Considered the most beautiful city in the whole of Extremadura, there are countless places to see in Cáceres, Spain. Thanks to its wide range of historical monuments, it is one of Spain’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time as you stroll through its medieval streets, its Renaissance monuments and its imposing religious buildings. Not to mention the stunning natural environment that surrounds this beautiful city.
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Things to see in Cáceres Spain
See the Tower of Bujaco in Cáceres
The Bujaco Tower, also known as the Clock Tower, is one of the most characteristic and important buildings to see in Cáceres, located in the iconic Plaza Mayor. It is believed that the name of the tower comes from a mistranslation of the Caliph Abú-Ya’qub.
It once had a public clock that did justice to its name, although it is now in the Church of San Mateo. You can walk along the many metres of wall, which lead to the Torre de la Yerba and the Torre de los Púlpitos. Moreover, the views from this section are well worth the visit.
Plaza Mayor of Cáceres Spain
The Plaza Mayor of Cáceres is the most central point of the whole city, as well as the busiest meeting point in the old town. It is the place where most of Cáceres’ celebrations take place, as well as events, street markets and processions during Easter Week.
In this square you will find some of the most important and most visited buildings in the city, from the Town Hall to the Ermita de la Paz or the imposing Torre de Bujaco. It is also one of the most popular places for locals and travellers to enjoy lunch or dinner, largely due to its easy access, its atmosphere and the great food in its establishments.
Cáceres Cathedral
The Co-cathedral of Santa María is an impressive monument dating back to the 15th century, and whose façade shows a clear transition from Romanesque to Gothic styles. As well as being the most important religious building in Cáceres, this Christian temple has an incredibly interesting interior.
During your visit to the Co-cathedral, you can admire numerous historical and religious features such as its pipes and chapels, a carved cedar altarpiece, and even a kind of ecclesiastical museum. Admire its detailed ornamentation and, to round off your visit, we recommend climbing its bell tower, where you can enjoy unbeatable views of the whole city.
Palace of los Golfines de Abajo
The Palace of los Golfines de Abajo, belonging to the famous Golfín family of Cáceres, is a beautiful palace that was built during the 15th and 16th centuries. In addition to its interesting façade, its real treasures can be found inside.
You can take a guided tour of its four rooms while you discover a large exhibition of historical artefacts: the bust of Alfonso XII, a set of tapestries dating from the 18th century, and numerous items of armoury. You’ll love it!
See the Arco de la Estrella in Cáceres, Spain
The Arco de la Estrella (Star Arch) is a truly symbolic point in Cáceres, as it is the entrance to the area full of the city’s monuments. Its name comes from the small temple at the top, where there is an engraving of Nuestra Señora de la Estrella.
This leads to the Plaza de Santa María and as such to the historic centre of the city, located a very short distance from the Torre de Bujaco. It forms part of the medieval wall of Cáceres, which dates back to the 18th century. It is the best entrance to access the old part of the city.
Carvajal Palace
This beautiful palace is one of the most important historical buildings in Cáceres, right in the historic centre of the city. With a strong Gothic and Renaissance style, this building will delight anyone who sees it, whether you are an architecture enthusiast or not.
The Carvajal Palace is located a short distance from another of Cáceres’ must-see monuments: the beautiful Santa María Co-cathedral. You can go inside the palace, where you’ll find a courtyard with features ranging from Almohad to Renaissance style, including works of art and even a tourist centre. This place is also known as the Casa Quemada (Burnt House) due to a fire that took place in the 19th century. Don’t hesitate to come and discover all its secrets!
See the Statue of San Pedro in Cáceres, Spain
The Statue of San Pedro is one of the most iconic things to see in Cáceres, Spain. Located right next to the Co-cathedral and in the middle of Santa María square, this sculpture honours, as its name suggests, Saint Peter.
This work is a self-portrait of the sculptor, Enrique Pérez. Tradition dictates that the feet of the statue should be kissed, a fact that has caused the sculpture to be worn down in this area. It is definitely worth a visit!
