Free walking tours in Cáceres and what to see

Must-sees

The Old Town of Cáceres has been a World Heritage Site since 1986 and keeps its medieval layout almost intact. You enter from the Plaza Mayor through the Arco de la Estrella, next to the Bujaco Tower. Inside are the co-cathedral of Santa María, the Plaza de San Jorge, the church of San Francisco Javier and many fortified houses with towers and stone coats of arms.

Save some time for the Palacio de las Veletas, home to the Cáceres Museum, where you go down into the Moorish-era cistern. The Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo and the Casa del Sol are also worth seeing. Next to the wall is the old Jewish quarter, around the San Antonio chapel, with narrow white streets. At night, with the stone lit up, the walk feels very different.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours cover the Old Town in about two hours, and you tip what you like. They usually start from the Plaza Mayor and explain how the noble families built their towers and why many were cut down on the orders of Isabella the Catholic. There are also night-time tours focused on legends and the history of the Jewish quarter.

Among the paid visits, the most interesting is the one that includes palace interiors that are usually closed. From Cáceres there are trips to Trujillo, to Mérida and its Roman remains, to the Monastery of Guadalupe and to Monfragüe National Park, well known for birdwatching. In summer, set off early because of the heat.

How long to spend

One full day is enough for the Old Town, the Plaza Mayor and the Jewish quarter. With two days you can go more slowly, visit the museum and the palaces that are open, and see the old town by day and by night, which is worth it. If you add a third day, use it for a trip to Trujillo or Monfragüe.

Where to stay

Ideally, stay inside or very close to the Old Town. There are hotels in restored palaces, and sleeping within the walls has its charm. The Plaza Mayor and nearby streets, such as Pintores, are another good option: you have bars and restaurants and the historic quarter a step away. The Cánovas area, more modern, is a short walk away and usually more affordable.