Free walking tours in Valencia de Alcántara and what to see

Must-sees

Valencia de Alcántara is in western Cáceres province, right on the border with Portugal. Its great attraction is the Gothic-Jewish quarter, a protected historic ensemble and one of the best preserved in Spain, with white streets and dozens of pointed-arch granite doorways. In the upper part stands the castle, with its fortified enclosure, and nearby is the church of Nuestra Señora de Rocamador, a listed monument. The church of La Encarnación, Renaissance with a Gothic façade, completes the walk through the centre.

Outside the town, the municipality has more than forty Neolithic dolmens spread across its hamlets, one of the most important megalithic groups in Europe. Many have signposted access and stand in a landscape of dehesa and granite boulders that is a pleasure to explore.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Valencia de Alcántara, but there are guided visits. You can take a guided walk of the town, the Jewish quarter and the castle, ideal for understanding its border past. For the dolmens there's a 4x4 route linking several of them along dehesa tracks without you having to find them yourself, useful as they're widely scattered.

How long to spend

Allow half a day for the Jewish quarter, the castle and the churches. The dolmens need at least another half day, whether on the 4x4 route or in your own car. With two days you can cross into Portugal and visit Marvão or Castelo de Vide, two walled towns very close by.

Where to stay

The best option is to stay in the old town or by the Jewish quarter, where there are rural houses and apartments in traditional buildings and everything is on foot. In the hamlets and the dehesa there are country houses for those seeking peace and proximity to the dolmens. Across the border, Marvão and Castelo de Vide are a good alternative.