As one of the autonomous communities with the greatest natural and cultural wealth in Spain, but one of the least known, Extremadura will surprise you. Bordering Portugal, Extremadura has a wide range of cultural and scenic attractions. Discover all the Extremadura’s charm, from its most iconic cities to the most impressive natural spaces.
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Cities to see in Extremadura, Spain
Cáceres
Considered the most beautiful city in the whole of Extremadura, there are countless places to see in Cáceres. Thanks to its wide range of historical monuments, it is one of Spain’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You’ll feel like you’re travelling back in time as you stroll through its medieval streets, Renaissance monuments and imposing religious buildings. The Bujaco Tower, also known as the Clock Tower, is one of the most important buildings in Cáceres, located in the symbolic Plaza Mayor.
The Plaza Mayor of Cáceres is the most central point of the whole city, as well as the busiest meeting point in the old part of the city. It is the place where most of Cáceres’ celebrations take place, as well as events, street markets and processions during Easter Week.
Badajoz
Badajoz is a city in Extremadura with a wealth of culture and history. Monuments such as the Alcazaba are evidence of its Muslim era and allow you to immerse yourself completely in the history and art of the city. This city welcomes visitors with its culture and the warmth of its people, offering many places worth seeing.
The Old Quarter of Badajoz is also the oldest part of the city and one of the must-see sights. Located on a small hillside next to the Guadiana River, the old quarter stretches across the entire bastioned interior of the city, which at the beginning of the 20th century constituted the entire city. It is the heart of Badajoz.
With a simple and austere design, the Alcazaba was used to control the passage from the Castilian plateau to Portugal and Andalusia. Declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931, the Alcazaba dates mainly from the Almohad period, hence its historical importance.
Mérida
Best known for its Roman amphitheatre, Mérida is a must-see destination in Extremadura. Merida, a World Heritage City, retains in its memory the grandeur of its Roman past.
The wealth of heritage both in the city and in the surrounding area is impressive. From the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre, the Roman Circus, the Temple of Diana, the Casa del Mitreo, the Aqueduct of Miracles, the Roman bridges, as well as the Arab Alcazaba. It is also worth visiting the National Museum of Roman Art in Mérida and the Museum of Visigothic Art.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
The most beautiful villages to see in Extremadura, Spain
Albuquerque, a must-see village in Extremadura Spain
Nestled in the Sierra de San Pedro mountain range, very close to the border with Portugal, is Alburquerque. A beautiful town, full of white houses and narrow streets to lose yourself in. Alburquerque is a place with a great deal of history to discover. For this reason, a stroll through its old quarter and a visit to its wide range of monuments is highly recommended if you want to discover one of the charming villages of Extremadura Spain.
The medieval Gothic quarter of Alburquerque is one of the places you cannot miss during your visit. Crowning the labyrinth of narrow streets that make up the historic centre of Alburquerque is the most symbolic monument of this town: the Luna Castle. This fortress stands out for its combination of different architectural styles.
Zafra
Although Zafra is technically a city, it could not be missing from this list, as it is one of the most charming places in the whole of Badajoz. This is a town that exudes history and culture. Zafra was a key point during the Muslim period, due to its strategic location. Once we enter its white streets full of Mudejar architecture, we can appreciate all its periods of splendour at first hand.
To get to know Zafra in depth, we recommend walking from the Plaza Grande to the Plaza Chica. This is where most of the town’s historic monuments are located, such as the Town Hall. But without a doubt, the place that arouses most interest is the Alcázar-Palace of the Dukes of Feria and current Parador Nacional de Turismo, a beautiful place to visit in Zafra!
Plasencia
Plasensia 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 hasNatural parks to see in Extremadura 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.
Natural parks to see in Extremadura, 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 is crossed by 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. Not to be missed, especially if you are a nature lover.
Jerte Valley
The Jerte Valley is considered one of the best known and most visited in Spain. This impressive natural area has places that will leave you speechless.
This valley is especially characterised by natural pools and imposing gorges, all created by the course of the rivers. If you decide to visit, you can’t miss a trip to the Garganta de las Nogaledas gorge, a flow of water that reaches a kilometre in length, formed by small waterfalls and undergrowth all around it. A spectacular landscape you can’t miss if you are travelling through Extremadura 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, is without doubt one of the places you must visit.
We recommend dedicating at least a whole day to walk along some of its extensive nature trails. You’ll come across some of the most authentic villages in the province, with natural surroundings that will make you feel like you’re in a film. Some of the most visited 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.
How to organise what to see in Extremadura, Spain?
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about your trip to Extremadura
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!
Getting around Badajoz by car can be difficult, as parking is very limited. It is best to park at your accommodation or in one of the city’s free car parks and get around by public transport or on foot.
A good place to park is the Alcazaba Park, where there is free outdoor parking.
As in most Spanish cities, food forms part of the city’s most important aspects. Here’s a list of some of the city’s best-regarded restaurants – choose your favourites and add them to your travel route!
– Restaurante Marchivirito
– Galaxia
– Churrrasqueria Restaurante El Vivero
– Carnívora
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