Salamanca

The city of Salamanca is in the Spanish region of the same name, with an historic city center and one of the country's most prominent universities.
The University of Salamanca is Spain's oldest and is known for its Spanish language department, which brings in students from all over the world. This international student population helps give the city a worldly feel, while still being rooted firmly in Spain. This country is already known for its nightlife–so you can imagine how lively it can get in a university town like Salamanca after the sun goes down.
The old center of Salamanca is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and many of the main attractions are contained in this historic old quarter. The beautiful Plaza Mayor is the center of activity in the city, and there are two cathedrals, dating from the 12th and 16th centuries respectively, along with many other noteworthy churches. Many former palaces now house museums and galleries, and some of the historic university buildings are open to visitors as well.

Practical Info

Salamanca lies roughly 124 miles west of Madrid, and the city is only 50 miles from the border with Portugal. If you like festivals, plan to visit during Holy Week, Salamanca's most important annual celebration.