Plaza Mayor

The Basics

Relax in the grand 18th-century square, taking a stroll, sampling tapas and wine, people-watching from a bench. Most tours of the city include a stop to Plaza Mayor, and exquisite places nearby such as the Salamanca Cathedral, the University of Salamanca, and Calle del Toro, a charming shopping street, and Casa de las Muertes, an important place to admire the city’s signature filigree plateresque decoration. If you are traveling from Madrid, take a day trip to Salamanca and Avila, a nearby city that is, like Salamanca, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage destination.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Plaza Mayor is ideal for travelers of all ages.
• Off the square, myriad language schools welcome travelers to take crash courses in Spanish.
• Affordable bikes are available for rent alongside the plaza.

How to Get There

Plaza Mayor is located in the center of Salamanca within easy walking distance or taxi ride from most attractions of the city. Or, take bus line 3 or 4 to Plaza Mercado, which is on the southeast corner of the square.

When to Get There

The square is a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists day and night. Take the time to have a meal or a drink at one of the many eateries. Enjoy the sunlight illuminating the sandstone buildings. Or come in the evening when the atmosphere is electric and the plaza and buildings are magically floodlit in a romantic golden glow.

The Churriguera Family

A family of Spanishxa0 architects rose to prominence at the turn of the 18th century. Headed by three brothers, the brood are inextricably linked to the allure of Salamanca, as they created their own exuberantly ornate late Baroque style--later known as Churrigueresque—seen most spectacularly in the Salamanca Cathedral, the Colegio de Calatrava, and of course, the Plaza Mayor.