Cáceres is located in the center of Extremadura and is the capital of the province of the same name. As a curious fact, we tell you that this municipality is the largest in Spain in territorial extension. This means that there are many tourist attractions to see in Cáceres, such as its magnificent old town, which dates back to the Middle Ages and is one of the most beautiful in the world.
Best places to see in Cáceres
1. Old town
The old town of Cáceres has a perculiarity that catches visitors; It is delimited, in two areas, by a wall. The intramural part, that is, surrounded by the wall, is known as the Mononumental City, the Old Part or the Old Town ; In fact, the Monumental City of Cáceres has been, since 1968, the Third Monumental Complex of Europe and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.
The Monumental City of Cáceres has been functional since the Middle Ages and, since then, it has been divided into four parishes around which the city has grown. There are many places of interest to see in Cáceres intramuros: such as the parishes of Santa María, San Mateo, Santiago and San Juan.
2. Plaza Mayor: among the essential places to see in Cáceres
The Plaza Mayor is one of the most important points of the city; This square is the one that welcomes you when you enter the old town of Cáceres. A part of the square is delimited by a wall canvas; Within this wall we find the Bujaco tower, the Arco de la Estrella and the Torre de los Púlpitos: places to see in Cáceres that, of course, you cannot miss.
In the Plaza Mayor there is also the Town Hall, the Balbos forum, a small square and the Pintores street; the latter designed for those who like to go shopping. In the arcades of the Plaza Mayor you can sit down to enjoy the typical gastronomy of Extremadura in one of the bars and restaurants. As a curiosity, we tell you that this square has a space for summer and another for winter: you will have to visit it to discover them.
3. Palace of the Golfines de Abajo
This building has medieval origins. It was built by the Golfín family after the reconquest in the 15th century. This famous palace has two different styles. On the one hand we find the Gothic one dating from the 15th century and, on the other, the humanist one from the 16th century. Of this second style stands out the Plateresque art of fantastic animals.
The Golfín family was honored by the Catholic Monarchs thanks to the multiple services they rendered to the crown. In this way, they allowed the Golfín family to place their shield on the facade of the palace. This is a unique event in Cáceres. In fact, the aforementioned palace served to host the Catholic Monarchs in the two visits they made to Cáceres.
4. Co-Cathedral of Santa María
The most important Christian temple in the city is the Holy Church Co-Cathedral of Santa María. It is the oldest religious site in the city, as it was completed between the 15th and 16th centuries, precisely on a construction dating from the 13th century and in the Mudejar style. It also mixes in its elements late Romanesque style with transition to Gothic. In the Chapel of the Holy Christ you will find the carving of a spectacular Gothic crucifix of the Black Christ of Cáceres.
Another of the noteworthy elements of this church is the main altarpiece, with Plateresque elements made of Flanders pine.
5. Palacio de las Veletas: something worth seeing in Cáceres
Currently the Museum of Cáceres is located in the emblematic Palacio de las Veletas. But this palace, whose construction dates from the 15th century, stands out for its façade crowned by two baroque-style shields where, in the past, were the weather vanes from which the building takes its name. You can visit the old Palacio de las Veletas from Tuesday to Sunday and admission is free.
In the museum you will find a vast and important archaeological, ethnographic and fine art collection. What stands out the most is the cistern, dug out of natural rock, with sixteen horseshoe-shaped arches that sit on twelve columns, some of which are Roman in court. These make up five naves of the vault. It is believed to be the best preserved cistern in the entire peninsula, followed by the one in Constantinople.
Do not forget to take a photo with the statue of the Androgynous Genius during your visit to the museum.
6. San Jorge Square
If you thought that Saint George was only important in Barcelona, you will be surprised that it has its own square to see in Cáceres if you visit it. The square is surrounded by the church of San Francisco Javier, the Becerra house, the tower of the Palacio de los Golfines and a series of shops where you can buy souvenirs from the city. It stands out on the stairs that lead to the church of San Francisco Javier, also called the Precious Blood, a niche that keeps a figure of Saint George (to our surprise, patron of the city), defeating the dragon.
7. Toledo-Moctezuma Palace, one of the most important places to see in Cáceres
We cannot stop talking about the Toledo-Moctezuma Palace. And it is that, historically, Extremadura is a land of conquerors. So, how could it be otherwise, we find here vestiges of the legendary conquests of other times. The palace in question, in Renaissance style, dates from the 15th century and was owned by the Toledo family. But why is the palace called that? Well, curiously, Mariana de Carvajal y Toledo married Juan de Toledo Moctezuma.
If his name does not tell you anything, we tell you that he was a descendant of Isabel de Moctezuma, daughter of Moctezuma II, Aztec emperor when Hernán Cortés entered Mexico. It currently houses the Provincial Historical Archive of Cáceres.
8. Hermitage of the Mountain
In Cáceres the most important hermitage is La Montaña. This is located in the Sierra de Portanchito and we invite you to discover it; here, thanks to its viewpoint, you will get beautiful views of the city. The hermitage houses the Virgen de la Montaña, a carving that dates from between 1620 and 1626 and which, according to tradition, is a copy of the Virgin of Monserrat. Since 1906, the Virgen de la Montaña has been the patron saint of Cáceres.
9. Cave of Santa Ana
Twelve kilometers from Cáceres are the Santa Ana Caves. These belong, like the Maltravieso and El Conejar caves, to the Caceres calerizo system. The Santa Ana Caves are located on a hill that is formed by limestone dating from the Lower Carboniferous period. In these caves there are seven levels, each with different and unique elements. We highlight the seventh level, the last filling of the cave. This is made up of clay and silt sediments, as well as archaeological material and animal remains.
10. Cáceres the Elder or Castra Cecilia
Cáceres el Viejo or Castra Cecilia is one of the many Roman camps near the city. This Roman camp, dating from the Republican period, is located on the Torrejón el Rubio road and, according to tradition, housed two legions. The fort is 680 meters long and has mud walls. According to history, this camp merged with the Servilio Cepión fortress during the Lusitanian war, thus giving rise to the Colonia Norba Caesarina, which today we know as Cáceres Monumental.
Currently you can get closer to knowing it, as it is part of the Alba Plata project of the Junta de Extremadura. Inside you will find a farmhouse that shows the way of life of the former occupants. In addition, you will see a model of the camp, outbuildings, armor and an educational video to learn what life was like in those days.
11. Bodegas Habla
Bodegas Habla is not located in Cáceres but a 40-minute drive away, in the municipality of Trujillo. But since you are here, we invite you to book a visit in this temple of good wine. Habla is one of the essential wines in Extremadura; From experience we tell you that it is delicious and, if you are looking for places to see in Cáceres, you cannot miss a visit to the popular winery.
Here you can discover all the secrets of organic viticulture and other curiosities about grapes and the grape harvest. You will also be able to participate in a tasting of one of the most delicious wines we have tasted, get to know the rooms where the wine is made and, of course, visit the museum where all the Speaks that have existed since the founding of the winery are exhibited. But not only that, at Bodegas Habla you can also see beautiful specimens of Purebred Spanish horses from Yeguada JT.
