Santa Marta de Tormes combines a riverside landscape with art in the open air and in exhibition spaces. On Isla del Soto, paths wind through the Tormes riverbed; squares, streets, and museums add other points of interest in the town. When planning your days, a simple question can help: would you prefer to focus on a walk or bike ride, art in public spaces, or collections?

Riverside Landscape and Trails

Isla del Soto is a 14-hectare river area in the Tormes riverbed. Around two kilometers of trails are open to pedestrians and cyclists. The Ruta de los Lápices is a circular walk of less than two kilometers around the island; large colored-pencil decorations stand out along the way. The Ruta de los Lápices also extends beyond the island through the squares and streets of Santa Marta de Tormes.

The signposted “Los Puentes del Arte” route can also be explored on foot or by bicycle. Information boards focus on Santa Marta’s sociocultural heritage, as well as its fauna and flora. This explanatory focus distinguishes the route from the Ruta de los Lápices, whose most striking feature is its large colored-pencil decorations.

Santa Marta is listed as having around 12 kilometers of cycle paths; the infrastructure may change. So, if you are planning a specific bike ride, it is worth checking the current situation. The SalEnBici bike-sharing scheme configuration described in 2025 included three stations in Santa Marta de Tormes. Check whether the service is currently available before using it.

Art in Collections and Public Spaces

The museums each have a different focus. The Museo de la Moto Histórica displays 50 motorcycles arranged chronologically. The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo José Fuentes exhibits 150 works of art across two floors. The parish church on Plaza de la Iglesia houses the “Las Catedrales Mágicas” series: 64 works in four polyptychs. The selection ranges from an organized motorcycle collection and contemporary art to a multipart series of works in the church.

Those who prefer art outdoors will find several different options. Arte Emboscado comprises four large iron sculptures on Isla del Soto and along the riverside promenade. The Ruta de los Murales is part of Santa Marta de Tormes’ open-air museum of urban art and includes 48 works; new murals may increase this number in the future. Two sculptures on the Ruta de Los Bichos del Soto route can currently be visited, although later additions may change the route’s collection.

Other collections vary in medium and exhibition format. Espacio Serzo Santa Marta is a permanent exhibition space combining drawing, painting, and sculpture with theatrical, film, and poetic installations. The Museo del Grabado y Obra Múltiple houses almost 80 works by Oswaldo Guayasamín; collection details may change with future exhibitions. The Sala Jorge Navarro displays 87 prints created by students and inspired by music and dance. The Sala Protagonistas hosts temporary exhibitions by both lesser-known and established artists; the program changes.

Information and Getting Around

For getting around, Santa Marta offers interactive, accessible audio guides in plain language, with audio descriptions for people with visual impairments, subtitles, Spanish Sign Language, and English. As digital features may be updated, check in advance which options are currently available.

The Oficina de Turismo de Santa Marta de Tormes provides information about museums, Isla del Soto, Arte Emboscado, and the town’s murals. As opening arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the current hours before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Salvatierra De Tormes, Parada De Rubiales, Cabrerizos, Pelabravo, Madroñal, Cantagallo, La Peña, La Alberca.

For the main travel overview: Salamanca.