Discover the town of León with a cheap, skip-the-line water park, perfect for summer.

Throughout Spain, we can find numerous water parks . However, there are always places to escape and cool off without the crowds , where both adults and children can enjoy themselves. This is the case with the municipal swimming pools in Valencia de Don Juan , a town in León with just 5,000 inhabitants that surprises everyone who passes by when they discover its large municipal complex.

A total of 160,000 square meters of common areas and 5,000 square meters of water surface make up this summer resort, which the "guajes" (children's quarters) are well acquainted with. Many Asturian families choose Valencia de Don Juan for a few days' vacation. Many even have a second home in this municipality, located in the Esla River valley and less than 40 km from León .

The city council opened the facility on June 19th. Visitors can enjoy a children's pool, an Olympic-sized pool, two separate large pools, each with its own slides, a wave pool, a children's splash area and the "Dragon" slides, a play pool, and water jets.

The complex also features extensive sports areas (tennis court, paddle tennis court, volleyball court, basketball court, etc.), as well as green areas, changing rooms, restrooms, showers, a first-aid kit, picnic areas, a children's play area, a restaurant, kiosks, and a library. This offering is complemented by Wi-Fi throughout the complex and a variety of recreational and sports activities throughout the season.

The parking lot at the Valencia de Don Juan swimming pools is covered and outdoor, but it's too small for the thousands of visitors who come to splash around each summer. However, there's no problem with parking, as it's very easy to find parking in the area surrounding the park.

As reported by the city council, some of the deteriorated picnic tables have been replaced this summer , and various maintenance projects have also been carried out, including painting the pools.

It's possible to bring food to the complex. Visitors can choose to bring their own menu or opt for the restaurant's menu. You should also know that umbrellas are not allowed . You won't need one, as the complex has large shaded areas. And don't rule out sunbathing occasionally, especially in the afternoon. The water in the Valencia de Don Juan pools is somewhat cooler, unlike the other pools in central and southern Spain. Furthermore, the temperatures drop slightly at dusk.

Wearing a swim cap is also mandatory , something many people aren't used to. If you have one, you can bring one from home. If not, you can buy one there. And, if you want, you can bring your own chairs.

As if that weren't enough, the Valencia de Don Juan municipal complex also houses the Mr. Shark Adventure Park , a facility completely separate from the pools, even though they share the same grounds. In other words, it's paid separately.

This is a large park with challenges for everyone, from children 4 years old and up to adults weighing up to 100 kg. The facilities include several circuits and three difficulty levels (green, orange, and red) arranged in a complex that reaches seven meters in height.

Those who enjoy these pools should take the opportunity to explore this municipality, which can triple its official population in the summer.

The undisputed star is its striking castle . Gothic in style, it dates back to the 15th century and retains much of its original layout. Thanks to the improvements and renovations carried out, it is now the setting for a multitude of cultural events, especially in summer. The Keep houses the Valencia Castle Museum .

Although the town once housed up to twelve churches and chapels, today it only has two: Nuestra Señora del Castillo Viejo (Our Lady of the Old Castle) and San Pedro Apóstol (Saint Peter the Apostle) , the only parish church in the city. The former features a Gothic image of the Virgen del Castillo Viejo (13th century), patron saint of Valencia de Don Juan, and an altarpiece dedicated to the Passion of Christ (16th century). The Pantheon of the Counts of Valencia de Don Juan is located in the presbytery.

The parish of San Pedro Apóstol houses a large amount of movable heritage, among which the main altar altarpiece stands out. It also boasts a beautiful façade, made of ashlar stone and flanked by two quadrangular towers, executed in the Herrerian style.

In the area surrounding the Plaza Mayor and Calle de El Palacio, there are still beautiful examples of manor houses that belonged to the nobility and bourgeoisie of Coyán, among which the Palace House of the Counts of Valencia of Don Juan and the modernist house of Don Eliseo Ortiz stand out.