Free walking tours in Plasencia and what to see

Must-sees

Plasencia makes sense from its Plaza Mayor, the meeting point where the old town's streets converge. On the town hall building is Abuelo Mayorga, the automaton that strikes the hours from on high. Close by are the cathedrals, which are actually two joined together: the Old one, Romanesque and Gothic, with a peaceful cloister, and the New one, taller, with Plateresque façades and finely carved choir stalls.

The medieval wall surrounds much of the old town and some stretches can be walked. Inside are palaces such as that of the Marquis of Mirabel, churches such as San Nicolás and the former convent of San Vicente Ferrer, now a parador. Outside is the aqueduct, next to the San Antón district. If you are there on a Tuesday, you will see the market in the square, a tradition kept since the Middle Ages.

Free tours and guided visits

Plasencia has a few tip-based free tours, especially at weekends and in high season. They cover the square, the outside of the cathedrals, the walls and the palaces, with stories about the city's founding by Alfonso VIII and its trading life around the market.

A guided visit inside the cathedrals is worthwhile to understand how the two buildings join. For excursions, Plasencia is the gateway to the Jerte Valley, famous for its cherry blossom in spring, and is close to Monfragüe National Park, where there are guided birdwatching routes. Trips are also organised to the monastery of Yuste and the villages of La Vera.

How long to spend

The city can be seen well in a day: the morning for the cathedrals and the square, the afternoon for the walls and palaces. Two or three days are recommended if you want to use it as a base: one for Plasencia, one for Monfragüe and one for the Jerte Valley or La Vera. Late March and April are good times for the cherry blossom.

Where to stay

The old town is the ideal area. From there you can walk to the square, the cathedrals and the tapas bars in the nearby streets. You will find small hotels in restored houses and the parador in the convent of San Vicente Ferrer. If you are driving and want easy parking, the hotels along the avenues around the walls are practical and leave you a short walk from the centre.