Salamanca

This Muslim Friendly Travel Guide is part of eHalal.io Travel Group Salamanca is a town of around 150,000 inhabitants in western central Spain. It is the capital of Salamanca (province)|Salamanca province, which is itself part of the autonomous region of Castile-Leon|Castile and Leon (Castilla y León). The Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque monuments in Salamanca's historic centre were added to the UNESCO|UNESCO world legacy list in 1988.

Calle Compañia - Calle Compania

Salamanca Halal Travel Guide

The city lies by the Tormes river on a plateau and is considered to be one of the most spectacular Renaissance cities in Europe. The buildings are constructed of sandstone mined from the nearby Villamayor quarry, and, as the sun begins to set and they glow Gold, orange and pink. It is this radiant quality of the stones that has given Salamanca the nickname La Dorada and the golden city.

In 1218, Alfonso X of León (Alfonso the Wise) founded the university - one of the first in the world. In 1254, Pope Alexander IV called it "one of the four leading lights of the world".

In 2002 Salamanca was the European Capital of Culture.

Travel as a Muslim to Salamanca

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Salamanca

The nearest practical airport is Madrid Barajas (MAD), some 200 kilometers east. It's well connected domestically, within Europe and to the Gulf States and Americas.

Salamanca Matacan airport (SLM), 15 kilometers east of town, has only occasional summer flights, eg to Mallorca by Air Nostrum.

Iberia and travel search engines may also show Flights from "SAJ". But that's actually a bus, operated by Avanza, running from Salamanca bus station to Madrid Barajas Terminal 4.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Salamanca

AVE trains link Salamanca with Madrid Chamartin every couple of hours, taking little over 90 min, via Segovia. There are also direct Interregio trains taking over two hours via Avila and El Escorial, and connecting trains via Valladolid which also stop in Segovia.

An overnight train connects Salamanca with Coimbra and Lisbon (7-8 hours). Reaching northwest Spain (e.g. Leon, Santiago or Vigo) will involve back-tracking to Segovia.

Salamanca main train station is 1 kilometers northeast of downtown along Paseo de la Estancion. The station is small but modern, with a couple of cafes and a car-rental office. There are no left luggage facilities. From the street outside, Bus 1 runs to the old centre, Bus 11 skirts it west along Paseo de San Vicente to the hospital & university medical campus.

Interregio trains may also stop at Salamanca La Alamedilla station, 500 m southwest. So that's just 500 m to the centre, 10 minutes walk if your bags are light.

Travel on a Bus in Salamanca

Avanza buses run hourly from Madrid South station, on Avenida Méndez Álvaro 83. Expresses take 2 hours 30 min (€24), slower buses over 3 hours (€17). They also run direct every two hours from Madrid Barajas Airport Terminal 1 via Terminal 4, taking 2 hours 30 min, €27.

Avanza buses also run via Avila to Valladolid (6 per day, 90 min, €10) and Segovia (4 per day, 3 hours, €15).

 Alsa run buses to Santiago (2 per day, 6 hours, €50), Gijon (5 per day, 6 hours, €26), and Seville (6 per day, 7 hours, €37).

Salamanca bus station is 1 kilometers northwest of the downtown, corner of Ave de Filiberto Villalobos and Calle Pena de Francia. There's left luggage facilities here, and several eating places in the adjacent streets.

By car

Good fast Autovias (with toll) link Salamanca east to Avila (100 kilometers) and Madrid (205 kilometers) via A50; south to Caceres (235 kilometers) and Seville via A66; northeast to Valladolid (115 kilometers) via A62; north to Zamora and Leon via A66; and west into Portugal via A62.

How to get around in Salamanca

The city is not too big to see on foot, especially the main attractions, which are all quite close to one another. For slightly longer journeys there are taxis, and numerous bus routes - tickets are cheap, and you can buy them directly from the driver on board. Salamanca city bus 1 can take you between the train station and Plaza Poeta Iglesias, which is right next to Plaza Mayor.

If you do need a taxi, you can find a few taxi ranks around the city. However, one can also use the app called Pide Taxi to call on a cab. Passengers pay with cash at the conclusion of the ride.

What to see in Salamanca

Salamanca,_Plaza_Mayor-PM_16888 - Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is a large elegant square, bustling with cafés and restaurants (notably pricier than in the nearby streets). Plaques of monarchs and nobility gaze down upon the square: check in the north-east corner whether Franco is in or out of this pantheon. He's often vandalised, but his plaque is designed for speedy cleaning.

New & Old Gothic Churchs - Santa Iglesia Catedral | 40.96069, -5.666 enter from north side, Plaza del Anaya Opening Hours: November - Mar 09:30-19:00, April - Oct 09:00-21:30 €6 New Gothic Church of Salamanca Salamanca 2008 - The two buildings are joined and you enter via the New Gothic Church, built 16th-18th century. Outside, note the fine Puerta de Ramos, not entirely Renaissance as among the saints are an astronaut and an imp clutching an ice-cream cone. The interior is a baroque/Churrigeuresque creation, with fine ceilings, choir and main chapel. An internal door leads down into the Old Gothic Church, 12th century and mostly Romanesque, with many frescoes.

