Fonda Veracruz Visitor Reception Centre

The Visitor Reception Centre occupies the ground floor of the Fonda Veracruz, at Calle Veracruz, 22-24, a couple of steps from the cathedrals. It is Salamanca's second tourist information office, after the one on the Plaza Mayor, and the most practical for anyone arriving in the old town from the river side or heading straight to the cathedrals: besides information, it has a rest room, lockers and public toilets.

The building

Turismo de Salamanca presents the Fonda Veracruz as one of the most charming buildings in the city. It is listed as a building of historic interest: it has an entrance courtyard surrounded by glazed galleries and two flights of steps on either side of the main door, and consists of a ground floor and three storeys. The upper floors have offices and rooms for conferences, book launches, meetings and workshops, and the building also has an exhibition hall, mainly for visual arts. Turismo de Salamanca estimates half an hour to see it.

Services

On the ground floor there is a tourist information office, a rest room, an internet room, lockers for leaving luggage, bike racks, accessible public toilets adapted for ostomy users, and a baby-changing facility. Pets are admitted. It is therefore a good place to take a break halfway through a visit, especially with small children or if you arrive with a rucksack and cannot yet check into your hotel.

Opening hours and contact

In winter, from 1 November to 31 March, it opens Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 19:00, and on Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00. In summer, from 1 April to 31 October, Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00, and on Sundays from 9:30 to 14:00. It closes on 25 December and on 1 and 6 January, and on the Lunes de Aguas and on 24 and 31 December it is open only until 14:00. Telephone 923 49 57 77; email [email protected].

When to drop in

Unlike the Plaza Mayor office, which does not close at midday on weekdays, here there is a break from 14:00 to 16:30 in winter. If you are going to see the cathedrals in the morning, call in first for the map and leave here what you do not want to carry; the daily guided tours, however, leave from the Plaza Mayor office.

What to see around

From the door you have the cathedrals beside you and the climb up their towers at Ieronimus, and heading down to the river, the Casa Lis and the Roman Bridge. If you are staying nearby, the Hotel Rector is next to the Casa Lis.