Stunning College Campuses Worth The Trip To Europe

3. University of Salamanca, Spain: A Jewel of the Spanish Renaissance

Few universities in the world dazzle like Salamanca, where the golden sandstone buildings glow at sunset, earning the city its nickname: La Dorada (The Golden One). Established in 1218, this Spanish gem boasts one of the most intricate facades in Renaissance architecture—its Plateresque carvings, riddled with hidden symbols, invite visitors to seek out a tiny stone frog said to bring academic success. The university’s historic classrooms have echoed with the words of some of Spain’s most influential thinkers, while the surrounding city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bursts with student energy. Salamanca is a place where learning is not just an academic pursuit but a vibrant, cultural experience woven into the streets, plazas, and sun-drenched courtyards.