Weekend in Salamanca

Salamanca is a city in Castilla León that can boast 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.  

As soon as you arrive in Salamanca, settle into your hotel and go out to discover a bit of this historic city. You can take the opportunity to visit the Plaza Mayor, full of life, bars and restaurants, ideal for lunch or dinner. You can also take a walk around the Barrio del Oeste, the most alternative neighborhood in the city full of urban art. 

During the night, you can enjoy a wonderful dinner in any of its restaurants in the Plaza Mayor itself and the lively university atmosphere of the city but... be careful not to stay up late because tomorrow you have to get up early!

The day starts at 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 attached to the other. If you want to enter them, tickets can be purchased there and then or on its website. Although as you already know 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 facade of the New Cathedral, you should find an astronaut and a dragon with ice cream. If you go with children, this will surely keep them entertained for a while... 

Once you discover the Cathedral, accessing from the Ieronimus exhibition, you will go up to the Cathedral Towers, from where you can walk around the terraces that overlook the interior of the temple and see the views of the city. 

From this lookout tower, we will continue to the University of Salamanca, a historic building over 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 hidden animal: a small frog. Once you find the famous university frog, head towards the Casa de las Conchas. The name comes from the fact that its façade is full of shells. If you want to see the inner courtyard and the library, the entrance is free but, without a doubt, what is most striking is its exterior. Just in front of the Casa de las Conchas, is located the Clerecía, as it is called the Real Colegio del Espíritu Santo de la Compañía de Jesús (Royal College of the Holy Spirit of the Society of Jesus). The part we are going to visit will be its towers going up through the Scala Coeli, a stairway to heaven. From the top, you can see spectacular views of the whole city. In the same square, you will find the Pontifical University which you will pass in front of before making a technical stop for lunch. In and around the Plaza Mayor you will find a wide variety of traditional and creative restaurants. Take the opportunity to try the ham of Guijuelo or some of its cheeses and stuffed buns or taste some of its typical dishes such as chanfaina, morucha meat, lentils of Armuña or potatoes meneás. How tasty it all is!

In the afternoon, walking down Meléndez street, you will reach the Roman Bridge. Stroll over its walls while you contemplate the views of Salamanca and cross the Tormes River and then return over the same bridge and walk to Casa Lis, a modernist-style mansion that has some of the most beautiful colorful 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 buy the entrance ticket there, although most visitors stay outside. If you want to stroll through the Huerto de Calixto y Melibea, do it before sunset. It is open all day but closes after sunset. This garden area has beautiful views of the Tormes River and the Cathedral. There you will find a statue of Fernando de Rojas' character, the old Celestina. This is because it is believed that it was in this garden where the writer set the scene of the meeting between the protagonists, Calixto and Melibea. After enjoying this pleasant garden, visit the Cueva de Salamanca, where legend has it that the devil gave classes in witchcraft. In addition, on Fridays and Saturdays between 9.00 pm and 10.30 pm, there is a light projection honouring the mystery it hides.

And finally, it's time to find a place to rest and have dinner. If you feel like tapas, Van Dick Street is the right place for it.