Salamanca is a province in the Castile-León region and features a varying landscape of forested hills and verdant valleys with coursing rivers. Find exquisite architectural and cultural treasures within the province’s scattered villages and towns or take a daytrip to some of the outstanding tracts of protected forests and mountain ranges.
The province’s capital city, Salamanca, is one of Spain’s cherished historical landmarks. The city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Quarter contains the 12th-century Old Cathedral of Salamanca, which features a Romanesque and Gothic façade that was completed in the 14th century. The New Cathedral of Salamanca is a superb combination of Late Gothic and Baroque architecture. Check out the intriguing House of Shells, which is covered with over 350 seashells. Stroll across the Roman Bridge over the Tormes River and imagine how this important link on the Roman Silver Route would have looked in the 1st century. Rent a paddleboat and enjoy the scenery from the gently flowing river.
Enjoy the lively atmosphere in the university neighborhoods of Salamanca and practice your Spanish at a local café or tapas bar. Salamancan recipes often highlight the region’s excellent local produce. Local specialties include cured ham, lentils and beef.
You’ll find staggeringly beautiful architecture in the town of Ciudad Rodrigo, while the town of Béjar is said to have one of Spain’s oldest bullfighting arenas. La Alberca, Ledesma and Peñaranda de Bracamonte also contain heritage treasures. Be sure to experience some of Salamanca’s magnificent natural scenery. Go for a scenic drive or hike through Los Arribes del Duero or Las Batuecas-Sierra de Francia.
Reach Salamanca by flying into the airport in Valladolid and catching a bus to the city of Salamanca and surrounding towns. Madrid has train links to the city of Salamanca. Get around the province by rental car, regional bus or train. Explore routes such as the Silver Route, the Route of the Spanish Language and the Route of Charles V of Spain to gain a deeper insight into Salamanca and its history and traditions.