Salamanca has 180,000 inhabitants and is therefore large enough to offer the advantages of a big city while simultaneously preserving the charm of a small town. With 60.000 students Salamanca is a university city and therefore the old town possesses a high count of taverns & bars. Portugal is only a distance of 120 km and Madrid 200 km.



It is the home of the world’s second oldest university. It receives about 60.000 students every year, of which approximately 5.000 come from abroad. Salamanca was declared a UNESCO Human Heritage Site and is known as “La Dorada” -the golden city- because of the golden glow of its sandstone buildings.
The Plaza Mayor of Salamanca is one of the most beautiful baroque squares in Spain. The "Sierra de Francia" and "Sierra de Gredos" (mountains) surround Salamanca which give you plenty of opportunities to get in touch with nature and to discover typical small villages.

In September, the Ferias and Fiestas de San Mateo are spectacular. For two weeks, there is a fully organised programme of concerts, parades, exhibitions, bullfightings and markets.

Salamanca is the perfect place to go out and have a good time.

For all these reasons Salamanca was European cultural Capital in 2002.