Things to do in Salamanca
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Top 10 attractions in Salamanca
University of Salamanca
University of Salamanca was founded in 1218 and is one of the oldest universities in Spain. Its long history and academic reputation are comparable to institutions such as the University of Oxford and the University of Paris. Christopher Columbus once presented his case to scholars here to gain support for his westward voyage. Names such as Cervantes, the poet Luis de León, and the writer Unamuno are all associated with this school, and the School of Salamanca, which was famous throughout Europe in the 16th century, also emerged here. The main building was built in the early 15th century and is arranged around a cloistered courtyard. The old lecture hall, the chapel, and the classroom where Luis de León taught have been preserved to this day. The old building is still in use, and strolling through it, you can see history intertwined with daily campus life. The highlight of the visit is the main facade facing the square. The entire wall is carved from golden sandstone produced in Villamayor, near Salamanca. Hidden among the intricate carvings is a small frog perched on a skull. A long-standing legend says that those who find it without a hint will have academic success, and it has now become a tradition during the visit.Salamanca · 1 km from downtown
Public Library of Salamanca - Casa de las Conchas
Public Library of Salamanca - Casa de las Conchas is located in the heart of Salamanca's old town and is a highly recognizable palace in this university city. Construction began in the late 15th century, commissioned by Rodrigo Arias Maldonado, a knight of the Order of Santiago, and it took over 20 years to complete. The facade blends a Gothic framework with early Renaissance Plateresque ornamentation, serving as a testament to the era of transition between old and new architectural styles. More than 300 protruding scallop shell carvings cling to the exterior, densely covering the walls, a feature quite rare among similar buildings in Spain. Today, the building serves as a public library. Stepping inside, you can visit the courtyard surrounded by two-story arcades, where the row of short marble columns on the upper level is particularly exquisite.Salamanca · 835m from downtown
Casco Histórico de Salamanca
Casco Histórico de Salamanca is an ancient city that developed around a medieval university, with cobblestone alleys and buildings from various eras preserved quite intact. The houses in the old town are mostly built with locally produced golden sandstone. On sunny days, the entire district glows with a honey-like luster in the sunlight, and the color deepens at dusk, which is how it earned the nickname "City of Gold." Plaza Mayor de Salamanca is the heart of the old town. This 18th-century Baroque square is enclosed by circular arcades, with reliefs of past kings and celebrities adorning the pillars. Cafes and restaurants line the ground floor, bustling with activity day and night. University of Salamanca is one of the older universities in Spain, and its ornate facade and historic classrooms are worth seeing. The old town has a compact layout, and the main attractions are all within walking distance. You might want to slow down and wander through the alleys; the golden color of the sandstone facades is particularly moving in the evening sun.Salamanca · 986m from downtown
Plaza Mayor de Salamanca
It is no exaggeration to use "magnificent" to describe the Plaza Mayor de Salamanca in the center of Salamanca. The classical Baroque architectural style is unique among many squares in Spain, and it leaves a deep impression on many tourists. The starting point of every walking tour in Salamanca. As a popular resting place for citizens and tourists, Plaza Mayor de Salamancais known as the "heart full of sunshine and air". It was built by Albert Churigra in 1775 and was finally completed after the hard work of many architects. This is one of the more gorgeous squares in Spain. Since then, Plaza Mayor de Salamanca has witnessed the socio-economic and religious changes that have taken place in Spain and Salamanca. It can be said that this is a better platform for people to understand Salamanca.Salamanca · 579m from downtown
Garden of Calixto and Melibea
Garden of Calixto and Melibeais a historic garden located in Salamanca, Spain, closely associated with the classic Spanish novel by Leon de Almeida. This garden is one of the key settings for the love story between the fictional characters Calixto and Melibea in the novel, attracting the attention of many literature enthusiasts and tourists. The garden features an elegant layout and lush, shaded trees, while winding paths and colorful plants create a sense of peace and relaxation. Visitors can stroll through the ancient garden, admire the changing scenery throughout the seasons, and enjoy its unique natural and cultural atmosphere. Additionally, the garden has benches for resting, providing an ideal spot for visitors to relax and reflect. This place offers more than just natural beauty. It also represents an important cultural symbol in the Spanish literary tradition. For visitors who love literature, history, or simply want to spend some leisure time in a quiet environment,Garden of Calixto and Melibeais a place worth visiting.Salamanca · 1.2 km from downtown
Roman Bridge of Salamanca
This Roman Bridge of Salamanca is located in the Golden City of Salamanca. Although it has weathered over 2,000 years of history, it still stands intact, spanning the Tormes River. It is said that the bridge was originally built by Emperor Trajan, but of its 26 arches, only the 15 closest to the city date back to the 1st century AD, while the rest were rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries after the bridge was destroyed by floods. With its beautiful surroundings, the bridge has become a popular dating spot for university student couples. From one end of the bridge, you can also enjoy a panoramic view of the Salamanca Cathedral (Catedral Nueva). After nightfall, the Roman Bridge of Salamanca, illuminated by city lights and accompanied by the gentle sound of flowing water, is incredibly romantic!Salamanca · 1.5 km from downtown
