Caceres, Spain
- Nimrod
- Jul 9
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 13
March 2025 [All the posts about Spain]
Focus: Day trip to Caceres city
Content
Caceres, Spain – Introduction
Caceres is a city in the Extremadura region, located in southwestern Spain near the border with Portugal and the provinces of Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Castilla y León.
Extremadura is known for its rural scenery, nature reserves, and rich historical heritage, shaped by the Romans, Moors, and the Spanish Conquistadors. Its regional capital is Mérida.
Cáceres is one of two provinces that make up Extremadura. The region is semi-mountainous and sparsely populated, filled with ancient towns, monasteries, and nature reserves like Monfragüe and Los Barruecos, which are rich in wildlife and rare bird species.
Cáceres itself is considered one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval and Renaissance cities in Spain.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the entire area draws nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and those seeking authenticity and quiet.
Many Spaniards regard Cáceres as one of the country's most charming small cities.
The city lies along the Vía de la Plata (“Silver Route”), just like Merida — both founded in Roman times. Despite the name, there’s actually no silver on this route. One theory suggests that the name is a distortion of the Arabic word al-balat (البلاط), meaning “paved road".
Today, the Vía de la Plata is used by pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago, traveling north from Seville in Andalucia to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. Major cities along the way include Seville, Merida, Caceres, and Salamanca.
We spent two nights at a spa hotel just outside Cáceres (3 km away) — the Hospes Palacio de Arenales & Spa. It’s a lovely and surprisingly affordable place: peaceful, quiet, and highly recommended. The location is ideal for exploring both Cáceres and the surrounding region, and parking is easy. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful open countryside.
On our first day, we drove from Seville, stopped to visit Merida, and continued on to the hotel. On day two, we explored Caceres, and on day three we visited the stunning Los Barruecos Nature Reserve before continuing north.
Here above are photos of the areas surrounding the hotel
Tip: The newer parts of Caceres reveal a modern and fairly large city. It’s a good idea to stock up at one of the big supermarkets near the city entrance, or at the local Decathlon store.
If you're planning hikes or treks, this is a great place to pick up anything you might be missing — in the smaller villages, it can be hard (or even impossible) to find what you need.
Who is it for?
If you’re traveling along the Via de la Plata—whether walking or driving the Camino de Santiago—and want to experience a beautifully preserved medieval town, this is the place to come.
It’s also a perfect stop for those coming from Portugal on their way to Madrid, or anyone doing a loop trip through Spain that begins and ends in the capital.
Cáceres and its surroundings, along with nearby Merida, offer a wonderful urban complement to Extremadura’s natural and historical richness. Together, they tell the story of Roman Spain and beyond
We added an extra half-day trip to the unique Los Barruecos nature reserve, just a 15-minute drive from the city, including a visit to a special museum—partly open-air—located within the reserve. More details later in the post...
One Day in Caceres City
We left the hotel in the morning and drove just a few kilometers to the city. After parking on a street near the old town, we walked to the charming Plaza Mayor, where we sat down for a standard coffee and toast.
At 10:00, we stepped into the tourist information office located right on the square, picked up a map and some tips, and set off to explore the winding streets of the historic center.
Here’s a map of Caceres’ old town—the same one you’ll get at the Tourist Information Office in Plaza Mayor.
You can spot the large, beautiful Plaza Mayor and, to the east, the former Jewish Quarter (Barrio Judío), nestled on the eastern slopes leading down toward the aqueduct. (Map orientation: east is at the top, west at the bottom.)
More Trips in Extremadura
Trips in Castilla y León
The feeling here is truly like walking through a medieval city—at times, it even feels older than that.
We arrived on a beautiful day, with lingering clouds from a long rainy period in the region, which made the air and light feel especially crisp and clear.
The impressive squares, the Church of Santa María, Plaza Mayor, and the Bujaco Tower are just a few of the must-see sites. There are several churches and basilicas—some of them open to visitors, with towers you can climb for panoramic views.
We wandered down into the streets of the former Jewish Quarter (Barrio Judío) and continued all the way to the valley where a stream once flowed—now a channel. In general, exploring this area doesn’t take too long; just a few hours are enough to discover all its winding alleyways.
It’s also worth stepping outside the old town to the east, where you’ll find a scenic viewpoint offering a great look at the hill on which the city is perched.
More Trips In Spain
Top Sites in the Old Town of Cáceres
Plaza Mayor – Surrounded by historic buildings, this is a perfect starting point for exploring the city.
Torre de Bujaco – A 12th-century Moorish tower, part of the old city walls, offering stunning views over Cáceres.
Concatedral de Santa María – A Gothic-Renaissance cathedral with a tower you can climb for a panoramic lookout.
Barrio Judío (Jewish Quarter) – While there are few visible traces of Jewish life here—apart from some signs and plaques—the narrow lanes and small houses are utterly charming regardless of their history.
