Connecting northern and southern Spain along the west of the country, Autovía Ruta de la Plata allows you to visit some of the best Extremadura travel destinations and is a fairly popular route amongst motorists and bikers.
In this article, aimed at travellers road tripping Extremadura, I suggest the main places along the A-66 road worth stopping for half a day, a full day or even an overnight stay, as well as some quick diversion ideas that you can easily fit into your road trip.
Autovía Ruta de la Plata is the A-66 motorway running along western Spain from Gijón to Seville through Extremadura, largely based on an old Roman road connecting former Emerita Augusta (Mérida) and Asturica Augusta (Astorga).
The motorway runs pretty much parallel to the N-630 road (former Ruta de la Plata), which is a less trafficky, slightly slower alternative that will suit cyclists better than the A-66 road.
The A-66 road in Extremadura coincides with the E-803 road.
Places to stop along the Autovía Ruta de la Plata
Hervás
Surrounding by mountains in Valle del Ambroz, Hervás is a must-see destination in Cáceres province worth stopping for at least half a day. It has one of Spain’s best-preserved Jewish quarters, a maze of narrow streets where you’ll see great examples of traditional rural architecture – think of half-timbered walls, whitewashed facades, adobe tiles and wooden beams.
Don’t miss: the best view (in my opinion) from Iglesia de Santa María, and the second best view from the riverbank, across the medieval bridge.
Getting there: (if driving south) get off the A-66 road at exit 436 onto the EX-205 road towards Hervás; (if driving north) get off the A-66 road at exit 436 onto the EX-205 road towards Hervás.
Quick diversion idea:
Granadilla is a ghost town in the Trasierra-Tierras de Granadilla area, about a 20-minute drive from exit 442 on the A-66 road and 28 minutes away from Hervás. It features a fifteenth-century castle with lovely views of the nearby reservoir, walkable walls, a main square, and a church. Check opening times before you go.
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 stop 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).
Getting there: (if driving south) get off the A-66 road at exit 471 onto the EX-370 road towards Plasencia; (if driving north) get off the A-66 road at exit 471 onto the EX-370 road towards Plasencia.
Quick diversion idea:
Garrovillas de Alconétar is a village situated in the Tajo-Salor-Almonte area, about an 18-minute drive from exit 523 on the A-66 road and 45 minutes away from Plasencia. It has one of Extremadura’s most picturesque squares and its Hospedería Puente de Alconétar will come in handy for a lunch stop or to stay overnight.
Cáceres
A World Heritage City, Cáceres is the province’s capital and one of Extremadura’s main tourist destinations. If you love history, old buildings and good food, book an overnight stay in Cáceres so you have at least a day and half to explore everything that the city centre has to offer – squares, churches, palaces, museums and restaurants.
Don’t miss: the view over the main square from the Torre de Bujaco rooftop, the Museum of Contemporary Art Helga de Alvear, and the Moorish water cistern at Museo de Cáceres.
Getting there: (if driving south) get off the A-66 road at exit 551 towards Cáceres; (if driving north) get off the A-66 road at exits either 555 or 551 towards Cáceres.
Quick diversion idea:
Monumento Natural Los Barruecos is a natural protected site located about 15 minutes by car from exit 551 and just over 20 minutes away from Cáceres city centre. A GoT filming location and an excellent birdwatching spot, Los Barruecos is known for its unique granite rock formations (particularly the one known as Peñas del Tesoro) and makes for a good half-day walking trip. It time allows, visit the Vostell-Malpartida Contemporary Art Museum located in a former wool washhouse.
Mérida
Extremadura’s capital and most important tourist destination, Mérida is a World Heritage City of Roman origins boasting numerous and well-preserved archaeological remains where the main highlights are a theatre, an amphitheatre, several aqueducts, and a bridge. Allow two full days to see all the main sights without rushing around.
Don’t miss: the Roman Templo de Diana, the Roman Art Museum (Museo Nacional de Arte Romano), and the MUMCO street art in La Antigua area.
Getting there: (if driving south) get off the A-66 road at exit 617 towards Mérida; (if driving north) get off the A-66 road at exit 626 towards Mérida Oeste.
Quick diversion idea:
Alange is a village located in the Sierra Grande-Tierra de Barros area, 13 minutes by car from exit 636 on the A-66 road and 25 minutes away from Mérida. The main highlights are some spa facilities including thermal baths dating back to Roman times and the remains of a Moorish castle (Castillo de Alange) set stop a rocky hill affording great views over the town and the nearby reservoir.
Zafra
Located in the Zafra-Río Bodión area of Badajoz province, Zafra is a historical market town worth a half-day visit. Informally known as ‘Little Seville’, Zafra’s exudes southern vibes, with whitewashed facades, narrow streets, pretty squares, a former Jewish quarter, notable civil architecture and an abundance of churches, convents and other religious buildings.
Don’t miss: the impressive Parador, located in a former palace built over a medieval citadel.
Getting there: (if driving south) get off the A-66 road at exit 675 onto the EX-101 road towards Zafra; (if driving north) get off the A-66 road at exit 684 onto the N-432 towards Zafra.
Quick diversion idea:
if you need a lunch spot to stop along or very near the A-66 in southern Badajoz province, Cervecería El Paso, in Fuente de Cantos, is a good option. It’s located in Calle Real, 63 (just off the N-630 road) and is easily accessible from the A-66 (get off at exit 700 if driving south, or at exit 704 if driving north). I found this place by chance during a road trip. There are quite a few more places to eat along that road, but this one had the best reviews and certainly looked like the best option. What I liked about it: a non-frills family-owned restaurant, attentive staff, modern decoration, clean facilities, and a quality set three-course menu (menú del día) where everything was tasty and homemade.
Monesterio
Situated in Extremadura’s southernmost area of Tentudía, Monesterio is known as ‘The Ham City’ (Ciudad del Jamón). The fairly large sculpture of a ham on the roundabout at the southern end of town is probably the best sign of what the town is about – Ibérico ham. Visit its Museo del Jamón to learn all about Ibérico ham, Ibérico pigs and the pastureland (dehesa), then order a plate of this highly-acclaimed delicacy at a restaurant or buy some ham or cold meats to take with you.
Don’t miss: the Día del Jamón de Monesterio, taking place in September (on 7 September this year) and featuring a ham carving contest, ham tasting and other events.
Getting there: (if driving south) get off the A-66 road at exit 722 onto the EX-103 road towards Monesterio; (if driving north) get off the A-66 road at exit 722 onto the EX-103 road towards Monesterio.
Quick diversion idea:
Monasterio de Tentudía is one of the three monasteries in Extremadura you can visit. It’s located atop the highest mountain peak in Badajoz province (at 1112 metres above sea level), 20 minutes from exit 722 and 20 minutes away from Monesterio. The main highlights of the monastery are a late sixteenth-century cloister, a church, and funeral chapels, although the views of the surrounding hills from outside the monastery are the real treat.
Map of places to stop along the Autovía Ruta de la Plata
Find all the places mentioned in this article on the map below.
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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.
