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Historic centre · León, Castela e Leão
Plaza Mayor y Barrio Húmedo
The 17th-century Baroque main square and the surrounding bar district, the Barrio Húmedo, the center of León’s tapas nights.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Plaza Mayor y Barrio Húmedo
The Plaza Mayor de León is a 17th-century Baroque square, enclosed by buildings with arcades and balconies, with the old town hall building, the Consistorio, on one side, its façade with towers. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings the square hosts the food market, with fruits, vegetables and regional products. During Holy Week, it is one of the settings for the processions.
Around the square is the Barrio Húmedo, the ‘wet’ quarter, so called, according to locals, because of the number of bars. These are the oldest streets of the city, such as de la Rúa and the Cuesta de Castañones, and the small Plaza de San Martín, full of tapas bars. The custom is to go from bar to bar, and in many of them a tapa comes with the drink. Cecina (cured beef), morcilla and chorizo from León are on almost every counter.
Next to it is the Barrio Romántico, around the praça do Grano, with a cobbled stone pavement, a fountain and a cruceiro, quieter. There are the church of Santa María del Camino and the convento das monjas carvajalas.
The bustle starts in the late afternoon and continues late into the night, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1 to 3 hours, in the evening, going from bar to bar.
Best time
In the late afternoon and evening, especially Thursday to Saturday. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, the market at the Plaza Mayor.
How to get there
The Plaza Mayor is in the old town, about a 5-minute walk from the catedral and 20 minutes from the train station.
Tip
Start at the plaza of San Martín and follow the surrounding streets, ordering a small drink at each bar to try several tapas in the same night.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Plaza Mayor y Barrio Húmedo
What is the Barrio Húmedo?
It's the neighborhood of tapas bars around the Plaza Mayor and the praça de San Martín, in the old town of León.
When is the market at the Plaza Mayor de León?
On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, with fruit, vegetables and regional products.
What to try in the Barrio Húmedo?
Cecina (cured beef), morcilla (blood sausage) and chorizo from León, among other tapas.