'Not too many cities can claim to have the same evening aura as Salamanca. It can get wonderfully chaotic here at dusk.
Penelope Cruz, a global superstar and much acclaimed film actor, is a frequenter of Salamanca and doesn't tire of praising its beauty and valour.
Come to think of it, she is not the only of this kind, as over 250,000 people reside within the city limits of Salamanca, and it'd only be fair to assume that most of them love their city.
Known universally as the city of knowledge and learning, it is one of the few Spanish cities to hold the tag of UNESCO Global Heritage City. The University of Salamanca, considered to be the premier Spanish language learning center, is the jewel in its crown, with its grand building and a history that goes back 2,000 years or so. From beautifully cobbled streets to old buildings that seem to have defied history itself, there is much to see and feel in Salamanca that you can't see or feel anywhere else in the world.
So, are you all in readiness to take old world charms of Salamanca head on and enjoy at the fullest of your abilities while you are at it?
If the answer is in affirmative, we would be more than glad. Going further, our handy guide to hotels in Salamanca can be of great help in getting your plans off the shelf and into the groove!
Cheap Stay in Salamanca
Looking at the rustic appeal of Salamanca's old town and new age modernity of its new parts, it would be easy to think that staying in Salamanca must be really expensive and out of bounds for common folk. Well, the reality couldn't be farther than that.
Cheap hotels can be found in all parts of the city, with the older parts featuring hotel establishments that have a history of centuries. So, rest assured that Salamanca won't throw any arbitrary expenses at you, and your trip will be well-managed in the end.
Hotel Salamanca Las Torres is a very typical and representative hotel of a much larger class of cheap hotels here in Salamanca. It is a neatly maintained hotel with efficient staff and very good management. Strategic location in the heart of the city only makes things look up.
Gran Hotel Corona Sol is an exactly similar hotel, however in the opposite parts of the city. It is a no-nonsense hotel suitable for the stay of a night or two.
Luxury Hotels in Salamanca
Moving on, let's try to focus on that most revered tribe among various Salamanca hotels “ the luxurious kind.
This is where one starts wondering about whether it is really true that money can't buy you happiness. If it were up to us, we would be quite confident to claim that the mere idea of staying in a city like Salamanca at a well and truly luxury hotel with five stars cannot be much farther than bliss and beatitude.
These luxury hotels in Salamanca are particularly well known for their comfortable suites and at times unnerving brand of hospitality. Spas, restaurants, round the clock room service, mini bars, heated pools, saunas, naturopathy centers, tennis courts, movies “ everything that you can term as a ˜luxury' in life can be found strutting its stuff at such places.
NH Salamanca Puerta de la Catedral is our favorite of the whole lot, just for its modern outlook and positive vibes. It is an impressive property in the downtown of Salamanca, featuring thematic suites and great views of the city.
If you want to get away from the hustle of the city on a romantic weekend gateway of some sorts “ without actually travelling away from the city “ Hotel Rector should be your ideal match. It is a wonderful hotel that is known for its uber comfortable suites and unending streams of luxury facilities.
In the same vein, popular resorts like EuroStars and Don Gregorio can also be given a go, if you can compromise a little with the location.
Independent and Boutique Hotels in Salamanca
Being a traditional city, Salamanca does not really have much to offer in way of boutique or independent hotel establishments. In the old districts of the city “ especially the university district “ has some classy, rustic and traditional lodges that closely resemble the idea of a boutique hotel.
They are, however, few and far between. If you are looking for an alternative for the artificial comfort of a hotel, then you can simply choose to rent a studio apartment or a summer villa in one of the more modern districts of the city.
Such rentals usually cost higher than budget lodges, but they are certainly more affordable than luxury options!
Do's and Dont's of Sightseeing in Salamanca
If you are visiting Salamanca for the first time, there are things you would be better suited to be in the know of beforehand, in order to avoid uneasiness afterwards.
While visiting a city like Salamanca, many tourists fail to realize that being a heritage city, it does have a strict policy over pollution and noise. So, it's better to keep yourself in check and conform to the rules that prevail here.
Also, it would be much more than handy if you can speak and understand the basics of Spanish language.
Local Transportation in Salamanca
Salamanca is a city where the best way to get around in on your own “ on foot. By doing so, you ensure that you get to see the city you are visiting up and close, while grasping the nuances of its life and the beauty of its structures.
Bicycle lovers are encouraged by the city to ride on bicycles in order to curb the pollution, by offering free bicycle rentals within city limits on weekends. All good Salamanca hotels have in-house bicycle rental policies.
Local buses can also be used to get around various sights, if you are not a fan of bicycles or walking. Private taxis are easily available through various app based services.