Tips and useful, quick information so that when you come to Salamanca, you only need to focus on enjoying your stay. Here’s all the useful Information for Visiting Salamanca
Below, we break down the essential data and info with everything you need to start your visit. Safe travel!
What are the opening hours of the monuments? What is the climate like in Salamanca? Where are the public restrooms? These are some of the questions we ask when we travel to a new place. – Tips & Essential Guide here!
Useful Information for visiting Salamanca
Opening Hours
Most businesses in Salamanca open from 10 AM to 8 PM. Shops that close between the morning and afternoon usually do so from 2 PM to 4/5 PM. In the historic center and the shopping area, almost all shops open without interruption.
Restaurants also have extended opening hours. Spaniards typically don’t eat before 2 PM or after 3.30 PM, and we don’t have dinner before 8.30 PM or after 11 PM. These are the most common hours, though there are always exceptions. “Tapear” (eating small portions of food with drinks) is also a more flexible option, and anytime during the day is good for it. Regarding monuments, you can check the updated hours of monuments and museums in Salamanca here.
Climate
Salamanca has a continental climate. Winters are cold and dry with an average temperature between 4 and 5 degrees Celsius. Summers are very short and hot, with temperatures exceeding 32 degrees Celsius. Rainfall is scarce, with an average of 380mm.
The best months to visit Salamanca are from June to October, as the city enjoys the best weather during this time. The cold season is from November to March. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature ranging from a minimum of 0°C to a maximum of 9°C.
Public Holidays
Local holidays are June 12 (San Juan de Sahagún Day, the town’s patron saint) and September 8 (Virgen de la Vega Day, patroness of Salamanca). Other holidays include “Lunes de Aguas”(the Monday following Easter Monday), when everything closes from noon, and April 23, the day of our regioon, Castilla y León.
Public Restrooms
In Salamanca, there are several public buildings with restrooms, as well as some portable ones. However, two are located in tourist areas and the monumental center. They are accessible, with changing tables for babies and adapted bathrooms. One is in the Visitor’s Reception Center, and the other is near the New Cathedral. The latter costs 50 cents.
Accidents or Illness
In case of an accident or illness during the trip, keep in mind that European citizens are entitled to receive necessary healthcare. It is recommended to request the European Health Insurance Card in your country of origin. For non-European visitors, it is advisable to purchase travel health insurance. Spain’s National Health System has a wide network of health centers and hospitals. Check the list of healthcare centers in Salamanca. The city has a public hospital (Hospital Clínico Universitario) and a private one (Hospital Santísima Trinidad).
To purchase medication, head to pharmacies. You can find information about on-duty pharmacies here.
For any emergency, the reference phone number is 112 (valid nationwide). It works 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Additionally, I am certified in first aid, so I will be able to assist you during the guided tour in case of an incident until emergency services arrive.
Getting Around in Salamanca
The historic center of Salamanca is pedestrianized, so the best way to explore the city is on foot. To move between neighborhoods or cover larger distances, and in an eco-friendly manner, Salamanca has a bike rental service, in addition to the urban bus network. If you are driving an electric car, Salamanca has several charging points.
Shopping in Salamanca
Despite being a small city, Salamanca offers several areas for shopping. In the historic center, the main shopping streets are Calle Toro and Calle Zamora. On the other hand, El Corte Inglés is about a 20-minute walk from Plaza Mayor, and the surrounding Van Dyck area is famous for tapas. There are also some shopping malls a short distance away by car or bus (Centro Comercial El Tormes and Los Cipreses). If you are looking for local crafts, the best options are Rúa Mayor, Libreros, and Meléndez streets. Typical souvenirs include various items related to university studies and the University of Salamanca (T-shirts and sweatshirts with the University crest, ex-libris, scholarships, frogs, etc.). The official store of the University is Mercatus.
In terms of crafts, the silver filigree and especially the “botón charro” (a traditional button) are among the most requested souvenirs. The button is made with silver or gold threads and it is one of the town’s oldest symbols. Jewelry shops offer the best gifts for both men and women (rings, earrings, keychains, tie pins, etc.). The Official Tourist Shop is located in Plaza Mayor and it sells various local products. The shop is also online.
Lastly, for those who prefer to gift food, Salamanca offers delicious sweet and savory options. The “rosquillas” from Ledesma or the “amarguillos” for those with a sweet tooth, and the ham from Guijuelo or any vacuum-packed cured meat assortment will delight any food lover. To learn more about the dishes to try in Salamanca, read our article “10 typical dishes of Salamanca that you must try.” For advice on where to stay in Salamanca, we have all the details here.
