Last updated September 2022
So you’ve already explored the beautiful streets of Salamanca, soaked up its history and culture and now all you want to do is relax. Well, luckily for you, soon you will know the best places to go!
Salamanca continued to impress me while I lived there because even though it is small, it has so much to offer and all that it does offer is the best of the best: the best food, the most beautiful cathedrals and convent, one of my favourite art museums of all time and now, some of the nicest parks. And these parks are all free!
I will be looking at the following three parks/green spaces:
- Huerto de Calixto y Melibea (Garden of Calixto and Melibea)
- Un paseo por el Río Tormes (A walk beside the River Tormes)
- Parque de los Jesuitas (Jesuit Park)
Huerto de Calixto y Melibea
This garden is truly beautiful with a real Secret Garden feel to it. I spent a lot of time here, just relaxing and enjoying the views. It is very green and it offers a lot of shelter with its lush planting. It is also very peaceful with plenty of benches and places to sit. I was there in winter and it was beautiful, I am sure that it is even better in spring or summer. I just wish that I took photos of it, I was so busy enjoying myself and relaxing that I now realise, too late, that I didn’t take photos of the garden itself. Oooops! You will have to trust me when I say that it is worth visiting.
Its name is quite unusual. Huerto is straightforward enough, it means orchard or vegetable garden in Spanish. Calixto y Melibea might come from the names of the characters in the tragicomedy, La Celestina, by Spanish writer Fernando de Rojas. It is considered to be one of the greatest literary works of Spain.
The garden is made even more special by the fact that it is partly lined by the old city walls; it is in a very old part of the city. It is also very high which means if affords wonderful views, especially of the River Tormes, the city’s Roman Bridge and Casa Lis – Salamanca’s Musuem of Art Deco and Art Nouveau.
It is also a good idea to go at night-time; the view of the cathedrals is stunning.
TIP: Get a bocadillo (sandwich) in the jamonería Corte y Cata and eat it in the garden. It’s €3.50 for a big roll with delicious jamón, well worth it. I did that on a few occasions and enjoyed the experience very much!
Entrance location:
Calle Arcediano 20, 37008, Salamanca.
This is behind the cathedrals and very close to Casa Lis, the Roman Bridge and The Cave of Salamanca.
Opening times:
There are no exact hours listed but it is always open very early until very late. Sorry I can’t be more specific!
Admission fee:
Free
A Walk by the River Tormes
It is possible to go for a long walk beside the river where you’ll find many different areas – some very green parts with a lot of trees, and some with not so much. The area around the Roman Bridge is very green and interesting so this is the area I spent most of my time in. It also has a lot of benches and you can see a lot of bird-life.
One of the best things about this walk is the views of the cathedrals it offers, you can get some excellent photographs here to make your friends jealous! And, of course, the fact that you can walk under the Roman Bridge is also very special. I am not in the habit of being able to walk under bridges, it’s a fun experience!
There are also interesting things to see along the way, such as the unusual sculpture commemorating 100 years of Scouts in Salamanca. Find it and then you’ll know why I think it is unusual!
Location:
Beside the River Tormes.
My favourite route is to do a block: go down by the Roman Bridge (where the stone bull is), walk the length of the bridge, walk towards the next bridge, San Esteban Bridge, ascend, and then go over the bridge. This brings you back to the city, very close to San Esteban Convent.
Opening times:
Always open
Admission fee:
Free
Parque de los Jesuitas
For me, this is the most traditional park in Salamanca. Traditional in the sense that it is enclosed, very green and beautiful, and it is easy to forget about the surrounding world while you are there. It is very well-designed and well-planted which means it is easy to while away some time here. It is peaceful and there are many places that feel like secret areas, private places, such as the area in the photograph above.
The park is divided into different zones, separated by by paths and lanes, this makes it fun to explore. On your explorations, you will find that the park has excellent playgrounds; a pond with ducks; an area where you can train your dogs to jump; a café and toilet; lots of benches; many lanes and trails; exercise bikes and exercise equipment; and a very nice, old stone entrance (see photo below). I went alone and really enjoyed it but I think it would be a very good place to go with kids too.
Like almost everything in Salamanca, it is very central. It is very close to the main street, Gran Vía.
Entrance:
Calle Principe de Vergara 34, 37003, Salamanca
Opening times:
Summer hours:
Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 23:30
Winter hours:
Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 22:00
Admission fee:
Free
These are my three favourite green spaces in Salamanca. For me, they are the best but you will find other smaller ones around too.
Happy relaxing! ¡Que descanséis bien!
I want to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every bit of it. I’ve got you book-marked to look at new stuff you post…
Hi Horace, thank you for your very kind words. They are much appreciated!