Unexplored Spain: road-tripping around Extremadura

Often overlooked and underrated Extremadura is, in fact, one of Spain’s most fascinating regions, a mix of world-changing history and contemporary culinary delights.

This Portuguese-border-hugging homeland of many a conquistador is a place where the past lingers. Venture here and you’ll uncover time-warped old towns, rickety castles, serene monasteries, beautiful countryside and mouthwatering regional cuisine.

Extremadura's lesser known attractions make it a perfect, uncrowded part of Spain to explore — Extremadura's beautiful countryside and lesser known attractions make it perfect for getting off the beaten track. Jacques van Dinteren / Getty Images

Our seven-day itinerary assumes you’ll be setting off for Extremadura from Madrid, from which it's three hours’ (300km) drive southwest to ��á��. You could also start from Seville and travel north, or from Salamanca, and head south. The best months for exploring are April, May and September. Though it’s possible to access most of these destinations by bus or train, travelling by car gives you significantly more freedom and flexibility.

Day 1: magical ��á��

Whether it’s the Plaza Mayor’s urban buzz or the mellow strum of a guitar along the twisting streets of the evocative World Heritage-listed Ciudad Monumental (Monumental City), ��á�� has its own magical atmosphere.

Plunge into the old town through the 18th-century and breakfast at artsy . Wander past the intricate stone-cut exteriors of grand Renaissance mansions and palaces and explore the Plazas de , and . The excellent Museo de ��á�� deserves a visit, and you can tour the lavish before climbing the 12th-century .

��á�� rolls out some of Extremadura’s most delicious food offerings. Feast on elegantly prepped Spanish-international tapas, like tenderloin in creamy local Torta del Casar cheese, at chic, jam-packed old-town tapería (tapas bar) . Extremadura’s finest dining experience is to be had at luxe , and afterwards you can finish off the evening with cocktails between ivy-clad walls at or artisan Extremaduran beers at Las Claras.

Sleep

All-white is a dream of a five-star old-town design hotel. has stylish modern rooms right on the Plaza Mayor.

Day 2: into the wild - Parque Nacional de Monfragüe

Start early: it’s time to explore the dramatic undulating expanses of the 180-sq-km Parque Nacional de Monfragüe. Home to over 75% of Spain’s protected bird species, Monfragüe is an outstanding birdwatchers’ haven. It’s also a vast outdoor playground threaded with enjoyable walking trails.

Griffon vultures are just one of the bird species to look out for in Monfrague National Park. — Griffon vultures are just one of the many bird species to look out for in Monfragüe National Park. Javier Fernández Sánchez / Getty Images

Catch a colony of griffon vultures patrolling the skies from the sensationally scenic Mirador Salto del Gitano and . Other local feathered friends include endangered Spanish imperial eagles, black storks or black vultures.

The park’s main is in Villareal de San Carlos, 75km northeast of ��á��. Drop in at Villareal’s Restaurante Monfragüe for typical meat-mad Extremaduran cooking. On the park’s south side, Torrejón el Rubio also has an .

Sleep

Monfragüe is an easy day trip from ��á��, but if you fancy staying overnight, Villareal’s Casa Rural Monfragüe offers colourful rustic rooms.

Day 3: Trujillo and the Americas

Whizz 52km east from ��á�� to Trujillo, from where Spain’s most famous conquistadors marched off to the New World in the early 16th century.

No surprise then, given its past, that timeworn Trujillo sparkles with splendid baroque and Renaissance palaces, elaborate stone-carved facades, concealed Moorish-era aljibes (cisterns), twirling church spires and lush gardens bursting with bougainvillea.

Fuel up on the majestic Plaza Mayor, under the piercing gaze of Trujillo’s towering, bronze-sculpted – is legendary for its giant portions of thoroughly Extremaduran cooking – then begin exploring the steep, walled old town. The 13th-century and the 15th-century are worth seeking out for the lowdown on the five Pizarro conquistador brothers. Your final stop should be the mysterious 10th-century Moorish castle crowning Trujillo before dinner at , which delights with high-quality, local-style meaty meals.

Sleep

has handsome colonial-inspired rooms inside a revamped 15th-century house.

Day 4: gracious Guadalupe

Today, you’re embarking on a 78km pilgrimage east from Trujillo to Guadalupe. Your reward? The glorious, glittering , built on the spot where legend has it that a 14th-century shepherd unearthed a cedar-wood carving of the Virgin. Extremaduran conquistadors took the cult of the Virgen de Guadalupe to the New World, making her the religious patron of much of Latin America. Pilgrims still flock to Guadalupe from across the globe for the chance to kiss the statue’s mantle.

Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, Mudejar cloister built in the 15th century. Hemis.fr RM / Getty Images

Tour the monastery and its extravagant collection of art, jewels, illuminated manuscripts and other riches. You’ll also see two exquisite cloisters, one late-14th-century Mudéjar, the other Gothic.

Eat and sleep

The lets you dine and snooze in antiquated, character-packed rooms lining the monastery’s gorgeous Gothic cloister.

Days 5 & 6: Roman ��é��岹

Spin 125km southwest from Guadalupe to ��é��岹, Extremadura’s capital. Crammed with Spain’s finest Roman relics – ��é��岹 once ruled the Roman province of Lusitania – you’ll need two days to explore thoroughly. A combined €12 ticket gives you access to most sights.

Roman theatre in Merida. — ��é��岹's Roman theatre has stood for over 2000 years and is still used for performances today. Universal Images Group / Getty Images

Start with the stunning , before hitting the show-stopping, 6000-person , built in 15 BC. Head downhill, past the 1st-century-BC , to admire the elegant , then fast forward nine centuries to the adjacent . Nearby, delivers delicious contemporary cooking. Other historical treasures include the , the Cripta de Santa Eulalia and the 1st-century AD .

Come dinnertime, classy concocts Spain’s culinary favourites with homegrown ingredients, or entices with Extremaduran classics, from succulent grilled meats to platters of the finest jamón (cured ham).

Sleep

Crash at fabulously fresh or multi-coloured self-catering apartments.

Day 7: south to Zafra

From ��é��岹, it’s 60km south to sultry Zafra. On the way, swing by the recently restored 15th-century , which flourished under the formidable local Feria dynasty and enjoys wraparound panoramas from its scenic hilltop location.

Plaza Grande in Zafra, Spain. — Take a break under the palm trees in Zafra's Plaza Grande. RudiErnst / Shutterstock

Moorish-origin Zafra has a jewel of a sun-bleached, flower-filled old town. Explore the still-active, 15th-century Mudéjar-style , where the Feria family is entombed. Lunch on tapas under the arches of the palm-dotted Plaza Grande and the adjoining Plaza Chica. Then visit the spectacular marble-clad Renaissance patio of Zafra’s commanding castle, now a parador (luxurious state-owned hotel). Dine on fine traditional-style meats and outstanding desserts at .

Round your Extremaduran expedition off some 45km south from Zafra in Monesterio. This unassuming town produces some of Spain’s most garlanded jamón – and also hosts an exceptional .