In the western Spanish region of Extremadura lies the beautiful historic city of Cáceres. It has a fascinating history dating back to the Roman period, when it developed into a key settlement. After this, Cáceres was ruled by the Visigoths and the Moors, and it was during the Almohad period that it became a heavily fortified town. By the 13th century, after the city was conquered, wealthy families built palaces and churches throughout Cáceres, and many of these buildings remain very well preserved today. What this means is that there are a lot of things to do in Cáceres during a day trip, especially if you have a keen interest in history.
Despite having one of the most well-preserved historic centres in Spain, Cáceres is still heavily underrated in favour of cities such as Toledo or Seville. Spending a full day in Cáceres will allow you to explore the city’s cobbled streets and step inside some interesting historic buildings. But there’s more to the city than you might expect. If you’re spending additional time in the region, Cáceres also makes a great stop on a longer Extremadura itinerary. Places such as Badajoz, Zafra, and Mérida are all within easy driving distance of Cáceres, too.
Best things to do in Cáceres, Spain
Arco de la Estrella
The main entrance into Cáceres’ walled old town is the Arco de la Estrella. It also happens to be one of the city’s most popular attractions. The arch you see dates back to 1726, when it was remodelled, but an earlier gate called Puerta Nueva once stood here. The unique design of the arch made it easier for carriages to pass through, and on the inner side you can find a small shrine dedicated to the Virgen de la Estrella.
This iconic location in Cáceres featured in season seven of Game of Thrones when the city was turned into King’s Landing. For any fans of the hit TV series, visiting the Arco de la Estrella is one of the best things to do in Cáceres. The arch stands between Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Santa María, so it’s a great place to start exploring the historic centre from.
Plaza Mayor
For centuries, Plaza Mayor has been at the heart of everyday life in Cáceres. It was once used as a meeting point and marketplace outside of the city walls, and today the plaza is lined with beautiful traditional buildings, outdoor terraces, and a good selection of restaurants. It’s a nice place to stop for a drink or a quick bite to eat before exploring more things to do in Cáceres. Try to avoid mid-afternoon, though, as there aren’t too many places to sit to avoid the sun.
Some of the most important landmarks in Cáceres are located in Plaza Mayor. For one of the best views in the city, you can climb up the 12th-century Torre de Bujaco. Next to the tower is where you’ll find Ermita de la Paz, Torre de la Yerba, and Torre de los Púlpitos, which are all beautiful historic buildings to admire. Between these structures is the Arco de la Estrella, so you can cross quite a few things from your list of things to do in Cáceres in a short amount of time in this area.
Plaza de Santa María
One of my favourite things to do in Cáceres is to walk around Plaza de Santa María. This was the main public square of the medieval town, before Plaza Mayor took over. It was used for council meetings and as a market, but today it very much feels like an open-air museum with all of the impressive palaces and religious buildings surrounding it. The main attraction within Plaza de Santa María is the Co-Cathedral. It was mainly constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries, though parts of its earlier structure have survived, too. The cathedral is free to go inside, so I would recommend doing so if the doors are open.
This historic square is also home to several historic palaces, including: Palacio de Mayoralgo, Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo, Palacio de Hernando de Ovando, and Palacio Episcopal. If you look closely, the coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs can still be seen on the façade of Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo, where they stayed during their visits to the city. Palacio de Carvajal is also just a short walk from the plaza, known for its round medieval tower. You can easily spend 2 hours exploring everything Plaza de Santa María has to offer.
Order cookies from the nuns
Did you know you can buy homemade cookies from nuns in the old town? It’s one of the most unusual things to do in Cáceres, but it’s definitely worth checking out. Convento de San Pablo is home to an order of Poor Clare nuns who support their community by selling baked goods, all while keeping away from public view. These recipes have been passed down through generations, so it really is a memorable experience.
Once you pass through the doorway to the convent, you’ll enter a small room with a rotating wooden hatch and an intercom. The menu is attached to the wall, and it’s a cash-only service. After placing your cash on the wooden hatch, one of the nuns will rotate it from the other side to reveal your box of homemade goodies. I would recommend trying perrunillas if you’re unsure what to order, as they originate from Cáceres.
Plaza de San Jorge
It’s easy to see why Plaza de San Jorge is one of the most photographed spots in the city. The square is named after the patron saint of Cáceres, and the main attraction here is Iglesia de San Francisco Javier. The plaza itself wasn’t built until the 1960s to connect the lower and upper parts of the old town, but the church dates back to the 18th century.
