Behind the serious facade of the university and culture lies an exciting city, replete with endless hidden “treasures” where swashbucklers can embark on a fascinating journey full of fun and frights.
In short, passive learning through fun activities.
We suggest a number of activities if you are planning on coming to the city with your children:
A stroll through the city’s historic centre, discovering the details carved into the walls of its monuments. You can do this through set games such as “Salamanca en detalles” (Salamanca in detail) which you can get free of charge from the Municipal Tourist Office. (+ information to the right). Explore together: look for the frog on the facade of the university building. As well as the astronaut and other fantasy figures – such as a monkey eating an ice-cream or a stork – on the Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) door of the Cathedral.
Visit the Art Nouveau & Art Deco Museum; with its curious collection of porcelain dolls, robot action figures and toys that kids will simply adore. It is located in an eye-catching modernist, stained-glass building.
There is also the Automotive History Museum, an exhibition space that includes more than 200 vehicles as well as documents and accessories associated with the automobile.
Its Artilugios para fascinar (Fascinating relics) discover a number of different animation and projection techniques as part of a fun tour where you can discover how a magic lantern or a zoetrope works.
And at the Museum of Trade and Industry, you can show them inventions and innovations that at that time resolved the problems faced by manufacturers, sellers as well as consumers.
Walking is a great way to discover the city. If the weather is nice, why not head down to the docks, between the Iron and the Roman bridges – taking a stroll along the banks of the river or take a boat ride along the river Tormes.
During the summer months there are some very amusing theatrical/dramatised guided tours that are free. Information about these is available from the Tourist Office.
There are a number of hotels and apartment-hotels which have rooms that have been specially adapted to the needs of the whole family; with cribs, bunk-beds and designed with the smaller ones in mind (Tryp Montalvo Hotel , Hall 88 Apartment-Hotel). Some include special facilities just for children.
You can eat in any of the city’s restaurants, some of which have specially adapted areas such as playgrounds and play rooms for the smaller ones (Momo Da2, Tryp Montalvo Hotel and the Patio de la Alamedilla). You can also download the Menú turístico (Tourist Menu) brochure.
And as a treat: an ice cream in the Plaza Mayor in the summer or chocolate con churros (hot-chocolate and fritters) in the winter.
If you feel like shopping, the commercial district can be found in and around Calles Toro and Zamora. If you are looking for souvenirs, take a look at the souvenir stores in the centre or head to the Salamanca Tourist Shop (beneath the clock tower of the City Hall) and the Tourist Office (in the Plaza Mayor), which has a wonderful selection of merchandising taking its inspiration from the city of Salamanca: teddy bears, watches, balls, paintings…
And of you are going to spend several days in Salamanca and are able to see some of the rest of the province, this is what we recommend:
skiing in La Covatilla or a trip to the archaeological site and cave paintings in Siega Verde, with drawings of animals. You could also head to the Arribes del Duero Wildlife Park (the visitors’ centre and museum is located in the Sobradillo Castle). In the towns of Aldeadávila and Vilvestre you can take a boat trip along the Duero river or go bird watching: golden eagles, griffon vultures, falcons and storks. Ciudad Rodrigo is home to the Fortified Town Visitors Centre, where you can also dress up as soldiers and in San Felices where you can dress up as a real crusader. Nearby is the Yecla de Yeltes archaeological site, where you can visit a Celtic fort. Also lots of fun is a visit to a cheese or honey factory. The more adventurous could head to the wildlife adventure park (in San Miguel de Valero) or go canoeing. More information available at www.dipsanet.es/turismo
On the right hand side, you can download more detailed information about Salamanca, the Menú turístico (Tourist Menu) and well as adventure tourism ...
