2025 Badajoz Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

🏙There is a low-key town in southern Spain that is both delicious and fun. It is Badajoz in Extremadura. This historic city close to the Portuguese border is a blend of Moorish culture, Spanish traditions and Portuguese style. It has both magnificent historical sites and mouth-watering cuisine. If you like long history, exotic architecture, and street food full of fireworks, then Badajoz will definitely be a surprise place on your travel list! Plaza Alta (Picture 1-2) is quite photogenic, and the red and white arcades are particularly suitable for taking photos. This square was once the commercial and social center of Badajoz, and it still retains a strong historical atmosphere. ✨ Travel Tips: 📸 Best time to take photos: before 10am or after 5pm, avoid strong sunlight. 🎭 Recommended experience: If you catch a local festival (such as Carnival, Easter), there will be open-air performances and markets in the square, which is very lively! Not far away is the Badajoz Castle (Alcazaba de Badajoz), a Moorish castle built in the 12th century and declared a Spanish historical monument in 1931. ⏳ Historical background: It was built in the 12th century by the Moors and later recaptured and reinforced by the Christians. In 1931, it was listed as a national historic monument by the Spanish government. Standing on the city wall, you can overlook the Guadiana River and the entire city. 🎟 Tour highlights: ✅ Defense Tower (Torre de Espantaperros): It is one of the symbols of Badajoz and is similar in style to the Golden Tower in Seville. ✅ Castle Garden: The ancient city walls, arches and lush green gardens complement each other, and walking through them is like traveling back to the Moorish era. ✅ Sunset view: It is recommended to go there in the evening, standing on a high place overlooking the city, and the sunset shining on the red brick walls is beautiful. Here you can also find a variety of fresh local ingredients, such as Iberian ham. Every year, the small town of Monesterio next to it holds the Ham Day (Día del Jamón de Monesterio). During the event, many stalls will be set up in the city for everyone to taste a variety of hams and cured meats, and there will also be interesting ham cutting competitions. 🚗Badajoz is not very large, so after visiting, you can go to the nearby medieval city of Mérida. It’s less than an hour’s drive away, so it’s perfect for a packed trip!

From the outside, the cathedral resembles a fortress, designed to provide security in the event of ongoing warfare in the city. Construction began after King Alfonso IX conquered Badajoz in the 13th century. The building features battlements at the top and a tall quadrangular tower with large windows on the second level. There are three entrance doors, with the main one being the Gate of Saint John the Baptist, which is topped with an image of the saint. Inside, the cathedral follows a traditional layout, including three naves, five bays, a transept, and a chancel with three apses. The ceiling features decadent Gothic vaulting.

Heading slightly west in Spain ~ Badajoz Province (Region) It has an impressive wall, with the Espantaperros Tower being particularly striking. Inside is the Duke of La Roca Palace, built in the 16th century, which now houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum. It is the longest wall in Europe, and this castle (meaning city fortifications) has protected the city of Badajoz since ancient times. Its construction dates back to between the 9th and 13th centuries, and its extension is very long, so it may take some time to walk the entire length.

Spain Westward ~ Badajoz Province (Region) From prehistory to the present, it has gone through the Roman, Visigothic, Arab and Moorish periods. The museum is located in the Muslim Alcazaba. It houses more than 20,000 artifacts from archaeological sites in the province. As such, you can see everything from Visigothic architectural elements, Arabic ceramics and tombstones to Roman mosaics. Of particular importance is the collection of Bronze Age stelae, one of the most complete in the Iberian Peninsula. Also noteworthy is the section on the megalithic village. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Extremadura

Traveling westward in Spain ~ Badajoz Province (region) Highlights of the Cathedral Museum's collection include rare panels by the painter Luis Morales, as well as metalwork and historical tapestries. This experience cannot be missed by any visitor to the city, and the museums contain real gems that will amaze many. I highlight: El Greco's Confession of Saint Jerome, the magnificent painting by Luis de Morales in the same room, the alabaster bas-reliefs of Donatello's disciples, some Incredible ivory statue artwork dedicated to San Miguel and San Juan, made by a Chinese artist. You won't regret it, then when you leave, take a walk around Plaza de España and enjoy an aperitif in one of the many hotels in the area, you'll be delighted. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Extremadura

