Free walking tours in Trujillo and what to see

Must-sees

Trujillo’s Plaza Mayor is the place to start. It is spacious, with arcades, steps and palaces such as the Palacio de la Conquista, with its corner balcony and coats of arms. In the middle is the equestrian statue of Francisco Pizarro, born here, and to one side the church of San Martín. Many of these buildings were raised with wealth brought from the Americas, and that history shows in every façade.

From the square you climb to La Villa, the walled quarter, along steep granite streets. There you will find the church of Santa María la Mayor, whose tower you can climb, and the Pizarro House Museum. At the very top stands the castle, Moorish in origin, with a cistern and sweeping views over the Extremaduran plain. On the way down, look out for the storks nesting on the towers.

Free tours and guided visits

Trujillo has pay-what-you-wish free tours, though not as many as a big city. They usually start from the Plaza Mayor and climb through La Villa to the castle, telling the story of the noble families, the conquistadors and the feuds between clans. It is a good first introduction before going inside the monuments.

Paid guided visits, which sometimes include entry to several monuments, are an easy way to see the interiors. Theatrical or night-time walks also work well. For day trips, Trujillo is a good base for Monfragüe National Park, with guided birdwatching outings, the monastery of Guadalupe and Cáceres, less than an hour away.

How long to spend

One day covers the square, La Villa and the castle, with a leisurely lunch in between. If you want to go inside the monuments without rushing and see the town at dusk, stay a night. With two or three days you can combine Trujillo with Monfragüe, Guadalupe or Cáceres. In late spring the town holds its cheese fair, a good reason to pick your dates.

Where to stay

Sleeping by the Plaza Mayor or in La Villa is the best option if you want to feel the town at night, when it empties and is lit up. There are hotels in old houses and a parador in a Renaissance convent. The streets of the old town are steep and stone-paved, so if you have a lot of luggage or a car, places in the lower town, with parking nearby, are more convenient and a few minutes’ walk away.