THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Leon
Things to Do in Leon
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Cerro Negro Volcano 2024, Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Volcanoes, Walking Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Cerro Negro Volcano 2024, Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Volcanoes, Walking Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Leon.
Culinary Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$37
4WD Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$125- fromper adult (price varies by group size)C$251
Extreme Sportsfromper adultC$89- fromper adultC$2,062
Day Tripsfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$199- fromper adult (price varies by group size)C$305
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)C$71- fromper adultC$96
- fromper adult (price varies by group size)C$302
Churches & Cathedrals
Beaches
Volcanoes
Speciality Museums
Speciality Museums
Historic Sites
Volcanoes
Speciality Museums
Other Top Attractions around Leon
What travellers are saying
- Nelson M12 contributionsAmazing volcano! Make sure you use Volcano Day for volcano boarding. Ask for Omar, he is amazing and speaks fantastic English!Written February 21, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KarlibarliChristchurch, New Zealand24 contributionsVisiting the Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was a fun and affordable activity with incredible views. The best time to go is at sunset when you can enjoy the vibrant sky, though be prepared for a larger crowd at that time. You only get 25 minutes to explore, so make sure to take in the scenery quickly!
In November 2024, the bell tower was under construction, which meant we couldn’t access the side with the iconic lion statues overlooking the square, which was a bit of a letdown. However, the rooftop still offers fantastic views of León and the surrounding area, making it well worth a visit.
Overall, a great stop for anyone in León looking to experience the city from a higher vantage point!Written January 15, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Tricia HBeverly, MA43 contributionsThis is a small beach town. The beach is lovely. A number of surfing outfitters. There are a number of hostels and a few nicer hotels. It is all about going to the beach. There isn't mush else to it and limited eating. But if you like the beach, which we do, it is a nice place to go and relax.Written May 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lilly D4 contributionsWe booked the Telica Volcano Sunset Tour with Volcano Day and it was a great experience. Our guide, Edicson Moran, was excellent and very knowledgeable. It was amazing to see the smoke coming from the volcano and the drive to the volcano was an adventure in and of itself. Dinner was great as well!Written September 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- purplemyrtlesKent, UK364 contributionsAn amazingly extensive private art collection across two historic old buildings in the centre of Leon. On a themed basis around many courtyard rooms. A lot of contemporary and Nicaraguan art but also some d masters so a huge diverse collection all very well organised and labelled.Written January 15, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- taboadarodrigoManagua, Nicaragua24 contributionsPoneloya is a beach located only 20km from the colonial city of León. You can enjoy nice views of the ocean and delicious fresh fish. You have to be careful with the waves which can be tough on high tide!Written October 14, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Starnurse2Crowthorne, UK658 contributionsWe arrived in time to take to the roof without realising just what we were in for. It is made of corrugated iron and is very rusty and not well bolted down. HOWEVER, there was a clear set of arrows to follow and the guide was pointing out all the vantage points that were had during the revolution. When you return to terra firma, there is an interesting section at the beginning of the museum which we should have seen first. The courtyard has some good fresco style paintings of the history of the revolution. The guide spoke very good English and is a veteran of that time (1980's)Written March 15, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- maritimeexplorerNova Scotia, Canada4,273 contributionsPeople who know little about history and think that all ruins must be spectacular like Pompeii or the great Mayan cities should not come to Leon Viejo. Although it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site it is not in any way overwhelming, in fact the opposite. The reason its famous is because it does preserve the best ruins of a Spanish colonial city from the 16th century after it was abandoned in 1610 and then covered by layers of ash from nearby Momotombo volcano. Unlike Pompeii very little of Leon Viejo has been excavated and much of what you see is just the outlines of the buildings, not complete reconstructions.
However, if you use your imagination you can picture what life was like here almost 500 years ago. There is an excellent model of what the place looked like before it was abandoned. Chances are you might be the only people on the site which is quiet and sees very few visitors. For birders it is a great place to find some of the more spectacular Nicaraguan species like mot mots and trogons.
The views of Momotombo from atop the old citadel are also worth coming here to see as well as the monument to the Indigenous people.
So expect to be disappointed at first, but the more time you spend here the better you'll like it.Written March 19, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - The Wandering ReviewerMelbourne, Australia12,046 contributionsThere is so much to say about this place, and although I loved the artwork and appreciated the mosaics, the sounds from one room of torture, suffering and pain were a little too much for me.
I didn’t visit “the killing fields” either because I felt it was too disrespectful for those who died. Felt a little the same here. Although I appreciate that the curators are trying to educate people on the atrocities of war.
I’m grateful I was allowed to explored and given a sheet in English that explained some of the works.
It is worth visiting and spending time appreciating the craftsmanship of all the pieces around the museum.Written July 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - sonu z1 contributionGreat to see volcano very nice and incredible place very unique but need some more work on the base.so.people can easily walk all the way up...Written April 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Tricia HBeverly, MA43 contributionsA small museum (30 minute visit). Interesting for anyone interested in poets, Dario, or Nicaraguan history. We learned a lot about Dario we had never read anywhere else. Very interesting.Written May 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Aussie_BinturongQueensland, Australia369 contributionsIt's a really beautiful church to look at and it's very much embedded into Leon's history. If you go with a guide you will learn more.Written February 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
