Six day trips from Badajoz

Extremadura’s largest city requires, in my opinion, one and a half days to see all the main sights without feeling overwhelmed. If you’re spending two or more days in Badajoz and you’ve already seen all these places not to miss and other tourist attractions, it’s time to get out and explore the surrounding areas.

In this article, you’ll find six ideas for day trips from Badajoz. I’ve divided my suggestions into three categories: half-day trips, full-day trips and combined day trips. Full-day trips are destinations with enough to see and do to keep you busy for a full day, while combined day trips include two smaller separate places or sights you can visit in a single-day trip. To help you make the most of your day trips from Badajoz without spending too long on the road, I’ve only selected places you can reach from Badajoz within one hour by car.

Half-day trips from Badajoz

Olivenza

Olivenza is a town (with city status) located in the namesake area of Badajoz province. Its centuries-long history under Portuguese sovereignty can still be seen today in its military, religious and civil architecture. Main local attractions include a fourteenth-century fortress (Castillo de Olivenza), the adjoining ethnographic museum, and the nearby Santa María del Castillo church, built in a Portuguese late Renaissance style. Don’t miss the medieval walls and gates, the richly ornate Manueline-style portal at the town hall (Palacio Municipal), and técula mécula, a sweet local delicacy.

Alburquerque

Situated in the Lácara-Los Baldíos area of Badajoz province, not far from the Portuguese border, Alburquerque features one of Extremadura’s most notable medieval castles (Castillo de Luna). Other highlights include a large Gothic quarter (Villa Adentro), a lovely main square and nearby promenade, churches aplenty and a huge ‘hanging’ granitic rock (Piedra del Berrocal). Alburquerque is well known as an Ibérico ham and meats-producing place, exporting nationally and internationally. During the summer months, Alburquerque hosts Indie pop music Contempopránea and a medieval festival.

Distance from Badajoz: 45.5km
Badajoz-Alburquerque car journey duration: 41min

Full-day trips from Badajoz

Mérida

Extremadura’s capital is a World Heritage City of Roman origins, with an Archaeological Ensemble comprising 22 excellently preserved remains ranging from public buildings, to private architecture, religious buildings and engineering works. Seeing all the Roman architecture sights in Mérida can easily take two days, but if you only have one day to spend in the city, make sure to prioritise the theatre, the amphitheatre, the Roman Bridge, and the citadel. If time allows head to the Roman Circus and stop by La Antigua neighbourhood on the way to see some amazing street art.

Zafra​

Whitewashed facades, narrow streets, and an abundance of churches, convents and other religious buildings, have earned Zafra the nickname ‘Little Seville’ (Sevilla La Chica). This town, located in the Zafra-Río Bodión area, features two beautiful squares (Plaza Grande and Plaza Chica), a former Jewish quarter, and some notable civil architecture. Don’t miss: the splendid Gothic portal at Hospital de Santiago, the only original city gate (Puerta de Jerez) and the Parador de Zafra, located in a rather imposing fifteenth-century castle-palace built over the remains of a Muslim fortress.

Jerez de los Caballeros

Located in the Sierra Suroeste area, Jerez de los Caballeros is a small, charming town with a noteworthy religious architecture visible from a distance – the towers of its churches, chapels and convents popping out of its otherwise whitewashed skyline. Amongst the unmissable places to see in Jerez are the thirteenth-century templar fortress, city walls and gates, the Iglesia de San Miguel and the bold, striking façade of Iglesia de San Bartolomé. Jerez is also home to several museums and hosts renowned Easter celebrations.

Distance from Badajoz: 74.8km
Badajoz-Jerez de los Caballeros car journey duration: 1h

Combined day trips from Badajoz

Castillo de Nogales + Castillo de Feria

If you’re into castles, you can fit these two in during a combined weekend day trip from Badajoz.

Nogales is a sleepy village in the Olivenza area featuring a rather impressive medieval castle. The views of the town and the surrounding hills from the castle keep are quite something. The castle only opens on weekends.

Distance from Badajoz: 43.7km
Badajoz-Nogales car journey duration: 43min

Feria, located less than 25 minutes away in the Zafra-Río Bodión area, features another impressive castle. I can only say that about the exterior, since I found it closed when I visited and it still is on my bucket list. Make sure you double-check the opening times a few days in advance, in case there are last-minute changes.

Distance from Nogales: 21.1km
Nogales-Feria car journey duration: 23min

Distance from Badajoz: 60.1km
Badajoz-Feria car journey duration: 54min

Day trips from Badajoz on a map