Things to do in Salamanca

Activities, attractions and tours
Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca
Cathedral of Salamanca

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Top places to visit

1. Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor is the central nucleus around which the city of Salamanca spreads. The large square is a popular gathering point for locals and visitors, drawing sightseers with its majestic buildings of Baroque style. Sit at the outdoor tables of the many restaurants and cafés surrounding the square and watch people going by.
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Plaza Mayor

2. University of Salamanca

The University of Salamanca is a world-renowned university made up of architectural gems used for residence halls and faculty buildings. Established in 1218, the college was the first university in Spain and is one of the oldest in Europe. Make your way through the pleasant courtyards and halls of its historic structures for a sense of the prestige associated with this university.
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University of Salamanca

3. New Cathedral of Salamanca

One of the largest and tallest buildings in the city is the New Cathedral of Salamanca, a huge church that was under construction for two centuries. Work started in 1513 and was completed in 1733. It was built next to the Old Cathedral, which was considered too small for Salamanca’s growing population. View the stately design, a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles.
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Cathedral of Salamanca

4. Old Cathedral of Salamanca

The Old Cathedral of Salamanca is a gorgeous Romanesque church dedicated to Santa María de la Sede. It was constructed during the 12th and 13th centuries and stands alongside the New Cathedral. Go on a self-guided tour of the interior, allowing at least 1 hour to explore the chapels and many religious artworks of the older church.
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Old Cathedral of Salamanca

5. San Esteban Convent

With its grandiose church, opulent façade and majestic two-story cloister, San Esteban Convent is one of Salamanca's most beautiful pieces of architecture. This religious complex has been an important center of study and theology for the Dominican Order for hundreds of years and still houses a monastic community.
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San Esteban Convent

6. Casa de las Conchas

The Casa de las Conchas is a fascinating historical structure dating back to the late 15th century. The building, which today contains a public library, is decorated with more than 300 shells. Capture photos of the intriguing décor of the façade and admire the range of architectural styles.
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Casa de las Conchas

7. Pontifical University of Salamanca

The Pontifical University of Salamanca was established by Pope Pius XII in the 20th century. It has many beautiful historic buildings that serve the 6,500 students that attend this college. Marvel at the array of elegant and impressive 17th-century structures and cobbled plazas that make up this exceptional campus.
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Pontifical University of Salamanca

8. Roman Bridge

One of the survivors of Salamanca's past as a Roman settlement is the Roman Bridge, or Puente Romano, a granite stone crossing of 26 arches that extends over the Tormes River. The 15 arches on the city side are of Roman origin while the rest come from restoration work carried out in the 18th century. It is such a Salamanca icon that it’s included on the city’s coat of arms.
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Roman Bridge

9. Art Nouveau and Art Deco Museum

La Casa Lis is a handsome early 20th-century modernist mansion that houses Salamanca's Art Nouveau and Art Deco Museum. Inside the building are 19 collections of decorative arts from the late 19th century until World War II, consisting of about 2,500 pieces. View the artistic architecture of the building’s south façade of stained glass and ironwork. Gaze up at the blues of the large stained-glass ceiling over the courtyard.
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Art Nouveau and Art Deco Museum

10. Garden of Calisto and Melibea

The Garden of Calisto and Melibea (Huerto de Calisto y Melibea) is a rather small but beautiful natural space in the city center. Walk among rich vegetation and explore the place that inspired the renowned and romantic book La Celestina (The Celestine), also known as La Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea (The Tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea). It’s believed that the story was written at the end of the 15th century by the Spanish author and respected legal expert Fernando de Rojas. It’s considered one of the most important humanistic comedies in Spanish literature. Discover the enchanting hideaway where the lovers of the story, Calisto and Melibea, meet and the spot where the book reaches its tragic ending.
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Salamanca

What to do in Salamanca


Popular places to visit

Areas of Salamanca

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Salamanca Centro

Salamanca Centro is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Alberto de Churriguera y José del Castillo, Conde de Francos and Plaza Mayor.

Salamanca Centro
Cathedral of Salamanca

Old Town Salamanca

5/5(35 area reviews)

Unique features of Old Town Salamanca include the historical sites and cafes. Make a stop by Casa de las Conchas or New Cathedral of Salamanca while you're exploring the area.

Old Town Salamanca
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Santo Tomás

5/5(1 area review)

Visitors to Santo Tomás enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Jesuitas Park is worth a stop.

Santo Tomás

San Bernardo

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Visitors to San Bernardo appreciate its historical sites. A visit to Archbishop Fonseca College and La Rana might round out your trip if you're looking to see more of the area.

San Bernardo
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Vistahermosa

Vistahermosa is well liked for its historical sites. You can also take some time to explore sights in the surrounding area like Roman Bridge and Rodas Viejas Paintball.

Vistahermosa
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Oeste

You'll enjoy the art galleries and historical sites in Oeste. You might want to make time for a stop at La Calcografía or Iglesia de las Carmelitas.

Oeste