Your Ultimate Guide to Cáceres

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The people of Cáceres are so proud of their city and they have every right to be- it’s simply delightful.  The tree-lined streets and palm trees make it feel a little like southern Spain but the walled city, a UNESCO heritage site, is where you can live out your Game of Thrones fantasies. 

I have never been to a place with such a well-preserved medieval old town – it’s like you’ve accidently walked into a movie set (because, well, you sort of have).  A blend of Roman, Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance buildings makes it a unique attraction in the Extremadura area of western Spain.  

Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or simply seeking a picturesque getaway, Cáceres is a destination that won’t disappoint.

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What to Do in Cáceres, Spain

Inside the Walled City

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really feel like there are any must-see things in Cáceres, but rather a must-do and here it is.  You have to swear to me that you will put down your map and just wander the ancient streets of the old city.  

Poke your head into anywhere that looks interesting, turn a corner that seems promising, and just look around and be in this place that feels different than any other place I’ve ever been to. 

>>If you want to get a taste for what old town Cáceres looks like, watch Season 7 of Game of Thrones.  It was filmed here!

Yes, you’ll get lost (I did many times) but you have Google maps on your phone so you can always map yourself back to the Plaza Mayor.  But the beauty of this place is that it feels like any moment you’re going to turn the corner and happen upon a swordfight in progress.  

So while I do have a list of sights below, if you wander around you’ll most likely come across them naturally and you meander.  That’s how I did it and it was like a surprise every time I saw something beautiful.  And isn’t the reason we travel because we want to feel awe?  Well, Cáceres has that in spades. 

Star Arch (Arco de la Estrella)

At the top of the stairs from the Plaza Mayor, this arch leads through the city walls into the old town.  Not to get all weird but it’s like walking through a portal to another time.  Everythign from here on out is ancient.  

Torre de Bujaco

I love a tower and this one’s extra cool because not only do you get to climb up it and see the view out over the Plaza Mayor, but you can walk along the walls and pretend you are scouting for invaders and shooting arrows through the holes.  

>> Come back after 5:30pm and you can access the garden below.

At the top is a little room with information about the history of the tower and a really nice guy who will answer all the questions you ask in your terrible Spanish.

Jewish Quarter (Barrio de San Antonio)

Whitewashed houses and trailing, magenta bougainvillea make this area feel more like the southern Spain (or maybe Greece) than a Renaissance town.    

Ermita de San Antonio is a small chapel located at the site of the old synagogue.  This small chapel exudes tranquility. Take a look inside and then make your way out back to admire the view.

If you purchased a ticket to the Torre de Bujaco, you’ll also get entry to the Torre de Pozos to learn a little more about the history of the city and to check out the view of Cáceres from the other side of the old city.  

Cáceres Museum (Museo de Cáceres Provincial)

The Casa de las Veletas (built in the 15^th century) now houses interesting archeological finds like jewelry, coins, and pottery along with some contemporary art and traditional clothing.  

But you’ll find the real treasure in the basement- an Arab cistern (aljibe).  I’m so glad the guy at the Torre de Bujaco told me to go check it out- I guess it pays to talk to the locals about the coolest places to go.  Built between the 9^th and 11^th centuries, it is the only part remaining of the thousand-year-old Moorish citadel.  How incredible is that?      

Cathedral of Santa Maria (Concatedral de Santa María de Cáceres)

Known for its black Jesus statue, this 15^th century Gothic cathedral has a square bell tower with crenellations that offers stunning views of Cáceres for visitors who climb it.  The façade is relatively austere, with Gothic pointed arches and modest decoration, emphasizing functionality and defense over beauty.

Arab House (Casa-Museo Árabe Yusef Al-Burch)

While the owner was doing work on his house in the 1960s, he discovered the remains of an old Arab house that was built atop an old Roman site from the 12^th century.  He made the decision to spend the rest of his life learning about it and turning it into a museum that his children now run. It’s small but I found this museum interesting anyway and worth the couple of dollars entry fee.     

Palace and Tower of Cigüeñas (Palacio y Torre de las Cigüeñas)

The palace was originally constructed as the residence of the Cáceres noble family, the Carvajals. The façade of the palace is relatively austere, characterized by stonework, arched windows, and a robust structure typical of noble homes in that era.

This building currently houses a military museum with weapons and uniforms and is located on a quiet little plaza near the Cáceres museum. 

The tower, attached to the palace, is one of the few that remain intact in the old city, as many towers were ordered to be reduced in height by the Catholic Monarchs. The name “Las Cigüeñas” (The Storks) refers to the storks that frequently nest on the tower, a common sight in Cáceres.

Also on the plaza is the Iglesia San Mateo which boasts an ornate wooden altarpiece.

>> See if you can spot any stork nests on the tops of the towers in the old town!  

