Castille et Leon

General information

General information, Spain, Castile-León, Area: The total area of Castile-León is 36,379 mi². Capital city: Valladolid

Population: The population of Castile-León is 2,553,301 inhabitants.

Flying time: London - Valladolid: 4h30 with a stopover

Time difference, Spain, Canary Islands

None

Language, Spain:

Spanish is the official language, as are Leonese and Galician, two historic languages.

Formalities, Spain

None

Religion

97 % of the population is Catholic.

Currency

Euro

Climate and seasons, Spain, Castile-León

The climate of Castile-León is continental Mediterranean, with long and cold winters. Temperatures vary between 2 and 4°C in January. Summers are short and hot (19 to 22°C), with 3 or 4 months of drought in summer, typical of the Mediterranean climate.

Useful addresses

- Castile-León Tourist Information

TOURIST OFFICE TELEPHONE NUMBER:

+34 902 20 30 30

- Avila Tourist Information

Address: 4, Pza. de Pedro Dávila

Province: Ávila Post Code: 05001

Telephone: +34 920 211 387

- Burgos Tourist Information

Address: Pza. 7, Alonso Martínez

Province: Burgos

Locality: BURGOS

Post Code: 09003

Telephone: +34 947 203 125

Telephone: +34 947 201 846

- Salamanca Tourist Information

Address: Rua Mayor (Casa de las Conchas)

Province: Salamanca

Locality: SALAMANCA

Post Code: 37008

Telephone: +34 923 268 571

? - Segovia Tourist Information

Address: 10, P/ Mayor

Province: Segovia

Locality: SEGOVIA

Post Code: 40001

Telephone: +34 921 460 334

Area codes

Segovia: 921

Valladolid: 983

Burgos: 947

Salamanca: 923

Notable dates, Spain, Castile-León

1st January: New Year's Day

6th January: Epiphany

1st April: Maundy Thursday

2nd April: Good Friday

23rd April: Regional holiday

1st May: Labour Day

25th July: Regional holiday

15th August: Assumption

12th October: Spanish National Day

1st November: All Saint's Day

6th December: Constitution Day

8th December: Day of the Immaculate Conception

25th December: Christmas Day

Information about the airports of Castile-León

The airports of Castile-León are: Villanubla in Valladolid, with regular national and international flights; Virgen del Camino airport in León, with national flights and, soon to come, international flights; and Matacán in Salamanca, with recently started charter-only flights as well as regular national flights. In July 2008, the airport of Villafría (Burgos) became a new addition to the regional network.

Electric power, Spain, Balearic Islands

220 V. The wall sockets are of the European type.

Safety, Spain, Balearic Islands

As is the case for all tourist areas, it is recommended that you keep an eye on your personal belongings (money and valuables). Don't leave anything of value visible in your car.

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? Traditions and customs

The 3 most remarkable traditions in this region are: the Quema de Judas in the village of Trespaderne (Burgos), the Bajada del Ángel in Peñafiel (Valladolid), and the Pendones de León, one of the most deeply-rooted traditions in the autonomous community of Castile-León.

Travelling around the area

If you want to know which are the best hiking trails, we recommend that you check the Castile-León Mountain Climbing and Hiking Federation website (only available in Spanish): http://fclm.com/

Gastronomy

Castile-León's 8 most characteristic dishes are: garlic soup, cod with Bierzo chili peppers, botillo (cured pork), Segovian suckling pig, lamb roast, goat roast, apple tart, and fried milk...

TAXES AND TIPPING

SERVICE IS INCLUDED IN THE BILL IN MOST HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND TAXIS. IT GENERALLY AMOUNTS TO 5 TO 10 % OF THE PRICE.