What really stands out are the bright white towers of the church, making it easy to locate from different viewpoints. This is another location you may recognize from Game of Thrones, where it was used in scenes set in King’s Landing. Plaza de San Jorge sits just behind Plaza de Santa María, so it’s very easy to add to your list of things to do in Cáceres.
Admire the historic courtyards
Hidden among the many beautiful buildings and plazas in the historic centre of Cáceres are some beautiful courtyards to admire. Many of the palaces and noble homes were designed around a central courtyard to provide light and an outdoor area away from the streets. One of the easiest courtyards to visit is in the Palacio de Carvajal, a palace completed in the 16th century. As you walk around the old town, you can see many courtyards through open doorways, and some historic buildings often use their patios for cultural events or exhibitions. Keep in mind that some courtyards belong to private homes, though, so make sure public access is permitted before entering.
Explore the different palaces
Anyone who has an interest in history has to add palace-hopping to their list of things to do in Cáceres. The historic centre is filled with noble houses and fortified palaces that were built after the Christian conquest. They were mostly built between the 14th and 16th centuries and feature a unique mixture of decorative and defensive details. If you look closely, you’ll be able to find corner balconies, coats of arms, and unique towers that were all designed to show the wealth of the family living there.
As well as the palaces surrounding Plaza de Santa María, I’d also recommend visiting Palacio de las Cigüeñas, which was built over the remains of a Muslim fortress. One of the top things to do in Cáceres is to visit the Moorish cistern, which now lies under Palacio de las Veletas as well. Not all of the palaces are open to the public, but their façades make them worth seeing, if only from the outside.
Try Torta del Casar
You shouldn’t leave Cáceres without trying Torta del Casar. This is one of the best-known cheeses in Extremadura, produced from raw milk from Entrefina and Merino sheep. The centre of the cheese is very soft and creamy, with a rich flavour and slightly bitter finish. If you want to eat it traditionally, you remove the top of the rind and scoop or spread the cheese onto bread.
Torta del Casar has a Protected Designation of Origin status, and you’ll find it on the menus of many restaurants and tapas bars around the city. There are also plenty of local shops selling different sizes of the cheese for around the same price, so you don’t need to spend a lot of time looking for a good deal. It’s the perfect souvenir from Cáceres to enjoy at home or to share with family and friends.
Torre de los Pozos
Another of my favourite things to do in Cáceres is to climb up the Torre de los Pozos. It’s an attraction that’s highly underrated and often missed by visitors. This 12th-century Almohad tower was once part of the city’s defensive system, and it was built to protect the wells that supplied the city with water during a siege. The tower is now part of a visitor centre where you can learn more about its history and importance.
One of the guides was able to explain some of the information to me in English, as most of the displays are in Spanish. Once you pass through the exhibition space, you can walk along what remains of the defensive walls and climb to the top of the tower for a fantastic view. It costs just €2.50 to enter Torre de los Pozos, so there’s no excuse not to add it to your list of things to do in Cáceres during a trip to the city.
Visit some museums in Cáceres
If you want to immerse yourself in the history of Cáceres and learn more about the wider province, there are some very interesting museums around the old town. The Museo de Cáceres is a great place to start, with exhibitions covering traditional life, archaeology, and fine art. The real highlight of this museum is the Moorish cistern located beneath Palacio de las Veletas, where you can still see rows of historic arches.
Another unique museum in Cáceres is Casa-Museo Árabe Yusuf al-Burch. This museum is located within the walls of a restored 12th-century house that was built for a wealthy Muslim merchant. Inside, you can explore a bath area, cellar, and multiple rooms, so it’s worth visiting if you have some extra time on your hands. It’s also located close to Plaza de San Jorge, making it easy to locate.
Get lost in the old town streets
There are many things to do in Cáceres, but the ideal way to enjoy it is to leave some time to wander through the historic cobbled streets of the old town at a slower pace. The absence of modern buildings makes the historic centre feel like it’s been completely untouched, so it’s not surprising that Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon both chose it as a filming location.
One of my biggest recommendations is to follow whatever streets appeal the most to you. There’s sure to be a hidden courtyard, a beautiful building, or a fantastic viewpoint just waiting to be looked at. The old town is very compact, so it would be hard for you to become lost, as you’ll most likely make your way back to one of the plazas. If you’re spending an evening in Cáceres, visiting the old town after sunset, when the streets become quiet, is another magical experience.
