Extremadura is frequently overlooked as a destination to visit in Spain. As lovers of history and culture, we adore this Spanish region – from the medieval marvels of Cáceres to the spiritual sanctuary of Guadalupe to the Roman roots in Mérida. Extremadura is also the birthplace of many conquistadores and has a unique Spanish authenticity that big cities like Madrid and Barcelona don’t have. If you’re visiting this under-appreciated region, we guarantee you’ll have a genuine Spanish experience among the lighter tourist crowds! And with fewer crowds, you’ll have less congestion and more time for leisure. Keep reading to learn about places to visit to get the essence of Spain in enchanting Extremadura, Spain!
Historic Towns and Cultural Sites
Cáceres: Medieval Marvels
Old Town Cáceres exudes both majesty and austerity with its adobe-colored walls, fortified gates, and strong defensive towers. This remarkable city stands as one of Europe’s best-preserved monuments, earning UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1986.
While the Romans once occupied the city, the Moors later contributed to its architecture, including the Las Palacio de Las Veletas and the imposing fortified wall. During the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Cáceres became a political center for rivaling noble families. These families built their homes on top of the Moorish layer. You can see one of the leading families’ homes at the Casa de los Golfines, a 15th-century mansion with intricate stonework and a beautiful courtyard.
Other ancient highlights include the Palacio de Godoy, the Casa-Museo Árabe Yusuf Al-Burch, and the Carvajal Palace. The Concatedral de Santa María is a Gothic-style church in Plaza de Santa María and houses a 15th-century crucifix, the Cristo Negro (Black Christ).
To enjoy the medieval atmosphere, visit the Plaza Mayor, one of the largest squares in Spain. Eat at one of the terrace bars while admiring the Arco de la Estrella, the town hall and the Torre de Bujaco which you can climb up to enjoy the views.
Make sure you try one of Extremadura’s specialties like migas (fried breadcrumbs with chorizo and bacon) paired with wine from Ribera del Guadiana. For fine dining, visit the Michelin-starred Atrio. And for convent pastries, stop by the the Convent of San Pablo for delicious tocinitos de cielo (pastries made with egg yolk and sugar), or mantecados (Spanish shortbread).
If you’re in Cáceres in the spring, visit the gorgeous Valle del Jerte, about 1.5 hours away. It’s where you can delight in the annual Fiesta del Cerezo en Flor, the cherry blossom festival when pink and white blooms blanket the valley.
Badajoz: Moorish and Gothic Influences
Walk atop the walls of the incredible Alcazaba, a 9th-century Moorish fortress where you can get views of the Guadiana River. Nearby, don’t miss Plaza Alta, Badajoz’s main town square, with its curious striped arches in shades of ochre, terracotta, and pastel.
Visit the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, a 13th-century church with Spanish Renaissance architecture built on the site of a former mosque. Outside, its appearance is boxy like a fortress. Inside, it is much more decorative. A guided tour will show you the eleven chapels, side altars, Baroque organ, and elaborate choir and Plateresque stalls. Climb the bell tower for panoramic views.
Plaza de España, home to the City Hall and the cathedral, features a Romanesque-Gothic temple adorned with intriguing Renaissance ornamental pieces. Facing the Plaza de la Soledad is La Giraldilla, a replica of the famous tower in Seville.
Trujillo: A Conquistador’s Legacy
With its medieval mansions and palaces, Trujillo is famous as the birthplace of several Spanish conquistadors, including Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Inca Empire. His legacy is celebrated in the city’s monuments and museums, including the Casa-Museo de Pizarro. In the Plaza Mayor, his bronze statue stands upright and proud. At the southwest corner of the plaza is the Palacio del Marqués de la Conquista, the mansion which belonged to Pizarro’s brother.
Visit the 9th-century Trujillo Castle in the highest part of the city. It was constructed by the Moors and played an important role in medieval Spain’s defense system.
For Extremaduran food, try the rich, salty torta del Casar cheese. Or better yet, visit Trujillo in the spring during Feria Nacional del Queso de Trujillo, where you can participate in cheese tastings and workshops with cheese from all over Spain.
Mérida: Reliving Roman History
When Spain was part of the Roman Empire, Mérida, then called Augusta Emerita, was the flourishing powerful capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. You can awe at the well-preserved remnants of this empire, which is the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida. This includes the Roman bridge, the Roman Forum, and the Roman theater and amphitheater. Other monuments include the Temple of Diana, the Alcazaba, and the Aqueduct of Los Milagros.
Summer is when Mérida relives its glorious Roman days! In July and August, the Roman theatre hosts the popular International Classical Theatre Festival, which is dedicated to celebrating classical theatre from the Greco-Roman tradition. In June, the Emerita Lvdica festival recreates the city’s past, where you can witness Romans and gladiators parading the streets, enjoy a Roman market, and follow a Roman tapas route. Serious Roman history lovers can attend the “White” Roman Night when you can visit the main Roman sites late into the wee hours.
Guadalupe: A Spiritual Sanctuary
Guadalupe is a mountain village situated amid beautiful natural landscapes in the Sierra de Guadalupe Mountain range and the stunning Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark.
