Tourists in the old city of Salamanca: walking, perception and (mis)awareness

Salamanca has become an appealing destination in inland Spain due to a successful schedule of cultural events which dates back to 1993, when the exhibition Las Edades del Hombre was launched. However, most of visitors focus their walks and visits to the shaft that connects the Plaza Mayor with the cathedrals and the University along the Rua Mayor. Their perception of the city's rich heritage is therefore very poor, as the outcomes of fieldwork and a tourist survey clearly suggest. This article proposes some actions to stretch the network of tours and to enrich the experience of tourists who visit Salamanca.