A Simple Salamanca Day Trip from Madrid
Salamanca is a great day trip from Madrid. It takes under two hours via train and the city has just the right number of historical sites to keep you entertained. Salamanca is also host to the oldest university in Spain (and one of the oldest in Europe). It gives the city young vibe amongst all its history. I did this day trip with my mom and sister while we were visiting Madrid.
This post contains affiliate links.
How to get to Salamanca
Take a train from Madrid to Salamanca. It’ll take about an hour and 45 minutes on Alvia, Spain’s high-speed train line. Be careful of which train station you need to get to in the morning. I suggest you take an 8am train and take a 7:30pm train back to Madrid.
Salamaca Day Trip Guide
Salamanca is a cute town, but I felt that we exhausted all there was to do in our day trip. Use the map to follow the same path I took with my mom and sister! Follow my walking guide below to make all the stops for your perfect Salamaca Day Trip
Morning: Brunch and Sites
After you arrive in Salamanca, walk 20 minutes from the train station towards the old town. Here, the city comes alive with shops and restaurants.
Stop for brunch at Magenta, a cute cafe with prepared sandwiches, dishes, and desserts.
Next, visit Plaza Major. A classic feature of any Spanish city, the plaza is surrounded by cafes and shops.
And then step into Casa de las Conchas. This 16th-century Gothic palace is covered in seashell motifs and is now an exhibition space & library. The inside is gorgeous! There were just a couple of posters up when we visited and we spent just 10 minutes max inside (mostly taking pictures…)
Afternoon: Church, University, and Art Deco
Visit La Clerecía, a baroque style church.
Then, stop at the University of Salamanca, founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX of León. It’s Spain’s oldest university and one of the oldest in Europe. You can collect some luck on your Salamanca Day Trip by Finding the frog sculpted onto the university façade. There is a saying that those who can find the frog will have good luck and may even get married within the year! You’ll likely be with several other tourists trying to spot the frog. If you wanna go on a tour with a local to learn about the university, check this one out.
If you need a hint, the frog is one of the skulls on the right-side pillars…
Then head to the Museo Art Nouveau y Art Déco – Casa Lis. You may have time for both but we only opted for the Casa Lis. No pictures are allowed inside but the building and the artwork is fantastic! This stained glass building hosts art nouveau & art deco items. From a weird doll collection and figurines, to gorgeous pieces of glasswork, this museum is a highlight for a Salamanca Day Trip.
Although you can’t take pictures inside, the museum shop has similar things as in the exhibits. There is also a cafe inside the museum.
Alternative: Rather than visit Casa Lis, you can go to the Museo de Salamanca across from the university for art and history and explore the Parque Arqueológico del Botánico.
Walk down towards the Tormes River and the Verraco del puente.
Visit the Catedral de Salamanca, built throughout the 12th and 13th centuries. The visit costs €10 but was totally worth it in my opinion. The St. Bartholomew’s Chapel was one of the most interesting sights. Read more about it here.
There is an adjoining museum that comes with your ticket with (the typical) religious art.
Early Evening: Secret Biscuits and Dinner
Next, head to the Convento de las Dueñas. There is a secret biscuit shop up the stairs as you enter the convent, but it was closed (unknowingly to us!) when we stopped in—the frog clearly did not grant us luck. Instead, we took some pictures outside.
Walk in and out of the shops as you find a dinner spot. I liked the silver earrings and this shop said it had sale (likely a permanent sign but we took the bait…). I loved the earring my mom bought for me and I wear them all the time. With many options under €15, it’s a great gift item too.
We had dinner at Doze. The food was good but if you find something better, go for it as it had a little bit of a tourist atmosphere. For us it was more convenient than quality, though my sister’s burger looked good. My mom and I had fish dishes that were not filling enough for all the energy we spent walking around!
After an early dinner, head back to the train station and catch your evening train back to Madrid.
Tours
If thinking about organizing all the above sites seems like a lot of work (I get it! You’re on vacation!) then, go on a tour with a local for 2 or 4 hours or this private tour option. For a quick introduction of just 1.5 hours, this is the best tour option for you and starts at Plaza Major where you’ll be headed anyway. If you’d rather someone take you on a Salamanca day trip from Madrid, check out this option that also includes a stop in Ávila.