Discover nature: Monfragüe and the Geopark

At Monfragüe National Park, look out for black storks, Egyptian vultures, vultures and Spanish imperial eagles. The national park lies roughly in the centre of Cáceres province, within the triangle formed by Plasencia, Trujillo and Cáceres. Nature watching and using these three cities as reference points offer different perspectives on the region.

A different kind of landscape awaits you in the southeast of the province: the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara UNESCO Global Geopark covers 2,544 square kilometres and lies between the Tagus and Guadiana river basins. At Risco de La Villuerca, the highest point reaches 1,601 metres. From there, you can enjoy views of mountain ranges, valleys, the rolling plains known as Rañas, and Guadalupe. Risco is also a geosite and a geological educational trail; its panoramic views reveal the Appalachian-style relief characteristic of the Geopark.

Five UNESCO-recognised destinations or protected areas are part of the province’s profile: the city of Cáceres, the Monastery of Guadalupe, the Monfragüe and Tajo Internacional Biosphere Reserves, and the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark. Nature areas and cultural sites therefore offer different reasons to explore Cáceres, rather than a single kind of experience.

City walls, monasteries and history

The old town of Cáceres is a nine-hectare urban ensemble surrounded by a 1,174-metre-long wall. Trujillo also reveals its history through its architecture: the medieval town is enclosed by a city wall with seventeen towers. The figures give a sense of each place’s scale, though the two need not feel alike.

At the Monasterio de San Jerónimo de Yuste, architectural history is intertwined with the memory of Charles V, whose final residence was the monastery. During a visit, you can see the Casa-Palacio, the church, and the Gothic and Renaissance cloisters. As visiting arrangements can change, it is advisable to check the latest information in advance. In Hervás, the Palacio de los Dávila, a civic palace dating from the mid-18th century, now houses a house museum and a public library.

Other historical highlights can be found in Alcántara: the Puente Romano was built over the Tagus in the 2nd century AD; in antiquity, the river was called Tagus Aurifer. The San Benito complex includes a monastery, a church and an inn; its Gothic cloister was built over an Arab fortress. In Valencia de Alcántara, 48 catalogued dolmens tell the story of a much earlier era. Dating from the Neolithic to the Chalcolithic periods—that is, from the 4th to the 3rd millennium BC—they form one of the most significant megalithic groups in Spain and Europe.

Culture also comes to life in museums that offer different perspectives. The Museo de la Coria is housed in the former Convento de San Francisco el Real and presents important milestones in the discovery of the New World. The Museo Vostell Malpartida offers group, individual and guided visits; check the latest visiting arrangements before your visit. In Plasencia, the Museo Etnográfico Textil “Pérez Enciso” is one of the city’s attractions.

Routes, festivals and regional themes

If you would like to explore on foot, the province has three Camino de Santiago routes: the Vía de la Plata, the Vía de la Estrella and the Camino Mozárabe de las Hurdes. The Ruta de Carlos V is a different route: an approved, linear hiking trail covering 27.7 kilometres from Tornavacas to Jarandilla de la Vera. Trail conditions and signage can change; check conditions before setting out. At Los Pilones, a 2.5-kilometre path leads from the visitor centre to natural pools carved into the rock by water erosion. It is suitable for all ages and families and has no major elevation changes. Access to the water and trail conditions can vary seasonally.

The calendar also brings its own occasions: the Chíviri festival takes place every Easter Sunday in Trujillo’s Plaza Mayor and is recognised as a festival of tourist interest. The open-air walk “La Transfrontera” is held every year in Valencia de Alcántara. Check the dates before planning your trip around them.

A culinary experience leads to Casar de Cáceres, the birthplace of Torta del Casar. A cheese route runs from there to dairies where it is made. The Museo del Queso presents its history and production process. As participating dairies and arrangements may vary, it is worth checking visiting options in advance. Away from the culinary theme, the Centro de Interpretación de la Cañada Real Soriana Occidental “Casa Pinotes” presents the area’s pastoral and transhumant culture.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hoyos, Puerto De Santa Cruz, Aldeanueva Del Camino, Carbajo, Casas Del Monte, Cuacos De Yuste, Herrera De Alcántara, Plasencia, Valencia De Alcantara, Aldeanueva Dela Vera, Navaconcejo, El Torno, Romangordo, Botija, Belvís De Monroy, Cáceres, Torrejón El Rubio, Valdastillas, Trujillo, Serrejón, Navas Del Madroño, Malpartida De Plasencia, Ladrillar, Jarandilla De La Vera, Hervás, Guijo De Coria, Garganta La Olla, Cabezuela Del Valle, Brozas, Alcántara, Montánchez, Riolobos, Cañamero, Garrovillas De Alconétar, Robledillo De Gata, Talayuela, Guadalupe, Coria, Robledillo De La Vera, Jerte, Villanueva De La Vera, Torre De Santa María, Torremenga, Madroñera, Casar De Palomero, Acebo, Zarza De Granadilla, Aliseda, Casillas De Coria, Pinofranqueado, Miajadas, Tornavacas, Losar De La Vera, Jaraíz De La Vera, Pasarón De La Vera, Cadalso, Perales Del Puerto, Valverde Del Fresno, San Martín De Trevejo, Malpartida De Cáceres, Guijo De Santa Bárbara, El Gordo, Baños De Montemayor, Villar De Plasencia, Pedroso De Acim, Cabezabellosa, Cedillo, Madrigal De La Vera, Berzocana, Segura De Toro, Bohonal De Ibor, Santiago De Alcántara, Santa Cruz De La Sierra, Caminomorisco, Valverde De La Vera, Villamiel, Gata, Piornal, Casas Del Castañar, Cañaveral, Jarilla, Alagón Del Río, Alía, Nuñomoral, Sierra De Fuentes, Plasenzuela, Salvatierra De Santiago, Hinojal, Zarza La Mayor, Serradilla, Abadía, Aldeacentenera, Tejeda De Tiétar, Rosalejo, Herguijuela, La Granja, Talaván, Eljas, Valdefuentes, Valdeobispo, Collado, Santibáñez El Alto, Logrosán, La Aldea Del Obispo, Horcajo, Cabañas Del Castillo, Herreruela, Calzadilla, Rebollar, Jaraicejo, Torrecillas De La Tiesa, Moraleja, Galisteo, Fresnedoso De Ibor, Carcaboso, Barrado, Valdencín, Montehermoso, Monroy, Ovejuela, Santa Marta De Magasca, Arroyomolinos De La Vera, Grimaldo, Descargamaría, Garciaz, La Aceña De La Borrega, Alcuéscar, Santibáñez El Bajo, Almoharín, Torre de Don Miguel, Casas de Miravete, Villasbuenas de Gata, Torreorgaz, Navatrasierra, Marchagaz, La Cumbre, Madrigalejo, Navalmoral de la Mata, Arroyomolinos, Benquerencia, Zarza de Montánchez, Campo Lugar, Valdelacasa de Tajo, Gargüera, Pescueza, Torremocha, Carrascalejo, Peraleda de la Mata, Casares de las Hurdes, Palomero, Las Casiñas Altas, Portezuelo, La Garganta, Membrío, Cilleros, Cambrón, Ruanes, El Batán, Zorita, Santa Ana, Erías, Acehuche.

For the wider travel overview: Extremadura.