Salamanca, Catedral Nueva-PM 16874 - New Gothic Church Facade

University - Universidad Civil | Calle de los Libreros Opening from Monday to Saturday 09:30-13:00 & 16:00-18:30, Sunday 10:00-13:00 Adults €10, concessions €5 - The extensive university, constituted in 1254, has departments and campuses across the city but the area to visit is the old core of it close to the cathedrals. Admire the elaborate facade: kudos comes to those who can spot the frog unaided. Richly appointed rooms within, highlights being the library and the grand staircase, and the Hall of Fray Luis de Leon.

Fachada Casa de las Conchas 2 - House of Shells Salamanca - Casa de las Conchas 21 - House of Shells

The House of Shells (La Casa de las Conchas) was built 1493-1517 by a University professor who was also a Knight of the Order of Santiago de Compostela. The facade is studded with 350 sandstone shells, symbol of Santiago (St James) and the pilgrimage. Inside is now a public library.

Convento de San Esteban Salamanca - Convento de San Esteban

Convento de San Esteban - Dominican monastery with striking facade, and impressive church interior, with good exhibition on of missionaries in the New World. It's off the tourist beat so you may well have it to yourself.
At the southern foot of town and the Roman bridge spans the River Tormes. Dating from 89 AD, this bridge was an important part of the Roman silver route, which ran from Mérida to Astorga. From here you also see what's left of the city walls, on the bluff overlooking the river. There's also a Modern Art Museum here, with Art Nouveau and Art Deco well represented.

Best things to do in Salamanca

The fiesta of the Virgen de la Vega takes place from the 8th to the 21st of September.
Watch football: the local team is Unionistas de Salamanca, formed in 2013 after the demise of the previous club. They play in Tercera División and the fourth tier of Spanish football. Their home ground is Pistas del Helmántico, a 3000-capacity stadium 3 kilometers north of downtown.
Across the Roman bridge is a small park and play area. You may be able to hire paddle boats and canoes here, if the river flow is not too low or too high.

Study as a Muslim in Salamanca

The combination of Castile-Leon's reputation for pure Spanish and Salamanca's reputation of learning, due to its venerable university, means that there are lots of language schools in the city that cater to those who wish to immerse themselves and learn Spanish in Spain.

Universidad de Salamanca: Cursos Internacionales
/learn-spanish-spain/salamanca/ Don Quijote Spanish school in Salamanca is a great school where you can take 4-6 hours of courses a day. All courses including beginner courses are taught entirely in Spanish.
Linguaschools Salamanca is a great and friendly Spanish school, located in the very centre of Salamanca a minutes walk from the popular Plaza Mayor. Spanish is taught in small classes.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Salamanca

Shopping is a large part of life in Salamanca. Traditional family owned stores mix with many national and international retailers throughout the city. Calle Toro, which begins at the northwest corner of the Plaza Mayor, in particular has many options for shoppers.

The city also boasts a mall (centro commercial) called El Tormes which offers variety of stores and restaurants. However a car, bus or taxi ride is needed to access it. There is also the large department store chain El Corte Inglés located on Calle María Auxiliadora.

Most stores open around 10:00, close for two or three hours during lunch time (14:00) and remain open until 21:00. Almost all stores, including grocery stores, are closed on Sundays. There are a few convenience stores, known as 24 hour stores, which never close.

Every Sunday an out-door market, known as the Rastro, erects where local residents and tourists alike shop for assorted products: clothes, jackets, hats, bags, jewelry, watches, perfumes, colognes, and other accessories. The Rastro is located on Av. de la Aldehuela, about 3 kilometers west of Plaza Mayor, roughly a 20-minutes walk.

Halal Restaurants in Salamanca

Lunch is Spain's big meal of the day, and Salamanca abides by that rule religiously. This means that restaurants will have their best food and their biggest portions anywhere from 13:00-15:00.

Dinner usually happens from 20:00-23:00, and isn't really a meal as such. In spite of the some Halal restaurants open at dinner time (with a full menu), one of the traditional Spanish habits is to eat tapas with friends over a glass of fruit cocktail, which consists of regional appetizers served at restaurants, and cafeterías. In Salamanca there's no definitive guide to tapa-ing, instead, try to stroll around the center of the town and try different places and, who knows, meet new friends.

Locals gather slightly north of downtown for their nightly tapas on a street named Van Dyck. The tapas here are generally of a higher quality and a lower price of those found near the plaza. Almost every street out from the center will have at least one small bar, and many of them will serve tapas. The price difference between having or not a tapa with your drink is negligible (around €2 for each Cola/fruit cocktail and tapa, €0.20-30 less only the Cola) so go on a try them!

