Hi everyone,
This is my first post so before I start let me just say thanks. I have been reading and absorbing information for awhile. You have all been so helpful!
My family, 2 adults, 2 teenagers, will be traveling through Spain this summer. We will be driving from the Bilbao area to Salamanca and will be staying there for 3 days before continuing on to Madrid. I am wondering if anyone has an itinerary/recommendation for good day trips from Salamanca? I am thinking we have 1.5 days to travel, leaving us a day for Salamanca. And with that time frame, is making it into Portugal even an option?
Thanks so much!
Posted by
back in the Americas
723 posts
I recommend leaving Portugal for a future trip. Too far for a daytrip from Salamanca. Look at these options for daytrips: Hervás, La Alberca, Bejar, Plasencia, Mogarraz, Miranda del Castañar. There are lots of small, neat, really old mountain towns around to explore. If your kids like castles there are several smaller castles in the vicinity of Salamanca.
Posted by
Washington DC
28087 posts
ViaMichelin.com estimates the drive at 4 hr. 5 min. if you make no stops. If you are able to store absolutely all your belongs in the trunk of your vehicle so you don't need to worry about theft mid-day, you can stop on your way south in Burgos to see the cathedral and the very nice historic district, which will be full of pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The drive also takes you past Valladolid, but I have not been there.
The very attractive inland Basque capital of Vitoria-Gasteiz is not far off you driving route. It has a large medieval district on top of a hill. There are outdoor escalators to assist you in moving between the various levels. But Vitoria-Gasteiz is very near Bilbao.
Once you reach Salamanca, you are about a 2-hour drive from Guarda, Portugal, and only about a 1-hour drive from Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain. They're both very atmospheric places. Ciudad Rodrigo has a walkable wall. Honestly, I was in Guarda so long ago that I don't remember much beyond liking the place.
As you move south toward Salamanca, you will be leaving the moderate climate of Bilbao and getting into the heat of central Spain. Be prepared. Guarda, sitting at over 3000 feet, should be somewhat cooler.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Trip recap: We had such a great time in Spain. Having a car was perfect and enabled us to see so many incredible places. We did make it into Portugal and had lunch, then came back over and went along the river and visited all of the little villages along the way. It was a much needed day of no plans at that point in our trip. Was lovely. Salamanca was a pleasant surprise. With 2 teenage girls the atmosphere, college, lots of teens everywhere, made them enjoy it even more. Thank you for your input. We plan on going back once the girls have left for college and will fill in all the gaps we missed.