Some travellers find travel planning a joy while others find it a chore. I’m of the opinion that too much planning takes the fun out of travelling and leaves no room for flexibility, but zero planning will likely result in disappointment and missing essentials. Some 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 Plasencia.
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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 Plasencia
Getting to Plasencia
Located by the Autovía Ruta de la Plata, Plasencia can be easily reached by car from Madrid, Cáceres, Salamanca, and Mérida.
You can travel to Plasencia by train from Madrid, Cáceres, and Mérida, and by coach from Madrid, Salamanca, and numerous destinations in Extremadura.
Read my articles below to decide which mode of transportation will suit you best:
Recommended reads:
Plasencia Bus Station is located in Calle Tornavacas, under fifteen minutes away on foot from the main square.
Plasencia Train Station is located south of the river in Calle Estación, seventeen minutes away on foot from the main square. Outside the main building, there’s a bus stop (Line 2 service) and a car hire point.
Getting around Plasencia
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. There are three bus lines – check real-time information about Plasencia buses.
Parking in Plasencia
Finding a good place to leave your car in a new city is not always easy. Whether you’re driving to Plasencia 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 Plasencia is Párking La Isla and here’s why:
Location. It’s very close to the city centre. You can access Avenida del Valle via stairs or a lift. Then simply cross the road and take the street escalators to the square and enter the city centre via the Puerta del Sol gate. It’s little more than a five-minute walk overall.
Access. It’s relatively easy to get to, if arriving to Plasencia from the EX-A1 road (see directions above), which also makes it convenient for leaving the city after your visit.
It’s free.
When to go to Plasencia
Many travellers planning to visit Extremadura worry about the heat. Finding Plasencia 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 Plasencia 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. That said, the first (Monday and) Tuesday in August, Plasencia holds Martes Mayor, celebrating a weekly Tuesday farmers market tradition with numerous stalls selling fruit, vegetables and crafts, food competitions, and music. Plasencia also holds a popular music festival on the last weekend in August.
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 19-25 in October. This is also when a number of bars and restaurants take part in the local tapas festival.
December and January is probably the quietest months in terms of tourism.
Easter tends to be a busy time, since Plasencia religious celebrations are a popular event.
Every season has pros and cons for visiting a place. Your best time to go to Plasencia 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 Plasencia
One full day should suffice to cover all the sights in Plasencia, since it is a very small city, with most places of interest concentrated in its walkable historic centre. But an overnight stay would give you the chance to enjoy dinner at one of its various good local restaurants.
Plasencia is also a fantastic base to explore the northern valleys, such as Valle del Jerte, La Vera, and Valle del Ambroz. My article about day trips from Plasencia will be very handy when planning days out.
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 Plasencia to request all the latest information and fine-tune your plans accordingly.
Oficina de Turismo de Plasencia
The tourist information centre is located in Calle Santa Clara, 4, in the historic centre.
Address: Calle Santa Clara, 4
Opening hours: from Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm and from 4pm to 7pm; Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays from 10am to 2pm and from 4pm to 7pm.
Phone: +34 927 42 38 43
Email: [email protected]
Sights in Plasencia
Sights in Plasencia include city walls, beautiful squares, a tower, a cathedral, several churches, palaces, 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 Plasencia.
Tickets and prices
Most of Plasencia places of interest are free to visit (such as Torre de Lucía or the Museo Etnográfico Textil Pérez Enciso), while others, such as the two-in-one cathedral require an entry fee (€8 standard fee).
Opening hours
According to the latest available information (at the time of writing this article), these are the opening hours of the main sights:
• Catedrales de Plasencia: Tuesday and Friday from 10.30am to 2.30pm and from 4pm to 7pm; Wednesday-Thursday from 10.30am to 2pm and from 4pm to 7pm; Saturdays from 10.30am to 7pm and Sundays from 10.30am to 4pm.
• Torre de Lucía: (01/10-31/05) from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm and from 4pm to 7pm, Sundays from 10am to 2pm; (01/06-30/09) from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm, Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
• Museo Etnográfico Textil Pérez Enciso: (01/07-31/08) from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 2.30pm, Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, Sunday-Monday closed; (01/09-30/06) from Wednesday to Friday from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm, Saturdays from 10am to 2pm and from 5pm to 8pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10am to 2pm, Monday-Tuesday closed.
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, 8 September, 24 December, 25 December, and 31 December.
Museums in Plasencia
Museo Etnográfico Textil Pérez Enciso
Displayed over three floors, this museum’s collection comprises a wide range of traditional textiles, home accessories and furnishings, and tools from all corners of Cáceres province. Spain is a country of everything regional and many regional costumes, music and traditions are largely unknown abroad.
Location: intersection of Calle Trujillo, 25 with Plazuela Marqués de la Puebla
Free entry
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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.