Convent of San Esteban
The Monastery of San Esteban is a large religious complex about 1 km south of Plaza Mayor, built to commemorate the Christian saint Esteban who was martyred for the maintenance of Jesus. The construction of the monastery began in 1525 and was completed in 1618 after nearly a hundred years of construction. The gate of the church that visitors can see today was built in 1660, and there is a sculpture of Esteban above the gate, which makes people feel solemn. In a quiet corner of the old town, the San Esteban Monastery is a place where many tourists can calm down. It is worth mentioning that Columbus came here to seek help for his trip to the Americas, and met the Catholic king at the monastery.Salamanca · 1.1 km from downtown
Frog of Salamanca
Salamanca · 1 km from downtown
Monterrey's palace
The Monterrey Palace is one of the best examples of civil architecture of the Spanish Renaissance and the greatest exponent of Plateresco. It has served as an example for other architectural styles such as Neoplateresque or the “Monterrey style”, and as an inspiration for other buildings such as the Cavalry Academy of Valladolid, the current Archaeological Museum of Seville or the Palencia Provincial Council Palace. It was built by the will of Don Alonso de Acevedo y Zúñiga (1495-1559), 3rd Count of Monterrey, a noble of illustrious lineage of Galician origin with important resources, who was linked to the city of Salamanca, where he owned some houses and buildings.Salamanca · 612m from downtown
Royal Palace of Madrid
• Witness the history and royal anecdotes of Spain • Approx. 2 million travelers visit annually • Combining traditional Spanish royal architectural style with Baroque style, it covers a total area of approx. 130,000 m² with over 3,000 rooms △In the 9th century, this was once the castle of Arab rulers. After being recaptured by Christians, it became the residence of successive kings. A fire in 1734 destroyed the castle, and the royal palace seen today was rebuilt in 1764. △The Royal Palace of Madrid is an exquisitely crafted architectural marvel and one of the best-preserved palaces in the world. The entire palace is magnificent, with over 3,000 rooms in total, though only around fifty are open for travelers to visit. Particularly noteworthy is the palace's preserved set of five Stradivarius string instruments—two violins, one viola, and two cellos. △Adorned with golden ornaments, royal red velvet floors and walls, and chandeliers as magnificent as the room itself, while admiring the ceiling painted by Tiepolo. Marvel at the grand staircase designed by Sabatini, with over 70 steps in total.Spain · Madrid
Experiences you can't miss in Salamanca
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Free things to do in Salamanca
Public Library of Salamanca - Casa de las Conchas
Salamanca · 835m from downtownPlaza Mayor de Salamanca
Salamanca · 579m from downtownRoman Bridge of Salamanca
Salamanca · 1.5 km from downtown
Porto Cathedral
Portugal · PortoBook now for tomorrow
Puerta del Sol
Spain · MadridImmediate access, Book now for today
Old Town of Toledo
Spain · ToledoImmediate access, Book now for today
Plaza de España (Madrid)
Spain · MadridImmediate access, Book now for today
Mercado de San Miguel
Spain · Madrid
Plaza Mayor
Spain · Madrid
El Retiro Park
Spain · Madrid
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What travellers say about Salamanca
乖小咪April 22, 2020
5.0
The University of Salamanca is one of the oldest universities in Spain, with a history of more than 400 years. The entire school is very large, with many famous old buildings, full of Spanish style. It is also the cradle of Spanish scientists, and many famous Spanish scholars come from this university. It is definitely worth a visit.
University of Salamanca
GeorgezouMarch 21, 2020
5.0
The Casa de la Concha is located in the cultural city of Salamanca and is very famous in the Spanish architectural world. Gaudi also came here to observe and learn. The front exterior wall is decorated with 300 shell stone carvings. The two-story courtyard is decorated very delicately and gorgeously, and even the eaves are gorgeous artistic carvings.
Public Library of Salamanca - Casa de las Conchas
pan***heSeptember 18, 2020
4.0
The main square of Salamanca is said to be the most beautiful in Spain. It is indeed beautiful, but the weak light in winter cannot compare with the bright sunshine in summer, so the photos we took are not as good. There are many celebrity portraits around the square. According to LP, Franco's portrait is covered with plastic bags to prevent it from being damaged, but we didn't find it and left.
Plaza Mayor de Salamanca
开心果69January 5, 2020
3.0
The history of the Roman Bridge in Salamanca can be traced back to the first century AD. Only a few of the semicircular arches under the bridge close to the city are original, and the rest were rebuilt in the eighteenth century.
Roman Bridge of Salamanca
PINGPINGPING1013May 13, 2022
5.0
The staff was very professional, very patient in explaining the process, and answered many questions
Convent of San Esteban
201***83October 10, 2026
5.0
Actually, I missed the meeting point because I didn't pay attention to the ticket instructions; the meeting point wasn't at the palace entrance. I had to buy a separate ticket to get in, but it was definitely worth it. The palace is incredibly luxurious and magnificent, with stunning interiors. It was a truly worthwhile trip.
Royal Palace of Madrid
