Wondering what to do in Salamanca? I’ve rounded up the 12 best things to do in Salamanca and answered any questions you might have as a first-time visitor.

Somewhere between Madrid and the border of Portugal sits Salamanca, a criminally underrated Spanish destination filled with dazzling sandstone buildings. Home to the oldest University in Spain and a highly-ranked Spanish language program, Salamanca will keep you busy over a weekend with its wealth of museums and delicious tapas.

is Salamanca worth visting ↴

While there is definitely less to do in Salamanca than in other popular Spanish cities (Barcelona, Madrid, etc.), it’s still well worth visiting. Salamanca is an especially exciting destination for travelers interested in history and architecture. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasting the oldest university in Spain (third oldest in Europe) and one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. There are a myriad of museums and sandstone buildings to explore.

Salamanca is a great addition to any Spanish itinerary since it’s only a 2-hour drive from Madrid. It’s also a 3.5-hour drive from Porto, Portugal. There is plenty to see and do over a weekend in Salamanca, which is why I recommend spending two days exploring the city.

how to get to Salamanca ↴

Salamanca is a 4-hour bus ride from Porto, which makes it an easy stop for those in Portugal wanting a taste of Spain on their European travels. I used FlixBus due to its affordability and high ratings from reviewers. You can download the FlixBus app here to coordinate bus routes all over the European continent.

Salamanca has one main bus terminal that isn’t far from the city center. It was just a 5-minute walk to my AirBnB accommodation, which was another 5-minute walk from the heart of the city. Buses come to Salamanca from just about everywhere in Spain: Zaragoza, Seville, Barcelona, Madrid, Caceres, etc. Prices vary according to your departure point.

BlaBla Car is a safe ride-sharing app that is very popular in Spain and France. It allows you to carpool with drivers already heading in a certain direction. For instance, my driver to Seville from Salamanca, Antonio, was headed south for work. I was able to pay a fraction of the cost of a bus ticket and we managed to shave off 2 hours of drive time since we weren’t required to stop anywhere and weren’t responsible for a load of other passengers. I now highly recommend BlaBla Car as an alternative to buses if you’re looking for a speedy journey. Plus, ride-sharing saves on car emissions! You coordinate with your driver where you’ll be dropped off. Each driver has reviews from previous riders, and the app lets you know who is a smoker and who isn’t (always nice when you’re in a car for an elongated period with someone). It also tells you how many rides they’ve done through BlaBla Car to give you an idea of their experience with the app.

travel tips for Salamanca ↴

bring Euros with you

There are only a few places to exchange money in Salamanca, but most have terrible rates or take a large commission. Exchange your money before you arrive in Salamanca or use an international credit card at larger shops {the supermarket, etc.} to save yourself a lot of money.

Sundays can be a total write-off

Okay, that may be an exaggeration. Sundays are not a complete write-off, but visiting Salamanca on a Sunday may prove prohibitive. Spain is a very Catholic country, and Sunday is the holy day. Salamanca takes that to the extreme by closing nearly everything on Sundays. Most attractions are closed or have restricted hours. This included restaurants and every supermarket we went to, with the exception of Carrefour.

don’t skimp on sun protection

There is no need to use a taxi service in Salamanca. The entire city is walkable as long as you have comfortable shoes. However, walking around Salamanca will result in some serious sun exposure. I highly recommend bringing a sunhat and sunglasses, and wearing sunscreen at all times. If you’re visiting in the summer, stay hydrated.

where to stay in Salamanca ↴

Salamanca is a compact city that is easily explored on foot, which means where you stay in the city doesn’t matter too much. However, not all of the available accommodation options are equal. Describing the Airbnb that Luke and I stayed in as “basic” would be too generous.

Instead, I recommend booking a stay in one of the following:

NH Collection Salamanca Palacio de Castellanos | Offering standard amenities and contemporary rooms, NH Collection Salamanca Palacio de Castellanos is a great mid-range option.
Salamanca Luxury Plaza| For a taste of classic Spanish luxury, book a stay at the Salamanca Luxury Plaza. It’s located in the heart of the city, steps from the central market and Salamanca’s main landmarks.
Grand Hotel Don Gregorio | If an on-site pool, relaxing spa, and large rooms are what you’re looking for, book a stay at this sophisticated hotel housed in a 15th-century building. It’s a 5-minute walk from Catedral de Salamanca and a 7-minute walk from the Plaza Mayor (the city’s main square).

