21 essentials: what to see and do in Extremadura

If you plan to make a tourist trip through Extremadura, in Spain, there are many attractions that you will find, both historical monuments and natural landscapes.

And I have always considered that Estremadura It is largely unknown even among Spaniards from a tourist point of view, which should be an invitation to discover these attractions.

But before embarking on a trip or a short getaway, you should have a good perspective of what the best things to see and do in Extremadura during the same.

The best things to see on a tourism trip through Extremadura

As an initial summary, and starting with the historical heritage, you should know that in Estremadura there are three declared places Heritage awarded by the Unesco.

Historical places in Extremadura

Specifically the historical complex of Cáceres, where a walk through its very well preserved streets, squares and walls takes you to feel transported to medieval times.

On the other hand you have Mérida, a city that was founded in Roman times, in which it had great historical importance, and which is currently the capital of the autonomous community.

Apart from their Roman archaeological remains, stands out for its great cultural activity, among whose events the International Classical Theater Festival.

The third place highlighted by the Unesco is Royal Monastery of Guadalupe located in the Villuercas region, also in the province of Cáceres, when visiting you can see its beautiful Gothic and Mudejar architecture, as well as numerous works and artistic corners.

Another notable heritage corner is the Yuste monastery, where he Emperor Charles V He spent his last days in the middle of the 16th century.

Beautiful towns in Extremadura

But Estremadura you also find many pretty towns with a great historical root, among which I want to highlight Plasencia, Trujillo, Zafra, Hervas, Llerena, Jerez de los Caballeros, Alcantara, Olivenza o Fregenal of the Sierra.

All these heritage attractions make it possible to configure tourist routes such as the Route of Isabel the Catholic in Extremadura.

Natural parks and landscapes in Extremadura

From the point of view of nature and landscapes, the reference point is the Monfragüe National Park, which brings together the most extensive and best preserved spot of Mediterranean mountain worldwide.

Specific Monfrague Every year it becomes a meeting place for fans of ornithology from all over Europe.

This park occupies a natural space located between Plasencia, Trujillo and Navalmoral de la Mata, with the tagus river as a central axis, and is declared Unesco Biosphere Reserve.

But Estremadura you also have the Villuerca-Ibores-Jara Geopark, one of the eight geoparks that Unesco has declared in Spain.

Also worth noting is the Tagus International Natural Park, which is home to many endangered species, from the black stork and the imperial eagle, to the native crayfish.

And of course the wonderful landscapes of cherry blossoms in the Jerte Valley, which acquire a spectacular reddish tone in autumn.

In the absence of knowledge on our part of several of the Most notable places in Extremadura, below you have a list that will help you travel guide for Extremadura, with extensive information on the best to see and visit.

These articles will surely be useful for your tourism trip to said Spanish community.

What to see and do in the province of Cáceres

At the outset, we propose the best places to see and visit in the province of Cáceres.

Jerte Valley in spring

El Jerte Valley, to the North of the Cáceres province, is one of the most interesting corners that you can visit in Extremadura, especially at the time of the cherry blossoms, whose trees cover the valley with flowers every year at the end of March and beginning of April.

It is undoubtedly one of the most interesting getaways what can you do to Estremadura, which in recent times has become really popular.

• What to see and do in the Jerte Valley
• Dates to see the cherry blossoms in the Jerte Valley
• Route to see the cherry blossoms in the Jerte Valley

Jerte Valley in summer

There are numerous activities What can you do during the season? summer in the Jerte Valley, from enjoying the Cerecera, to hiking, canyoning or bathing in natural areas such as the spectacular Pylons.

• The Pilones in the Garganta de los Infiernos of the Jerte Valley: how to climb
• How to see the Nogaledas Gorge in the Jerte Valley
• This is how you live off cherries in the Jerte Valley

Jerte Valley in autumn

Autumn is also a good time to get away to the Jerte Valley, where you will find beautiful and colorful autumn landscapes.

Specifically, the differentiating element that you will find in the Jerte Valley compared to other autumn landscapes is the reddish color of the cherry tree leaves, so that the valley is bathed in a mixture of ocher and red colors.

• 10 reasons to take a getaway to the Jerte Valley in autumn
• 12 photos of autumn landscapes in the Jerte Valley
• Jerte Valley Autumn Activities Program
• 4×4 excursion through the Garganta de los Infiernos

Trujillo in Cáceres

If a charming town and with heritage corners that stand out in the Cáceres province, that is Trujillo, a very visited place specifically in getaways from Madrid.

Its most famous and outstanding corner is its monumental Plaza Mayor, although it is worth going up to the castle, an old Arab citadel.

• What to see and do in Trujillo, a beautiful town in Extremadura
• How to visit Trujillo Castle, an ancient Arab citadel

Guadalupe in Cáceres

Separated from the main route that crosses Extremadura, it is well worth the detour to visit Guadeloupe, Another town with great charm.

