Travel planning is a joy for some travellers, and a chore for others. I’m of the opinion that excessive planning takes the fun out of travelling and leaves no room for flexibility, but a total lack of planning will likely result in disappointment and missing essentials. A basic level of planning is, in any case, needed.
In this article, aimed at independent travellers at the trip planning stage, I share some useful practical information to consider when planning (but not overplanning) your trip to Cáceres.
Bear in mind that there might be temporary and last-minute changes to the prices and opening times stated below, and that I may not always be aware of them immediately. I aim to keep this article as up-to-date as possible and it will be reviewed and updated at least annually. But always double-check any important details with the local authorities before your trip.
Table of contents
Transport in Cáceres
Getting to Cáceres
Cáceres can be easily reached by car from Madrid, Seville and Salamanca, and also from other main Extremadura destinations such as Trujillo, Mérida and Badajoz. The roads are good, well maintained and (generally) not too busy, compared to those in other parts of Spain.
You can also get to Cáceres by train from Madrid and Mérida, and by coach from different places in Extremadura, from Madrid and from Seville. Read my articles below to decide which mode of transportation will suit you best:
Cáceres Bus Station is located in Calle Túnez, very close to the train station and also about thirty minutes away on foot from the main square.
Cáceres Train Station is located in Avenida Juan Pablo II, about thirty minutes away on foot from the main square (Plaza Mayor). Local bus stops are six minutes away on foot (Avenida de Alemania 45 stop for buses 1 and 4) or eight minutes away on foot (Avenida I. de Moctezuma stop for buses 2 or 3).
Getting around Cáceres
Most places of interest are located within (or near) the historic centre. If you’re staying in the city centre, all the main sights will be within walking distance (under 20 minutes on foot). You will not need to use public transport at all. In fact, local buses do not go into the historic city centre, but around it.
If, by any chance, you need to use public transport, you can download the app for local buses below:
Parking in Cáceres
Finding a good place to leave your car in a new city is not always easy. Whether you’re driving to Cáceres for a day trip or you’re staying overnight, knowing where you’ll park in advance can remove some of the road trip-related stress.
My go-to car park in Cáceres is Párking Obispo Galarza, for several reasons:
Location. The car park is centrally located in Plaza de Obispo Galarza, right by the historic centre of Cáceres and only four minutes away on foot from the main square.
Opening hours. It’s open 24/7.
Reasonably priced. Parking a car here costs €0.0138/min up to a maximum of €12.45 per 24 hours or parking.
When to go to Cáceres
Many travellers planning to visit Extremadura worry about the heat. Finding Cáceres too hot will depend on where you’re coming from and the type of weather you’re used to.
For example, I was used to the very dry, very hot Extremadura summers until spending some four or five full years abroad. As a long-term UK resident, I now struggle, not only with the forty plus degrees in July, but also with the thirty-five plus degrees from early June to mid-September.
Visiting Cáceres involves a fair bit of walking outdoors, and I personally think that summer (late June to mid-September) is not the best season to go, if you are concerned about the heat.
October is probably my favourite month to visit central Extremadura in general. It’s shoulder season, so it’s not as busy or as hot as it is in summer. You can expect maximum temperatures of 20-25 in October.
January is probably the quietest month in terms of tourism. The city starts going back to normal after the end of the Christmas celebrations (on 6 January).
Easter (mid-April in 2025) tends to be a busy time, since Cáceres religious celebrations draw numerous visitors.
Mid-May is also a busy time, when the WOMAD festival takes over the city centre.
Every season has pros and cons for visiting a place. Your best time to go to Cáceres will depend on your personal circumstances and preferences, so start planning your trip by listing your priorities and that will help you decide when to go.
How long to stay in Cáceres
Despite being the second largest city in Extremadura, Cáceres is still small. While most sights are concentrated in its walkable historic centre, if you’re planning to visit a museum or two, I find that fitting in all the sights in a single day is a bit too ambitious. Generally speaking, you need two full days in Cáceres to have plenty of time to see everything there is to see, including museums, while also enjoying sit-down meals and relaxing evenings.
Tourist Information Centres
The local tourism authority should be the first point of contact for practical tourist information. Contact them ahead (but not too ahead) of your trip to double-check general information and opening times, or pop by on your first day in Cáceres to request all the latest information and fine-tune your plans accordingly.