We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.

what to do in Salamanca ↴

stroll for street art

Stretch your legs outside the Old Town and you’ll quickly stumble across an abundance of colorful street art and vibrant murals. To streamline your street art stroll, consider downloading the app “Galeria Urbana Salamanca” in the Apple Store for iPhone or Play Store for Android. It shows you a short and long route past the best murals in the city.

The best streets for street art in Salamanca are:

Calle Antonio Espinosa
Calle Asturias
Calle Granero
Calle Gütenberg
Calle León Felipe
Calle Palacio Valdés

peepTorre del Clavero

While you’re out and about, strolling the streets of Salamanca, you might as well take a peek at Torre del Clavero. This tower was a part of the palace that belonged to Don Francesco de Sotomayor and, at one time, you were able to climb up to the top and grab a view. However, these days it serves as a government office, and tourists aren’t allowed inside.

grab stunning views from one of the city’s towers

The most popular tower viewpoint is called Leronimus and is located inside the Salamanca Cathedral. It costs €8 to get inside the Cathedral, which includes the tower lookout. However, Torre de Clerecia costs only €3 to climb to the top and you’ll have a view of the cathedral in the backdrop of your photos! Whatever your budget, there is a viewpoint option for you in Salamanca.

Admission | for Leronimus: €8, Torre de Clerecia: €3

cross the roman bridge

The Roman Bridge crosses over the River Tormes. It’s very close to the city center and a lovely park that has views of the towering cathedral and old town. I was lucky enough to be in Salamanca with a travel partner for a day, and we went for a walk across the bridge. I think we both agreed that Salamanca is stunning from the river.

Salamanca cathedral

Spain is overwhelmingly Catholic, so there are an uncountable number of cathedrals and churches across the country all boasting Catholic history and religious art. The Salamanca Cathedral offers audio guides at an additional cost in English for those wanting to learn a bit about the history of Catholicism in Spain, particularly in Salamanca.

the library in Casa de las Conches

As a university town, it’s not surprising that the public library that lives in the Casa de las Conches makes for a pretty cool spot to study, read, or retreat from the heat. I loved the mix of modern architecture inside the historic building.

find the “frog on the skull”

Salamanca boasts the oldest university in Spain and the third oldest in Europe, dubbing it the “Oxford of Spain.” Founded between 1425 and 1433, its ornate sandstone facades have helped it gain a reputation as one of the most beautiful universities in the world. Its outer walls are covered in carvings that were added in the 16th century by Catholic kings. Among these carvings is the “frog on the skull”, which many tourists attempt to find while visiting Salamanca. I never found the frog, but I spent a good chunk of an afternoon searching for it.

tour the local market

The local market is housed in a beautiful building with stained-glass windows. Vendors inside sell fresh produce, meat, and seafood all at affordable prices. This is a great place to grab a fresh lunch for a picnic in one of the many public spaces that Salamanca offers visitors of the city.

plaza mayor

Like most Spanish cities, the main plaza in Salamanca is where residents gather and locals converge in the heart of the city, The entire perimeter of the plaza is filled with cafés and tapas bars where people spend hours of their day sipping on espresso and downing fresh churros. While I was in Salamanca, the city was celebrating Pride, which meant there were rainbow flags hung from the balconies of the city hall.

The museum of Salamanca

The Museum of Salamanca houses some archaeological exhibits as well as some religious paintings and stone sculptures. Like most of the sites in Salamanca, the informational plaques were only in Spanish, so it was a bit tricky for me to understand anything I was looking at, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The museum has a pretty courtyard near its entrance through a gate on the lefthand side— don’t miss it!

Admission | €1 , free on weekends

Palacio Monterrey

The Palace was stunning and the Gothic and Baroque architecture had me nerding out. The palace was built in the 16th century for the Monterrey family {thus the name}, but is now owned by the Duke of Alba. The interiors are amazing.

take a free walking tour

Like most European cities, Salamanca offers its visitors the chance to learn more about its history and culture on a free walking tour. The free walking tour begins at the San Fernando arch in Salamanca’s main square, Plaza Mayor. The tour is led by a local expert who gives amazing cultural and historical insights. They also divulge some of Salamanca’s best kept secrets and stories behind the folklore. Be sure to bring a cash tip for you guide, as this is how free tours continue to operate and how guides earn their wages.

morning breakfast in Plaza de Espana in Salamanca

where to eat in Salamanca ↴

A quick note about meal times! It’s not uncommon for the Spanish to eat breakfast around 10 AM, lunch nearer to 2 PM, and dinner close to 9 PM. This means opening times for many restaurants and cafés are later than you might be used to, so plan accordingly.