Church of San Francisco Javier
The Church of San Francisco Javier is, without a doubt, one of the most important religious monuments to see in Cáceres. This building stands out not only for its imposing size, but also for its characteristic white façade, which was deliberately white with the aim of preventing the plague.
You’ll find it in the symbolic Plaza de San Jorge, patron saint of Cáceres. You can climb to the top of its towers via a narrow spiral staircase, where you’ll be able to look out over the city from its wonderful viewpoints. As an intereseting fact, the white façade of this church was painted brown to film some scenes from Game of Thrones and was later restored in white.
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What to see around Cáceres Spain?
Monfragüe National Park
This impressive national park, which covers more than 17,000 hectares, is one of the first to exist in Spain. The park has two important rivers: the Tiétar and the Tagus.
This is one of the main destinations you must visit once you have finished exploring Cáceres, as this park offers a true natural paradise where you can walk along kilometres of trails through the undergrowth, see a wide variety of wildlife, and get close to the riverbanks. Do not miss this park, especially if you are a nature lover.
Visit the village of Plasencia
Plasencia is one of the most charming villages in Extremadura, and is only 50 minutes away from Cáceres. This makes it an ideal destination for a day trip.
This town has a strong medieval character, where at every corner you can learn the stories of the kings and their traditions. Its streets and houses are completely cobbled, giving it a unique touch. You can visit some of its key points, such as the New Cathedral and the Old Cathedral, walk along its walls, or simply stroll around its pleasant Plaza Mayor. Once you get to know it, you’ll definitely want to come back.
Jerte Valley
The Jerte Valley is one of the best known and most visited in the whole of Spain. This impressive natural area has places that will leave you speechless.
This valley is especially famous for its natural pools and imposing gorges, created by the course of the rivers. If you decide to visit this place, you can’t miss an excursion to the Garganta de las Nogaledas gorge, a flow of water that is a kilometre long, formed by small waterfalls with undergrowth all around it. A spectacular landscape you can’t miss if you are travelling through Cáceres, Spain.
Sierra de Gata
The Sierra de Gata is an impressive natural park located on the border between Portugal and the province of Salamanca. This vast natural area, although not well known by travellers heading to Cáceres, is without doubt one of the places you must visit.
We recommend dedicating at least a whole day to walking along some of its extensive nature trails. Discover some of the most authentic villages in the province in natural surroundings that will make you feel like you’re in a film. Some of the most popular are Robledillo de Gata and Trevejo. As for its natural landscapes, you can’t leave the Sierra de Gata without visiting the incredible Borbollón reservoir. A real visual spectacle.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Cáceres, Spain
The best time to travel to Cáceres is from May to October, as temperatures are warmer and you’ll avoid almost 100% the likelihood of rain. However, bear in mind that July and August will be noticeably hotter.
It is estimated that it requires two days to get to know Cáceres well. It can be the perfect destination for a weekend visit.
To get to the park from Cáceres, take the EX-290 road for 60 kilometres and then fork off onto the EX-208. Once there, all you have to do is follow the signs to the park. The journey takes approximately one hour.
– The first dish that comes to mind when visiting Extremadura is the famous gazpacho extremeño. That is why this dish is our first recommendation if you travel to Cáceres. Unlike the Andalusian gazpacho, this version uses boiled egg and bread to give the gazpacho more consistency.
– Next we have the frite, a very popular dish in Cáceres. The lamb is usually prepared in an earthenware casserole, stewed with water, wine, oil and vegetables.
– Another dish not to be missed is the Cáceres variant of the famous zorongollo. This dish consists of a salad with roasted peppers and tomato, usually accompanied by meat or fish.
– Finally, we recommend trying one of the most famous sweets in Cáceres: floretas. They are made with a dough mixed with egg, transformed into flowers using a mould, and finally fried until crispy. They are delicious!
How to plan your itinerary of the places you want to see in Cáceres?
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