I was originally drawn to Salamanca for its medieval history and architecture (like, everyone else who visits Salamanca, right?). So when I spent 24 hours in this beautiful city on a recent trip to Spain, I tried to make the most of it and soak up as much as possible. By the time I reluctantly left Salamanca, I had fallen in love with the city. Let me tell you why…

Why visit Salamanca

Firstly, because it’s an incredibly historical and beautiful looking city, built way way back before the iPhone even 😆. It’s also relatively unmolested by the tourist throng with most foreigners being young students coming to Salamanca to undertake study abroad programs at the University of Salamanca. This large student population gives Salamanca a youthful and energetic feel, very similar to Montpelier in France. It makes a perfect day trip from Madrid and showcases the Castile and León region of Spain.

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Things to see in Salamanca

Here is what you need to see during your visit:

Plaza Mayor

The central square of Salamanca and the beacon for your travels around the city. The plaza is also often hosting concerts or other entertaining shows for free (particularly during the summer). So enjoy the plaza, sit out in the sun and do like the Spanish do: eyeball everybody who walks past!

Casas de las Conchas

Heading out of the Plaza Mayor (opposite end from the Ayuntamiento or council chambers) you will find some restaurants (pretty touristy I thought) and keep heading down towards your left towards the Cathedral. On your right is the Casas de las Conchas (House of the Clams), with the clams representing the Order of Santiago. It’s pretty weird looking but interesting all the same.

Photo by Javier Díaz Barrera “Patio de escuelas”. Used under CC license without change.

Just next to the Concha house is the Faculty of Philosophy building (with the beautiful patio above) within the University of Salamanca. Note that the line up to get in to this site was pretty horrendous but looking back at others pictures, it is pretty nice.

The Mac-Daddy – La Cathedral de Salamanca.

Hang a right after the School of Philosophy and head through the little side streets to Plaza de Anaya. This is what you came for. The original old cathedral was built to last in the 12 century but the massive, towering structure before you (the ‘new’ cathedral) was built between the 16th and 18th centuries.

I highly recommend exploring both cathedrals – the art, architecture and history is unrivalled (they are also linked inside, simply enter the new and follow the signs to the old cathedral). If you’re feeling energetic and craving some great views of the city, go around the corner of the cathedral entrance and enter the red door to get to the Ieronimus. Entry information is available from here.

Puente Romano

From here you can keep walking down to the River Tormes and cross the Puente Romano (old Roman bridge), a treasured monument of the city. It also has some great views back toward the city centre, the cathedral and once you cross the bridge you can wander through the gardens on the far bank of the river.

Convento de Sant Esteban

Finally, walk back across the Puente de Enrique Estevan (another bridge) to see the Museo de Sant Esteban (across the roundabout from the Convento de Sant Esteban). It’s equally as interesting to explore the delicate murals and figures depicted on its walls and it glows in the summer sun.

Where to eat

So you’ve been walking around all day and night and you are RAVENOUS. Where do go?

For snacking: try the Salamanca local favourite, hornaza. It’s pork, chorizo, and ham wrapped in a thick pastry crust. Try it at La Tahona de Abuela just south of Plaza Mayor.

For a drink: for atmosphere, grab a drink from any of the bars/restaurants in Plaza Mayor. Sure, they are more expensive but I think soaking up the ambiance is worth it. For tapas bars and cheap drinks check out this great wrap-up, and for a party, go where the students go – La Chupiteria!

For dinner: Cuzco Bodega lies just south of Plaza Mayor and has some funky tapas creations for a pretty reasonable price (with a good wine list as well). Otherwise some of the restaurants that lie between Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral offer pretty decent fare and allow you to feel part of the lively atmosphere (though be warned they charge tourist prices!).

Where to stay: I stayed at the Sercotel Hotel Las Torres Salamanca (affilate link) and I found this to be a really great location, very comfortable and a really well looked after place with a 24hr front desk.

Well that’s all from me, I really hope that you enjoy Salamanca as much as I did!

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