Sitting on the edge of the Spanish region of Catalonia, Lleida offers the perfect balance of small city sightseeing, Catalonian culture and good weather. It’s the ideal place for day trippers, being just a train ride from Barcelona. And if you’re visiting with a car it’s a great hub to venture out and check out the surrounding area. But before you go, here are a few things to know about Lleida before visiting.
They Speak Catalan
In case you didn’t already know, there are multiple languages spoken in Spain. And Lleida is the perfect city to visit if you’re looking for a bit of exposure to Catalan, the language of the region of Catalonia. You will of course find people who speak English and Spanish, but if you’re coming here with the hopes of practicing your Spanish…it might do more to confuse you than help.
Many people in Catalonia are bilingual with Catalan and Spanish, and then add in the extra languages like English. But Catalan is used more noticeably in Lleida, with street and shop signs in Catalan rather than Spanish as in Barcelona. English and Spanish are understood, but often they will reply in Catalan. It’s an interesting mix of languages!
Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!
Summer months in Lleida mean heat, and August can see temperatures in the 30-40c. It may be perfect weather for the beach, but not so much for a city break where you want to be out exploring. If you’re from a warm country, or are used to the heat, you’ll have no problem. But if, like me, you come straight from a British ‘summer’, you will notice the heat and would be better timing your visit for a cooler month.
The best time to visit Lleida is in the spring or autumn, with the months March-June and September-October being the most comfortable. Of course, if you can only visit outside those times, you should absolutely still visit!
Having said that, the main city centre has tall buildings and a bit of a breeze, so you won’t spend the whole time hiding out trying to find a cool spot in the shade. If you plan your day well, you can do the sights that require a bit of a walk in the cooler hours, and enjoy a bit of café time when it gets warmer.
It’s a must to sample those pastries while relaxing with a coffee, right?
Hello, Spanish Siesta!
The heat really can take it out of you, and the Spanish are well accustomed to the weather. Come afternoon, you’ll find a lot of places close for a couple of hours. Don’t worry, the cafés will still be open and it’ll be noticeably quieter so you won’t have trouble finding a table. It’s also the perfect opportunity to rest and recharge, maybe indulge in a cheeky Spanish siesta, ready for the evening.
If you’re coming for just a day, try to arrive early and you’ll probably see everything by the time things close for the afternoon. The city isn’t huge, and you’ll then have the afternoon free to fit in some other sights nearby.
It’s a Good Day Trip City
Lleida isn’t a huge tourism hub. In fact, many people have never even heard of it! But that makes it perfect to explore, and may even fall into the ‘off the beaten path’ category. A day trip to Lleida is perfect for those that want to see some sights but also soak up the feel of a city. There’s no need to rush from place to place in the city centre, which you’ll be grateful of on hot days, and instead it’s an easy, enjoyable day seeing another side of Catalonia.
The train from Barcelona to Lleida takes about an hour if you catch the Renfe train, or if you’re on a budget then the cheaper, regional Rodalies train takes about 3 hours from Barcelona to Lleida.
It’s Hilly…
Don’t listen to Google Maps when it says ‘mostly flat’ about your walk. Whoever works at Google Maps has obviously never been to Lleida. The main street and alongside the river are flat, but if you venture further out towards the old cathedral you’ll soon realise this is not a flat city. In fact, there are elevators from the main square to save your legs getting up to the old cathedral, La See Vella.
The plus side of the hilly areas? The amazing views. Absolutely breathtaking!
Where to Stay in Lleida
If you’re staying for more than a day, have a look for somewhere to stay near the main street. Accommodation the other side of the old cathedral is in more of a residential area, but most importantly, uphill. While it looks like it’s not far to the main city centre area, you have to walk around the big hill in the middle, or trek up and back down, so it takes longer than it looks.
For solo female travellers in Lleida, the residential areas don’t feel unsafe in the day, but you’ll be very aware that people notice you. Stick to accommodation near the main street or on a main road for peace of mind.
Lleida…Yayda…
If you speak Spanish, you’ll probably have the pronunciation already sorted. For those who don’t and would like to avoid the ‘I’m sorry you’re going where?‘ look from locals, Lleida is pronounced like yay-da. The two l’s make a ‘y’ sound, and in this case, make it much easier to say.
Lleida is sometimes also called Lerida. Lerida is the Spanish name for the town, but it holds bad associations with the Franco regime so the Catalan name of Lleida is now used in both Catalan and Spanish.
There’s a Bus Tour
In a city as compact as Lleida, you can easily walk around to see everything. However, the heat and the fact that sometimes we don’t feel like walking everywhere can combine and a bus tour is the perfect answer. Plus, did I mention that it’s hilly?
Lleida’s tourist bus takes an hour long tour of the city, taking in the sights and residential areas to give you a taste of the city. It’s open air so you get to enjoy the breeze, there’s a commentary (take plug in headphones for the English version) and you get free entry to the Castle of Gardeny if you take a morning bus. And the best bit? It’s the same price as a normal bus, €1,50. What’s not to like?!
And there you have it, the main things to know before you visit Lleida. It’s a lovely little city, and if you’re wondering ‘is it worth visiting Lleida?’, then I’d say yes. Be prepared for a compact city full of pretty buildings, hills and a chance to practice whatever Catalan you’ve got tucked in your back pocket.
Leave a Reply