Cáceres, Spain

Cáceres, Spain

Cáceres, Spain (cc)

Cáceres Travel Guide

Introduction

Cáceres is a city the color of rust, built from orange-tinted quarried stone. It has two claims to antiquity: its old town which dates from the Roman era, around 25 BC, and the surrounding caves which date from an even earlier era. Its old town, Ciudad Monumental, is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an astonishing mix of architectural styles: there are the massive city walls from Roman times, towers from the Islamic period, and a supremely harmonious assemblage of medieval palaces, churches, convents and mansions, both Gothic and Italian Renaissance. And beneath it all are the remains of an ancient Celtiberian settlement. Oh, and the Cáceres caves: close to the city are those of Maltravieso and El Conejar, where settlements existed in prehistoric times, and which now are well worth seeing. Be forewarned, though, that the old city of Cáceres is wrapped in a larger modern city of uninspiring, contemporary highrise apartment buildings that conceals the old quarter from the eye of the passing tourist. So be persistent, and thou shalt be rewarded.

Location

Cáceres, the largest city in the Extremadura region, is situated in west-central Spain. It is 185 miles (296 km) west of Madrid, and 196 miles (315 km) northeast of Lisbon, Portugal.

How to Get There

Sightseeing

Neighborhoods

How to Get Around

Where to Stay

Where to Eat

Where to Party

Essential Information

Nearby Destinations

How to Get There

Sightseeing

Main Neighborhoods

How to Get Around

Where to Party

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

Trivia

Cáceres' most famous foods are migas (fried bread crumbs), meat stews, and Torta del Casar, a sheep cheese (not goat cheese) made from the milk of Merino sheep; and liquors made from cherries, chestnuts and blackberries. Its most famous festival is Semana Santa, held during the week before Easter Sunday.

Know Before You Go