León

León, in the hot northwestern lowlands, is Nicaragua's spirited university city, long a centre of politics, art and revolution, with a grittier, more vibrant edge than genteel Granada. Its heart is the vast Cathedral of León, the largest in Central America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose gleaming white roof you can climb for volcano views. Revolutionary murals, lively student life, poets' homes and churches fill the streets, while nearby volcanoes draw adventurers to the thrilling sport of volcano boarding.

What you actually see

• The Cathedral of León - the vast white cathedral and its rooftop.
• The revolutionary murals - the political street art and museums.
• Volcano boarding - the descent of Cerro Negro on a board.
• The churches and galleries - the colonial churches and Ortiz gallery.

When to go

November to April, the dry season, for the best weather, though León is famously hot year-round; the nearby Cerro Negro volcano runs volcano-boarding trips in the dry months. The city's student energy and nightlife are liveliest during term time.

Honest expectations

León is hotter, grittier and less polished than Granada, so its appeal is authentic city life, culture, revolutionary history and adventure rather than pristine prettiness. Nicaragua's periodic political tensions are worth checking before a trip. The great cathedral, the murals, the vibrant student atmosphere and the adrenaline of volcano boarding, though, make it a rewarding, characterful base.

Nearby

The Cerro Negro volcano and the Pacific beaches at Las Peñitas are close.