Palacio de los Duques de San Carlos
Extremadura
Off the northeastern corner of the Plaza Mayor lies the 16th-century Palacio de los Duques de San Carlos, with its sober classical patio, grand granite…
Must-see attractions in Extremadura
Extremadura
The 17th-century Iglesia de Rocamador sits on the east side of the old town. It was here, in 1497, that Isabel, daughter of the Reyes Católicos (Catholic…
Extremadura
A large, bronze equestrian statue of the conquistador Francisco Pizarro by American sculptor Charles Rumsey dominates the Plaza Mayor. But all is not as…
Cáceres
Guarding the entrance to the Ciudad Monumental from the Plaza Mayor is the 18th-century Arco de la Estrella (made wide for carriage access); pass…
Extremadura
Northwest of Alcántara, there's a lookout that takes in both the town and Puente Romano in one sweep. To get there, drive across the Puente Romano along…
Extremadura
Smack-bang in the old-town centre stands Olivenza's majestic 14th-century castle, dominated by the 36m-high Torre del Homenaje. Make your way to the roof…
Cáceres
Just off the northeastern corner of the main Plaza de Santa María stands this late-15th-century mansion. The building was abandoned after fires tore…
Cáceres
As you wander further into the Ciudad Monumental to the southeast from the Plaza de Santa María, you'll pass the Renaissance-style Palacio de la…
Cáceres
Just north of the Plaza de Santa María lies the domed 16th-century Palacio Toledo-Moctezuma, once home to Isabel Moctezuma, daughter of the Aztec emperor…
Extremadura
Extremadura's only wine DO (Denominación de Origen) is Ribera del Guadiana. Just east of town, you can tour and taste on 45- to 90-minute visits at one of…
Extremadura
This quiet, evocative 10th-century aljibe (cistern) is remarkable for its triple-naved format featuring six arches sculpted from granite. It's currently…
Extremadura
Hervás houses Extremadura's best surviving barrio judío (Jewish quarter), whose narrow streets extend down to the river. This neighbourhood thrived until…
Extremadura
Blessed with fine panoramas from its elevated walls, Fregenal de la Sierra's 13th-century castle houses a grand 18th-century bullring. Enter through the…
Extremadura
Trujillo's 16th-century Iglesia de San Martín looms over the Plaza Mayor, with delicate Gothic ceiling tracing in its single nave, striking stained-glass…
Museo Extremeño e Iberoamericano de Arte Contemporáneo
Badajoz
Badajoz' pride and joy, this commanding, circular modern building dedicated to Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American contemporary art showcases a wide…
Mérida
Attached to the grand Teatro Romano, the (slightly less dazzling) Anfiteatro opened in 8 BCE for gladiatorial contests and held 14,000; the gladiator…
Extremadura
Atop a rocky spur surrounded by the Sierra de Gata, this crumbling 15th-century castle was built from an earlier Moorish fortress and still stands guard…
Mérida
This imposing 15m-high granite archway isn't known to have anything to do with Roman emperor Trajan, but it was situated on one of Mérida's main Roman…
Cáceres
Sandwiched between the Plaza de San Mateo and the Plaza de las Veletas, at the top of the old town, this is the only Cáceres tower to retain its…
Mérida
Built between the 1st century BCE and the 3rd century, the 830m-long Acueducto de los Milagros once supplied Roman Mérida with water from the dam at Lago…
Badajoz
This excellent fine-arts gallery displays works by Zurbarán, Morales, Goya, Picasso and Dalí, plus particularly striking pieces by Badajoz-born artists…
Badajoz
At the top of the old town, beneath the walls of the Alcazaba, is the unusual Plaza Alta, dating to 1681, framed on its east side by the strikingly bold,…
Extremadura
On the plain below Coria's cathedral is this fine stone bridge, built in the early 16th century and abandoned in the 17th century by the Río Alagón, which…
Iglesia de San Francisco Javier
Cáceres
This 18th-century Jesuit church, with a baroque facade that rises above the Plaza de San Jorge, has towers that you can climb for glorious old-town views …
Cáceres
The compact Plaza de San Jorge lies southeast of the main Plaza de Santa María, overlooked by the 18th-century Iglesia de San Francisco Javier.
Extremadura
Connected to Plaza Grande via a short walk under the arches, Plaza Chica is surrounded by terrazas (open-air cafes).
Cáceres
Among the impressive facades framing the Plaza de Santa María is the 16th-century Renaissance-style Palacio de Mayoralgo.
Cáceres
This 16th-century Renaissance-style palace stands on the Plaza de Santa María and was reformed in the 18th century.
Cáceres
The Palacio Episcopal, built between the 13th and 17th centuries, sports a magnificent Renaissance-style facade.
Extremadura
Learn everything there is to know about pimentón, that wonderfully smokey Spanish paprika beloved by cooks across the country, at this engaging little…
Extremadura
Few castles can command such extensive views as this one. Wonderfully restored walls remain of this 12th-century castle built by the Muslim Almohads,…
Extremadura
Carved into the hillside above Medellín, this Roman theatre is one of Spain's most beautiful, as much for the views as the steep-walled theatre. The…
Extremadura
Alongside the grand Puerta de Santiago, just inside the walled town, stands the Iglesia de Santiago, Trujillo's oldest church, founded in the 13th century…
Centro de Interpretación General de la Vía de la Plata
Extremadura
During your time in Extremadura you'll inevitably stumble across the famous Vía de la Plata, a Roman-era trading route and pilgrimage path stretching from…
Extremadura
Plasencia life flows through the lively, arcaded Plaza Mayor: meeting place of 10 streets, home to plenty of bar-restaurants and scene of a Tuesday…
Extremadura
Adjacent to the Puerta de la Coria, one of seven arched entrances to the old town, this 15th-century monastery houses a moderately interesting museum…
Palacio del Marquesado de Mirabel
Extremadura
Dating to the 15th century, this is one of Plasencia's most majestic civil buildings. Enter through the fine, columned two-floor Renaissance patio, then…
Extremadura
The sober brick exterior of the Convento de la Madre de Dios conceals a thriving 15th-century convent with an elegant cloister featuring arches of…
Extremadura
This small museum is dedicated to Extremadura's beloved Torta del Casar, a pungent, creamy cheese that's aged for 40 days and eaten most often as a spread…
Iglesia de Santa María de Almocóvar
Extremadura
Built atop a long-disappeared mosque (of which no traces remain), this fine sandstone church crowns the old town. Its early days as a church are barely…
