Salamanca Rest Day: Your tips

[Corned Beef]

Planning the second part of the VDLP in a couple of months and find I have time for a rest day in Salamanca. Have been using this thread for planning (and what a good idea it was. Must do it again)

As well as the roof top tours and the gardens, what other places can I squeeze into a day there?

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

You could go to the Convent of the Dominicans, it is nice. Bartolome de las Casas came from there before going to South America. In a famous book he wrote for the first time about the mistreatment of the indigenous population. (In the convent i did not see anything relating to him though some references to the connections with south america are present) I remember the mirrors placed on the floor, so you could more easily look at the ceilings

 

[Grousedoctor]

I, too, took a little extra time in Salamanca. Besides being ready for a rest day, it’s a city with such history and great architecture that it warrants a visit. Here is an article off Spain’s official tourism website. Enjoy and Buen Camino.

 

[williamlittig]

Spend hour trying to find the frog (ask a local) Sit in the garden by the municipal albergue, walk by the river. Relax!

 

[Hennie]

listen to Rafael playing his guitar by the catedral !

 

[goldie from aus]

I have time for a rest day in Salamanca

I hate to hijack a thread but I wondered about the name Salamaca, there is a market in Tasmania Australia with that name so I Googled. Result -
Salamanca was named after the Battle of Salamanca (Spain), a victory won by the Duke of Wellington during the Napoleonic wars. It was also the home of Salamanca Quarry, later to become Salamanca Square. Just sharing. Enjoy

 

[Corned Beef]

Spend hour trying to find the frog (ask a local) Sit in the garden by the municipal albergue, walk by the river. Relax!

That sounds interesting. I'll see if I can get a pic of it.

 

[Myra13]

Have tapas in the Calle de Van Dijck. North of the towncenter. We got this tip in the albergue. Almost only locals.

 

[howardd5]

Planning the second part of the VDLP in a couple of months and find I have time for a rest day in Salamanca. Have been using this thread for planning (and what a good idea it was. Must do it again)

As well as the roof top tours and the gardens, what other places can I squeeze into a day there?

That’s a goo choice , friendly and beautiful square

 

[Donaldclive]

There is a museum of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Fascinating and colourful.

 

[Rita Flower]

Extracts from my journal (I started in Sevilla) Oct 2022.
“Salamanca is a wonderful and beautiful small city - I loved my time there.
How did my second day go….
My Hostal Santa Monica was excellent but didn’t open until 12 noon so I left my pack at the albergue … after I begged and sweet talked the hospitalaro - not his normal practice.
So back-pack freeI I set off for Decathlon - a delightful 45 minute walk through ordinary Salamanca in slight drizzly rain.
At Decathlon, I talked through the issues with English speaking Rodrigues (rain gear, merino layers, Spanish attitudes to rain).
On the way back I walked past a Convent that was recommended for a visit. They had a display about a nun/ saint - Teresa Chikaba. Her story is amazing and the displays evoked the pain and suffering she went through in her journey from slave to saint.

Teresa Chikaba - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

In the afternoon I went to the two cathedrals. They are right beside each other. I was most moved by the older one with the remains of painted walls and many sarcophaguses - whether they contained saints or just wealthy benefactors I don’t know.
The highlight of my site seeing day was the exposition - The Mystery Man - in the newer cathedral. This is really more like an art installation asking the question - who was the man we call Jesus. All the information and audio guide is only in Spanish at the moment, but the experience was so visceral that I was moved to tears. Truly unexpected and amazing. If this ever comes to Sydney it is a must.

Shroud Of Turin "Mystery Man" Exhibition Unveiled In Salamanca ⋆ Madrid Metropolitan

Experts Unveil Latex And Silicon Shroud Of Turin Exhbition. Latest Madrid News and Information In English, Spain in English

www.madridmetropolitan.com

I finished the day with some pampering and self care - a hair appointment with the lovely Alexandra just 600 metres from my hostel.
I also strolled the garden beside the albergue, the plaza major, had some great food and got a great report from other pilgrims about the art nouveau museum.”
Gronze has a good list of things to see and do. I don’t usually explore in this way but randomly did most of the list without even trying.
Enjoy!