Traveling westward in Spain ~ Badajoz Province (region) The museum houses approximately 1,500 contemporary works of art by Spanish, Portuguese and Ibero-American artists One of Badajoz's most underrated gems. Housed in a Franco-era prison, this magnificent panopticon building has four floors of modern art from Spain, Portugal and Latin America. It's worth visiting again and again as the exhibitions are constantly changing. Usually in the form of painting, sculpture, photography, etc. MEIAC does an excellent job of contextualizing its exhibitions and featured artists. Worthy of being a must-see in Extremadura, just like Helga de Alvear in Cáceres. #2024TravelReview #SpainTravel #Extremadura

Western Spain - Badajoz Province (Region) Painting and sculpture are the main focus of its exhibitions. The museum is located in a late 19th-century palace. The collection includes over 2,000 works by more than 300 painters and sculptors from the 18th to the 20th century. Highlights include paintings by Zurbarán and Esquivel, sculptures by Cabrera, paintings by Alberti, and prints by Picasso and Dalí.

Western Spain ~ Badajoz Province (Region) The museum is located in the 16th-century home of artist Luis Morales and showcases the history of Badajoz, from its first settlers to Roman, Visigoth, and Moorish civilizations, up to the present day. One of the rooms is dedicated to the famous artist Luis Morales (16th century), whose works are mostly found in churches and palaces in Spain and Portugal. The museum also features information panels, display cases, replicas, timelines, interactive exhibits, games…

Heading west in Spain ~ Badajoz Province (Region) Badajoz (the largest province in Spain) is located on the banks of the Guadiana River, just six kilometers from Portugal, and has always been marked by its proximity to the border. Strolling through the historic district, you will discover Arab walls, interesting monuments, and picturesque streets and arcades. Badajoz is also an excellent starting point for further exploration of the Land of Barros, Mérida, and the Cornalvo Natural Park. In all these places, you can savor the delicious cuisine of Extremadura. The original castle of the City of Peace was already well-known in Roman times, but it was the Moors who gave it its current name, calling it Batalyoz in the 8th century. In the 11th century, after the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba (the Muslim power ruling the conquered territories), the city became one of the Taifa kingdoms, rapidly expanding on the peninsula and gaining significant political and military importance. In the 13th century, the city was reconquered by Christian monarchs, and its location on the so-called 'border line' between Spain and Portugal enhanced its fighting spirit.

Badajoz is located on the border between Spain and Portugal. The city gradually developed during the Islamic period in the eighth century AD, and in the eleventh century it became a small Islamic country named Badajoz. The city's name is still used today. This border city is also the site of many fusions of Islam and Catholicism. When Portugal belonged to Spain from 1580 to 1640, it was also set as a temporary capital. Spain often welcomed Portuguese princesses here. It was also the place where Portuguese and Spanish cultures met. At sunset, walk up the city wall. There are no crowds of tourists here. Here you can quietly overlook the scenery of the old city of Badajoz. On the banks of the GUADIANA River, at sunset, you can experience the remains of the fusion of medieval Islam and Catholicism. Route method: Locate the Archaeological and Historical Museum or the Alcazaba Castle, walk to the bottom of the city wall and go up the steps. It is better at sunset. Then go down the steps from the city wall door opposite the Archaeological Museum and walk to ALTA Plaza. After taking pictures, go straight from the right-hand alley to Badajoz Cathedral Square. Then go straight to the center of Badajoz from the alley in front of you to find a local restaurant for a meal. The city walking tour takes about one and a half hours to fully appreciate this old border city. Badajoz Badajoz Province

#familytrips2024 We decided to stop in the quiet, unassuming town of Badajoz, Spain during our road trip. This town is very understated but will not disappoint those seeking a rich historical experience in Spain. Museum is quite small, but what surprised me is a good pre-Roman collection. The walk along the walls is amazing. Great historic place. Our dream destination is to go to Hong Kong for my family trip as Hong Kong is paradise for food lovers, offering a wide variety of culinary delights. My family will enjoy it very much.