salamanca Market, open every Sunday, not only selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses but also representing artisans, designers, and producers. The Mercado de Val market is one of the biggest in the region and is open every day, selling local specialities.

The variety of campsites in Castile and León is infinite and they offer all kinds of accommodation, from cosy tipis to well-furnished mobile homes, from modern apartments to spacious lodges. Even those travelling with RVs will be able to settle on a pitch that opens up to Mediterranean waters. Most of the rental units are equipped with comfortable beds, terraces with outdoor furniture, and more exclusive accommodations have kitchenettes, dining areas, and private bathrooms with toilets and hot showers. Most of the camping villages have their own qualified animation team, sports facilities, children’s playgrounds, and an on-site restaurant or snack bar. You will easily find a place to settle with your four-legged friend, too!

You will find a place to stretch your legs after a long day in an RV with no difficulty. Most of the camper places offer slots with electricity, grey water points, water supplies, or even an SAT-TV connection. Some of the spots have private sanitary facilities, but usually, there are clean and modern shared bathrooms with toilets and hot showers.

Most of the glamping spots nowadays in Spain are modern and well-equipped, with newly built holiday tents for two or more people.