Hotels in Salamanca | B&B HOTELS , 1 hotel

What to see in Salamanca: the essentials Plaza Mayor The mandatory starting point. Built in the 18th century by Alberto Churriguera, its square arcaded floor plan is one of the most balanced in Europe. What sets it apart from other great Spanish squares is that it is truly used: at 10 am there are retirees having coffee, at 1 pm university students, at 9 pm the entire city. The best time to photograph it is at sunset, when the golden stone lights up. You don’t need to book or pay anything to enjoy it. Simply go down and stay for as long as you need.

New Cathedral and Old Cathedral Salamanca has the rarity of having two cathedrals attached to each other, built in different eras. The New Cathedral (late Gothic, 16th century) is the one that dominates the skyline. The Old Cathedral (Romanesque, 12th century) is integrated into its interior and deserves a separate visit for its medieval paintings and its cloister. But the highlight of the visit is the Ieronimus: access to the towers and roofs of both cathedrals. From up there, you have the best view of Salamanca and can see the gargoyles and historical additions to the facade up close, including an astronaut and a dragon with ice cream, sculpted during a restoration in 1992. It costs about 5 euros and you must book in advance during high season.

Casa de las Conchas A 3-minute walk from the Plaza Mayor. The facade covered with more than 300 scallop shells in stone is one of the most recognizable images of Salamanca. Today it houses the regional public library and you can enter the interior courtyard for free, which is where it is worth stopping for a moment.

University of Salamanca The oldest university institution in Spain in continuous operation. The Plateresque facade of the entrance is one of the best examples of that style in the country. Look for the frog carved on the skull of the facade: according to tradition, if you find it on the first try, you will have luck in your exams. Now everyone looks for it. The Fray Luis de León classroom, where the 16th-century humanist resumed his class after years of imprisonment with the famous "As we were saying yesterday...", can be visited as part of the tour of the university historical complex.

Roman Bridge and Tormes River The bridge dates back to the 1st century AD and is still in use. Crossing it early in the morning, with the river low and the cathedral in the background, is one of those moments that justify the trip. At the southern end of the bridge is the Iberian Bull of Salamanca, a Celtiberian sculpture from the 3rd century BC that has become a symbol of the city.

Art Nouveau and Art Déco Museum - Casa Lis 5 minutes from the cathedral, next to the river. This museum occupies a modernist mansion from the early 20th century with a collection of stained glass, porcelain, and dolls from the 19th and 20th centuries that is more surprising than its description suggests. It gets crowded on weekends, so it’s better to go during the week or arrive at opening time.

Neighborhoods of Salamanca: where to stay and where to get lost

• Old Town: The heart of everything. Here are all the monuments and most of the restaurants and bars with history. It is the most expensive area to stay, but also the most practical if you are going to move everywhere on foot.
• Barrio del Oeste: The university neighborhood par excellence, with Bordadores street and its surroundings. Young atmosphere, cheap tapas, and breweries that don't close until late. A 10-minute walk from the Plaza Mayor.
• Gran Vía: The modern commercial axis of Salamanca. Useful for shopping and well connected, but without the atmosphere of the old town.
• Chinchibarra: Residential area north of the center. Quiet, local, and with hardly any tourism. Interesting for eating where there is no menu in English.