Places to eat in Cáceres
Zeri’s Specialty Coffee
If you’re on the hunt for high-quality coffee in Cáceres, Zeri’s Specialty Coffee is a must-try. It’s located a 15-minute walk from Plaza Mayor and sits outside the old town. They roast their own coffee beans right in the city, with different origins and brewing methods available. The food menu is centred around light breakfast and brunch, including things like açai bowls, avocado toast, and delicious baked goods. This is also a good spot in Cáceres for iced matcha lattes or fresh juices, if you’re not a big coffee drinker. Zeri’s Specialty Coffee was a highlight during my trip, and I would definitely go back.
La Famiglia se sienta a la mesa
Previously known as La Mafia, La Famiglia se sienta a la mesa sits just a short walk from Plaza Mayor, in the modern city centre. Its menu focuses on Italian cooking, so you can expect plenty of fresh pasta dishes as well as pizzas and risottos. The portions are quite generous for the price, and the stylish interior makes it a good option for an evening meal or a special occasion. La Famiglia se sienta a la mesa is a chain restaurant, though, so if you want to support a smaller, local business, I’d recommend using Google Maps to find similar restaurants in the area.
Sisters Cafe & Bar
Sisters Cafe & Bar is one restaurant in Cáceres that you won’t find along the usual tourist route. This is a popular place to eat among locals, and the menu isn’t available in English, so make sure you have your phone ready to help you translate. On the menu you’ll find casual Spanish cafe-bar food, as well as tapas served with drinks. The food here is very simple and affordable, so it’s a nice place to come if you’re visiting Cáceres on a budget and like to surround yourself with locals rather than tourists.
Mishi Mishi
After a long day of crossing attractions off your list of things to do in Cáceres, you’re probably going to be very hungry. If you’re not in the mood for local cuisine, Mishi Mishi might be a good alternative. This Japanese buffet-style sushi restaurant offers fantastic value for money, and everything can be ordered fresh right from the tablet at your table.
They have a huge selection of sushi available, including vegetarian options. You’ll also find a variety of hot dishes, rice, noodles, and meats, too. If you’re visiting Cáceres during the weekend, I’d recommend arriving as soon as they open or booking a table ahead of time, as it gets very busy.
Helados Artesanos Agustín Mira
Whenever I travel to a new destination, I always make a point of trying local ice cream. Right next to Plaza Mayor is Helados Artesanos Agustín Mira, which has its roots in Zafra, where the family started making ice cream in 1929.
Today, the ice cream is still made in Zafra, but it’s distributed across Extremadura to its various shops. I tried their ice cream in Mérida, and really enjoyed it. However, while the ice cream was still very nice in Cáceres, the manager was very grumpy and almost kicked me out for taking photos of the ice cream. It’s always nice to support locals, though, which is why I’d still recommend trying Helados Artesanos Agustín Mira.
Where to stay near Cáceres
If you’re travelling by car and would prefer a quieter base, Apartamentos Turísticos – Hostal Los Alisos in Aliseda is worth considering. It’s located around 30 km from Cáceres and offers a mix of guest rooms and self-contained apartments. There’s free on-site parking as well as a restaurant. The outdoor pool wasn’t open when we visited in the spring, though. The check-in process is very quick and easy, and everything was very clean, if basic. It’s a good alternative to staying in the historic centre thanks to its affordable prices and extra space.
Staying directly in the centre of Cáceres is ideal if you want to make the most of your time in the city and be close to the main attractions. NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo is a lovely hotel located in a 16th-century palace, while Soho Boutique Casa Don Fernando offers beautiful views over Plaza Mayor. For something a bit more luxurious, Atrio Restaurante Hotel features a seasonal pool as well as a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. Accommodation in the historic centre of Cáceres can fill up quickly, so it’s highly recommended that you book ahead to get the best prices possible.
Is Cáceres worth visiting?
Cáceres is a stunning historic city in Spain that still feels untouched. The beautifully preserved old town alongside its unique history makes it one of the most interesting places to visit in the Extremadura region. There are a lot of incredible things to do in Cáceres, and you can easily see the main attractions in one day thanks to its compact old town. However, staying overnight gives you more time to explore the quieter streets and hidden gems. Cáceres has much fewer crowds than many of Spain’s more famous heritage cities, so it’s an ideal destination for a relaxed getaway or as part of a stop on a longer road trip through the region.
If you have any questions about things to do in Cáceres, where to eat in Cáceres, or where to base yourself, please get in touch. You can reach out through the contact form or via email, and I’ll reply as quickly as possible. Don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram and TikTok, where you’ll find more helpful ideas about where to plan your next trip.
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