Seven day trips from Cáceres

Cáceres deserves, in my opinion, a day and a half to leisurely see all the main sights without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. If you’re planning to spend more than two days in Cáceres and use the city as a base to explore Extremadura, this article will come in handy.

Here, you’ll find seven ideas for day trips from Cáceres. I’ve divided my suggestions into several categories: half-day trips, full-day trips and combined trips. To help you make the most of your day trips from Cáceres without spending too long on the road, I’ve only selected places you can reach by car within an hour.

Half-day trips from Cáceres

Monumento Natural Los Barruecos

This natural area is located less than 20 kilometres from Cáceres’ city centre. The Monumento Natural Los Barruecos features large granitic rocks and two small reservoirs, and is home to one of Europe’s biggest colonies of white stork. Choose one or more of the five walking routes available, depending on your preferences, where you’ll see be able to spot some tombs, shepherd huts, and several strange art pieces. Finish your visit at the quirky contemporary art Vostell Museum, located in a former wool-washing house (closed on Mondays). If you’re a Game of Thrones fans, you may like to know that the ‘Loot Train Attack’ battle scene was filmed here.

​Distance from Cáceres: 18.4km
Cáceres-Monumento Natural Los Barruecos car journey duration: 30min

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.

Full-day trips from Cáceres

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 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.

​Distance from Cáceres: 74km
Cáceres-Mérida car journey duration: 55min

Trujillo

The small town of Trujillo is one of Extremadura’s main tourist destinations, easily reachable from Cáceres by car in just over half an hour. Known as the birthplace of conquistador Francisco Pizarro, Trujillo features one of Spain’s most beautiful squares and an old town full of fine historical buildings. Visit Castillo de Trujillo (another GoT filming location), a castle originally dating back to the ninth century which combines old Moorish elements (the main bailey, towers, two cisterns and a horseshoe arch) with later additions (enclosing bailey, a sixteenth-century hermitage). Aim to be there just before sunset to enjoy the incredible views of the surrounding area in the most amazing evening light.

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​Plasencia​

Situated by the river Jerte and generally considered the gateway to the northern valleys, Plasencia is a city with a population under 40,000, a rather vibrant cultural and nightlife scene for its size, and a walkable city centre with a unique two-in-one cathedral, city walls, some interesting civil architecture, an aqueduct, and a charming porticoed main square. Recommended for a full-day trip or an overnight stay. Don’t miss: the beautiful Parador de Plasencia, set in a fifteenth-century former convent, and the view of the city from the viewpoint in Rambla de Santa Teresa (across the river).

Distance from Cáceres: 79.9km
Cáceres-Plasencia car journey duration: 49min

Alcántara​

Situated in eastern Cáceres, province, Alcántara is a village known for its magnificent Roman Bridge over the river Tagus. Other highlights include a former convent (Conventual de San Benito), which hosts an annual Classic Theatre Festival in August, several churches and palaces, and a viewpoint by the nearby dam, offering some fantastic views of the bridge and the surroundings. If you need a place to eat (or to stay overnight), check out the Hospedería Conventual de Alcántara. If you are a wild swimming or birdwatching lover (or both), head out to the quarry (cantera), where you’ll be able to swim while contemplating vultures flying over you.

Distance from Cáceres: 69.6km

Cáceres-Alcántara car journey duration: 55min

Combined day trips from Cáceres

Montánchez + basílica de Santa Lucía del Trampal​

​​Montánchez, a village of just over 1600 inhabitants halfway between Cáceres and Mérida, is mainly known for its Iberian ham and local wines. Located at over 700 metres over sea level, Montánchez features steep streets and amazing views from its castle which have earned it the nickname ‘Extremadura’s balcony’. The medieval castle standing today was a large extension made to an earlier Moorish fortress which was, in turn, built from earlier Visigothic remains. It’s made up of two enclosures – an inner residential enclosure including a bailey, the keep and the former chapter house, and an outer including a cistern and a seventeenth-century church. The nearby cemetery, built on terraces on the slopes of the castle hill, affords outstanding views and is another unmissable place to see in Montánchez. ​

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Santa Lucía del Trampal is an unusual little church still unbeknown to many extremeños. Located in the middle of the countryside south of the small town Alcuéscar, seventh-century Santa Lucía del Trampal is the only Visigoth structure still standing in the southern half of mainland Spain. It features a central nave flanked by two very narrow aisles, a seven-bay crossing with three crossing towers and an unusual east end with three independent and non-connected apses. The nearby visitor centre (a bit of an eyesore in such pretty natural surroundings) provides more information about the history of the church.

Distance from Cáceres: 51km
Cáceres- iglesia de Santa Lucía del Trampal car journey duration: 45min

Day trips from Cáceres on a map