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Things to Do in Salamanca

Spain

Spain is a country with an endless tourism offer. Today I’ll take you to Salamanca. The city, easily accessible from Madrid, is quite famous, especially for its university, one of the best in the country, which welcomes numerous international students every year. The city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, can be explored in a day, making it a perfect option for a short getaway. Find out the things to do in Salamanca!

Things to do in Salamanca:

  1. The cathedrals
  2. The university
  3. The Plaza Mayor
  4. The Casa Lis
  5. The Palacio Salina
  6. The Casa Concha
  7. The convento San Esteban
  8. The Huerto de Calisto y Melibea
  9. The Clerecia
  10. The Puente Mayor del Tormes

Useful information to visit Salamanca:

visiter salamanca
visit salamanca

SALAMANCA in a nutshell

Salamanca is the capital of the autonomous community of Castilla y León. Situated at an altitude of 800 meters, it is only 220 km away from Madrid.
 
Here you can find the oldest university still in operation in Spain. Founded in 1218, it continues to welcome students from all over the world.
 
Its architectural heritage is impressive, attracting thousands of tourists each year.

Things to Do in Salamanca

The city is filled with many monuments, squares, parks, and museums of interest. Here’s a list of 10 places you shouldn’t miss during your visit!

1. The Cathedrals

Salamanca has not one, but two cathedrals: one called the Old Cathedral (Catedral Vieja) and the other the New Cathedral (Catedral Nueva).
 
The construction of the first began in the 12th century and was completed two centuries later. It is dedicated to Santa María de la Sede and is of Romanesque and Gothic styles.
 
Adjacent to it is the second cathedral, which was built between the 16th and 18th centuries. It blends late Gothic and Baroque styles. To visit the Old Cathedral, you have to pass through the New Cathedral.

2. The university

As I mentioned earlier, Salamanca is especially known worldwide for its university and the quality of education it offers, particularly in Spanish courses, which attract numerous foreigners every year.
 
The university, founded in 1218, can be visited, but in my opinion, the interior of the building is not very interesting. If you have little time to explore the city, it’s better to skip the visit and content yourself with admiring the famous facade of the university and searching for the famous frog 😉

3. The Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor of Salamanca is another place that you cannot miss. It was built between 1729 and 1756 in the Baroque style. This square is distinguished by two particular features: the medallions found on the 88 arches and the Town Hall buildings that were never completed. In fact, two towers are missing in the lateral wings.
 
It’s one of the liveliest places in the city, where locals mingle with tourists, especially on the terraces of the numerous bars there.

4.The Casa Lis

A beautiful palace located on the ancient wall, which was built by D. Miguel de Lis. It is one of the few examples of modern architecture that can be found in Salamanca, a work of Art Nouveau.
 
This magnificent house, once the residence of De Lis and others, has been converted into the Museum of Art Nouveau and Art Deco.
 
Works by Fabergé, Loetz, Kralik, or from the School of Nancy are exhibited in this place, which is a must-visit for tourists visiting Salamanca and wishing to learn more about this type of art.

casa-lis-salamanca

5. Palacio Salina

This palace was built in 1538, and its courtyard with several arches is worth a visit. One of the medallions found there depicts a woman and a snake, supposedly representing Cleopatra.

palacio-salinas-salamanca

6. Casa Concha

Of Gothic style, this house owes its name to the numerous shells that adorn its facade. “Conchas” means “shells” in Spanish. It also has Renaissance and Mudéjar elements.

casa-concha-salamanca

casa-conchas-salamanca

7. Convento San Esteban

This Dominican convent was built in 1524 in honor of Saint Stephen, considered the first martyr in history. Its construction continued until 1610 and combined Gothic and Baroque styles. The facade is impressive.

couvent-san-sebastian-salamanca

couvent-san-sebastian-salamanca

couvent-san-sebastian

couvent-san-sebastian-salamanca

8. Huerto de Calisto y Melibea

A beautiful garden of 2,500 square meters in the heart of the Old Town. It is the perfect place to take a break and stroll through this very romantic park, which features several varieties of trees, shrubs, and flowers.

huerto-salamanca

huerto-salamanca

huerto-salamanca

huerto salamanca

9. The Clerecia

The Clerecía, also known as the Royal College of the Society of Jesus, offers a fantastic view of the city.
 
