Salamanca, often called the “Golden City” for the warm glow of its sandstone buildings, is a place where centuries of stories are etched into every wall. Visit its historic center to wander through cobbled streets lined with architectural marvels. The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is one of the oldest in Europe and still buzzes with student life. Visitors often pause at its ornate façade to search for the tiny stone frog — a symbol of academic luck and a quirky tradition that has charmed multiple generations.

The city’s two cathedrals — the Old and the New — stand side by side, offering a layered journey through time. Climbing the Ieronimus towers rewards travelers with sweeping views over terracotta rooftops and the winding Tormes River. Hidden among the carvings of the New Cathedral’s Puerta de Ramos is a modern surprise: a stone astronaut, added during restoration in the 1990s. These playful details are part of what makes Salamanca feel both timeless and unexpectedly fresh.

One of Salamanca’s most curious traditions is the “vítores” which are red symbols painted on university walls to celebrate doctoral graduates. It’s just one of the many ways Salamanca blends the scholarly with the spectacular, inviting visitors to explore, learn, and linger.