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Introduction |
Why come to Extremadura? |
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Extremadura is an immensely rich natural paradise; a special region of unspoilt natural heritage, even today in the 21st century when such places are hard to find in Europe. Extremadura’s cultural heritage is the legacy of the various civilisations which have lived in the Iberian peninsula, and is still in evidence today; the gastronomy, festivals and local traditions have survived down the centuries and still form part of everyday life. And the people of Extremadura are noted for their good nature and hospitality, which transforms any visitor’s stay into an almost magically enjoyable experience. With genuinely pleasant memories of a holiday in Extremadura, is it any wonder that so many visitors return? |
Rural tourism – nature and landscape |
Extremadura is a land of great contrast and variety. The climate is basically Mediterranean with influence from the Atlantic, with very hot summers and mild winters. The result is a rich variety of natural landscapes, with an abundance of lakes and rivers. (In fact, Extremadura has more inland “coast” than any other region in Western Europe). The rolling pastures which dominate the countryside are an ancient natural ecosystem, where respect for the environment and the use of natural resources go hand-in-hand. Two outstanding areas are the Natural Parks of Monfragüe (a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, in Cáceres province) and Cornalvo (in Badajoz), where the most typical examples of the plant and animal life of the Mediterranean forest still survive. Extremadura is ideal for bird watching, with close up views of some of the biggest populations of vultures, black storks, imperial eagles and great bustards in the world, not to mention the arrival of thousands of cranes from Scandinavia every winter.
However, you don’t have to go without comfortable, top quality accommodation while enjoying this day-to-day contact with nature. Rural houses and hotels are scattered throughout Extremadura, and visitors can enjoy a relaxed, healthy and entertaining break in close contact with the natural environment.
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Cultural tourism – art and history |
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Historically speaking, Extremadura has been at the crossroads of the various civilisations which have played a major role in the history of the Iberian peninsula; from the prime examples of Prehistory – there is an astonishing number of dolmens and other megalithic monuments in the area of La Raya, near Portugal – up to the present day, and including all the major historical periods with their different artistic styles. There are many routes, criss-crossing the whole region, which will take visitors on a stroll through history. |
The “Via de la Plata” route |
The “Via de la Plata” Route is the road axis which has crossed Extremadura from north to south since ancient times. (The name itself refers to the Roman road which followed its course.) This is an attractive tourist route, from the point of view both of culture and landscape, since it goes through some of the region’s most important historical sites. It also provides easy access to some interesting locations which are among the most representative of the peoples and cultures which have settled in Extremadura.
The “Via de la Plata” Route begins in the Ambroz valley, up in the north on the border with Castilla y León, and passes through the stately, renaissance city of Plasencia, and through Cáceres, one of Europe’s most beautiful historic cities, and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, where time seems to have stood still since the palaces were built. It then continues through Mérida, another UNESCO World Heritage site, and possibly the most important archaeological site in Europe, with its spectacular Roman Theatre, (where after 2,000 years you can still go to a performance when the prestigious Classical Theatre Festival plays here every summer) and the unmissable National Museum of Roman Art. The “Via de la Plata” Route continues through the “Tierra de Barros” (so called because of the region’s exceptional pottery traditions) and ends in the southern county of Tentudía-Sierra Sur, whose broad horizons stretch into Andalusia.
Less than an hour off this major route there are other key sites such as the border city of Badajoz, with its magnificent “Alcazaba” or Moorish castle, a reminder of its glorious Arabic history; the Monastery of Guadalupe, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a classic example of the Mudejar period; and majestic Trujillo, with its peaceful and charming old quarter, legacy of the renaissance period.
For lovers of contemporary art, Extremadura is noted for museums such as the Badajoz MEIAC, which specialises in Extremaduran and Latin-American artists, and the Vostell-Malpartida Museum founded by Wolf Vostell, the father of the “fluxus” and “happening” movements, who has blended the avant-garde with rural surroundings to a most surprising result.
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Food and gastronomy |
The quality of Extremaduran gastronomy stems from the excellent quality of its basic ingredients, which is the reason why the region has one of the most extensive lists of “Denominaciones de Origen” in the whole of Spain. Such success is mainly the result of maintaining traditional large scale production methods generally associated with the pasturelands, and with the concept of sustainable development which reconciles high productivity with respect for the environment.
Food and gastronomy have always had a special place at the heart of the Extremaduran identity. If you get to know and to enjoy the flavours of Extremadura, you will come that little bit closer to understanding Extremadurans, and the way they have kept their diet natural and healthy.
In addition to free-range lamb and beef, excellent cheeses – especially sheep’s cheese – red wines and “Ribera del Guadiana” white wines, olive oil, honey and paprika, Extremadura is particularly famous for Iberian ham products. The pigs are reared in semi-wild conditions, foraging on acorns in the cork-oak woods, and this is the key to producing the world’s best ham and cured sausage.
Besides the centuries-old traditional recipes there is also a distinctive and creative Extremadura cuisine which has taken its place within the national gastronomy, and which has an increasing number of followers. In fact, Extremadura is a region where tradition and the newest trends mix, where the avant-garde has found the best quality ingredients which will captivate the visitor. |
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Festivals and arts |
Extremadura holds major events all year round in the fields of music, cinema, literature, theatre and folklore, and they take place in venues such as castles, arched town squares and historic centres.