Furthermore, the building is worth visiting for its beautiful three-level cloister, which dazzles visitors.

10. Puente Mayor del Tormes

This stone Roman bridge, built in the 1st century, stretches for more than 300 meters.

pont-romain-salamanca

salamanca-pont

WHAT TO SEE IN SALAMANCA? 3 MUST-VISIT GUIDED TOURS

HOW MANY DAYS TO VISIT SALAMANCA?

You can easily visit the city of Salamanca in a day. However, I would always recommend spending at least one night when visiting a Spanish destination.
 
Not only does it allow you to enjoy a slow travel experience, but also to experience the Spanish nightlife, which is an experience in itself.

Things to do in Salamanca: when to visit?

Winter can be quite cold in Salamanca, so it’s a season to avoid. To enjoy warm temperatures and dry weather, it’s best to visit the city between May and October.

How to get to Salamanca?

There are several options to go to Salamanca. By train from various cities in Spain, especially from Madrid. The train station is located in the city center, very close to the historic center. You can find your train tickets here.
 
Many buses connect Madrid, Santander, Zaragoza, and other cities with Salamanca.
 
By car, it’s possible to reach Salamanca from Madrid via the A-50. If you don’t have a vehicle, you can easily rent one. It’s also a great way to visit the surrounding areas.

How to move around Salamanca?

If you stay in the center of Salamanca, you can easily explore the city on foot. Otherwise, you can rely on the city’s public transportation system.
 
Of course, you can also get around by taxi. There are few Ubers, but it’s also an option.

How to stay in Salamanca?

Salamanca offers a wide range of hotel options, from hostels to luxury hotels.
 
In any case, the Old Town is the best neighborhood to stay in, as you can easily reach all the tourist attractions. Additionally, you can enjoy the best selection of bars, restaurants, shops, and supermarkets.
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What to eat in Salamanca?

Al igual que en todas las ciudades españolas, la gastronomía de Salamanca tiene un gran interés turístico.
 
Los platos más típicos incluyen la chafaina (arroz con trozos de chorizo y carne), las chichas (a base de carne de cerdo), el hornazo (pan relleno de carne, chorizo, jamón y huevos duros), el farinato (una especie de embutido), los chochos (galletas de anís) y el bollo maimón (tipo de pastel).
 
He probado el farinato en una tortilla colocada sobre un trozo de pan, y si no te gusta el anís, mejor evitarlo. En cuanto al hornazo, está bueno, pero es realmente pesado y consistente.

Be a digital nomad in Salamanca

Unlike other Spanish cities, Salamanca is not really a popular destination among digital nomads. If you enjoy being in touch with your peers, it may not be the best place. However, if you’re young, you can easily connect with the international university community.
 
The city also has some coworking spaces and cafes with Wi-Fi to help you work more efficiently.
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Be a responsible traveler iN SALAMANCA

As in the rest of the country, it’s important to travel responsibly, both to protect the environment and to support local populations. Here are some eco-friendly gestures that are easy to implement:
  • Stay in establishments that have implemented environmental protection measures.
  • Buy seasonal products.
  • Do your shopping with small local producers.
  • Be mindful of your water and energy consumption.
  • Bring your tote bag for shopping and avoid plastic bags.
  • Avoid ordering takeaway food and eat in local restaurants.
  • Respect local recycling regulations.
  • Avoid rentals at exorbitant prices.

Be a POC in Salamanca

I am of South Asian origin and I didn’t receive any comments during my stay. I also didn’t experience any discrimination.
 
However, it’s important to keep in mind that every experience is different.
What to see in Salamanca? I hope I’ve answered this question and piqued your interest in discovering this charming city very soon.
 
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