Study in Salamanca, Spain

About Salamanca

Salamanca is a university city in the west of Spain, in the region of Castile and León, west of Madrid. It had 146,110 registered residents on 1 January 2025, according to the Spanish statistics institute (INE). That makes it a compact city where the historic centre, the faculties and most language schools are within walking distance of each other.

For many students, Salamanca means two things: one of the oldest universities in Europe and a long tradition of teaching Spanish to foreigners. Spanish is the language of daily life, and the large student population gives the city a young atmosphere for most of the year.

Studying in Salamanca

Our directory lists 15 active schools in Salamanca: 4 universities and higher-education centres, 10 language schools and 1 vocational and professional training centre. The Universidad de Salamanca was founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX of León. Today it has around 30,000 students and nine campuses in Salamanca, Ávila, Zamora, Béjar and Villamayor, according to the university. The Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca (UPSA) is the university of the Spanish Episcopal Conference; it was established in 1940 and offers more than 100 qualifications. For music, the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Castilla y León (COSCYL) teaches higher degrees in composition, performance and musicology/ethnomusicology, with 25 specialisations, and master's programmes for soloists, chamber music and orchestra.

Most degree programmes at the universities are taught in Spanish, so international degree students usually need a good level of the language before they start. For job-related training, the Academia Universitaria offers courses for employment and professional certificates (certificados de profesionalidad).

Learning Spanish in Salamanca

Spanish courses are the largest part of the city's offer in our directory. The university's own centre, Cursos Internacionales de la Universidad de Salamanca, goes back to the Chair of Spanish Language for foreigners created in 1929, and its courses were relaunched in 1963. It takes part in the DELE, SIELE and USAL esPro exams, holds DELE, SIELE and CCSE exams at its centre, and runs refresher courses for Erasmus students. Students on its courses can also get the Salamanca Ciudad del Español student card, which gives access to services of the city council.

Private schools add flexibility and smaller groups. Several are accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, such as Salmínter (accredited since 2004) and the Colegio de España; Mester has taught Spanish since 1991. Typical options in the city include:

• intensive and semi-intensive group courses all year round
• DELE and SIELE exam preparation
• one-to-one lessons
• courses for school groups and for students over 50
• homestay or residence accommodation arranged by the school

Cost of living for students

Salamanca is a smaller and generally less expensive city than Madrid or Barcelona, but no official source publishes typical student rents. Ask your school or university about homestays, residences and shared flats, as most language schools arrange accommodation.

Local buses are cheap. In 2026 a single ticket costs €1.20, and with a rechargeable card (€2) each trip costs €0.37, with a free transfer to another line within 45 minutes, according to Salamanca de Transportes. A monthly pass with unlimited travel costs €13.88. Young people under 30 who are registered as residents of the city (empadronados) can buy the youth pass for €7.34 a month.

Getting around and daily life

Most students walk everywhere in the centre. The urban bus network has 27 lines and connects the centre with the outer districts and the bus and train stations. The nearest international airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, 215 km away. According to the university's international courses centre, an express bus from Terminals 1 and 4 reaches Salamanca in about two and a half hours. Renfe trains link Salamanca with Madrid, from Chamartín and Príncipe Pío stations.

Salamanca lies on a high plateau, so winters are cold and summers are hot and dry. At the AEMET Salamanca Airport station (normals for 1981-2010), the average temperature is 4.0 °C in January, with average night-time lows just below freezing, and 21.5 °C in July, when average daily highs reach 30.0 °C. Pack warm clothes for a winter course.

Frequently asked questions

Is Salamanca a good place to learn Spanish?

Salamanca has a long tradition of teaching Spanish to foreigners: the university created a chair for foreign learners in 1929. The city has many language schools, several accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, and DELE and SIELE exams can be taken locally.

Which universities are in Salamanca?

The public Universidad de Salamanca, founded in 1218, and the Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, established in 1940. The city also has a higher music conservatory, COSCYL.

How much does public transport cost in Salamanca?

In 2026 a single bus ticket costs €1.20, or €0.37 per trip with a rechargeable card. A monthly pass costs €13.88, and €7.34 for registered residents under 30.

How do I get to Salamanca from Madrid airport?

An express bus from Madrid-Barajas Terminals 1 and 4 takes about two and a half hours. You can also go into Madrid and take a Renfe train to Salamanca.