I was on my freestyle traveling adventure across Portugal and Spain. My time was unlimited, so I was looking to target places I hadn’t visited yet during my numerous travels across the Iberian Peninsula. Salamanca is distinctively called ‘La Dorada’ – ‘The Golden City’. There are so many magnificent things to do in Salamanca – starting with the twin Cathedrals, the oldest university in Spain (and one of the oldest in Europe), some monasteries, and impressive plazas. You will surely be amazed by Salamanca’s timeless charm, so let’s get started.
Unique things to do in Salamanca.
I was traveling across northern Portugal when I decided to cross the border with Spain, after discovering online a beautiful picture of a dam located on the river bordering Spain. I love such spontaneous traveling, simply inspired by a photo or a travel post.
Salamanca City looked stunning on Google, so I decided to explore the region, having no idea what architectural marvels were hidden in this Spanish corner. The thing I love about Spain is that this country is a wonderland, with cultural treasures and incredible places like Salamanca or Huesca (in Aragon).
Is there much to do in Salamanca?
Salamanca is located in the west-central part of Spain, with 150,000 inhabitants. In Spain, it is known as “The Golden City” because of its honey-colored sandstone, which seems to glow at sunset.
The rich architectural heritage attracts most visitors, but there are numerous things to see in Salamanca. And don’t forget about the delicious cuisine of central Spain. You’ll find plenty of tapas bars in the Old Town, and if you fancy observing local nightlife, Plaza Mayor should be your evening destination – it is breathtaking after dark.
Check out must-see sights and activities: Plaza Mayor, Old Cathedral (Catedral Vieja), and Walking Tours.
Recommended Salamanca Tours:
Accommodation in Salamanca.
Here are a few best options for accommodation in Salamanca:
BUDGET STAY: Hostal Gud Salamanca (top-rated).
4* HOTEL:
- 4* Hotel Ele Puente Romano de Salamanca (very good value for money) ~ 65USD/per night, located in the city center.
- 4* Salamanca Luxury Plaza, located in the downtown, 90 meters from Salamanca Central Market.
5* HOTEL:
- Abba Fonseca ~ 130 USD/per night
- Luxury: Eunice Hotel Gastronomico.
Bus from Madrid to Salamanca.
It’s very easy to travel to Salamanca by public transport. You can book your direct bus from Madrid to Salamanca on OMIO.COM. The journey takes only 2.5 hours, and many buses are departing daily.
If you are thinking of hiring a car – Rentalcars.com is the platform to find the best deals. I tried it tens of times and it always worked great for Spain. You can freely drive between Spain and Portugal without additional permits.
Start your adventure at the Plaza Mayor, arguably one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. Its baroque architecture dates back to the 18th century, is perfect for soaking in the city’s atmosphere.
Plaza Mayor in Salamanca.
The moment you walk under the arcades to discover Plaza Mayor and the Baroque architecture of the surrounding buildings, you know it is a magical place. Plaza Mayor stands as a centerpiece of the city and is of the top things to do in Salamanca – and trust me it is not a 5-minute attraction.
Plaza Mayor is buzzing with energy and adorned with exquisite architecture. Take a walk through the cobblestone streets and be sure to visit at different times of the day to experience the changing atmosphere, from the warm glow of the morning sun to the bustling evening gatherings.
Any time and amount of coffee is good, so relax, sit back and have a delicious black one in a lovely Plaza Mayor. Also, if you are into ice-creams, they serve one of the best I’ve had. Evening is the right time to visit Plaza Mayor, definitely one of the most impressive squares in Spain.
The Old Town streets of Salamanca.
It barely happens to me to walk the same footsteps several times but you just can’t get enough of this magnificent city view.
The University of Salamanca is the oldest in Spain and also the third oldest in Europe! The Old Town, along with two Cathedrals, is among the two top historical sites and things to do in Salamanca. There are two cathedrals dominating the city landscape, but there also are two artistic landmarks of the place – the Old Cathedral of Salamanca and the New Cathedral.
The Catedral Nueva de Salamanca.
