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Salamanca Travel Guide
Discover the Flavors of Salamanca: A Gastronomic Journey Through Castile and León
Quite possibly Spain’s most beautiful town, Salamanca’s buildings appear to glow. The local sandstone used to construct most of this 13th-century university town’s churches and historic mansions seems to turn gold when the sun beats down. Salamanca’s old town is in perfect condition, boasting the highest concentration of Plateresque architecture worldwide. International prestige came to the city in 1254 when the Pope named Salamanca’s university pre-eminent, on par with Paris, Bologna, and Oxford. The university was considered one of the best science faculties in the world and was quite avant-garde, having female professors as far back as the 15th century! The golden age of Spain (the 15th and 16th centuries,) when Spain benefited outrageously from the spoils of its colonies in the New World) was also a golden age for Salamanca. Many beautiful palaces and religious buildings were erected during this period, including the lovely Palacio de Monterrey (considered one of Spain’s most beautiful Renaissance palaces, currently owned by the Dukes of Alba).
The city has an impressive history, with many illustrious characters passing through the town. One of its first notorious visitors was Hannibal, who attacked the then-called “Salmántica” when it was part of the Roman province of Lusitania. Christopher Columbus visited the University of Salamanca while planning his travels to the Indies. The writers Fray Luis de Leon, Miguel de Unamuno, and even Spain’s most famous writer, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, also spent periods in Salamanca, as, during the golden age, it was a city that fostered the arts, literature, and learning. The great Spanish monarchs Isabel and Ferdinand were in Salamanca for various important events in their lives, including the death of their son, Don Juan. At the battle of Arapiles, a bitter battle, Lord Wellington’s troops defeated those of Napoleon’s- at the city’s gates!
Sitting in Salamanca’s 18th-century main square (“plaza”), you will see dozens of busts that testify to the city’s heroes and luminaries. There’s a Wellington bust, a Cervantes statue, and even a scratched-out figure of the dictator General Franco. Sipping on your glass of wine (from the nearby wine regions of Rueda, Toro, or Ribera del Duero) and watching the storks swoop over the steeples of this magnificent square, you will fall in love with Salamanca. It is a noble, beautiful city, but thankfully, it is not a living museum due to the high number of university students who serve to make the town one of the country’s liveliest.
You could spend a weekend in Salamanca, with the sensation that you have to come back and see more, maybe spend a few weeks, a summer. Salamanca is a “must-see” for art & history lovers and a good base for vineyard touring, as you have many quality wine regions nearby and top-notch dining options.
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Ment by Oscar Calleja (see below) Creative fusion cuisine with Mexican and Asian influences Gastronomy & Wine
The city of Salamanca is located in Castilla y Leon (the castle and the lion), northwest of Madrid. Meat and rich red wines are ubiquitous in the cuisine of the region. Specialties include Chuleton de Ternera (enormous beef chops), Cochinillo or tostón (suckling pig), Cabrito (roast kid), Cordero (roast baby lamb), “Chanfaina” (rice with lamb and sometimes tripe), and “Hornazo” (a savory pastry stuffed with meat and egg); to accompany these heavy meats, and robust wines are in order. The full-bodied red wines, Tempranillo-based (called “Tinta del Pais locally) from Ribera del Duero, Toro, and Las Arribes del Duero, match perfectly the cuisine.
Table wines are made in the beautiful Sierra de Francia (“French mountains,” named after the region south of Salamanca where Napoleon’s troops were based during much of the fighting between the British and the French). For non-meat dishes, the delightful white wines from Rueda are super and fantastic value for money.
Guide To Castilla y León Gastronomy: See more
Nearby Wine Regions
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Highlights
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Mint by Oscar Calleja
Mint by Oscar Calleja embodies the culinary genius of its eponymous Mexico-born chef, Oscar Calleja. As the heart and soul of this remarkable establishment, Oscar’s innovative approach to gastronomy sets Mint apart as a true culinary gem. This Michelin-starred restaurant is located within the historic walls of the esteemed 5-star Grand Hotel Don Gregorio. Oscar draws inspiration from his Mexican heritage to effortlessly weave together the bold and fiery flavors of Mexico into his dishes, leaving no doubt that his roots are deeply embedded in every bite. So if you are looking for a more cutting-edge dining experience in the heart of Castilla y Leon, look no further.
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Plaza Mayor
Salamanca’s arcaded Plaza Mayor is one of the most beautiful in Spain. The building began in 1729 by Alberto Churriguera and took another 25 years to complete! The perfect place to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a “Vermut” (dark vermouth) or a coffee.
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Old University
Founded in 1254 by King Alfonso the Wise, the building we see today was erected in 1435. The university was built under the order of Pope Luna (Benedicto XIII) and took about 20 years to build. It is one of Spain’s best examples of Plateresque architecture, with a stunning façade.
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Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells)
Salamanca’s most emblematic monument, the House of Shells, was built in the 15th century by Rodrigo Arias Maldonado, one of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel’s ambassadors. He was a member of Saint James’s order, which explains his choice of the scallop to decorate the façade. Above the main door, you will see King Ferdinand’s coat of arms. Today, this beautiful palace houses the local library.
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Palacio de Monterrey
Beautiful Plateresque palace, built-in 1569 for an aristocratic family. You can see various coats of arms belonging to powerful clans such as the Fonseca, Sotomayor’s, and Ulloa Castros. Today, it is one of the many, many palaces owned by Spain’s notorious Dukes of Alba.
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Convento de la Dueñas
This convent of Dominican nuns is gorgeous. Located in the pretty Concilio de Trento square, the convent was first built as a private palace in 1419 for an aristocrat, whose wife later donated it to the nuns. As a result, it boasts various architectural influences, such as a Moorish (Mudejar) front door and a Plateresque church (added in 1533). From the cloister inside, you have beautiful views of the top of the Cathedral.
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Casa Lis- Art Nouveau and Art Deco museum
Salamanca’s most unusual museum, the Casa Lis, is an art nouveau rarity in the heart of Castile. Built for an extremely wealthy local industrialist (Don Miguel Lis) at the beginning of the 20th century, it was transformed in the ’80s by the Manuel Ramos Andrade Foundation into an Art Nouveau and Art Deco museum. There is a beautiful stained glass ceiling and a mind-boggling collection of Faberge eggs, scary dolls, elegant glassware, and strange postcards from the 19th century. Different, to say the least.
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If you would like us to customize an exclusive luxury tour, contact us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of a mininium two guests. In addition, all of our private, chauffeured tours are available year-round upon request.
