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    Salamanca

    Spain

    Salamanca

    CityCulture

    Salamanca is one of Europe's oldest university cities. The Old Town of golden-yellow sandstone, with the baroque Plaza Mayor, two cathedrals, and the university founded in 1218, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    by Felix Gillen

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    7. Castile and León
    9. Salamanca
    Salamanca is one of Europe's oldest university cities. The Old Town of golden-yellow sandstone, with the baroque Plaza Mayor, two cathedrals, and the university founded in 1218, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tens of thousands of students create a vibrant city life.

    Sights in Salamanca

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    New and Old Cathedral

    1New and Old Cathedral

    The Late Gothic New Cathedral was built directly next to the 12th-century Romanesque Old Cathedral starting in 1513, and you can visit both. Via the Ieronimus exhibition, you reach the towers and roof galleries. At the Puerta de Ramos, an astronaut has been carved into the stone since a 1992 restoration.
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    Roman Bridge

    2Roman Bridge

    The bridge over the Tormes dates to Roman times; some of its arches are still original. From the other bank, you get a good view of the Old Town and cathedrals, especially in the evening.
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    Kirche und Kloster San Esteban

    3Kirche und Kloster San Esteban

    Historisches Dominikanerkloster mit eindrucksvollen Kreuzgängen & imposanter Fassade mit kunstvollen Reliefs.
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    Palacio de Anaya

    4Palacio de Anaya

    18th-century Neoclassical palace on Plaza de Anaya opposite the New Cathedral, now home to the Faculty of Philology of the University.
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    Domus Artium 2002

    5Domus Artium 2002

    Centre for contemporary art in a converted former prison east of the Old Town, with changing exhibitions.
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    University of Salamanca
    Historic Landmark

    6University of Salamanca

    On the Patio de Escuelas stands the Plateresque facade of the Escuelas Mayores from the early 16th century, in whose reliefs a small frog on a skull is hidden. Inside, you'll visit historic lecture halls, including Fray Luis de León's, and the old library.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Restaurant Isidro

    Restaurant in C. Pozo Amarillo.
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    2

    Zazu Bistro

    Grillfleisch und ‑fisch sowie Risotto, Burger und Desserts in einem behaglichen Lokal mit großer Straßenterrasse.
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    3

    Restaurante Víctor Gutiérrez

    Gourmet restaurant by chef Víctor Gutiérrez near the Cathedral, with tasting menus that combine Castilian and Peruvian influences.
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    4

    El Alquimista

    Restaurant in Pl. de San Cristóbal.
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    Dining & Drinks

    Hornazo

    Pastry filled with chorizo, ham, lomo, and egg, traditionally eaten for Lunes de Aguas after Easter.

    Jamón de Guijuelo

    Ibérico ham from Guijuelo, a town south of Salamanca, one of Spain's most important appellations.

    Tapas around the Plaza

    The alleys around Plaza Mayor and Calle Van Dyck are lined with tapas and pinchos bars.

    Spirit

    University and Golden AgeAlfons IX. of León founded the University in 1218, where scholars like Fray Luis de León and Miguel de Unamuno later taught. Its Plateresque facade is covered in stonework; visitors traditionally look for the frog on a skull. The New Cathedral was built next to the Romanesque Old Cathedral starting in 1513, and restorers added an astronaut to its portal in 1992.The Plaza Mayor was built in the 18th century and is considered one of the finest examples of Spanish Baroque architecture. The Casa de las Conchas, dating from the late 15th century, is adorned with over 300 stone shells.

    Exploring locally

    Trains run from Madrid-Chamartín to Salamanca in around 1.5 hours; buses take about 2.5 hours. The station is a 20-minute walk north of Plaza Mayor; city buses run to the center. The Old Town is largely car-free and walkable; parking garages are on the outskirts.

    Accommodations in Salamanca

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    Campgrounds in Salamanca

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      • 2Roman Bridge4 days
      • 3Kirche und Kloster San Esteban5 days
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    Nearby

    Ávila

    Ávila

    Ávila, at over 1,100 metres above sea level, is one of Spain's highest provincial capitals. The old town is completely enclosed by a Romanesque wall with 87 towers. As the birthplace of Saint Teresa, Ávila is also a pilgrimage destination, and its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    Castile and León

    Castile and León

    Castile and León is Spain's largest region by area and includes a large part of the northern plateau. Here lie cities like Salamanca, Segovia, Ávila, Burgos and León, whose old towns and cathedrals are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
    Plasencia

    Plasencia

    Plasencia, in the north of Extremadura, combines a lively present with a lot of history. The city is surrounded by medieval walls, the old town features two interconnected cathedrals, and the Plaza Mayor is the meeting point for locals.
    Monfragüe National Park

    Monfragüe National Park

    Monfragüe in Extremadura has been a National Park since 2007 and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2003. It is home to one of Europe's largest colonies of Cinereous Vultures, along with Griffon Vultures, Spanish Imperial Eagles, and Black Storks. The landscape comprises Dehesa, Mediterranean scrubland, steep rock faces, and the dammed Tajo and Tiétar rivers.
    Segovia

    Segovia

    Segovia lies some 90 kilometers northwest of Madrid on a rocky ridge above two rivers. Its Roman Aqueduct, Late Gothic Cathedral, and the Alcázar perched on its rocky peak define the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI