23408SPA
Morning sightseeing with local guide
· Call at least the day before to reconfirm time (usually 9am) and meeting place (usually the hotel lobby).
· Sightseeing lasts approximately 2.5 hours and includes:
Plaza Mayor
Casa de las Conchas
The University (inside visit – entrances paid by local guide)
The Cathedral (inside visit)
· The guide departs after the Cathedral visit. Here you can point out that the tower (the ‘Ieronimus’ exhibit) is a good free time activity (see below) for a bird’s eye view of the city.
· If your group are interested in seeing the Roman Bridge, you could go after the tour. Take c/Tentenecio and turn right at the bottom of the hill. A lovely view of the city from the bridge, also in the evening.
· Please make sure everyone in your group has their whisper sets before heading out on sightseeing ( and that you have the microphone/s for the local guide)
FACTS AND FREE TIME
Useful information:
Tourist Office Plaza Mayor and Rua Mayor (Casa de las Conchas)
Tel: 923 26 85 91 (from 1st July till 15th September open until 20:00 without lunch break)
Post Office Gran Vía 25
Things to see and do:
University
Included as part of the sightseeing. Visit the old classrooms of the university, including that of Fray Luis de León, the chapel and the old library.
Catedral Vieja and Ieronimus tower exhibition
This is not part of the guided city tour. Climb the tower of the Old Catedral, and see the inside from the upper balconies. Enjoy the views from the rooftops.
Practical details (opening hours, prices) can be found here: http://catedralsalamanca.org/visita-cultural/
The website also has a comprehensive description of the different parts of the cathedral.
Puente Romano
Roman bridge with the stone bull from ‘Lazarillo de Tormes’ and a statue of the literary rogue leading his blind master. From here you get a good view of the Cathedral.
‘Casa Lis’ – Museo de Art Nouveau y Art Decó
An eclectic mix of artefacts such as dolls, toys, ceramics, vases. Housed in a beautiful art nouveau building with stained glass ceiling and windows. 5€ adults, 3€ students | http://www.museocasalis.org/
Huerto de Calixto y Melibea
Behind the old Cathedral. Picturesque gardens with lovely views of the Cathedral and out towards the river.
Convento de San Esteban and Convento de las Dueñas
Beautiful church and cloisters
Shopping
Rua Mayor is great for souvenir shopping (the university T-shirts and sweaters are always popular!).
The best streets for fashion shops (Zara, H&M etc) are C/ Toro and
C/ Zamora (leaving the Plaza Mayor on the side of the Ayuntamiento).
Salamanca is famous across Spain for the jamón made in the area, “jamón de Guijuelo” – there are numerous shops in the city centre selling vacuum-packed jamón.
Cinema
Cine Van Dyck (10 screens). C/ Torres Villarroel 40.
Outdoor Swimming Pool (summer months)
Piscinas Municipales San José, C/ Joaquin Rodrigo Tel 923 271 483
Buses go from Gran Via. Pool Entrance is approx 4€
Cafes
The best churros con chocolate are at El Valor on c/ Libreros. If you are planning to take a large group, go in advance to check availability.
For a huge selection of milkshakes, smoothies, juices and teas, go to Café Mandala on C/ Serranos
Tapas
Many places serve good tapas and in Salamanca they usually come free with your drink (the non-alcoholic grape juice, ‘mosto ‘ is a good recommendation). Try the typical ‘pincho moruno’ at el Patio Chico (C/ Melendez) or Bambu (C/ Prior). There are also various places on the Plaza Mayor such as Cervantes or Café Real.
A nice place with many vegetarian tapas options, juices and teas is Mandala on Calle Serranos 9-11.
Discos & bars
Camelot (C/ Bordadores), Cum Laude (C/Prior), Cubic (C/ Iscar Peyra), La posada de las Animas (Plaza San Boal)