The 12 most beautiful towns in Extremadura

Extremadura is a Spanish autonomous community located in the southwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula. The region, with more than 1,000,000 inhabitants, 388 municipalities and 41,635 square kilometers in size, has a long history due to its complete and deep Romanization, since Mérida was considered the ninth most important city for the Roman Empire in its historical peak, with more than 50,000 inhabitants.

Beyond the historical memory enclosed in the architecture of this region, we are facing a Mediterranean-type geographic location with incalculable ecological valueIt is estimated that it has one of the least degraded landscapes of the entire continent. For this reason, it has numerous natural parks and ZEPAS (Special Bird Protection Zones) that will delight those most interested in ecology and nature.

As you can see, beyond the old-fashioned idea of ​​"secarral" that extends throughout the rest of the peninsula, there is a region with a lot to tell, both historically and culturally and ecological. For all these reasons and many more, today we bring you the 12 most beautiful towns in Extremadura.

• We recommend you read: "The 12 best destinations for family travel"

What are the most beautiful towns in Extremadura?

We are going to try to gather 12 locations in this fantastic region for all tastes: the most historians, hikers, ecologists and avid tourists with cultural interests will find something to their liking here. Do not miss it.

1. Mérida and its Roman theater

With an area of ​​865.19 square kilometers and almost 60,000 inhabitants, the capital of Extremadura is brimming with life and culture. Telling you "visit Mérida" is like making you look for a needle in a haystack, so if we have to highlight a specific destination, it is the Roman theater.

We are facing an incredible construction that was erected between the years 16 and 15 a. C., when the Colony was promoted as the provincial capital of Lusitania. Despite having undergone multiple remodeling (the most important in the 1st century AD. C), few constructions give such an exact and preserved idea about the architecture and lifestyle of our noble ancestors. Without a doubt, this is a must-see destination for anyone with an interest in the history of the peninsula.

2. Alange

Alange is a Spanish municipality, belonging to the province of Badajoz, located in the central part of Extremadura. If you go to a field guide and are interested in ornithology, you will see that this place has a secret for you: it is where the 5 different species of Iberian swift meet simultaneously.

For this reason, at the end of May the festival "El Festival de los Vencejos" is celebrated in the town. If nature is your passion, you cannot miss this beautiful event.

3. The Codosera

La Codosera is another Spanish municipality belonging to the province of Badajoz. At first glance it seems a fairly simple population nucleus, but it also contains a very curious fact: has the smallest international bridge in the world, linking Spain with Portugal with about 3.20 m long and 1.45 m wide.

In addition to this, the Codosera is famous for its typical festivities: Carnivals, parades, dances, the feast of the "Mayos", the festival of Carmen and many more that await you in this small town in almost all times of the year.

4. Cáceres and its Chorrera route

We change the third a bit, because it is time to put on the tracksuit and the sneakers. According to the athletes themselves "the Chorrera route is one that is repeated more than once." The beauty of the landscape, a vegetation composed of oak and chestnut forests, pools of water, bridges and excellent views, will certainly make you want to repeat.

Of course, get ready with a good breakfast and do some stretching beforehand, well It is a 14 kilometer round trip route with about 600 meters of unevenness. Therefore, it is considered of medium difficulty.

5. Robledillo de Gata

Robledillo de Gata is an Extremaduran municipality in the province of Cáceres. This town was declared as an asset of cultural interest with the category of Historic Complex, since it It is about one of the best exponents of a modest population nucleus and with rural mountain architecture typical.

The houses have uniform characteristics, with adobe walls, ocher tones and touches of slate materials. Undoubtedly, venturing to this small town is like traveling back in time to a fairy tale cut off from society. Of course, some locations like this still remind us that magical places still exist.

6. Cáceres and the throat of hell

We repeat the locality, but not the destination. In this case we bring you a protected natural space of unparalleled beauty, because in it you can see the Chorrero de la Virgen, an impressive waterfall that can be seen from the viewpoint enabled for it.

This is another must-see for hikers, as it has a beautiful route of about 16 kilometers long and 6 hours long. Deciduous forests, Ribera forests, alpine pastures and mountain birch trees will accompany you on this beautiful journey.

7. Plasencia

We continue in Cáceres, but in this case we move to Plasencia, a beautiful municipality characterized by grazing, transhumance and a very extensive variety of birds. Plasencia was founded by Alfonso VIII in the 12th century and contains many cultural and historical assets. Among them, we find the Municipal Palace, the old cathedral, the new cathedral and what remains of the walls of Plasencia, built in the year 1200.

This municipality has many buildings that have very interesting information about the history of Extremadura. If we have to choose one among all of them, the impressive Cathedral of Plasencia, a magnificent Renaissance work, would occupy our first place.

8. Guadeloupe

The town of Guadalupe or Guadalupe is a small municipality in Cáceres, with just under 2,000 inhabitants and 68 square kilometers in size. It is a region that remains almost exclusively due to tourism, since It is listed as a World Heritage Site, by presenting buildings that range from Gothic to Neoclassical styles.

Among the most representative buildings of the historical context of Guadalupe we find the Royal Monastery of Santa María, the Colegio de Infantes, the church of the Holy Trinity, the characteristic medieval arches and the ancient Jewry.

9. Casar de Cáceres: for many, the best cheese in the world

We do not forget the most gourmets, well gastronomic tourism could not be left behind. The Casar cake is, for many, one of the best cheeses in the world. This dairy product is made from raw mid-fine sheep's milk, curdled with thistle wild at high temperatures, which gives it an almost liquid texture that melts in the palate. If your mouth was watering just with this description, the visit to Casar de Cáceres is more than justified.

10. Jarandilla de la Vera

Jarandilla de la Vera is another of the multiple municipalities of Cáceres with great historical interestIt is believed that it was inhabited by the Celtiberian pre-Romans, to later be occupied by the Roman Empire under the name "Flavium Vivertorum". Visigoths and Arabs also passed through this town, leaving their mark in the form of buildings and constructions.

The Roman bridge of Parral or the Castle of the Counts of Oropesa have no waste whatsoever but, if Jarandilla de la Vera is known for something, it is for the spice that coined its name: the paprika from the Vera. Another one of the must-see destinations for the most culinary characters.

11. Olivenza

Olivenza is a municipality located in the province of Badajoz, with approximately 430.14 square kilometers and about 12,000 inhabitants. It is a border territory between Spain and Portugal, a region where the cultural gradient is very palpable.

In addition to containing multiple parish churches of incalculable historical value, Olivenza Castle is surely its most famous building. Its thick walls, large towers and the “Torre del Homenaje” have attracted tourists to this municipality for hundreds of years.

12. Cáceres and the Monfragüe National Park

How to leave us in the inkwell such a special place? Despite not being a town per se, the Monfragüe National Park is one of the 15 Spanish parks that no one should miss.

In this park they breed more than 200 species of vertebrates, and the most emblematic that can be found are the black vulture (Aegypius monachus), imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) and many other species of Accipitriformes. Beyond winged animals, you can also see marten, deer, rabbits, snakes, ocellated lizards, gallipats, salamanders and multiple other species. The biodiversity of this park is unmatched.

Resume

What else to say? Extremadura is a vast region with an unrivaled historical culture, gastronomy, landscapes and biodiversity.. There is something here for everyone so, if you are from the peninsula, you have no excuse not to visit the beauty of Extremadura for a few days. We assure you that you will not regret it.