17 Things To Do In Salamanca With Kids

We had just 48 hours to enjoy things to do in Salamanca Spain, with our kids.  Now that our kids are a bit older, it seems we are finding more and more to enjoy.  Our original plans for our 8 week European road trip were to spend at least a week in each place.  Well, that went out the window when we knew we would be passing by locations we wanted to visit as well.  Salamanca made it on our list for 2 days, and it was wonderful.

When visiting a city, we highly recommend checking to see if they offer any type of city pass or tourist card.  They are usually great value for money and allow you to likely see more than if you were just winging it on your own.  We worked with City Discovery to experience the 48 hour Salamanca Card and are so glad we did.

With the smart chip card, we had access to the city with free entrances and discounts to over 24 hotels, 18 restaurants, and 28 museums, monuments, and Cultural Heritage sites. We had already booked a bungalow at a campsite just 4km from the city, so we didn’t take advantage of the accommodation discounts.  We did visit some great places, which we likely wouldn’t have if it wasn’t free with the card.  It is a great way to see the city, as there are so many things to do in Salamanca with kids.

Things To Do In Salamanca With Kids

*Free with Salamanca card

1. People watch in Plaza Mayor
   Free
   It would be right to visit Salamanca without doing a little people watching in Plaza Mayor.  This really is a wonderful plaza and the perfect place to sit and enjoy some drinks or snacks in the shade or the sun.  There are many shops nearby, as well as the tourist office.  A great place to begin your Salamanca adventure.
   
2. Molino – Fábrica de Harinas del Sur. Casino de Tormes
   Free
   The Museum of the Flour Factory South is an old mill of the 19th century that has been carefully restored.  Inside you can see the original machinery, a complete system installed by Buhler, with different models of laminators and machines clean and sifting.  Open every day from 16:00 to 20:00
   
3. Catedral Vieja de Salamanca. Claustro, Capillas, y Museo Catedralicio
   Adults €4.75* Audio guide included, together with new cathedral
   The old Cathedral of Salamanca was built in the 12th – 13th centuries and is spectacular!  It is full of beautiful stone work, painted murals, chapels and more. Summer hours 10:00 to 20:00, Winter hours 10:00 to 18:00
4. Catedral Nueva de Salamanca
   Adults €4.75* Audio guide included, together with old cathedral
   The new Cathedral was built in the 16th century and completed int 1733.  The Church receives light from nearly a hundred windows.  It is two levels, with numerous medallions, busts of prophets, and shields.
   Summer hours 10:00 to 20:00, Winter hours 10:00 to 18:00
   
5. Ieronimus Torres Medievales de Salamanca*
   Adults €3.75*
   This was a family favorite!  Climbing the medieval towers and getting the bird’s eye view of the Cathedral, as well as the city. This allows you to discover new spaces of the Cathedral from above.  You will be able to walk outside and see the amazing roof, as well as stunning city views.  You will also go inside the cathedral along a narrow walk, up near the ceiling.  A great new perspective.
   Summer hours 10:00 to 20:00, Winter hours 10:00 to 18:00
   
6. Edifico histórico de la Universidad de Salamanca
   Adults €10.00*
   The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218 by Alfonso IX of Leon, is among the oldest universities in Europe.  More info on the University history.
   Monday – Saturday 10:00 to 19:00, Sunday/holiday 10:00 to 13:30
7. Cielo de Salamanca
   Free
   El Cielo de Salamanca , Fernando Gallego, is part of a painting that decorated the roof of the University Library.  El Cielo de Salamanca represents the constellations of the zodiac signs, the constellation of Hercules, Serpentarium, Hydra and Centaurus, and the tradition of the time on astronomy and astrology.
   Monday – Saturday 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00, Sunday/holiday closed
8. Enjoy some food and drink at one of the many outdoor cafes
   Check the list on the Salamanca card to see who participates to receive a % discount.
   
9. Convento de San Esteban. Dominicanos
   Adults €3.50*
   The Order of Preachers was founded in Toulouse (France) in 1215 by Dominic de Guzman and in 1216 received the approval of Pope Honorius III.  Two years later, in 1218, the University of Salamanca was created, and most likely Santo Domingo ordered a convent, because he wanted his friars were present in university towns.
   Daily 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00
10. Casa de las Conchas
    Free
    This building attracts attention due to the 300+ shells which cover its outer walls.  Its entrance door with a Gothic coat of arms featuring lilies above it is worth seeing. Today it houses the Salamanca public library and an information office.
    