Plaza de San Jorge

This, in my opinion, is the nicest little plaza.  Of course, everyone else thinks so too so you won’t have it to yourself unless you go early.  The church, Iglesia de San Fransisco Javier, with its white towers, is perched high above the plaza and is one of the most recognizable sights of Cáceres.   

+Want a guide to show you around and go deep with the history of the town?  There are plenty to choose from. There are even tours given by people dressed in character! 

🏰 If you’re traveling solo, joining a tour is a great way to meet people. Check out all the options at Get Your Guide.

Outside the Walled City

Although people come here for the old city, there is also plenty to see and do outside of it.   

Plaza Mayor

You will undoubtedly end up here on your way in and out of the old city and it’s a lovely place to spend some time.  The Plaza Mayor in any city is where people meet, eat, and the place major events are held and it’s no different here in Cáceres.  

Lined with restaurants and with something going on all the time (when I was there, it was the festival celebrating the Virgin of the Mountain) this is the place to people watch.  Grab yourself a gelato, find a place to perch, and just watch the world go by.  

Paseo de Canovas

When you need a little break from sightseeing and want to remember you’re in the 21^st century, take a stroll down this lovely tree-lined paseo (walk).  Here you’ll find locals out enjoying the weather.  Grandmas sit on benches while the kids play.  Teens buy a snack from the vendors and hang out under the trees.  

Plaza San Juan

If you’re looking for a place to stay or eat that’s not on the Plaza Mayor, try this plaza right next door.  The adorable San Juan church and the trees around it give this place a lovely, tranquil feel.

Enjoy a festival

They love a festival in Spain and the festival of the Virgin of the Mountain was going on when I was in town.  The festivities for the kids included dressing up the Virgin in a red cloak and displaying her on the steps of the City Hall while they sang to her and the priest told them to be good to their parents (at least that’s what I understood from my tiny bit of Spanish).  

A celebration that might be interesting to those of you who love a Renaissance festival, is the Medieval Market of the Three Cultures usually held the second week in November.  All three cultures are represented- Christian, Jewish, and Muslim- and there are stalls selling food and items from the time periods as well as exhibitions of falconry, music, and more.  

Explore on a Bike

I kept seeing people on bicycles everywhere and once I was leaving, I realized why.  All along the countryside there are bike paths and people putting them to good use.  I think it would be a great way to see some of the countryside.  

>> Sound fun?  Reserve your bike at Bikes Booking!

Next time I come, I think it would be fun to explore this area at a slower pace.  Or quicker- they even have electric bikes!  

Day Trips from Cáceres

There are lots of great towns around here. There are some train and bus routes, or rent a car for more options. 

Mérida is a 1 hour drive or train south of Cáceres with Roman ruins- including a 2,000 year old theatre that is still in use.

The castle in Trujillo (30 minute drive or bus east) was used as Casterly Rock in Game of Thrones.

The lively university town of Salamanca is around 2 hours by car or bus with its gorgeous cathedrals and incredible Plaza Mayor.

If you have a car, you can go 1 hour north and hike around the National Park (Parque Nacional de Monfragüe) and try to catch sight of local wildlife.  Or visit the spa town of Baños de Montemayor, famous for it’s 2^nd century Roman-built baths. 

Hotels in Cáceres, Spain 

Parador de Cáceres 4✩
If you want to stay inside the UNESCO-designated old town (and I think you should) the parador is a great place.  A parador is a historical building that Spain’s government has turned into a luxury hotel.  This parador is in a 14^th century palace with a highly rated restaurant.  

NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo 4✩
San Jose Plaza houses this 16^th century palace turned hotel.  It has everything you need, including a terrace restaurant located right on the square so you can enjoy traditional tapas and classic Spanish dishes there or inside at the bar in the former stables.   

Soho Boutique Casa Don Fernando 3✩
The place I stayed was the perfect location on Plaza Mayor- until the band started playing on Friday night while I was trying to sleep.  If you’re a night owl, this place might be great for you.  But if I was to go back, I might pick somewhere a little quieter.    

Hotel Don Carlos 2✩
Located on the adorable plaza of San Jose, this small hotel offers a very good breakfast, private parking, and lots of character with exposed stone walls and a pretty, vaulted stone ceiling in the dining area.   

🏨 For lots more hotel options at all different price points, check out Booking.com

Restaurants in Cáceres 

Everywhere around town you’ll see places selling a Torta del Casar which is a soft cheese that you scoop out and spread on bread.  Try it at a restaurant or buy one to bring home (or back to your hotel for a late-night snack).  There’s even a museum dedicated to this special cheese nearby.

At the Convento de San Pablo, you can knock on a little window and purchase some Yemas from the nuns there.  These treats are made from egg yolks, sugar, and water and are crunchy on the outside and creamy inside.