The most famous attraction is the Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages. It’s a major pilgrimage hub in Spain. In the 14th century, King Alfonso XI of Castile commissioned the construction of the monastery to express gratitude to the Virgin Mary following his triumph at the Battle of Salado in 1340. Over the centuries, the monastery received significant royal patronage, leading to its expansion.
It grew into a center for learning and culture, housing schools, hospitals, a pharmacy, and one of the largest libraries in Spain, containing valuable manuscripts and works of art. It was also the setting of significant events, like when the Catholic Monarchs granted Christopher Columbus the ships that would take him on his journey to the New World. Today, you can visit this incredible complex which overlooks the town.
You can take a guided tour of the Basilica Temple, the Mudéjar cloister, the Gothic cloister, and the Temple of the Holy Trinity. It also has several museums: an Embroidery Museum, the Museum of Books and Cantonals, and a museum of fine art, including paintings by Francisco de Goya, and El Greco.
Plasencia: Small Town, Big Medieval Magic
Plasencia is a charming, small walled city with an ancient quarter of incredible palaces, stately homes, and significant religious buildings.
In Spain, there are only six cities that have two cathedrals, and Plasencia is the smallest of all of them. The 16th-century Catedral Nueva had an impressive main altar, chapels housing religious artworks, a Baroque organ, and carved wooden choir stalls. Adjacent to it is the Catedral Vieja, an ornate church with beautiful Romanesque doors, pillars, and columns.
It hosts an ancient weekly Tuesday market in the Plaza Mayor, which has been held since the 12th century, where you can buy fresh produce, local delicacies and handicrafts.
About 40 minutes away by car is the extraordinary beauty, the Garganta de Los Infiernos, a unique natural gorge renowned for its waterfalls and hiking trails. More interestingly, Los Pilones is a peculiar sight. Cylindrical rock pools, called pilones, are formed by the erosive force of the water, creating deep and smooth hollows in the rock.
The Royal Monastery of Yuste: A Peaceful Retreat
Situated in the green valley of La Vera, the Royal Monastery of Yuste was constructed in the 15th century. This monastery is important because it was the final residence of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V following his abdication in 1556. His reign epitomized Spain’s incredible global dominance and was one of the most influential monarchs in Spanish history. The monastery’s architectural beauty is seen in its Gothic cloister, church, and the Palace-House where the King spent his last years as he reflected on his life and legacy during his last days.
Just below the monastery is the quaint village of Cuacos de Yuste, a traditional Spanish rural setting, where you may see hanging peppers used to make the famous pimentón de la vera, a delicious smoked paprika from the region. Take a can of paprika home as a souvenir – its delicious smoked flavor is a great addition to meats, hummus or roasted potatoes.
Natural Wonders
Monfragüe National Park: A Haven for Nature Enthusiasts
About 20 minutes away from Plasencia is the Parque Natural de Monfragüe, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with green mountains, cliffs, and winding rivers. It’s an awe-inspiring place to go hiking or biking on its well-marked trails. It’s where you can see unique animals in the wild like the Spanish imperial eagle, the black stork, the Egyptian mongoose, the Iberian lynx, or the Eurasian black vulture. You can also drive along panoramic routes to admire the park’s diverse flora and fauna. Head to the Salto del Gitano, where you might catch a glimpse of the vultures up close. A good time to come is in September when many migrating birds make a stop here. Fall is also a fantastic time for stargazing at the Hospedería de Monfragüe, where you can awe at the immense Milky Way.
Los Barruecos National Monument
Los Barruecos is a unique natural landscape with granite rock formations, serene meadows, and tranquil ponds. The most eye-catching part is the granite boulders, sculpted by erosion into strange shapes. Visit the visitor center to learn more and explore routes. Additionally, don’t miss the Vostell Malpartida Museum, which celebrates the innovative works of German artist Wolf Vostell (1932–1998), who married local artist, Mercedes Guardado Olivenza. The museum is housed in the historic Lavadero de Lanas, which once served as an active wool washhouse during the 18th and 19th centuries. Vostell’s contemporary art juxtaposed against the rural setting makes it a fascinating stop in Extremadura!
FAQs
Why is Extremadura famous?
Extremadura has played a significant role in Spanish history and exploration. It was the birthplace of famous conquistadors such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro. It also has many historical cities and towns, such as Mérida, Cáceres, and Trujillo, which have Roman ruins, medieval castles, and Baroque churches.
Why visit Extremadura, Spain?
The region is less crowded and touristy than other parts of Spain, giving you an authentic, deeper immersion into the local Spanish culture. It also has well-preserved Roman ruins in Mérida, medieval towns with fortified walls like Cáceres, and Renaissance palaces in cities such as Trujillo. It also has beautiful natural beauty like the Valle del Jerte and the Monfragüe National Park.
Who are the people of Extremadura, Spain?
The term used to refer to the people of Extremadura is extremeños (masculine) or extremeñas (feminine). Historically, Extremadura has been a rural and agricultural region, and its people are known for their hard work and resilience. They are also adventurous – many famous explorers like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro are from here.
Can you add to the places to visit in Extremadura? Would you want to visit this incredible region? Let us help you plan your trip! Contact us, and we’ll plan a customized Spanish vacation, your way!
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