Apartments in León

León has more than two hundred tourist apartments spread throughout the city, and the choice of area makes quite a difference between a comfortable trip and one that forces you to take the car for everything. The old town, around the cathedral, the plaza del Grano and the barrio Húmedo, is where the largest offer of small flats and studios is concentrated. Here you will be right next to the tapas bars, calle Ancha and the main monuments, but you will also notice more noise at night, especially on weekends. If what you are looking for is peace and quiet and you don't mind walking ten or fifteen minutes, the area of avenida de Ordoño II, the Ensanche or the surroundings of San Marcos will give you larger apartments, with better insulation and, in many cases, with a parking space included, something that in the centre is a luxury that is hard to find.

The main difference between some areas and others lies in the balance between nightlife and rest, and also in the price. Apartments in the old town tend to be cheaper per night, but many are interior flats or have windows facing inner courtyards, so check the photos and the comments about natural light and noise carefully. In the modern area, near the Palacio de Congresos or avenida de los Cubos, you will find newer buildings, with a lift and central heating, which is appreciated in winter. To get around, the city is flat and walkable, but if you arrive by train or bus, keep in mind that the train station is in the west and the bus station in the north; from both you can walk to the centre in about twenty minutes or take a taxi for less than ten euros. There is no tram, but the city buses are enough to reach the outlying neighbourhoods if you stay outside the central ring.

As for the price, the clear high season is from June to September and at Easter, when the average rises and it is difficult to find anything for less than one hundred euros. If you can, travel in May, October or November: the weather is bearable, there are fewer people and apartments drop quite a bit, with offers around sixty or seventy euros per night. It is also worth checking whether the price includes final cleaning, because some listings charge it separately and that can add twenty or thirty euros to the stay. Before booking, check whether the apartment has a lift, whether the heating is individual or central, and whether the wifi is fibre or just a basic connection; in winter, a flat with electric storage heating can end up costing you a lot if you leave it on all day. Lastly, pay attention to the cancellation policy: many apartments offer a cheaper non-refundable rate, but if your plan may change, it is worth paying a little more for a flexible cancellation.