Iglesia de San Francisco Javier – Climb the towers (1.5€) for beautiful views of the city. The white towers themselves are lovely and iconic.
Palacio de Carvajal – A gem not to be missed. It houses a tourist information center for Cáceres and the Extremadura region, as well as a peaceful courtyard. When we visited, there was also a stunning photo exhibition about the city.
Museo de Cáceres (Palacio de las Veletas) – The highlight: an impressive underground Moorish cistern (Aljibe), one of the city's top attractions.
A Bit About the Food Scene in Caceres
For foodies with deep pockets, Caceres might seem like an unlikely destination—but it’s actually home to a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Atrio Cáceres, located inside a luxury hotel. And yes, they also have a bistro. Restaurant website
Another great option is Borona Bistro – a stylish spot worth checking out. Borona's website
Overall, the city’s culinary scene is surprisingly vibrant.
Calle Pizarro, in the historic center of Cáceres, is considered one of the best places to sample tapas in Extremadura. The street is lined with bars and restaurants serving local specialties like jamón ibérico and Torta del Casar (a creamy local cheese).
Beyond the Old Town
If you’re staying in Caceres a bit longer and have already explored the historic center, there are a few more interesting spots in the city worth checking out:
Centro de Artes Visuales – Fundación Helga de Alvear One of Spain’s leading museums for modern and contemporary art, showcasing works by international artists such as Ai Weiwei, Louise Bourgeois, and Olafur Eliasson. (Closed on Mondays).
Parque del Príncipe A large and beautiful urban park—perfect for a relaxing stroll or a break from sightseeing.
More to Explore Around Caceres
Parque Nacional de Monfragüe A vast and stunning national park about an hour’s drive northeast of Cáceres. It’s considered one of the best spots in Spain—and even Europe—for birdwatching, especially for raptors.
Castillo de Monfragüe An ancient fortress perched atop a mountain overlooking the park, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the entire area.
Natural Monument Los Barruecos Keep reading below for details about the half-day trip we took to this reserve (definitely not to be missed). The park features huge granite boulders, lakes, water birds, and nesting storks (in season). Oh, and it was also a filming location for several scenes from Game of Thrones.
Trujillo A charming town with an impressive Plaza Mayor, grand family palaces, and an annual cheese festival held every early May. Just a 30-minute drive east of Cáceres.
Guadalupe A beautiful town with lovely streets and sites, including the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe. About an hour and a half drive east of Cáceres.
Hike in Los Barruecos Reserve
Difficulty: Easy || Elevation Gain: Minimal (mostly flat)
Type: Loop || Distance: 7 km
Duration: 2.5 hours || Trail Marking: Green route
When to go: Spring
Bonus: Visit to the Vostell Malpartida Museum
If you’re in the area, I highly recommend not missing a visit to this unique nature reserve. It’s quite close to Caceres—and even closer to our hotel, just a 15-minute drive away.
The reserve is open from 8:00 until 15:00, so plan your visit accordingly.
We started our hike from here (Aparcamiento Peñas del Tesoro), where there’s parking and an information board with all the trails (including an easy, short blue-marked route).
Not far from there is a visitor center (closed on Saturdays), where you can also park and begin your hike—it’s very close to the museum, which is also located along the walking trail.
The reserve’s name hints at the unique shapes and types of rocks found here. We hiked the green trail called Las Charcas (The Pools/Ponds), which is about 7 km long.
The route passes by two beautiful lakes inhabited by ducks and other waterfowl.
The granite rock formations are truly impressive. We visited in early spring and were lucky to see storks nesting on pillars and some of the rocks, busy tending their nests and bringing food.
Several battle scenes from Game of Thrones (Season 7) were filmed in the reserve, around the first lake you’ll come across (look for the signs). The park is also great for cycling and perfect for trail running.
Toward the end of our visit to the reserve, we arrived at the unique Vostell Museum. After exploring the museum, we finished our loop and headed back to the parking lot.
Vostell Malpartida Museum
You can also start your hike in the reserve from the museum (opening hours: 9:30-1:30 and 16:30–19:30; closed on Mondays).
The museum was established on the site of an abandoned sheep-washing and wool-preparing facility within the nature reserve. This location perfectly reflects Vostell’s philosophy—that art should be part of nature and doesn’t have to be confined to galleries.
Additionally, the site highlights the tension between human activities and creations and nature as an artwork itself.
More on the core ideas behind the movement and the museum: "Art is a part of life and not separate from it." Breaking conventions: "Surprising creations made from a mix of everyday objects."
A fusion of nature, industry, and art: "The museum is located on an abandoned industrial site in the heart of a nature reserve." Political and social critique: "Direct engagement with themes like Nazism, the Cold War, and indoctrination through media."
After visiting the museum and the reserve, we headed north to continue our nature adventure in the Sierra de Francia natural park.