Oficina de Turismo de Cáceres
The main tourist information centre is located in Plaza Mayor, 1, in the historic centre.
Address: Plaza Mayor, 1
Opening hours: (winter) from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 2pm and from 4.30pm to 7.30pm; (summer) from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 2pm and from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.
Phone: +34 924 11 12 22
Email: [email protected]
Sights in Cáceres
Sights in Cáceres include city walls, beautiful squares, towers, a cathedral, several churches, palaces, a Jewish quarter, and a few interesting museums. If you only have one day in the city or you don’t know where to start, read my article on places not to miss in Cáceres.
Tickets and prices
Some of Cáceres places of interest are free to visit, while others require an entry fee. Below, I include a summary of the current (at the time of writing this article) standard entry fees for adults for several of the main sights:
• Iglesia Concatedral de Santa María: €7
• Conjunto Patrimonial y Arqueológico de Bujaco: €2.50
• Iglesia de San Jorge: €1.50
• Museo de Cáceres: free entry for EU citizens (or €1.20, otherwise), free entry to non-EU citizens on Sundays.
• Museo Helga de Alvear: free entry
Opening hours
According to the latest available information (at the time of writing this article), these are the opening hours of the main sights:
• Iglesia Concatedral de Santa María: from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm and Sundays from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 7pm.
• Conjunto Patrimonial y Arqueológico de Bujaco: (winter) Mondays and Wednesday-Sunday from 10am to 2pm and from 4.30pm to 7.30pm; (summer) Mondays and Wednesday-Sunday from 10am to 2pm and from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
• Iglesia de San Jorge: from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 1.30pm and from 5pm to 8pm.
• Museo de Cáceres: from Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 3pm and from 4pm to 8pm; Saturdays from 10am to 3pm and from 4pm to 8pm; Sundays from 10am to 3pm.
• Museo Helga de Alvear: (October-May) from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm, Sundays from 10am to 2.30pm; (June-September) Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm, Sundays from 10am to 2.30pm.
Closures
The main key dates to bear in mind (and double-check) when it comes to holidays and closure of museums and sights are 1 January, 6 January, 23 April, 1 May, 30 May, 24 December, 25 December, and 31 December.
Museums in Cáceres
Museo de Cáceres
This museum’s collection is displayed in two adjoining palaces in one of Cáceres pretty squares, covering archaeology, ethnography and fine arts. The permanent exhibition aims to provide an overview of the rich cultural heritage in Cáceres province. It also keeps a historical gem underground – one of the best-preserved Moorish water cisterns in Spain.
Location: Plaza de las Veletas, 1
Website: Museo de Cáceres
Free admission
Social media: (Facebook) @museo.decaceres, (Instagram) @museo_decaceres
Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo
A guided tour offers great insight into the history of the noble family members who owned the palace for centuries, leading the visitor through beautiful spaces including sumptuous public rooms, soberly-decorated bedrooms, and an old book and document exhibition room.
Location: Plaza de los Golfines, 1
Opening hours: (October-April) from Tuesday to Saturday at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm and 8.30pm, and Sundays at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm; (May-September) from Tuesday to Saturday at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 5pm (except 1-5 July), 6pm and 7pm, and Sundays at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm.
Tickets: book them online on the Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo’s website.
General entry fee: €3
Social media: (Facebook) @Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo, (Instagram) @palaciogolfinesabajo
Museo Helga de Alvear
Opened in 2021, this museum is a refreshing addition to the regional contemporary art scene. The building itself is an award-winning architectural delight, while the permanent collection exhibits more than three thousand artworks by renown national and international artists.
Location: (two entrances) Calle Pizarro, 10; and Camino Llano s/n (Plaza Marrón).
Opening hours: (October-May) from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm, Sundays from 10am to 2.30pm; (June-September) Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm, Sundays from 10am to 2.30pm.
Tickets: book them online on the Museo Helga de Alvear’s website.
Free admission
Social media: (Facebook) @MuseoHelgadeAlvear, (Instagram) @museohelgadealvear
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Irene Corchado Resmella
Hi! I’m Irene (/ee-REH-neh/). Long since settled in the UK, I explore my Spanish home region of Extremadura with an inquisitive mind, a sharp eye, and the duality that comes with being both a local and a visitor. Then I write about it here to help you discover this beautiful yet overlooked part of Spain. If you have any questions after reading this article, submit a comment below! Read more about me.
