The UNESCO World Heritage city of Salamanca is also home to the oldest university in Spain, giving it an enviable mix of history and vibrancy. It teems with old churches, palaces, houses and streets, but also enjoys a lively nightlife and young outlook. This unusual combination of influences and attractions makes Salamanca an enthralling city to visit.
The historical highlights in this city are numerous and include the Plaza Mayor, a beautiful baroque square, which contains the royal pavilion. The Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells) is decorated with 300 shells left by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
Not to be missed is the city’s university, founded in 1254, with the present buildings dating from the 15th century and adorned in a Gothic style. The city has two cathedrals, one old and one new, which stand side by side and are also worth a visit.
Stunning Salamanca is best explored on foot, with every twist and turn steeped in history. A stroll down Mayor Street, for example, takes in the House of Shells and the Renaissance palaces of Salina, Orellana and Anayana, plus the baroque monastery. You should also walk over the Roman bridge on the River Tormes and stop at the Museum of Art Nouveau and Art Deco.
Home to 40,000 students, Salamanca is loaded with bars and clubs, and comes to life after dark. For food lovers and night owls, Salamanca is an exciting place with many hip drinking holes and eateries based in the historic quarter, serving regional food like roast suckling pig and farinotos - a type of sausage. Shops range from stalls selling religious trinkets, to designer and second-hand clothing outlets catering for the student population.
Salamanca is also the focal point on the Va de la Plata (Silver Route), an old Roman road and pilgrim route. The Va de la Plata still snakes through the province today and can be used to explore the many charming medieval villages, Romanesque churches and natural beauty spots that adorn the Sierra de Francia mountain range.
By car, the N-620 leads into Salamanca from both Barcelona and Portugal. From Madrid, take the N-VI northwest, forking off to Salamanca on the N-501. Trains arrive directly from Madrid, with the journey taking 2 hours, 30 minutes. By air, visitors can fly into Madrid and transfer by train, bus or car.
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