Lleida



 Lleida (Spanish: Lérida) is a city of 138,000 people (2018) in Catalonia. Lleida is one of the oldest towns in Catalonia, with recorded settlements dating back to the Bronze Age period, and is a stage in the Catalan Way of St. James

Understand
Until the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the area served as a settlement for an Iberian people, the Ilergetes. The town became a municipality, named Ilerda, under the reign of Augustus. It was ruled by the Moors from the 8th century, and reconquered in 1149. In 1297, the University of Lleida was founded, becoming the third oldest in the whole of Spain. During the following centuries, the town was damaged by several wars such as the Reapers' War in the 17th century and the Spanish Civil War in the 20th century. Since then, the city has been in constant urban, commercial and demographic growth.

Climate
Lleida has a temperate semi-arid climate. Winters are mild and foggy though cooler than places on the coast while summers are hot and dry. Frosts are common during winter although snowfall can occasionally fall, averaging 1 or 2 days. Precipitation is low, with an annual average of 369 millimetres (15 in) with a peak in April and May and another peak in September and October.

By bus
Lleida is a good place to change from a train to a bus towards Andorra (Andorra has no rail connection) and buses can be a cheaper but slower alternative to buses in general. The bus station of Lleida is situated 1.3 km from the train station into south-west on street Carrer Saracíbar 2. (Buses from Andorra or Barcelona may stop also in train station.)
 * Alsa Direct bus from Madrid (€27), Barcelona (€20) and Andorra la Vella (€19).
 * Montmantell Direct bus from Andorra la Vella (€18).

By plane
Given the excellent connections towards Madrid and Barcelona, it might seem a bit pointless that this town have its own airport, but it indeed has one, but connections are rather limited.

Get around
Lleida is quite small and you will easily be able to get to all parts of it on foot. There is a very efficient city bus system as well. Multiple lines of bus service are available from the train station.

Long-range

 * Catalan Way of St. James from El Port de la Selva to Montserrat (Spain) to Pina de Ebro passes the city.