Popular tapas are any sort of roasted Beef parts: ribs (costilla), sausage (chorizo), ham (jamon), bacon (panceta) or face (jeta). Try the "pincho moruno", a brochette of Beef pieces marinated in paprika and garlic. A local speciality (if you find it appealing) is "chanfaina" a spicy Rice dish with liver and/or blood that is served in many bars as a tapa on Sundays.

In the summer most restaurants set tables outside for both lunch and dinner. Be forewarned that with the privilege of sitting outside you often get charged a euro or two extra per person.

Salamanca is atop the small portion of Spain where you can purchase jamon iberia (Iberian ham). This expensive Beef is very rich, expensive and in the opinion of most Salamancans the most delicious thing there is to eat.

Vegetarians will have to work a little bit to find food. Tortilla de patata is always a safe bet (a frittata-type thing with potato and egg) but it can get old after a while. Meat (especially Beef) finds its way into a majority of dishes here. When you're asking waiters if a dish does not have Meat (carne), make sure you specify that you don't want Chicken (pollo) or fish (pescado) either.

Mesón Las Conchas Calle Rua Mayor 16 Opening Hours: Daily 08:00-00:00 - Good traditional meaty fare.

Other restaurants include:

El Bardo Junto, Calle Compania 8

El Triton, Paseo de Canalejas 28

Bambú, Calle de Prior 4

Momo, Calle San Pablo 13

Innumerable bars and late night restaurants, all central, include: Camelot (not Sundays), Puerto de Chus, Submarino, Moderno, Cum Laude, Daniel's, Chupiteria, Paniagua, Potemkin (Thursday - Sa), Capitan Haddock (not Sundays), Posada de las Animas (not M), and Niebla/Mist.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Salamanca

Salamanca - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Salamanca, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Salamanca. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Salamanca and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Salamanca. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Salamanca. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSalamanca: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Salamanca.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Salamanca: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Salamanca, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Salamanca.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Salamanca, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Salamanca, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Salamanca and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Salamanca, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Salamanca, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Salamanca without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Salamanca is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Salamanca.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Salamanca is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Salamanca, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Salamanca Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Salamanca

eHalal Group Salamanca is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Salamanca. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Salamanca.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Salamanca ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Salamanca. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Salamanca, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Salamanca are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Salamanca

Book well in advance if you hope to stay in Salamanca during Easter (Semana Santa) or during the fiesta of the Virgen de la Vega.

Los Angeles Plaza - Plaza Mayor 10 ☎ +34 923 218 166 - €25 - Very central, good value for money.

Albergue Juvenil C/ Escoto 13-15 Near San Esteban convent ☎ +34 923 269 141 Checkin - anytime / Check-out: noon dorm €14 - Nice youth hostel to find some travel mates. Bad common room, but a nice atmosphere in the 20-bed dorm.

Mid-range

Hotel Secotel Artheus Carmelitas - P Carmelitas, 67 on main cross-town road ☎ +34 923 212 500 - €50 - Great 4-star hotel, with decent prices (breakfast is not included), good location

Hotel Soho Boutique - Plaza del Ángel, 5 ☎ +34 923 993 900 - 4-star hotel in the center of Salamanca.

NH Palacio de Castellanos - San Pablo, 58-64 5 ☎ +34 923 261 818 - Central 4-star hotel with restaurant, bar & meeting rooms.
There is another 4-star NH hotel nearby, "Puerta de la Catedral".

Hotel Rector - Paseo de Rector Esperabe 10 South end of town centre ☎ +34 923 218 482 - Beautiful 4-star in centre

Parador de Salamanca - C/ Teso de la Feria, 2 Across river South of old town, from Roman Bridge follow N630 south & take first exit ☎ +34 923 192 082 +34 923 192 087 €135-145 - 4-star parador with excellent restaurant, gym, pool, views of old town. Lego-like modern building, its architect would perhaps claim it was an artistic response to the two cathedral towers across the river, but very spacious & comfortable within. Free guest parking.

Telecommunications in Salamanca

Stay Safe

Salamanca is considered to be one of the safest cities in Spain. Violent crime is for the most part unheard of. As with the rest of Spain, you should be aware of pickpockets, but they are less common in Salamanca than in the bigger cities.

Cope

While the streets are filled with international tourists and students from countries around the world most local residents do not speak English. It is not uncommon to find even the hotel staff in Salamanca only able to speak Spanish to you. With that said and the local residents are used to people butchering their language and are willing be patient with you.

Salamancans (Salmantinos in Spanish) are very schedule oriented. They wake up, work, eat, shop and sleep at around the same time every day. Almost all stores close at exactly 14:00 for a few hours so the staff can lunch. This can be hard for outsiders to adjust to but it's something you have to deal with for however long you are in town.

News & References Salamanca

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Salamanca

The must-see centres to the east are Ávila and Segovia.

To the south, Béjar is a small town noted for its walls, "El Bosque" gardens, and bullfighting arena. It's also a jumping-off point for the Sierras further south, for hiking and wildlife. Historic villages here include Hoyos del Espino, Piedrahita, Barco de Ávila and Arevalo.