Salamanca, Spain

My plan was to participate in a Spanish training course in Salamanca for three weeks and then maybe spend a few days traveling around northern Spain

So I have booked 3 weeks in Salamanca through Dialog. As I'm not necessarily a fan of host families and own the Dog.O.Mobil, I stay on the Camping Don Quijote for three weeks. 25 minutes by bike into the city seems to be OK. The only thing I missed to pack are gloves. A mistake, I have to say 🥶. In the morning the temperatures did not exceed 10 Celsius

While the first week was sunny and warm <20 - 25 Celsius> during the day, the second and 3rd week were chilly and it rained several times

What have I seen and learnt over the last weeks? Salamanca has around 145,000 inhabitants, lies at an altitude of around 800 m asl (above sea level) and is the second oldest university city in Spain <founded in 1218>. The city attracts huge numbers of language students. Apparently the best Castellano is spoken here, but as my Spanish is modest, I was happy to understand normal Spanish.

In Salamanca, in addition to the historic buildings, the many restaurants, bars and clubs in the old town are striking. I definitely had enough choice here, whether I wanted something on the go, cheap or exclusive. For €10 I could get enough food for lunch here.

My historical cultural programm included the Plaza Mayor, the shell house <Casa de las Conchas>. As part of our language lessons, we also peppered Spaniards with 20 questions about the old cathedral, dating from the 12th century <Catedral Vieja>, and the new cathedral (the rear part of the old cathedral), as well as the old and new buildings of the University of Salamanca: the university stretches from the Catedral Vieja to the Rio Tormes and teaches around 26,000 students in 27 faculties

I quickly realized that Salamanca has a well-developed network of green cycle paths. If you cycle along the Rio Tormes, you can immerse perfectly in the old town or take a look at the Roman bridge. There are sunbathing lawns and sports facilities on the banks of the Rio Tormes. I liked the Convento de San Esteban, probably because I drove past it almost every day.

If you like museums or galleries, you won't be bored. Whether the Museo de la Historia de la Ciudad <City Museum> , Casa Lis Museum <largest museum in Castile-León with Art Noveau and Art Deco>, or the Casa Museo de Unamuno <home of Miguel de Unamuno, the city's most famous son>, there are many to visit. I only looked at them from the outside.

More on this under Salamanca

This definitely lively old town is surrounded by a modern new town. North of the Tormes are normal residential buildings, on the other bank of the Tormes you will find everything from Chinese supermarkets selling cheap plastic goods to chains <Aldi, Lidl, Mercadona...>, shopping centres, cinemas, car dealerships etc.

What I haven't managed to do yet is to explore the area around Salamanca.  On the way to Extremadura <N 630>, 200 kilometres to Cacares, you even pass a ski resort in the middle of the Spanish plateau < Sierra de Béjar-La Covatilla>. Not far away is the La Covatilla Nature Park with the Calvitero as the highest mountain < 2'401 m asl>. The towns of Alba de Tormes, Miranda del Castañar, Peñaranda de Bracamonte and Ledesma are also less than 60 kilometres from Salamanca.

My idea of exploring Leon on the way back will probably be the only major excursion. Maybe I'll drive via Leon to the Cantabrian coast on the way home.