Why I think everyone should visit the lovely Badajoz

This article is sort of my apology to Badajoz. I’d been wanting to visit for such a long time, but I just never got around around to it and I feel bad about that now I’ve finally been.

I don’t want you to make that mistake too, because it’s a delightful place and I’m pretty sure you’re going to fall in love with it, just as I did.

In this article we’ll take a look at why I think everyone should visit Badajoz, how to get there, where to stay (if you’re going to stay overnight) and what to do with your time there.

Finally, in the summer of 2026, I organised a southern Extremadura road trip and off we went. And Badajoz was exactly what I’d hoped for: a lovely, historical small city. I love it, and I know you will too.

_{There are affiliate links in this article. If you click and make a purchase I could make a small sum at zero cost to you. Thank you!}

How long do you need in Badajoz?

If you already know me, you know this isn’t a question I find easy to answer: it’s small enough that you can see everything in one day but that doesn’t mean Badajoz is a one-day city.

It is a great place to base yourself to check out the nearby towns, to nip into Portugal and to explore the beautiful Extremaduran countryside. And, of course, I love slow, deliberate travel so if you have the time and the inclination, Badajoz is just waiting for you.

🚙 the roads are in excellent condition leading to and from Badajoz in all directions. A car isn’t necessary within Badajoz but if you’re travelling here for a day or a weekend, it obviously makes life easier, and of course, day trips are also more fun with a car. Driving through Extremadura, on well maintained, small roads with olive trees, cork trees, grape vines, and gorgeous castles on small hills, is truly a joy.

→ Check rental car options now

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to driving in Spain

🅿️ you can’t drive into the old town but there’s plenty of free parking all around – for example, right by the alcazaba and outside the archaeological museum

🚌 – the bus station is a little outside of town, some twenty minutes walk from the centre

→ Check bus timetables and prices on Busbud across Europe

🚆 – Badajoz railway station is on the other side of the river from Badajoz old town, at has trains running between here and Mérida, Sevilla, Huelva, Plasencia, Cáceres, Zafra & Madrid.

→ Check train timetables and prices on RailEurope

🎈Travel over Badajoz in hot air balloon for a really incredible adventure

Plaza San José & Plaza Alta

Once you’ve been to the archaeology museum, walk down through the Puerta del Capitel to Plaza San José where you can greet King Alfonso IX if you wish to do so before turning left, walking under the Arco del Peso del Colodrazgo and onto the Plaza Alta.

I imagine that this plaza is a little more lively when it’s not 46℃. There are a few cafés here where you can grab a much needed drink before examining the very cool painted houses. These casas coloradas were repainted in 2020 but they are originally from the 17th century.

Puerta de Palmas

This sixteenth century ‘gate’ is one of the most recognisable monuments in the city and yes, it’s pretty impressive as you walk by it (first photo of article).

Puente de Palmas

You may read elsewhere that this is a Roman bridge but it’s not (head to nearby Mérida for that). It’s still impressive though. It’s a 585m long arched bridge that crosses the Río Guadiana uniting the two sides of Badajoz. It was constructed sometime between the mid 15th century and early 16th century (people don’t seem to agree on a specific date).

📸 In my opinion the best photos of this bridge are taken from the alcazaba walls (shared above)

Paseo del río

If you’re not visiting during a heatwave like I did, you may enjoy a walk along the river. We did not walk for long given that we felt as if we were melting by the time we got down there.

Muelle de la diversidad

This is a small floating dock at river level. I’m not sure why it’s relevant to diversity but it’s pleasant to stand amongst so many water lilies (photo above).

Cáceres – a beautiful UNESCO protected medieval town → Read the full MexicoCassie guide to Cáceres (photo above)

Mérida – this fascinating city is home to more Roman ruins than you can imagine and the museums here are incredible too. It also has UNESCO World Heritage Site status → Read the full MexicoCassie guide to Mérida (photo above)

Sevilla – world famous Sevilla is an easy 90 minute drive south, visit the Alcázar, Las Setas and see just why Zafra is called Little Sevilla → Read the full MexicoCassie guide to Sevilla (photo above)

Jerez de los Caballeros – an even quieter small town in Extremadura, this is a delightful place to stroll around, enjoy a slow lunch and marvel at the views (photo above)

Zafra – a beautiful small city that’s perfect for a day adventure. Don’t miss the parador, the small museums, delightful plazas and great food → Read the full MexicoCassie guide to exploring Zafra

Burguillos del Cerro – this small town half way between Zafra and Jerez de los Caballeros is home to an incredible castle that sadly, due to the intense heat, we didn’t visit. I will 100% be getting myself there one day in cooler weather (photo above)

Nogales and Alburqurque – are both home to incredible looking castles

Fuentes de León – book a tour of the fascinating Cuevas (caves) de León

Alange – a small town on the bank of the Embalse de Alange where you’ll find the Roman thermal baths

+ of course you can visit the incredible Monfragüe National Park, (photo above) Sierra de Hornachos, the Sierra de Tentudia and the Sierra de Aracena

+ nip into Portugal, it’s right there, why not? From Badajoz we went to see the medieval aqueduct in Elvas, just over the border. There are also a number of really cool looking forts to visit here.