The New Cathedral of Salamanca was built in the 16th century in the Gothic style, and it underwent a restoration in 1992. I had no idea that for cathedral restorers it is allowed to add some additional details to the facade as a sort of their signature.
In this case Jeronimo Garcia, who was renovating the New Cathedral, also added some more modern images to the facade. He included figures such as an astronaut floating among the vines, a dragon eating ice cream, a rabbit, and a crayfish! 🙂
Cathedral Vieja (The Old Cathedral of Salamanca).
The Old Cathedral of Salamanca built at the end of the 12th century in a Romanesque style with the outstanding Gallo Tower. The Cathedral remains one of the most beautiful Romanesque monuments in Europe together with its incredible facade.
Cathedra Clerecia - stairway to heaven.
One of the most memorable things to do in Salamanca is walking through the towers of Cathedra Clerecia (Clerecia Church Towers). These are known as the Scala Coeli – “stairway to heaven”. Tiny steep stairs will take you to the top of the tower, so you can experience incredible views over the city. The entrance is about 4 euro but this is really a must to see.
Convento de San Esteban.
This is another top attraction of Salamanca. Convento de San Esteban church has an extraordinary facade and indoor architecture. Built in 12th century, formerly the building was dedicated to be a centre of study and technology. There is also a beautiful cortyard with columns and a garden.
Casa de las Conchas.
Casa de las Conchas – this is another amazing historic building with walls covered with a pattern of seashells. This iconic building, known as the House of Shells, is a striking example of Gothic architecture. The place is one of the most beautiful things to see in Salamanca.
The walls are decorated with over 300 shells. The seashell monuments are also present on the surrounding streets. It was built in the 15th century and is currently housed in a public library.
It is believed that the shells are a symbol of the Order of Santiago and its related Camino de Santiago pilgrim route. There is also another theory, which is more romantic. It states that the repetition of the shells on the facade of Don Rodrigo´s symbol of love for his wife, Doña Maria, is why there are so many of them.
Convento de las Agustinas e Iglesia de la Purísima.
This church was built in the 17th century, following the initiative of Manuel de Fonseca y Zúñiga. The building has a Latin-cross plan and also is covered by barrel vaults.
Discover the University of Salamanca.
Located at the heart of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest universities in the world, the University is at the top of things to see in Salamanca. You can take a guided tour to explore its stunning library and the impressive façade that tells stories of centuries past.
Don’t forget to search for the famous frog hidden among the intricate carvings—legend has it that finding it will ensure your academic success; a delightful challenge for all adventurous travelers!
Salamanca Roman Bridge.
It’s a 176-meter-long road bridge, which is located in the center of Salamanca crossing the Tormes River. The most fascinating thing about this bridge is that it dates back to the 1st century! What’s also interesting, it was renovated in the 18th century but its arches remain original. Taking a walk along the bridge and admiring the city landscape and unique charm is one of themost pleasurablet things to do in Salamanca.
Is Salamaca expensive?
Salamanca is relatively affordable. I’ve been traveling across Spain multiple times, and so far visited all the regions, and Salamanca is definitely one of the most extraordinary places in Spain. It’s touristy but not as much as Seville, Madrid, or even Barcelona.
What to see in Salamanca in one day.
Despite being able to easily lose track of time in this magnificent city, it is possible to experience the essence of Salamanca in one day.
If you only have one day in Salamanca, here’s what I would do: I would take a walk along the streets of Salamanca in the morning, when the golden sandstone buildings come to life with a warm glow.
I would leave visiting the iconic Plaza Mayor for the evening. At night, Plaza Mayor turns into a magical, lively heart of Salamanca, beautifully illuminated by lights to highlight its magnificent Baroque architecture.
From the Plaza Mayor, take a walk towards the breathtaking Cathedral of Salamanca. This stunning architectural marvel consists of two distinct cathedrals – the Old Cathedral (dating back to the 12th century), and the New Cathedral, which was completed in the 18th century. You can climb the tower for incredible panoramic views of the city.
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