Getaway to Salamanca

Salamanca is a city in Castilla León that boasts of being a World Heritage Site. Its historic center is easily explored on foot and it houses the most important monuments of the city such as the University, the Cathedral and the Plaza Mayor. Undoubtedly, a university city full of culture, art and legends.  

This day will begin with the Plaza Mayor, an ideal place to have a coffee or eat breakfast. Next to it is the cathedral complex where the New Cathedral and the Old Cathedral rise, one attached to the other. If you want to enter them, tickets are purchased at the temple itself or on its website. Although we already anticipate that its famous facade is the biggest attraction and you can see children and adults playing to find some of the elements it hides. On the façade of the New Cathedral, you should find an astronaut and a dragon with ice cream.  

From the cathedral, we will continue to the University of Salamanca, a historic building over 800 years old and an academic benchmark for being the first university in Spain. This facade is also the claim of many visitors who stay in front of it until they find the little animal that is hidden: a small frog.

Salamanca, in Castilla León, is a World Heritage Site. Its historic center is easily explored on foot and houses the most important monuments of the city such as the University, the Cathedral and the Plaza Mayor. Undoubtedly, a university city full of culture, art and legends.  

This day will begin with the Plaza Mayor, an ideal place to have a coffee or breakfast. Next to it is the cathedral complex where the New Cathedral and the Old Cathedral are located, one next to the other. If you want to enter them, tickets can be purchased at the temple itself or on its website. Although we already anticipate that its famous facade is the main attraction and you can see children and adults playing to find some of the elements it hides. On the façade of the New Cathedral, there is an astronaut and a dragon with ice cream.  

From the cathedral, we will continue to the University of Salamanca, a historic building more than 800 years old and an academic reference for being the first university in Spain. This facade is also the attraction of many visitors who stay in front of it until they find the little animal that hides: a small frog.

Once you have found the famous university frog, head to the Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells). Its name comes from the fact that its façade is full of shells. 

Right in front of the Casa de las Conchas, you will find the Clerecía, as the Real Colegio del Espíritu Santo de la Compañía de Jesús (Royal College of the Holy Spirit of the Society of Jesus) is called. The part we are going to visit will be its towers that rise through the Scala Coeli, a stairway to heaven. From the top, you can see spectacular views of the entire city. In the same square is the Pontifical University, through which you will pass before stopping for lunch. 

Next, you can head to the Casa Lis, a modernist-style mansion with some of the most beautiful stained glass windows. Its facade is fascinating and its interior houses the Art Nouveau Art Deco Museum. If you are interested in this artistic movement, you can pick up something from the shop. Once you have seen the beautiful windows of the Casa Lis, you can stroll through the Huerto de Calixto y Melibea", but do so before the sun sets, as it closes after sunset. This landscaped space has beautiful views of the Tormes River and the Cathedral. There you will find a statue of the character of Fernando de Rojas, the former Celestina. It is believed that it was in this garden where the writer set the meeting between the protagonists, Calixto and Melibea. 

To end the day, there is nothing better than visiting the Salina or Fonseca Palace. Admission is free and closing time is at 8:00 pm. Access to the public is only to the courtyard, the most interesting place for its Dantesque columns in which different faces appear with expressions of horror. This palace was also a salt cellar, hence its popular name, and is currently the headquarters of the Provincial Council of Salamanca.

In the evening, enjoy a good dinner in one of the restaurants in the Plaza Mayor and the lively atmosphere of its university streets. From the other side of the Roman bridge, there are stunning views of the illuminated city. If you feel like taking a stroll after dinner, it is a very romantic place.

If you feel like having some tapas, Van Dick street is the place to go. At night, especially during academic hours, it is very lively and great for a nightcap. before going to bed