11. La Cueva de Salamanca – Antigua Muralla. Torre Villena*
    The Torre del Marqués de Villena dates from the fifteenth century.  Legend has it that in this space Satan, in the guise of sexton, taught doctrines of occult, divination, astrology and magic to seven students for seven years, after which one of them should be for life in the cave at your service.  The most famous pupil would have been the Marquis de Villena.
12. Museo Art Nouvea y Art Déco. Casa Lis
    Adults €4.00*  free Thursday mornings
    The Art Nouveau and Art Déco Museum is essentially a museum for decorative arts.  It is a tour through time from the last decades of the 19th century until World War II.
    Tuesday – Friday 11:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 20:00, Saturday/Sunday 11:00 to 20:00
13. Enjoy a pastry or an ice cream
    There are so many great bakeries and ice cream stores everywhere you look in the old city.  This one was in Plaza Mayor.
    
14. Museo de La Historia de la Automoción
    Adults €4.00*
    The Salamanca Motor Museum currently has a permanent exhibition with over 90 vehicles from various historical periods.  Starting from the prehistory of motor cars and the first attempts of man to move about using clever devices.  To what is considered the first automobile in history with an internal combustion engine: the Benz Tricycle.
    The final part of the exhibition shows the latest samples of competition vehicles, represented by Formula 1 cars that were driven by some recent world champions.
    Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00
15. Casa Museo Unamuno
    Adults €4.00*
    Miguel de Unamuno was a poet, novelist, playwright, public man committed to his ideas.  He lived in the Unamuno House during his years as Rector of the University of Salamanca, between 1900 and 1914.  His archive spans from 1864 to 1936.
    Monday – Friday 10:00 to 14:00
16. Iglesia de San Martín*
    
17. Museo Convento de Las Clarisas
    Adults €3.00*
    The Convent is closed, but the Museo del Convento (museum) is open to the public, comprising the cloister, the low and high choirs and the gazebo.

We only had a couple of days here and it was very hot in July.  I think it is wise to see some of the sights in the morning and then take full advantage of siesta time.  Either stop to have some lunch or go back to your accommodation for a rest.  We were able to take advantage of a pool at our accommodation, listed below.

Organized Tours

If you don’t know what to do in Salamanca or are looking for ideas, these may help you.  There are also many organized tours for you to enjoy from being active on walking or biking tour, to enjoying a food or wine tour.  There is so much to do and so many great offers for you, click here for deals, offers and inspiration.

Places to eat in Salamanca

Of course there will be no shortage of options to eat out.  Here are a few which offer discounts or free items with the Salamanca card.  Check the website for current partners and offers.

1. Bambú
2. La Bodeguita de Casa Paca
3. La Casona del Teso
4. Materasturias
5. Momo DA2
6. Restaurante Albatros
7. Restaurante Alcacil
8. Restaurante Arcadia
9. Restaurante Casa Paca
10. Restaurante Colegio Fonseca
11. Lazarillo de Tormes – Hotel Regio

Salamanca Accommodation

If you are looking for places to stay in Salamanca, we have a few suggested options for you.  *Most of the options below currently offer discounts, upgrades, parking, breakfast or gifts with the Salamanca card.  Most are located in or near the city center.

Booking.com

1. Hotel AC Palacio San Esteban 5* – check for location,pricing and availability
2. Hotel Abba Fonseca 4* – check for location,pricing and availability
3. Hotel Doña Brígida-Salamanca Forum Resort 4* – check for location,pricing and availability
4. Hotel Estrella Albatros 4* – check for location,pricing and availability
5. Parador de Turismo de Salamanca 4* – check for location,pricing and availability
6. Hotel Partner Montalvo 3* – check for location,pricing and availability
7. Hotel Petit Palace Las Torres 3* – check for location,pricing and availability
8. Hotel Room-Mate Vega 3* – check for location,pricing and availability
9. Hotel Ibis Salamanca Centro 2* – check for location,pricing and availability
10. Hotel Reyes Católicos 2* – check for location,pricing and availability
11. Microtel Placentinos 2* – check for location,pricing and availability
12. Hotel Regio – this is next to the camping below, but a regular hotel.  Check for location, pricing and availability
13. Camping Regio – this is where we stayed in a Bungalow. Check for location, pricing and availability
    

Have you visited Salamanca or do you plan to?  Tell us about your trip in the comments below.

Disclosure:  Our experience with the Salamanca Card was provided by City Discovery and all opinions are our own.

Pleaes read our Complete guide of things to do in Spain by region.