In this corner of the Villuercas region, where the geopark for the Unesco, you find a small town with charming country architecture.

But above all you must know your historic monastery, One most visited monuments of Extremadura.

• How to visit and what to see at the Monastery of Guadalupe in Extremadura

Plasencia in Cáceres

At the foot of the Jerte Valley, in the north of the province of Cáceres, Plasencia It is the most important town in the north of Extremadura where you can visit a beautiful historical Center.

In this place, its curious cathedral will catch your attention, an unfinished building that combines its old part of Romanesque style with its new part of Gothic and Renaissance styles.

• Best places to see and visit in Plasencia
• The curious history of the unfinished New Cathedral of Plasencia
• What typical tapas and portions can you eat on your visit to Plasencia?

Monfragüe National Park in Cáceres

Monfrague is the great Extremadur national parka, and one of the most outstanding corners of Spain for the sighting of birds of prey, which is why every year it is highly visited by tourists from northern Europe.

In addition to the sightings, during your visit to the national park you can take 4×4 excursions through some of its corners, as well as through its very beautiful Extremadura pasture landscapes.

• The best things to see and do in the Monfragüe National Park
• How to go up to Monfragüe Castle to spot birds of prey
• What to eat and where on your visit to the Monfrague National Park
• This is the Hospedería Parque de Monfrague next to the national park

Alcantara in Cáceres

Next to the border with Portugal, riding a Alcantara you can see an imposing Roman bridge from the 1st century and the historic center of a medieval village which was the headquarters of the important Military Order of Alcántara.

• The best things to see and do in Alcántara and its Roman bridge

Las Hurdes in Cáceres

Legends of isolation and misery have historically surrounded The Hurdes, region of north of the province of Cáceres, where you now find a nature destinationwith villages that preserve corners of rural slate architecture.

• The best things to see and do when visiting Las Hurdes in Cáceres
• Meandro Melero and the most beautiful landscapes of Las Hurdes
• Black architecture in the most beautiful towns of Las Hurdes
• From the black legend of Las Hurdes to nature tourism

Hervás in Cáceres

El Ambroz Valley In the north of the province of Cáceres it is known for its forests, especially chestnut trees, and its ancient trees, but there are also finds Hervas, with its famous Jewry, but also with other very interesting corners to know.

This historic town dates back to the 12th century, but its Jewry It emerged from the 14th century, and currently remains showing a great medieval flavor to its visitors.

Here you have extensive information with the best things to see and do in Hervás and also what to see when visiting the Jewish Quarter.

What to see and do in the province of Badajoz

Next you have the best places to see and visit in the province of Badajoz.

Merida in Badajoz

Did you know that the political and administrative capital of the Extremadura Community es Mérida?

I can tell you that it is a city that was key during the presence of the Romans in the Iberian Peninsula, and the result of them is his great and very important legacy of roman monuments that is worth visiting.

• 12 essential places to see and visit in Mérida
• How to visit the Roman Theater of Mérida
• How to visit the Museum of Roman Art of Mérida

Iberian Ham Route Dehesa Extremadura

Tasting the Iberian ham from Extremadura and learning curiosities about its history and production process is one of the good reasons to make a getaway to the province of Badajoz.

• Keys to a good Iberian ham on the Dehesa Extremadura Iberian Ham Route
• Museums of Iberian Ham from the pasture of Extremadura

Zafra in Badajoz

One of the historic towns in the province of Badajoz is Zafra, which maintains its long livestock tradition, and whose castle now houses the national hostel.

But on your visit you must give a walk through its historic center, where you will see beautiful rural corners with houses with white facades.

• Palace of the Dukes of Feria, current tourist stop in Zafra

Fregenal de la Sierra in Badajoz

FRegenal de la Sierra is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in the province of Badajoz, and one of the best examples of the Route of the White Villages in Extremadura, and among its historical corners its curious castle stands out.

• The best things to see and do in Fregenal de la Sierra

Jerez de los Caballeros in Badajoz

A route through the province of Badajoz should undoubtedly include a visit to Jerez de los Caballeros, land of Iberian hams and with a notable history of the presence of the Templars.

• The best things to see and do in Jerez de los Caballeros

Alqueva Lake and surroundings

On the border between Spain and Portugal is Lake Alqueva, and in its surroundings you can make some very interesting visits to towns and heritage sites, as well as tourism activities, in both countries.

• 15 places to see and things to do on Lake Alqueva in Badajoz

Olivenza in Badajoz

One of the most interesting corners that you can visit around Lake Alqueva is, without a doubt, Olivenza.

It is one of the most beautiful towns in Badajoz, with a long history as a border town that is now shown in its walled historic center and in the Torre del Homenaje of its old castle.

• The best things to see and do in Olivenza in Badajoz

Other places to visit in Badajoz

• Prehistoric tomb of Huerta Montero in Almendralejo
• This is the visit to the Fair Castle in Badajoz
• Historical reenactment of the Battle of Albuera in Badajoz