About a 2-hour train journey east of Madrid is Salamanca, one of Spain’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites. Sometimes called “the Golden City” for the color of the buildings, wandering through its cobbled streets, you’ll discover charming squares, lively markets, and an inviting atmosphere.

If you’re visiting the city and wondering where to start, look no further! These are the 18 best things to do in Salamanca, Spain.

See the Oldest University in Spain

This one goes out to all my dark academia folks. Built in 1218, the University of Salamanca is the oldest in Spain – the 4th oldest in the world!

There’s an official university tour of the campus and museum that goes into more depth than I can about the university’s history and cultural impact.

Find the Frog

Legend states that any student who can find the tiny hidden frog on the university’s facade – without any help! – will pass their exams.

Even if you’re not a student, the bragging rights are reason enough for the search. “Did you find the frog?” is one of the first things people say when they find out you’ve been to Salamanca.

It’s much easier said than done – this is a 16th-century Gothic carving after all, with tiny, intricate details all over the massive university entrance.

Learn Black Magic at in the Devil’s Cave 

Here’s another local legend: before the devil went down to Georgia, he was in Salamanca, teaching necromancy out of this cave. The story goes that he would teach black magic to seven pupils at a time.

The catch? At the end of the lessons, he got to randomly choose one student to keep for all eternity.

Technically, it’s not so much of a cave as it is a crypt.

And it’s thought that it was actually a student who helped others cheat on their exams that operated from this crypt, instead of the devil.

But either way, the legend persists.

Try the Local Cuisine

One of the best parts of traveling is always trying the local dishes! What better way to start than with Hornazo de Salamanca – a pastry stuffed with chorizo, jamón, pork loin, and hard-boiled eggs.

While that may be the traditional way, today there are many variations of the recipe – I had one with a spinach and ricotta filling. Other common combos are ham and cheese, smoked salmon and cream cheese, tomato and basil, etc.

See the Old and New Cathedrals

Salamanca actually has not one but two cathedrals, fused together. As the city grew and received an influx of university students, they needed a bigger cathedral to accommodate everybody.

And so, the New Cathedral was built alongside the Old Cathedral.

Climb the Cathedral Tower

Now, this was the part of the tour where I suddenly remembered I’m terrified of heights.

Not only can you tour the cathedrals, but you can also climb up to their roofs. They let you walk through the upper galleries of the cathedral and 110 meters up to the bell tower.

It’s a separate ticket from just visiting the cathedrals, but it gives fantastic 360 views of Salamanca in exchange.

See Prettiest Plaza in Spain

Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor is widely regarded as the prettiest in Spain. It’s the heart of the city, and where many festivals are held – including bullfights until 1992.

Visitors can unwind with a cup of coffee at an outdoor cafe, go souvenir shopping, and take photos in Spain’s best plaza.

Spot the Leaning Tower of Salamanca

In 1755, there was a devastating earthquake, fire, and tsunami that destroyed most of Lisbon. Not only did the earthquake devastate Lisbon, but it did significant damage to Salamanca too.

The cathedral has since been rebuilt, but one of the towers still has a slight lean – not enough to be a safety concern, but enough to take the classic “holding-up-the-tower” tourist photo.

Take a Walking Tour 

I always think that one of the best ways to get an introduction to a new city is to take a walking tour. Local guides always know and can give you insider recommendations for the rest of your trip. 

There’s something for everyone. For the history buffs, there is a monuments and landmarks guided tour. For the cycle enthusiasts, there is a Salamanca by bike guided tour. There is a walking tour with a Spanish-speaking guide and even an all-day tour from Madrid. 

See the Casa de Conchas

Casa de Conchas is one of Salamanca’s most famous buildings. The home’s original owner was a knight in the Order of Santiago, whose shield contained the same conch shells. He loved them so much that he even had his house covered with them.

Wikipedia says that there are over 300 on the building’s exterior. I will not be fact-checking this, so we’ll just have to take their word for it.

Similar buildings exist in Lisbon (Casa dos Bicos) and Segovia (Casa de los Picos).

Start the Camino de Santiago

Speaking of conch shells, one of the most famous medieval pilgrimages passes directly through Salamanca. 

There are several routes of the Camino de Santiago that start in France, Spain, and Portugal and end at the burial place of the Apostle Saint James in northern Spain. Salamanca falls along the Via de la Plata route, starting in Seville and ending in Santiago de Compostela.

The conch shell is the symbol of the Camino, so keep an eye out for the conch shells on street signs, engraved on sidewalks, and painted on buildings.

Find the Astronaut on the Cathedral

It’s time for another version of ‘Where’s Waldo?’ But this time it’s ‘Where’s the astronaut?’

An astronaut probably isn’t the first symbol that comes to mind when you think of a Medieval Cathedral, but that’s exactly what can be seen on the door of the New Cathedral in Salamanca. It’s from a restoration project in the 90’s where they added more modern symbols.

There’s also a gargoyle eating an ice cream cone and a lizard giving a thumbs-up.

Cross the Roman Bridge

Salamanca’s main bridge was constructed in the first century A.D. under the Roman Empire. It’s a pedestrian-only stoned arched bridge that crosses over the River Tormes. It’s been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout the years, but some parts of the original still remain.

Like the cathedral(s), it’s actually two different bridges that have been combined into one.

A bit of advice? The view is the best at night when it’s lit up.

Visit a Palace That People Still Live In

Monterrey Palace is a Spanish Renaissance landmark just a few blocks away from the Plaza Mayor. The Palace used to belong to the Duke of Alba, and his descendants still live there today.

They offer free entry on Tuesdays from 10:30 am to 11:00 am, but you do have to book online in advance.

Try Some Italian-Approved Gelato

When I visited Salamanca, I went with my Italian friend who grew up in Florence. Her standards for ‘good gelato’ are extremely high.

Which is why it was so shocking to hear her say “Finally, some real gelato!” when we went to Heladeria Umami.

All their gelato is house-made using local ingredients. I got their tiramisu flavor and will be returning for more every time I’m in the city.

Explore the Art Deco Museum

A Casa Lis is Salamanca’s art deco museum, dedicated to showcasing 20th-century art. It’s hosted in a gorgeous stained glass building that honestly would be worth touring even if it didn’t hold all the art inside. 

Here, visitors can find sculptures, glassworks, jewelry, and even porcelain dolls on display.

Entry to the museum is free on Thursday mornings. 

Have a Spa Day at a Wine Hotel 

Hacienda Zorita Wine Hotel & Spa is a former convent that’s been transformed into a modern vineyard, spa, and hotel. While the building’s history goes back to the early 1300s, today they offer wine tasting, tapas cooking classes, and grape seed oil facials. 

The summer is the best time to visit, when they organize movie nights in their open-air cinema, dinner in the vineyards, picnics, and afternoon tea.

The hardest part is deciding what to do first – go wine tasting, jump into the pool, or run straight to the spa.

18. Visit St. Stephen’s Convent

The St. Stephen’s Convent, built by the Order of the Dominicans in the 16th century, is like a time machine to the past. Between the intricately carved facade, Gothic courtyard, and centuries of history, it’s clear why this was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can even go up to the terrace above the facade to get a glimpse of Salamanca from above.