 

[Elle Bieling]

I loved Salamanca! Of course, see the cathedral complex, and do the rooftop tour! Also, there is the Casa de las Conchas, with scallop shells all over it. Go see the famous University, find the frog in the University Square, and see the Cielo de Salamanca. If you'd like to see photos and for even more information, my website will help you. Enjoy! https://www.pilgrimagetraveler.com/salamanca.html

 

[Corned Beef]

I loved Salamanca! Of course, see the cathedral complex, and do the rooftop tour! Also, there is the Casa de las Conchas, with scallop shells all over it. Go see the famous University, find the frog in the University Square, and see the Cielo de Salamanca. If you'd like to see photos and for even more information, my website will help you. Enjoy! https://www.pilgrimagetraveler.com/salamanca.html

That's a comprehensive guide to Salamanca, thanks. Great photos too.

 

[williamlittig]

There is a museum of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Fascinating and colourful.

There is also a Car Museum.

 

[Middo]

Spend some time looking for the carving of the astronaut which is located on the external wall of the Cathedral of Salamanca. Both myself and the late Carmen Garcia spent about an hour looking for it without success. Thankfully a couple of local kids pointed it out to us.

 

[dick bird]

https://www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/cultura/areas/archivos/mc/archivos/cdmh/portada.html

This would be worth a visit, I think.

 

[Robo]

On my rest day in Salamanca recently.........Apart from the Cathedral, a haircut, some laundry.......I have to confess I did not get far beyond the Plaza Mayor with its fantastic buildings, countless cafes, people watching, buskers.....

 

[Rosella25]

Good choice for a rest day. I've spent a lot of time in Salamanca learning Spanish. Highlights for me include Casa Lis (the art deco museum), Huerto de Calixto y Melibea (the gardens next to the albergue), el Palacio de Monterrey, the museum of commerce and industry, the Plaza Mayor and nearby food market, and the various cathedrals and archaeological history sites. Tours of the university library, the house museum of Unamuno and visiting the library at the Casa de las Conchas are also interesting. I also enjoyed walking along the river, visiting the motor museum, the museum of modern art and el Parque de los Jesuitas. There are plenty of good restaurants and cafes, and a lot of cultural activities during Summer as well. Highly recommend having a look at this website for more ideas https://salamancaymas.es

 

[craiger1511]

There is a museum of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Fascinating and colourful.

The Casa Lis is a fabulous building and collection of art noveau and art deco. No to be missed.

 

[craiger1511]

The University is not to be missed but last summer (mid-June) the number of rooms, etc. open to visitors was quite limited. Try to find a tour, a guide or a self-guided tours of one of Spain's oldest and esteemed Universities. The small streets surrounding the University are often filled with students taking Spanish language lessons at one of the many las escuelas por extranjeros. Your bound to meet a new friend here ...
DYK - Salamanca has two Cathedrals (the old and the new) - one ticket to visit them both.
St. Stephens is nearby and beautifully preserved. Cookies (yemas?) from the convent across the street are tasty but we enjoyed talking with the Sister (not cloistered) who was not busy and seem to enjoy kibitzing with a couple of tourists (we were NOT walking the VdlP).
Lastly, the Plaza Mayor is a terrific spot to soak the vibes of Salamanca.

 

[robert hailwood]

Planning the second part of the VDLP in a couple of months and find I have time for a rest day in Salamanca. Have been using this thread for planning (and what a good idea it was. Must do it again)

As well as the roof top tours and the gardens, what other places can I squeeze into a day there?

An evening meal in the Plaza Mayor,. Especially good restaurant in the Plaza with your back to the cathedral on the right hand side! Sorry can't remember the name but food, service and price were really good.

 

[darcelona]

There is a museum of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Fascinating and colourful.

Yes, this is a fantastic little museum...5 stars. Also Vinodiario is a worthy stop for lunch or dinner.