17 Best Things To Do In Salamanca, Spain In 2024
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LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN SALAMANCA?
Are you visiting Salamanca, wondering what the best things to do are in this beautiful, historic European city!? Look no further, because as someone who spent two months studying abroad in Salamanca, I’ve narrowed down the must-see attractions for you to take during your trip. Whether you’re visiting for a day, week, or month, this list has plenty of things to choose from!
Best Things To Do in Salamanca: An Overview
Salamanca is a special place in Spain about two hours north of Madrid in Castilla y León. It’s home to the second oldest university in Europe, and the city is abundant in breathtaking architecture and rich culture. It’s a smaller city than Madrid, and therefore feels less overwhelming, but is big enough to have plenty to see and do. Here’s everything we’ll cover today:
17 Best Things To Do in Salamanca
This post covers all of the most famous attractions in Salamanca with a few insider spots you can’t find by just googling! After spending two months in the city, I found my favorite places and am happy to pass them along for you to enjoy at your leisure. There are a ton of hidden gems in Salamanca, so my best advice is to be present and stay curious!
Even after spending a month in Salamanca, I didn’t see everything the city offers! You can get a lot out of walking around the city, stopping for tapas, and exploring different local stores. Let’s dive in.
Are You Prepared For Your Trip?
Visit the Plaza Mayor
The first item on the list is the beautiful Plaza Mayor. Located in the center of Salamanca, it operates like the starting point in the Old City. You can find fantastic restaurants, gelato stands, gift shops, and so much more. It’s a great place to grab a Coca-Cola or tinto de verano (red wine and lemonade) and relax.
Head Over To The Universidad de Salamanca
Next up on the list is la Universidad de Salamanca (Salamanca University). As the second-oldest European university, it’s worth checking out! You’ll also see a statue of Fray Luis de Leon – a famous Spanish poet and academic who taught biblical studies at the university.
The quote on the back of the statue “Decíamos ayer” (as I was saying yesterday), is a famous quote from when Fray Luis returned to teach after being wrongly imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition for four years.
Climb The Old Cathedral
After you try to find the frog, head over to the Cathedrals. The old and new cathedrals are now combined into one building – the Old Cathedral is a shorter building. The Old Cathedral was built in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and is fascinating to look at. You truly could spend hours admiring the detailed carvings before even entering the cathedral!
Admire The New Cathedral
Next up is the New Cathedral! Built-in the sixteenth century, it’s one of the largest cathedrals in all of Spain in size. The bell tower (at 92 meters or over 300 feet) is also the tallest in Spain! The tower of the New Cathedral was built over the tower of the Old Cathedral due to a rise in population.
Take In Casa De Los Conchas
Near the Plaza Mayor, you’ll find Casa De Los Conchas (House of Shells)! The building quite literally has over three hundred shells as decorations on its exterior! Inside, you’ll find a quaint public library that is perfect for studying, reading, or relaxing during a rainy afternoon.
Visit The Museo Art Nouveau y Art Deco
Museo Art Nouveau y Art Deco, also known as “Casa Lis” (Pretty House), is a museum located in the ancient city wall of Salamanca! It has beautiful stained glass windows and art exhibits that date back to the 19th century up until World War 2. It also has one of the largest collections of porcelain dolls in the world!
Even if you aren’t into art, this museum is fascinating because they have household pieces like furniture, kitchenware, and art pieces starting from the late 19th century. There is also a gift shop and coffee shop attached, so you can browse for souvenirs or grab a cappuccino after your experience!
Sight-see At La Clerecía
La Clerecía, located right in front of Casa De Los Conchas, is owned by the Pontifical University of Salamanca but features a beautiful cloister and a three-towered church. You can climb the Clerecia Tower to the top, on the Scala Coeli, or Escalero al Cielo (Stairway to Heaven). At the top, you’ll get a panoramic view of Salamanca from a one-of-a-kind climb up!
Cross the Puente Romano
Puerto Romano (also known as El Pueno Mayor del Tormes) crosses the Tormes River to and from the Old City of Salamanca! It was declared a national monument in 1931. It has twenty-six arches with fifteen remaining from the original Roman construction on the right bank, built in the year 89. It’s a great site, and if you head down the path to the river, you’ll find a natural oasis!
Tour The Convento de San Esteban
The Convento de San Esteban is a historical monument and Dominican monastery in the Plaza del Concilio de Trento. Like many of the religious buildings in Salamanca, it has breathtaking cloisters, a grandiose staircase, and a detailed altar. The entrance ticket includes tours of the cloisters, the church, and a choir area.
