Salamanca
Salamanca is a historic city in the Castile and León region. It has a population of 147,000 people. The city is renowned for the orange-tinged sandstone used in buildings in the old town. Because of this stone, the buildings have a beautiful orange tone in the sunlight.
The heart of the city, the Plaza Mayor has been described as the most beautiful plaza in Spain. Make this your first stop once you start exploring.
Things to see and do
As well as the Plaza Mayor and the old town, the Museum of Art Nouveau and Art Deco Casa Lis is a must-see if you enjoy art.
The Old Cathedral is a beautiful building with remarkable tableaux inside.
La Rana de Salamanca at Salamanca University is a remarkable building. People like to try and spot the frog in among the thousands of carvings covering the building. The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is the oldest university in Spain.
Salamanca Central Market is a great place to stock up on local foods. While you are there, you must try Salamanca-style chorizo. It is popular across Spain for a very good reason. On the subject of food, here is a great article on Where to Eat in Salamanca with traditional, fine-dining and budget-friendly tips while visiting.
For a more detailed look, read Things to Do in Salamanca. You might also find our 3 Day Itinerary for Salamanca useful. To expand your stay and explore the region, our article Best Day Trips from Salamanca has got lots of great ideas and destinations.
Of course, accommodation is an important part of any visit so read our article Where to Stay in Salamanca for what different parts of the city have to offer.
Festivals
In February and March, the National Jazz Circuit, Muestra Nacional de Jazz, takes place. Jazz performers can be found in bars and venues across the city. Even if jazz isn’t your thing, there is an excellent vibe in the city during the festival.
As it is elsewhere in Spain, Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is an important celebration. There are processions across the city but the University and Plaza Mayor are the best places to see the largest processions. They are amazing sites and steeped in history.
June 12 is San Juan de Sahagún, Saint John of Sahagun day. The day is celebrated with much eating and drinking and a fireworks display.
On 25 July the Fiesta de Santiago Apóstol, Festival of Saint James the Apostle, is held. This day is celebrated across Spain. There are many activities and, of course, plenty to eat and drink. The traditional food of the day is a scallop-filled empanada.
Feria de Salamanca is in September. This is a week-long celebration involving many religious events and a lot of partying. There is a fair with lots of entertainment.
Getting to Salamanca
The nearest major airport is Madrid. Buy tickets.
You can then get to Salamanca via High-speed rail in around 1 hour 40 minutes.
The rail connection from Valladolid takes about 1 hour 10 minutes. Buy tickets
Driving time to the city from Madrid is 2 hours 20 minutes.
The trip from Valladolid by car will take 1 hour 25 minutes. Hire a car