Extremadura Things to Do

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Things to Do
by arbequin
Things to Do
by globetrotter_2006
Things to Do
by globetrotter_2006
Things to Do
by globetrotter_2006
Things to Do
by globetrotter_2006

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Caceres

by DanielF

In the walled city of Caceres (pop. 82.000) there is not any single grand building that would make a city unique, but it is the whole lot of old churches and palaces that make of it the arguably most atmospheric urban area in Spain. It is almost impossible to put in words all the enchantment and fascination that the monument-filled walled city of Caceres prompts in all travellers. Caceres can be regarded as a perfect example where the spruce-up of the historic walled city has been the story of a success. Even if the area is mostly devoted to business and administration and most of its population has moved to the modern districts, old Caceres has not lost a bit of its soul.The main access to the old city is gained through the main square, or Plaza Mayor, whose whitewashed façades confront the famous Arch of the Star, the wall's main gate, in grand contrast with the Medieval stone...

Palacio y Monasterio de Yuste

by jorgejuansanchez

This is at the same time a Monastery and a Palace where the most powerful King of the world in the XVI century, Charles V, chose to spend his last days of life when he renounced to the Spanish throne.The Palace was annexed to the Geronimo Order monastery (still active, and its monks rule the Palace as well) in 1557 to lodge the Emperor Charles V.You have to pay a small fee to visit the Palace, which includes a guide who will give explanations in several languages along this intimate but rather modest Palace (Charles V was very humble man, like his son Felipe II) ornamented with wonderful paintings of celebrated Spanish, Flemish and Italian artists.If you are making on foot the pilgrimage El Camino de la Plata, from Sevilla to Santiago de Compostela, as was my case, so you can combine this visit with the Monasterio de Guadalupe (see my travel tip), both places in the Extremadura province...

Sherry of the Knights

by DanielF

The proximity of Andalusia is more than perceptible in Southern Extremehard and even more in the charming town of Jerez de los Caballeros. In the labyrinth of withewashed façades reminiscent of the Arab medina that it once was, several bell towers emerge full of grace. Some of them are noteworthy for the intincate Barroque decoration, a true work of art mixing bricks and tiles.

Trujillo

by DanielF

Trujillo is certainly the biggest tourist magnet in the province of Caceres. Home to some of the most famous conquerors and explorers of the American continent in the XVI century, like Pizarro and Orellana, the old town is now filled with buildings that talk eloquently about the affluence that these men's undertakings brought back to their homeland.

Alcantara

by DanielF

Alcantara is a historical town near the Portuguese border. Not that the palaces and temples in the town's core are unworthy of a visit, but almost all of the rare visitors to this really-off-the-beaten-path location seem to be lured by the amazing vision of one of the jewels of Roman engineering in Iberia: the bridge over the Tagus is a remarkable work whose harmonious proportions and perfect state of condition are unrivalled by any other bridge in many miles around.So impressive is this bridge that the town's name means in Arabic THE BRIDGE.

Zafra

by DanielF

Zafra is the most important town in Southern Extremehard. The town, crammed with monuments, is noted in particular by its two arcaded plazas, the large (grande) and the small one (chica). That simple.The large one is grand and full of palm trees. The small one is irregular and cozy. They are both connected by an archway and form one of the most interesting urban ensembles in the region.

Nogales

by DanielF

The heart of Extremehard is occupied by the so-called Land of Muds, not a very poetic name, indeed, but denoting the main composition of the fertile fields in the area.Nogales is one of the most picturesque little towns in this part of Extremehard. Its old fortress provides a 360º vision of the bucolic region where the town lies.

Olivenza

by DanielF

Olivenza is the last town to fall under Spanish souverainity. It was controlled by the Portuguese kings for two centuries and regained by Spain during the so-called "War of the Oranges" in the beginning of XIX century. This has been the only modification that has ever occurred in the longest, oldest and less variable border-line on European soil.Although Portuguese only for a short while, the Kings of Portugal gave it a great importance that brought propesrity to the town and resulted in the flourishing of the arts. Today, Olivenza is still one of the best places in the peninsula to admire the elaborate and barroque Manueline architecture, as the example pictured here from the City Hall's gate.

Merida

by DanielF

Although Merida does not have a status of provincial capital, it is indeed the regional capital, seat of the Parliament, government and almost all other institutions. Merida knew how to take profit of the rivality between the two "big" cities, Caceres and Badajoz, in order to present itself as a neutral place that was eventually accepted as a compromise. But, in addition, Merida had many other merits to become the capital: not only is it located almost in the geographical centre of the region, but also no other place could rival with its historical past. It was in fact, when it was named Emerita Augusta, the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania and one of the biggest cities of the Roman Hispania. Many (ruinous) traces of that past can still be visited today.

PROVINCE OF BADAJOZ

by DanielF

The largest province in Spain is Badajoz, which occupies the Southern half of the region. Its forgotten tales and landscapes are its best asset for a bright future where only savvy and liberal (in the pecuniary sense, that is) visitors are expected.