What to Visit in Salamanca
Salamanca is a relatively small town , but full of history and important places to visit. Here are our recommendations of must-see landmarks during your stay: The New and Old Cathedrals, Casa de las Conchas, the Historical Building of the University of Salamanca, Patio de Escuelas Menores, Main Square, and St. Stephen’s Monastery. The most important monuments to explore inside are the Cathedrals, the University, and St. Stephen’s Monastery. Other noteworthy spots to include in your visit are the Garden of Calixto y Melibea, the Roman Bridge and its surroundings, the Cave of Salamanca, and several museums in the city. If you want to know which museums are the most interesting, read our article “5 museums in Salamanca you must visit,” and discover the 10 most important monuments too. If you don’t have much time, check out our recommendations for a day in Salamanca.
Other interesting areas outside the historical center that are less known to tourists include ” Barrio del Oeste “(West Neighborhood) and the riverside promenade. Barrio del Oeste has an urban art gallery on its garage doors and walls. Every year, this gallery expands thanks to a competition in which new traps are decorated, and artists are invited to collaborate in the project.
The riverside promenade, on the other hand, was renovated in 2023 with European funds. In addition to enjoying a pleasant walk by the Tormes River, you can learn more about its history, flora, and fauna thanks to the signs and QR codes placed throughout the area. It’s also a wonderful area to enjoy by bike. We’ll tell you the best route to take along the riverbank here.
Other less visited but no less important monuments we recommend include the Medieval Paintings Museum, Casa Lis Museum, the Church of San Marcos, Fonseca College, and Veracruz Chapel, among others. All of them can be visited with our guided tours. You can download the city map and other important brochures and useful information for visiting Salamanca on the Salamanca Tourism website.
Guided Tours
We offer guided tours in 4 languages (English, French, Italian, and Spanish). Additionally, I am the only guide offering thematic tours in Salamanca. Discover Salamanca with kids, the University of Salamanca, the city’s religious and conventual heritage, palaces and funny legends, the prominent women who walked through our streets, marvel at the Barrio del Oeste, and learn about the murals and key artists in our Urban Art Gallery, or visit Salamanca’s viewpoints, its history, and take photos with your loved ones in the most magical spots. All this and much more can be discovered with TU GUIA EN SALAMANCA. We are the only ones with the Quality Tourism Certification from the Spanish Secretary of State for Tourism in Salamanca, and we are working on obtaining the BIOSPHERE sustainability certificate, being BIOSPHERE COMMITTED already. Book your guided tour here, or contact us for availability or to customize your visit.
Sustainable Salamanca
Salamanca is a UNESCO World Heritage town with a well-preserved historical center. For centuries, we have been able to enjoy and appreciate the rich heritage left by our ancestors. To ensure that future generations can continue to visit and experience this historical town, it’s essential to be responsible and mindful of the social, economic, and environmental consequences of not respecting and taking care of what we have. According to the World Tourism Organization, the key principles for sustainable tourism are protecting the natural environment and its biodiversity, respecting local culture, and maintaining balance in the distribution of socioeconomic benefits. To promote this type of tourism, here are some tips to help you become a sustainable tourist:
- Respect history and nature: Avoid touching buildings and monuments, and do not take stones as souvenirs. Try to minimize your impact on nature, and don’t pick protected leaves or flowers.
- Engage with local culture: Respect local customs and traditions, and approach the people and traditions with respect.
- Use sustainable transport: Try to use trains as much as possible, as it’s the least polluting option. Once in the city, use public transport.
- Travel in the low season: Not only is this a cheaper and less crowded time, but it also supports sustainable tourism. It reduces overcrowding and helps the local community during the off-peak season. In Salamanca, the low season is primarily January and February.
- Support local businesses: Local products are a fundamental pillar of Salamanca’s economy. Shop in local stores, traditional restaurants, and artisan shops.
- Be mindful of your water and energy usage: Water and energy are often scarce resources, so it’s important to be responsible. Some actions you can take include turning off the tap while brushing your teeth and not leaving the air conditioning or heating on when you’re not in your accommodation.
- Avoid leaving waste: Waste in public or natural spaces harms the environment. To keep Salamanca clean, use the bins and containers available in town and along the river.
Keep reading: Responsible Tourism
We hope this useful information for visiting Salamanca helps you enjoy your stay and contribute to sustainable tourism in the city. Leave us your opinion in the comments! Don’t miss out on booking guided tours in Salamanca with tuguiaensalamanca.com, we’re waiting for you!
