UNIVERSITY & CITY
THE UNIVERSITY
The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX, is the oldest university in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. For centuries, it has been a renowned center for knowledge in fields such as law, the humanities, and science.Internationally, it remains one of Europe’s most recognized academic institutions. In 1254, Pope Alexander IV officially named it one of the four major universities of the time, alongside Oxford, Paris, and Bologna.Today, the University of Salamanca continues to be a global benchmark in higher education and research. It has over 30,000 students enrolled in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, and welcomes more than 3,000 international students each year through mobility and exchange programs.The Faculty of Economics and Business is located on the Francisco Vitoria Campus and hosts around 2,000 students annually, including approximately 150 international exchange students.
LIFE IN SALAMANCA
CULTURE & HISTORY
Salamanca is a charming city next to the Tormes River. Due to its beauty, history, culture and monuments, it is one of the few Spanish cities recognized as World Heritage. It is an open-minded city, packed with cultural and entertainment events every week.
SIZE & POPULATION
Salamanca is a medium-sized city, with around 145,000 habitats, which is recognized by its university lifestyle. More than 30,000 students live here every year spread in each of the neighbourhoods of the city.
LIFESTYLE
It has several activities to discover and monuments to sightseeing. You can discover some of them on the website of the Tourism Office.
COST OF LIVING
Cost of living. Another advantage of Salamanca is the cost of living, which is not as high as in other countries or the capitals of Spain. Some average prices are:
- In restaurants/café: 1 cappuccino costs 1.80€, 1 coke 33cl costs 2.10€, 1 beer 20cl costs 1.80€, 1 meal at the university restaurant (starter, main and dessert) costs 7,50€.
- In markets: 1 L milk brick costs 1.00€, 1 kg rice pack costs 1.30€, 1 kg tomatoes costs 1.80€, 1kg potatoes costs 1.20€, 1kg apples costs 1.80€, 1 kg bananas 1.20€, 1 bread bar costs 0.90€, 1 wine bottle mid-range 4.00€..
- About Services: single bus ticket costs 1.20€, monthly bus pass costs 13.90€, and youth passes 7.35€ per month. The annual(SALenBICI) bike-sharing subscription is 13€, with monthly passes available at 7.75€. Monthly fitness club fee costs 30€, Internet costs 30€.
TRAVEL
HOW TO GET IN
The most efficient way to come to Salamanca from abroad is by Madrid. When arriving in Madrid by plane, you have different options to go to Salamanca:
- Bus: Direct buses from Madrid–Barajas (Terminal 1 or T4) to Salamanca operate about 10 times per day via Monbus company. The journey takes around 2 h 40 m to 2 h 45 m, and advance fares start from 14€.
- Train: There are different types of trains for the journey, some of them faster and more affordable than the bus when purchasing in advance. If you go by train, you must head off to Chamartin Station from the airport. Please, take either 8 line tube or 1 commuter train if you arrive at Terminal 4; and 8 line tube if you arrive at Terminals 1-3. You can find attached maps for both tube and commuter trains. From Chamartin Station, you will be able to take a train from Madrid to Salamanca.
- Car: You can also hire a car in the Barajas Airport and drive by Autovía A6. You can use Google Maps to get any address in Salamanca.
LOCATION & COMMUNICATIONS
It is situated in the west of Spain, in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, between Madrid and Portugal. Salamanca has very good communications with the North, South, West and East of the Iberican Peninsula. It is only 2 hours long from Madrid, which is the main entry point in Spain.