Travel Blog
In this space, I inform the reader about my experiences during my trips and I name many interesting attractions for each place or region, so that the reader could go to the best restaurants, hotels and attractions suggested by me and, of course, at the best price.
Travel Blog
In this space, I inform the reader about my experiences during my trips and I name many interesting attractions for each place or region, so that the reader could go to the best restaurants, hotels and attractions suggested by me and, of course, at the best price.
Travel Blog
In this space, I inform the reader about my experiences during my trips and I name many interesting attractions for each place or region, so that the reader could go to the best restaurants, hotels and attractions suggested by me and, of course, at the best price.
Francisco Ferreira
July 20, 2018 • 5 minutes to read
Caceres Travel Guide
Caceres (Spain), just over 3 hours drive from Madrid, is an Extremadura city whose Historic Centre was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and has many things to see. While strolling through the heart of the city, through the narrow medieval lanes, we come across beautiful squares, these with churches. And what impresses most visitors to the city is that all the buildings are made of stone. All, except the ones around the imposing Plaza Mayor, which give a smell of Andaluzia, due to the fact that they are all whitewashed. Just over 1 hour drive from the city centre, there's the fascinating Monfragüe National Park, between Caceres and Plasencia, where, from the top of the Castle, we can dazzle a wonderful landscape in the course of Tagus River, and observe the birds of prey: eagles, kites, hawks, condors and vultures.
Best things to do
1. Have a coffee at Plaza Mayor
It's no coincidence that Plaza Mayor is the center of the city. In this square, besides the towers and the medieval walls, you can find the City Hall and some hotels, restaurants and cafés. So, why not take a short break after a visit to the medieval part of the city?
2. Visit San Francisco Javier Church
San Francisco Javier Church is one of the symbols of the city, not only for its monumentality and impressiveness, but also for the fact that, unlike all other historical churches in the city, have two whitewashed towers. Its interior, also with white walls, contains an eminent baroque altar, of gilded carving, which doesn't cease to impress the visitors.
3. Contemplate Plaza San Mateo
Located in the historical centre, Plaza San Mateo contains, besides the majestic Church of San Mateo, two large medieval towers: Tower of Las Cigüeñas and Tower of Sande, the last one covered by heras, which, though beautiful, attract a "plague" of black insects that provoke itchy skin... But, walking past Tower of Las Cigüeñas, we come in a small square: Plaza de Las Veletas, which, after a visit to Convent of San Pablo, invites us to visit the interesting Museum of Caceres.
4. Explore the medieval lanes
Caceres is a medieval city and, for this same reason, its narrow streets and lanes deserve to be explored.
5. Take an excursion to Monfragüe National Park
Just over 1 hour drive from Caceres, there's one of the 15 national parks of Spain: Monfragüe National Park. Visiting the Castle can be a good way to start the trip, which provides us with a superb landscape around Tagus River, the birds of prey that glide in the area – mainly above Salto del Gitano – and Arroyo de La Vid, to the south. As soon as I saw the landscape, facing south, I called it "little Alqueva" (resembling vegetation and water to the beautiful artificial lake). Continuing the beautiful route, there is the picturesque Vilarreal de San Carlos, whose houses are built of shale, which invites us to eat ice-cream in the local café, so as to temper the typical scorching heat of Extremadura – when I arrived there, in the afternoon, it was 37°C ... Following the route, there are a number of viewpoints, each one more beautiful than the other, that deserve a stop. And the best way to end the day is with a magnificent sunset from the top of the Castle: an unforgettable moment.
Where to sleep
I didn't spend any night in Caceres, because I went and returned in the same day (from Portugal). However, according to my researches, I recommend NH Collection Caceres Palacio de Oquendo, with affordable prices even in high season, Hospes Palacio de Arenales & Spa and Barceló Cáceres V Centenario, the last two being located outside the medieval part.
NH Collection Caceres Palacio de Oquendo (by unknown)
Where to eat
Caceres is a Spanish city that, of course, could not escape the tradition of tapas. So, I made a small list of good tapas restaurants in this city.
Tapas restaurants:
• La Cacharrería
• Alma del Sabor
• Tapería Bouquet
Tapas (by unknown)
Useful Informations:
• Medium temperature: 10ºC (Winter) and 30ºC (Summer)
• Medium price per night (Hotel): 45€ (Winter) and 65€ (Summer)
• Medium price per person (Restaurant): 15€
• Nearby localities: Merida, Plasencia, Trujillo, Badajoz, Castelo Branco, Elvas
Take a look on my Caceres Photo Album and on my YouTube video about Caceres!
Images: Francisco Ferreira (PhotosOfEurope) and Google