Montánchez is a village situated halfway between Cáceres and Mérida, in the Sierra de Montánchez y Tamuja area of Cáceres province. Its medieval castle, standing at over 700 metres over sea level, has earned the village the nickname ‘balcony of Extremadura’.
This short guide includes a general overview, practical info and personal tips to help you plan your trip and make the most of your visit to Castillo de Montánchez.
Table of contents
About Castillo de Montánchez
The original fortress dates back to Roman times, but the mix of architectural styles seen in the medieval castle standing today is testament to the changes and alterations made throughout the centuries by the different people who settled in the Montánchez area. The Moors built an underground cistern in the seventh century; the walls were built by the Christians in the eleventh century; a pond and a small chapel were later built in the seventeenth century.
Castillo de Montánchez is made up of two enclosures – an inner residential enclosure including a bailey, the keep and the former chapter house, and an outer enclosure housing the pond and the small chapel.
Visiting Castillo de Montánchez
The castle is free to visit and is generally open. As far as I know, there are no official opening times but, if in doubt, please double-check it with the local authorities before you go (by calling +34 927 38 00 01, emailing [email protected] or popping by the town hall at Plaza de España, 1). Calle Castillo is paved all the way up to the castle and the slope is not too steep (considering that you’re walking up to a castle, mind you).
When to go: I have visited Castillo de Montánchez three times – once in September and twice in December. The landscape in summer and well into autumn is dry and yellow but skies will be clear and ideal for stargazing. In winter, skies can often be cloudy but the views are, in my opinion, unbeatable. In days of thick morning fog, you’ll feel like floating above a sea of clouds, the fog slowly lifting to then reveal the sprawling green land below.
How to get to Castillo de Montánchez
Where is Montánchez
Montánchez is located in the geographical centre of Extremadura, in the Sierra de Montánchez y Tamuja area of Cáceres province. It’s roughly the same distance away from Cáceres (46km), Mérida (46km) and Trujillo (41.7km), which makes it a good a half-day trip option from any of those three places.
Parking in Montánchez
There is no parking area outside the castle. If you are very lucky, you might find a space around the church (Parroquia San Mateo), which is five minutes away on foot from the castle. If you don’t want to risk driving into the village centre, not finding a space and spending time navigating your way out, it’s best to park a bit further out and walk in. There’s free on-street parking on Calle Cerca de las Torres (outside the Secondary School), which is only a 15-minute walk from the castle past the main square.
Walking up to Castillo de Montánchez
From Calle Cerca de las Torres, walk along Calle Virgen del Castillo, past Plaza del Altozano to the main square (Plaza de España). The castle (Castillo) is well sign-posted from there, so just follow the signs.
Don’t miss the views from the park and the cemetery in Calle Castillo, built on terraces on the slopes of the castle hill.
Castillo de Montánchez: highlights
Pond
A little path will take you down to the seventeenth-century pond, located at the lowest far end of the outer enclosure.
Viewpoints
Some of the castle’s turrets have been converted into viewpoints and afford some fantastic, far-reaching views. Castillo de Montánchez is definitely one of my favourite spots in Extremadura for a picnic with a view.
Chapel
This simple, one-nave chapel houses the statue of the local patron saint. On its half-tiled walls hang pictures, coats of arms and other religious-themed elements. Pay special attention to the bright, colourful decoration of the cupola.
The views from Castillo de Montánchez
These are, more or less, the views you get in all four directions:
To the west
To the east
To the north
To the south
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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.
