Free walking tours in Badajoz and what to see

Must-sees

The Alcazaba is the best place to start. It is a walled Moorish enclosure at the top of the city, with the Espantaperros tower and gardens overlooking the Guadiana. Inside is the Provincial Archaeological Museum, in the palace of the Dukes of La Roca. Coming down you reach Plaza Alta, arcaded and with colourful façades, one of the most photographed spots in Badajoz.

In the lower part of the old town are the fortress-like cathedral of San Juan Bautista and Plaza de España with the town hall. Cross the 16th-century Puente de Palmas, which leads to the Puerta de Palmas, another symbol of the city. 17th-century bastions surround much of the centre. For art, there are the Fine Arts Museum and the MEIAC, for contemporary art.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours cover the Alcazaba, Plaza Alta, the cathedral and the Puente de Palmas in about two hours, on a pay-what-you-wish basis. They explain the era of the taifa of Badajoz, life on the Portuguese border and the sieges of the Peninsular War. There are fewer departures than in more touristy cities, so it is best to book.

The most interesting paid guided visits explore the Alcazaba or the bastioned fortifications in depth. Elvas, across the border, is a very easy trip, and its fortifications are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mérida, with its Roman theatre and amphitheatre, is also close.

How long to spend

One day is enough for the main sights: the Alcazaba in the morning, the centre and cathedral in the afternoon and a riverside stroll at sunset. With two days you can visit the museums at leisure and pop over to Elvas, a few minutes’ drive away. If you add a third, the best choice is Mérida, which is well worth a full day.

Where to stay

The best place to stay is the old town, between Plaza de España, Plaza Alta and Calle Menacho, the main shopping area. You will be close to everything with bars at hand. The other bank of the Guadiana, by the bridges, has more modern hotels and good views of the city, and the centre is a stroll away across the river.