Travel to Cáceres, Spain – Episode 924

Hear about travel to Cáceres, Spain, as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer Troy Nahumko, who literally wrote the book on this unexplored corner of Spain.

Why should you go to Cáceres?

Troy says, “It might have made the news over there, this anti tourism backlash that you might have been seeing here in the big cities like Barcelona, Malaga. It’s just not the story throughout the country. Out here, travelers are cherished and welcomed. It’s a really beautiful place. And it’s one of these places that, You would use all of those terrible overused adjectives in travel writing. This is undiscovered. This is the place that your friends have never heard about. This is the jewel. This is all of these things that just nobody knows about.”

Troy’s recommended itinerary for visiting Cáceres, Spain, focuses on its rich history, UNESCO landmarks, cuisine, and nearby attractions in Extremadura. Here’s a structured itinerary based on his suggestions:

Day 1: Arrival in Cáceres

• Travel to Cáceres: Arrive by car from Madrid, Seville, or Lisbon, as Cáceres does not have its own airport.
• Accommodation Options:
  • Luxury: Stay at Atrio Hotel, a 5-star hotel with a 3-star Michelin restaurant.
  • Mid-Range: Gran Hotel Don Manuel, Hotel Don Carlos, or NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo.
• Evening Activity:
  • Stroll the UNESCO Old Town, a medieval gem with preserved architecture dating to the 16th century.
  • Enjoy dinner and tapas at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Explore Cáceres

• Morning:
  • Visit the Museum of Cáceres, featuring exhibits on local history and the Moorish Cistern, the second-largest in Europe after Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern.
  • Wander through the Old Town’s palaces and medieval walls.
• Afternoon:
  • Savor the local jamón ibérico and Extremaduran goat cheeses.
  • Try migas, a traditional dish made with bread crumbs, chorizo, and garlic.
• Evening:
  • Experience the local paseo (promenade) at Cánovas Boulevard, where locals gather for a leisurely walk.

Day 3: Trujillo

• Drive (45 minutes): Head to Trujillo, a town known for its conquistador heritage.
• Sites to Visit:
  • Explore the Arabic Castle atop the hill.
  • Tour the palaces built with gold brought back by conquistadors like Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro.
• Lunch:
  • Dine at a restaurant in the main square and enjoy local pork-based dishes.
• Afternoon:
  • Visit the local museums or relax in the square.

Day 4: Plasencia and Valle del Jerte

• Drive (1 hour): Head to Plasencia, known for its historical cathedral and aqueduct.
• Sites to Visit:
  • Visit the Plasencia Cathedral and the aqueduct.
  • Explore Valle del Jerte, especially during spring, for its famous cherry blossoms.
• Lunch:
  • Consider dining at Versátil Restaurante, a Michelin-star restaurant near Plasencia offering affordable gourmet cuisine.
• Afternoon:
  • Continue to Hervás to explore its charming Jewish quarter nestled in the mountains.

Day 5: Valencia de Alcántara and Marvão

• Drive (1 hour): Visit Valencia de Alcántara, near the Portuguese border.
• Morning:
  • Hike to see prehistoric rock art near the border.
  • Visit the border village’s old customs house.
• Afternoon:
  • Cross into Portugal to visit Marvão, a picturesque hilltop village with panoramic views of the dehesa landscape.

Day 6: Sierra de Gata and Trevejo

• Drive (1 hour): Explore the Sierra de Gata region.
• Sites to Visit:
  • Visit San Martín de Trevejo, a village known for its water channels and local wine, Pitara.
  • Stop by Trevejo, a hamlet with ruins of a Templar castle. Dine at El Buen Avío, a restaurant serving unique olive oil and wine made by the owner.

Day 7: Las Hurdes and Montánchez

• Drive (1.5 hours): Travel to Las Hurdes, known for its rugged valleys and cultural history.
• Morning:
  • Visit the terraced landscapes and learn about aguardiente, the local moonshine.
• Afternoon:
  • Head to Montánchez, a mountaintop town famous for curing jamón ibérico.
  • Stop at La Bodega de Pérez to sample different types of ham and local wines.

Day 8: Monfragüe National Park and Guadalupe

• Morning:
  • Explore Monfragüe National Park, known for its dramatic landscapes, birdwatching (vultures and storks), and hiking trails.
  • Visit the rock art sites near the castle.
• Afternoon:
  • Continue to Guadalupe to visit the Monastery of Saint Mary of Guadalupe, home to the original Virgin of Guadalupe figure.
  • Enjoy the stunning views and unique geological features of the Ibores Geopark.

Day 9: Return to Cáceres

• Relax and Reflect:
  • Take a scenic drive back to Cáceres.
  • Enjoy your last evening walking through the Old Town and sampling more local dishes.

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Show Notes

Stories Left in Stone: Trails and Traces in Cáceres, Spain
Travel to Extremadura, Spain (Podcast)
Cáceres, Spain
Atrio Hotel and Restaurant, Cáceres
Gran Hotel Don Manuel, Cáceres
Hotel Don Carlos Cáceres
NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo
Coria, Cáceres
Moorish Cistern of Cáceres
Palaces in Cáceres
Cave of Maltravieso
Prehistoric Rock Art Trails
Trujillo, Cáceres
Trujillo Castle
Jamón ibérico
landscape in Extremadura
Extremaduran cuisine
Recipe: Migas extremeñas
Plasencia
Zarza de Granadilla
Versátil Restaurante
Hervás
Valencia de Alcántara
Marvão
San Martín de Trevejo
El Buen Avío restaurant (Trevejo)
Pitarra wine
Templar in Extremadura
Las Hurdes
Land Without Bread
Aguardiente
Tagus
Tagus International Natural Park
Balcon del Tajo (boat)
Monfragüe National Park
Monfragüe
Rock art – Reserva de la Biosfera Monfrague
Torrejón el Rubio
Museum – Rock Art Interpretation Center – Torrejón el Rubio
Geoparque Villuercas Ibores Jara
Guadalupe, Cáceres
Photographer Jorge Armestar
Monastery of Saint Mary of Guadalupe
The IAT/SIA Council
Montánchez
La Bodega de Pérez, Montanchez
Alcuéscar
Basílica de Santa Lucía del Trampal
Lonely Planet Experience Spain (Travel Guide)

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