Free walking tours in Salamanca and what to see

Must-sees

The 18th-century Plaza Mayor is the heart of city life and worth seeing both by day and at night, when it’s lit up. From there, Calle de la Rúa leads to the Casa de las Conchas, its façade covered in shells, and the Clerecía, whose towers you can climb. Salamanca has two cathedrals joined together: the Romanesque Old Cathedral and the Gothic New Cathedral, with later additions.

The University, founded in 1218, is one of the oldest in Europe. Its façade, on the Patio de Escuelas, is a fine example of the Plateresque style, and visitors hunt on it for the famous frog sitting on a skull. Inside is the lecture hall of Fray Luis de León. Nearby are the convent of San Esteban, the Huerto de Calixto y Melibea garden and the Roman Bridge over the Tormes. The Casa Lis houses an Art Nouveau and Art Deco museum.

Free tours and guided visits

The classic free tour covers the Plaza Mayor, the Casa de las Conchas, the Clerecía, the cathedrals and the University façade, and usually ends with the search for the frog. Guides tell stories of students, of the vítor painted on the walls and of university life. There are also night-time legends tours, such as the one about the Cave of Salamanca. You tip what you like at the end.

Among the paid visits, a guided tour of the University and the cathedrals is worth it. From the cathedrals you can climb the towers and walk their galleries, with views over the city. For day trips, La Alberca and the Sierra de Francia, Ciudad Rodrigo or Ávila are a reasonable distance away.

How long to spend

Two days let you see Salamanca at a relaxed pace. Day one, a free tour of the old town, the University and the cathedrals, with the climb up the towers. At night, a walk to see the buildings lit up. Day two, the Clerecía, San Esteban, the Casa Lis and the Roman Bridge. With a third day, take a trip to La Alberca or Ciudad Rodrigo.

Where to stay

Ideally, stay in the old town, near the Plaza Mayor. Everything important is a few minutes’ walk away and at night there are bars and a student crowd. The streets around the Gran Vía are central and a little quieter. If you’re driving, look for somewhere with parking, because parking in the old town is difficult.