A whistlestop tour of Salamanca

So what do you do when you only have a weekend free and the wanderlust is real? Book a last-minute ticket to stay with your friend in Spain (obviously…).

I had met Alvaro when he was doing his year abroad in Bangor where I was studying, so we sorted a weekend when the flights to Madrid were cheap and when he was around.

However, a few days before I was set to fly I got a message from Alvaro saying that he’d be away for most of the time I was there with work but I was still welcome to stay with his housemates who I’d never met. This was gonna be interesting…

Around the same time I’d discovered my cousin who was doing her year abroad had also just moved to Salamanca and agreed to meet me off the bus from Madrid (pre-booked direct from the airport using Omio). After dumping my bag at Alvaro’s and meeting his flatmate, Roxy, Erin (my cousin), Natalia (her friend) and I set off to go flat hunting for Erin. To say this was a weird way to start a trip is an understatement.

But after a few viewings, it was time for tapas and sangria in Plaza Mayor (I know I am a stereotypical tourist). After a quick catch-up and an orienting wander around the centre, Erin and Natalia had to go, so I was on my own Dora-the-exploring. Again, Salamanca is a rather easy place to get your bearings, most of the winding streets lead back to the main squares or the huge cathedral (helpfully right next to Alvaro’s flat).

As there’s so many students in Salamanca, it immediately feels social and friendly. I didn’t feel unsafe or intimidated the whole time I was there, including the night out I had with Roxy, some of her friends, and a whole gaggle of American study abroad students – despite trying to explain drinking games in about 4 different languages…

One thing that is spectacular about Salamanca is the street art; it comes in the most unexpected places, such as down by the river, or in back alleys, but it’s completely beautiful.

So, food and wine – as with many Spanish towns and cities – tapas, wine, and beer are king. Because it’s a student-centric place there are plenty of cheap places if you avoid the main plazas, and there are always deals on in the bars in the evenings.