Salamanca Simply: The Ultimate Day Trip Guide!

Explore the history, culture, and beauty of Salamanca, Spain.

22 April 2023

A trip to Salamanca, Spain as a tourist promises to be a true delight for history and culture enthusiasts. A walk through the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Town, will take you back in time with its stunning Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Visitors can also explore the famous University of Salamanca, indulge in traditional Spanish cuisine, and experience the vibrant nightlife.

Day trip plan

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Day

Exploring Salamanca's Old Town

  • Start your day in Plaza Mayor, one of Spain's most beautiful squares, and have breakfast at Café Novelty, a historic café that dates back to 1905.
  • Walk through the winding streets of Salamanca's old town, admiring the medieval architecture, and stop by Casa de las Conchas, a 15th-century mansion covered in over 300 seashells.
  • Visit the University, one of the oldest in Europe, and marvel at its stunning Plateresque façade. Don't forget to touch the lucky frog on the skull-shaped carving!
  • Climb to the top of the Clerecía Tower for panoramic views of the city and a close-up look at its Baroque architecture.
  • Head to Barrio del Oeste, Salamanca's trendy neighborhood full of street art, independent shops and cafés. Enjoy a pintxo crawl at El Rastro or grab a craft beer at La Cervecería Artesana.
  • End your day with dinner at Restaurante El Mesón de Gonzalo, where you can taste the best of Castilian cuisine. Don't miss the jamón ibérico and the T-bone steak!

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Salamanca by plane is to fly into Madrid-Barajas Airport and then take a train or bus to Salamanca. The journey from Madrid to Salamanca takes approximately 2.5-3 hours by train or 2 hours by bus.

Car

Driving to Salamanca is a good option if you want to explore the surrounding areas. The city is located on the A-62 motorway, which connects Madrid and Portugal. You can rent a car at any major airport or city in Spain. Make sure to have a good GPS system or a map with you to avoid getting lost.

Train

Salamanca is well-connected by trains from major cities in Spain, such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla. The main train station in Salamanca is called Estación de Salamanca, located in the city center. You can check train schedules and book tickets on the official website of RENFE.

Boat

There is no direct way to get to Salamanca by boat, as the city is located inland. However, if you are traveling from Portugal, you can take a ferry from Lisbon to Santander and then get a train or bus to Salamanca. The journey time is around 6-8 hours depending on the connections.

Bus

Taking a bus is one of the most affordable ways to get to Salamanca from other parts of Spain. There are several bus companies that operate on this route, including ALSA and Avanza. You can book your ticket online or at the bus station. The journey time is around 2-4 hours depending on the departure point.

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