Caceres, Spain

October 18, 2025 Lisa Comments 0 Comment

I’ve been wanted to see the Basque region of Spain plus make a visit to Andorra. So I pulled out my maps and my 1000 Places to See Before You Die book and read up on other sites in Spain. I was going to visit Caceres, Salamanca, Avila, Zaragoza, then Andorra.

Back into Spain I was going to see San Sebastian-Donostia, Bilbao, and Leon before stopping at Braga, Portugal on my way back to Lagos. It was a lot of driving and there was a lot to see so I limited myself to just two nights in each city.

I stayed in Soho Boutique Casa Don Fernando, which was a great location right on Plaza Mayor. Unfortunately they gave me a room on the 4th floor that was under the roof beams. And right across from my room and next door were service rooms so there was a lot of noise both mornings. I gave them a 2* review on Google and they replied glad you enjoyed your stay. Seriously? I wouldn’t stay again despite the other good reviews, those guests must have been on the lower floors.

Recommendations

The city goes back to the Romans. A city gate, Arco del Cristo dates from 34 BCE. The 12th c. city walls were built over Roman foundations; Bujaco, La Yerba and Horno towers are from this period. In 1229 the city was reconquered by King Alfonso IX of Leon.

Plaza Mayor is a huge lovely area. I had a glass of sangria sitting here, with a great view of the city walls when first arriving. There are many restaurants and bars plus tourist information centers.

I was right across from the great stairwell and the Arco de la Estrella, the main gate to the city. I visited Bujaco Tower right after arriving. The ticket includes access to the walls along this section of town.

I visited the Pro-cathedral church of Santa María after the tower. It’s a beautiful church with great views from the bell tower over the large and busy Plaza de Santa Maria.

Also on the square are both the the Palacio de Carvaja and the Palacio Episcopal. Carvaja is now the tourism bureau but had a beautiful courtyard and gardens. Palacio Episcopal wasn’t open for visitors. The Palacio de Mayoralgo is from the 16th c. You can visit the archeological ruins from the palace as part of the ticket to Bujaco Tower.

I wanted to visit Iglesia de San Francisco Javier on the Plaza San Jorge but it was closed both days. The museums of Palace of Los Golfines de Abajo and Casa de los Becerra are close by and have some interesting exhibits.

I saw the great Foro de los Balbos (fountain) after visiting the Torre del Horno along the walls.

I walked out to Plaza de Santa Clara and the Convento Santa Clara. Plaza de las Veletas is a great area with many beautiful buildings.

The Cáceres Museum, Ovando Palace, and Convento de San Pablo have beautiful facades. Unfortunately, none were open. The museum is closed for remodeling and there was a large crane in the plaza.

Plaza de San Mateo and Iglesia San Mateo are just around the corner.

Most of the historic homes and palaces are now hotels or government offices. There weren’t many I could visit inside but it was a great city to wander and enjoy the views, narrow streets and alleys and gorgeous facades of iglesias, conventos, torres and foros.