Free walking tours in Llerena and what to see

Must-sees

Llerena, in the south of Badajoz province, has one of the most complete historic centres in Extremadura. Its heart is the arcaded Plaza de España, lined with stately buildings and presided over by the church of Nuestra Señora de la Granada, with its tower and tiers of arched galleries. The town hall is on the same square.

Llerena was the seat of an Inquisition tribunal and of the Order of Santiago, which left palaces, convents and churches. Walk along the remains of the walls, see the Episcopal Palace and look for the fountain attributed to Zurbarán, who lived in the town. The nuns of some convents still sell homemade sweets.

Free tours and guided visits

Free walking tours are not common in Llerena. The norm is guided walks of the historic centre, often organised by the tourist office, covering the Plaza de España, the church of La Granada and the palaces, and telling the story of the Inquisition and the Order of Santiago.

Worthwhile excursions from here include the Roman site of Regina, with its theatre, and the La Jayona mine, an old iron mine turned natural area. You can also visit Zafra, with its Plaza Grande and castle, a short drive away.

How long to spend

A full day is enough to see Llerena. Spend the morning on the Plaza de España, the church and a stroll through the central streets, and the afternoon on the convents, the walls and the lesser-known corners. With two days you can add Regina and the La Jayona mine, or Zafra, and get to know the Campiña Sur area better.

Where to stay

The best option is to stay in the historic centre, near the Plaza de España, where there are small hotels, some in restored manor houses, and apartments. From there you can see everything on foot. The outskirts offer a few quieter rural houses, useful if you're driving and plan to explore the surrounding villages.