Whether you’re into architecture, nightlife, food or football, Madrid is an extremely popular destination for those with a penchant for the city break.
But, given its popularity, the capital of Spain is a tourist hotspot. In 2023 alone, 60 million passengers arrived at Madrid’s airport, with tourists seriously outnumbering locals.
Over the Christmas period, Madrid even had to shut down streets to prevent overcrowding.
If that sounds like your own personal nightmare, we have the perfect destination dupe for you: Salamanca.
If you haven’t heard of Salamanca before, you’re not alone. Located just two hours from Madrid, the city has been called one of Spain’s hidden gems. And with a UNESCO listed old town, loads of museums and amazing food, it’s clear to see why.
Along with stunning architecture and multiple museums, the city is home to the oldest active university in Spain, the University of Salamanca, making it a lively student city.
It’s also a popular destination for international students who are studying abroad for a semester, so you can expect an eclectic mix of nightlife and culture.
Things to do in Salamanca
Salamanca’s main attraction is its beauty.
The city itself is a sight for sore eyes, with the most gorgeous gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture to gaze at as you explore.
The Old Town itself was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
There’s the Roman bridge, the old and new cathedrals, the magical university buildings and two palaces: the Salina Palace and the Monterrey Palace, both of which can be explored inside and out.
You can also spend time with locals and tourists alike at the magnificent Plaza Mayor, a huge square where you’ll find restaurants, bars and shopping arcades.
For a dose of history and culture, visit the museums, such as Casa Lis, an Art Deco and Art Nouveau museum, or the Museum of Salamanca, where you can learn about fine art, archaeology and ethnology.
A wonderful – and free – hidden gem in the city is the Cielo de Salamanca, a beautiful painted ceiling, created in the 15th century by artist Fernando Gallego.
The ‘sky over Salamanca,’ in the Old Library of the university, features paintings of the 48 planets and constellations known at the time. It’s a must-see!
Salamanca must-try
If you’re a foodie, be sure to try Salamanca’s famous dish, hornazo.
Hornazo is a salty, oven-baked pastry stuffed with ham, sausage, bacon, cooked egg, and sometimes even chicken.
Try the traditional confectioneries at La Industrial or Gil for some of the best hornazo in the city.
How to get to Salamanca
While Salamanca has its own airport, no airlines currently offer direct flights from the UK to Salamanca.
It’s better to fly to Madrid-Barajas airport, which is about 145 km from Salamanca. Major airlines including Ryanair, Easyjet and Iberia fly to the Spanish capital. If you were looking to fly out for a city break next month, for example, a single ticket to Madrid with Ryanair costs just £33, not including baggage.
You can then travel to Salamanca by car, bus or train. It takes between two and three hours in total, and it’s totally worth the extra travel time.
The trains are cheap too. You can buy a single ticket to Salamanca from Madrid for about £21 using Spain’s rail network.
Where to stay Salamanca
These are the top 10 best accommodation options in Salamanca, according to Tripadvisor.
1. NH Collection Salamanca Palacio de Castellanos
2. Parador de Salamanca
3. Hotel Rector
4. Hotel Hospes Palacio de San Esteban
5. Sercotel Puerta de la Catedral
6. Sercotel Las Torres Salamanca
7. Eurostars Las Claras
8. Ibis Salamanca
9. Salamanca Suite Studios
10. Hotel Grand Hotel Don Gregorio
When to visit Salamanca
July and August are Salamanca’s hottest months, with temperatures regularly reaching about 31 degrees, and August is the city’s driest month.
For slightly milder but still balmy temperatures, May, June, September and October are ideal – usually around 26 degrees – and will be much cheaper than during the school holidays.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, we suggest heading to Salamanca in May or October. August is the busiest month for tourism in the city.
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