>>Rumor is the monks used the egg whites in the wine making process and gave the yolks to the nuns who came up with the recipe for Yemas which are made in convents around Spain. 

Paprika is produced in the nearby valley De la Vera just north of Cáceres and, in my opinion, it just makes everything taste better (see my favorite lunch below at El Requeté- yum). 

Finding the best places to eat isn’t too hard.  Just look for the places that are full of people.  If a restaurant is empty during a mealtime, believe me, there’s a reason.  Keep in mind that mealtimes in Spain are different from other countries.  They take siesta seriously here- especially in the smaller towns- and if you want to eat lunch at noon, you’ll be outta luck.

If you want to plan ahead for some delicious food in Cáceres, here are some suggestions:    

El Requeté 
I should have known this place was packed for a reason.  It had a great view of the Plaza Mayor and some delicious food.  I had the Menu del Dia which was 16€.

Now I’ve eaten my fair share of salmorejo (a cold tomato soup usually topped with egg and ham), but this one was extra good. I literally scraped the bottom of the bowl.  

For my second course, I had Migas Extremeñas. Who knew that paprika-spiced breadcrumbs with a fried egg on top could be so tasty?  The soft and crunchy breadcrumbs soaked up the runny egg and it made a perfect break from the grilled meats I’d been eating.  Of course there was some ham mixed in there too- this is Spain after all.  

To finish, I had some tiramisu that was not your normal tiramisu, but one with a Spanish flair.  It has cinnamon in it and tasted a little like a café con leche and came with a crunch candy bit on top.  Delicious.        

Bar La Tapería
I went to this place right off Plaza Mayor one evening for a little tapa.  My Tinto de Verano was the size of a Big Gulp and came with a delicious, warm tortilla (like a potato frittata but way better) all for a few euros. Next door to it is a place with all sorts of things for your afternoon treat (merienda) like churros and sweet crepes. 

Heladería Remo
I was a big fan of this place on Plaza Mayor for ice cream.  They had an absolutely heavenly fresh cherry (grown nearby) with little chocolate bits in it that the guy recommended.  Then I sat down at one of the many benches and people watched.  I loved it so much I went back again and the next day.  

Restaurante El Figón de Eustaquio 
If a restaurant has been around for more than 70 years, there’s a reason.   This traditional and cozy restaurant on the quiet Plaza San Jose serves a 3 course “Regional Menu” with Extremaduran dishes to choose from or you can order off the huge regular menu.    

Atrio 
Located in the old town, this 3-star Michelin restaurant that serves Spanish cuisine also houses a small hotel to completely immerse yourself in the food of Cáceres.  

Torre de Sande
A sister restaurant to Atrio and also located in the old town, dining here is in a lovely little garden. 

Transportation for Cáceres

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Getting to Cáceres

Cáceres is about 3 hours southwest of Madrid by train or car and 4 hours by bus.  

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If you arrive via train, you’ll come into the Cáceres station and by bus, the Estación de Autobuses both of which are about 10 minutes ride from Plaza Mayor.  You can take a taxi for about 6€ or take Bus#1 which drops you close to the plaza.   

🚃 Use Omio to figure out your best way to get from here to there!

Getting around Cáceres

Cáceres is a piece of cake to get around on foot once you’re in the old area.  It’s really only about a third of a mile (10 minute’s walk) between the furthest sights so there’s no need for anything but I good pair of walking shoes.

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Questions about Cáceres

Where is Cáceres, Spain? 
Cáceres is located in the Extremadura area of Spain about 3 hours west of Madrid.

What’s the best time to visit Cáceres?
Autumn in Spain is my favorite time to visit because of the wonderful weather and lack of crowds. If you’re a fan of Renaissance festivals, you might want to come during the Medieval Market the 3^rd week of November.  Spring is also a good time.  

See more info about when and where to travel as well as info about money, language, and more in my Guide to Spain.  +spain landing

Is Cáceres, Spain worth visiting?
I would give a wholehearted yes to this.  I loved wandering the walled city and had some excellent meals there.  I’d love to come back and explore more towns in the Extremadura area of Spain.

What is Cáceres famous for?
Aside from its UNESCO heritage city designation, it is also known for being the filming location for Game of Thrones in season 7. 

Is Cáceres safe?
It is absolutely safe and is a great option for solo travel in Spain.

What should I pack for Cáceres?
I’d be sure to pack some comfy shoes, a water bottle, and your appetite!  

While Cáceres might be small, it seems like there is always something going on in this town.  From religious celebrations to concerts in the plaza to historical culture festivals, you won’t be at a loss for something to do.  If you want to feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the Renaissance, then Cáceres would be a great place for you.  So, pack your bags and prepare for an unforgettable adventure- the cobbled streets of Cáceres are waiting!