Look Up At The Cielo de Salamanca Mural
You can find the beautiful Cielo de Salamanca (Sky of Salamanca) at the Old Library at the University of Salamanca. It’s a mural painting that consists of one-third of the full ceiling painted. The entire piece once consisted of forty-eight Ptolemaic constellations and the planets known. It’s a beautiful place to explore for art and astronomy lovers alike!
Stroll Through Monterrey’s Palace
Monterrey’s Palace is a historical monument that was built in the sixteenth century and has beautiful Renaissance architecture. There is a no-photo policy within the Palace until you reach the roof tower. The Palace has one bell tower and is considered unfinished because, during the construction, the project ran out of funding. This Palace takes you through the family home of the Albi’s, who had extremely fine taste during the time it was built.
Gaze Up At Torre del Clavero
The Torre del Clavero is a national monument that hosts the offices of the Salamanca Provincial Government! It’s a beautiful Gothic-style building but is not open to the public. While you can’t climb to the top of the tower, you can see and admire it up close and from the surrounding streets!
Try Some Food At The Mercado Central
Mercado Central (Central Market) in Salamanca is a must-visit because it’s the oldest operating market in the city! Situated in the Plaza del Mercado (close to the Plaza Mayor), you can find the best fresh produce around! It’s most definitely worth checking out if you’re planning on cooking for yourself or are looking for a tasty snack! As you exit, you’ll find tons more stores that offer everything from kitchenware to food and more.
Walk Through The Huerto de Calixto y Melibea Garden
If you enjoy wandering through lush, beautiful gardens, head over to Huerto de Calixo y Melibea! This eight-square food garden overlooks the Old City of Salamanca and has plenty of seating areas for you to relax and enjoy the greenery. This garden was inspired by the Tragic Comedy “Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea,” written by Fernando de Rojas, similar to a Spanish version of Romeo and Juliet.
Get a Panoramic View At La Torre del Marques de Villena
This tower isn’t something you’ll find by just googling, I now realize! As a university student, I would often venture to this tower that is open to the public to climb and enjoy the views at the top. It’s a small tower with a spiral staircase that is generally uncrowded and peaceful. It is also one of the last buildings to stand on the old medieval fence that once surrounded the city.
Relax In Jesuitas Park
A short walk from the Plaza Mayor, Jesuitas Park is a ginormous 60-square-mile outdoor park with beautiful walking paths, a pond, a playground, an exercise area, and more. During my time off, I’d head to Jesuitas Park to read my book and relax, finding cool spots as I went! If you want to find a green space in Salamanca, all you have to do is explore Jesuitas Park!
Bike Around Salamanca
Once you’ve seen all the sights around the Old City, another way to experience Salamanca is on a bike! One of my friends and I rented bikes from Bikecicletas Salamanca one day and had a blast! They provide cheap bike rentals and provide information on different routes you can take. I’d recommend doing the Route Via Verde to see the beautiful sights surrounding the city!
FAQs: Best Things To Do in Salamanca
Now that we’ve covered some of the best things to do and see in Salamanca let’s discuss some of the frequently asked questions on the topic!
Is it worth visiting Salamanca?
Salamanca, Spain, is most definitely worth visiting! Whether you visit for a day or a week, there is plenty to see and do. Marvel at the sandstone buildings, climb one of the historic towers for panoramic views, relax in the Plaza Mayor, or stroll through one of the city’s beautiful gardens.
What is Salamanca best known for?
Salamanca, Spain is best known for the university, the second oldest in Europe. It’s also known for its beautiful sandstone architecture and Plateresque-style buildings. There is a ton of rich history and must-see attractions in Salamanca!
Is there much to do in Salamanca?
Salamanca has a ton of national and historic monuments that are open to the public. From cathedrals to plazas, to gardens, this city has got it all. Whether you’re staying for a day or a week, you’ll find lots to do in this romantic city!
How many days in Salamanca is enough?
To get the most out of Salamanca, I would recommend staying for at least three days. Sure, you can complete most of the popular attractions in a day, but to get the full experience, you’ll want a few days! There are tons of towers to explore, churches to adore, and more!
Wrapping Up: Best 17 Things To Do in Salamanca, Spain
Well, there you have it! The best seventeen things to do in Salamanca, Spain. Whether you want to tour one of the historic monuments, shop at the central market, or bike around the city, you won’t be disappointed in this charming city!
Salamanca is an extremely romantic city that enjoys a slower pace. One of my favorite things to do was grab some tapas at the Plaza Mayor before heading to Jesuitas Park to relax and read. I hope you fall in love with Salamanca as much as I did!