The calendar is completed with special summer theatre festivals in the towns of Mérida, Cáceres, Alcántara and Alburquerque. You can also find all kinds of music and dance events going on.
- Badajoz Flamenco Week. April (Badajoz)
- Badajoz Spanish Music Festival. April-May (Badajoz)
- Commemoration of the Battle of La Albuera. May (La Albuera)
- Festival WOMAD (World of Music and Dance). May (Cáceres)
- Badajoz Spanish Film Festival. May (Badajoz)
- Badajoz International Folk Festival. June-July (Badajoz)
- Cáceres Classical Theatre Festival. June (Cáceres)
- Street Theatre Festival. July (Villanueva de la Serena)
- La conversión Hebrea. July (Hervas)
- People’s International Folk Festival. Summer (various towns)
- Mérida Classical Theatre Festival. July and August (Mérida)
- Alburquerque Medieval Festival. August (Alburquerque)
- Alcántara Classical Theatre Festival . August (Alcántara)
- El Alcalde de Zalamea. August (Zalamea de la Serena)
- Plasencia International Folk Festival . August (Plasencia)
- International Festival de la Sierra. August (Fregenal de la Sierra)
- ESTIVALIA. summer (Cáceres)
- Carlos V Music Concert. September (Yuste)
- Badajoz International Festival of Modern Dance and Theatre. October- November (Badajoz)
- Jazz Festival. November (Badajoz) |
Where to stay in Extremadura |
There is a whole range of different types of accommodation throughout Extremadura. One of the best ways to really get to know the area and it’s people is to choose a small inn or guesthouse or rent a casa rural (rural house) if you are going as a group or a family. The casas rurales in Extremadura can be let by rooms like a bed and breakfast or you can rent the whole house. They have up to six bedrooms. Some of them are simple, clean and basically furnished village houses, while others are more luxurious, beautifully renovated, with every detail lovingly restored. Some have swimming pools although where ever you are in Extremadura a sparkling river or freshwater lake is never far away. There are many small Inns and guesthouses dotted all over Cáceres and Badajoz all with their individual character, many in historic buildings worth a visit just for themselves. What you will find stays the same in this part of Spain is the warmth and quality of the welcome of it’s peoples. The Extremenians are a hard working very friendly people, proud of what they have achieved in their tourist industry over the last few years and looking forward to showing you their beautiful corner of their country, their excellent gastronomy and their cultural heritage. Be prepared for a warm welcome.
Click here for a selection of accommodation in Extremadura Extremadura
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How to get to Extremadura |
By far the easiest way is to fly to Madrid (many flights daily from the UK) and hire a car. Extremadura is a surprisingly easy two and a half hour drive along the A5 motorway from Madrid airport. There are daily flights by Iberia to Badajoz but unless your flight links up neatly it is usually hardly worth the waiting around. If your destination is the northern province of Cáceres another option is Valladolid (flights from Stansted by Ryanair) and to take the A62 motorway to Salamanca then continue to Plasencia and Cáceres. If your destination is the Roman city of Merida or Badajoz then the closest airport is Seville ( flights from Stansted by Ryanair) following the N630 to Mérida not yet a motorway but a very good road and a straightforward route. If you don’t need to hire a car or are staying in the main cities in Extremadura there are excellent rail and bus links to all the main cities. Once within Extremadura the road infrastructure is new and on the whole very well signposted. Because the climate is excellent there is rarely any need for snow chains but extra care should be taken in the mountains in the occasional stormy weather. |
Fact file |
Capital: Mérida is the administrative capital of Extremadura
Provinces: Badajoz, Cáceres
Location: The “Comunidad Autónoma de Extremadura” (Autonomous Community of Extremadura) is in south-west Spain and borders Portugal to the west, Castilla and León to the north and Andalucia to the south.
Area: 41.602 km2 an area larger than Holland, Belgium or Denmark.
Population: 1.073.904 (2003) The population density per sq. km is only 27 people compared to the national average of 75 people and the European average of 170.
Climate: Mediterranean with some Atlantic influence. Very hot summers and mild winters.
Landscape: Mountain ranges; Sierra de Gredos to the north, Montes de Toledo in the centre and the Sierra Morena to the south. Highest point 2.400m lowest 130m. Crossed from east to west by the Tagus and north to south by the Guadiano, both rivers have been important hydraulic resources since Roman times.
Economy: Principal activities are in agriculture employing 30% of the active population. Olives, vines, cereals, fruit and vegetables, pigs, sheep and cattle, forestry and tourism are amongst Extremadura’s main exports.
Tourism: Extremadura has 7 Paradors de Turismo, 28 campsites, 7 hotels with spas and several hundred rural houses and inns. The main cities of Badajoz, Cáceres, Mérida and Plasencia offer a range of excellent hotels from 3 to 5 stars.
With thanks to the Junta de Extremadura for providing the original text.
Translation: Helen Stephenson
All photographs copyright Junta de Extremadura
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