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Caceres Eco Hoteles — Green Stays in Extremadura's UNESCO City
🏰 UNESCO Old Town
🍖 Jamón Ibérico
🏛️ Roman Heritage
🎬 Game of Thrones
🏞️ Monfragüe
Por Qué Alojarse en Caceres?
Caceres is one of Spain's most underrated cities — a place where medieval, Renaissance, and Moorish architecture sits almost perfectly preserved within ancient walls. The Old Town of Caceres was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986, and it's easy to see why. Walking its cobblestone streets feels like stepping back in time. With a population of approximately 96,000, Caceres is the capital of the province and a gateway to the wider Extremadura region.
The city was founded by the Romans in 34 BC as Norba Caesarina. After the fall of Rome, it was conquered by the Moors in the 8th century, who left a lasting mark on the city's architecture and layout. The Christian Reconquista in the 13th century brought a new wave of construction, with noble families building the fortified palaces that give the Old Town its distinctive character. Many of these palaces still retain their original towers — a symbol of the power struggles between noble families in medieval Spain.
In recent years, Caceres has gained international fame as a filming location for Game of Thrones (Season 7), standing in for the city of King's Landing. The city is also a culinary destination, sitting at the heart of Spain's finest ham-producing region. The surrounding dehesa (pastureland) produces some of the world's best jamón ibérico, and the local Torta del Casar cheese is legendary.
For the eco-conscious traveller, Caceres is a compact, walkable city with excellent train connections to Madrid (3 hours). Booking through IMPT means every night you stay removes one tonne of CO2 at no extra cost. You also get €5 de crédito gratis on your first booking and 5% cashback in IMPT tokens.
Caceres at a Glance
Cómo Aprovechar Caceres
Caceres is well connected by train and road. The Caceres railway station connects to Madrid (3 hours), Merida (40 minutes), and Seville (3 hours). By road, the A-66 and A-58 motorways connect the city to the rest of Spain. The nearest airport is Badajoz (90 km west), though Madrid-Barajas (300 km) offers more flight options with direct bus connections.
The city centre is compact and walkable. The Plaza Mayor is the natural starting point, with the Old Town rising above it to the east. The best way to explore is simply to wander the cobblestone streets — getting lost is part of the experience. For day trips, the Roman city of Merida (70 km south) and the walled town of Trujillo (45 km east) are both easily accessible by train or bus. Monfragüe National Park (50 km north) is a paradise for birdwatchers and hikers.
Dónde Alojarse — Neighbourhoods
🏰 Old Town (Ciudad Monumental)
The UNESCO-listed historic quarter within the walls. Medieval palaces, cobblestone streets, and atmospheric squares. Many of the best hotels are converted palaces. Can be quiet at night.
🏛️ Plaza Mayor Area
The social heart of the city with outdoor cafés, restaurants, and shops. Lively day and night. Good for food lovers wanting to be in the middle of everything.
🌳 Ensanche (New Town)
The modern city centre with wider streets, shops, and modern hotels. Quieter than the Plaza Mayor but within 5-10 minutes walk of the Old Town. Good for families and longer stays.
Eco Hoteles en Caceres
IMPT partners with over 8 million hotels worldwide, including 25,000+ green-certified properties. Every booking removes one tonne of CO2 at no extra cost.
Parador de Cáceres ★★★★
Old Town — Stunning 14th-century palace converted into a luxury hotel. Stone walls, vaulted ceilings, a cloistered courtyard, and an excellent restaurant.
From €85/night • 🌿 Carbon positive
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Barceló Cáceres V Centenario ★★★★
Ensanche — Modern 4-star hotel with spacious rooms, outdoor pool, and sustainability initiatives including energy efficiency and waste reduction programmes.
From €62/night • 🌿 Carbon positive
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NH Palacio de Oquendo ★★★★
Old Town — Elegant boutique hotel in a restored 16th-century palace. Exposed stone walls, beamed ceilings, and a charming interior courtyard.
From €55/night • 🌿 Carbon positive
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Gran Hotel Don Manuel ★★★★
Ensanche — Large contemporary hotel with excellent facilities including pool, fitness centre, and rooftop terrace. Great for families and business travellers.
From €48/night • 🌿 Carbon positive
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Soho Boutique Casa Don Manuel ★★★★
Plaza Mayor — Stylish boutique hotel with contemporary design in a historic building. Rooftop pool with views. Excellent value for the standard.
From €52/night • 🌿 Carbon positive
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Hospedería de Extremadura ★★★
Old Town — Charming 3-star hotel in a restored 16th-century building. Stone arches, cosy rooms, and a central courtyard. Simple but perfectly located.
From €38/night • 🌿 Carbon positive
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Qué Hacer en Caceres
🏛️ Plaza Mayor & Torre de Bujaco
The central square of Caceres, dominated by the 12th-century Moorish Torre de Bujaco. Climb the tower for panoramic views of the Old Town and the surrounding countryside. The square is lined with cafés and restaurants.
🚶 UNESCO Old Town
A perfectly preserved medieval quarter with narrow cobblestone streets, fortified palaces, and hidden squares. The Old Town contains 30+ palaces and towers, all within a compact walled area. Free to explore. Allow 2-3 hours for a thorough walk.
⛪ Co-Cathedral of Santa María
The main church of Caceres, built between the 15th and 18th centuries in a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. The interior features a magnificent altarpiece and a beautiful cloister. Climb the bell tower for views.
🏰 Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo
One of the finest Renaissance palaces in Extremadura, built in the 15th-16th centuries. The facade features the coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs, who stayed here. Now houses a cultural centre and hosts exhibitions.
🌉 Arco de la Estrella
The Star Arch is the main entrance to the Old Town, built in the 18th century. A Baroque archway with a statue of the Virgin, it connects the Plaza Mayor to the historic quarter. Walk through at sunset for magical light.
🏛️ Museo de Cáceres
Housed in the Casa de las Veletas (House of the Weather Vanes), this museum covers the history of Caceres province from prehistory to the modern era. The highlight is the 12th-century Moorish cistern (aljibe) in the basement.
🦅 Monfragüe National Park
A 50-minute drive north of Caceres, Monfragüe is one of Europe's best birdwatching destinations. Inicio to the world's densest population of Spanish imperial eagles, black vultures, and griffon vultures. The Salto del Gitano viewpoint is spectacular.
🏰 Day Trip to Trujillo
45 km east of Caceres, Trujillo is the birthplace of many of Spain's most famous conquistadors, including Francisco Pizarro. The Plaza Mayor is one of Spain's most beautiful, dominated by a statue of Pizarro on horseback.
Recommended Rutas & Guided Tours
🚶 Old Town Monumental Walk
A 2-hour guided walk through the UNESCO Old Town. Start at the Arco de la Estrella, visit the Co-Cathedral, the Palacio de los Golfines, the Plaza de Santa María, and end at the Torre de Bujaco. Most hotels offer free walking maps.
🍖 Jamón Ibérico Tasting Tour
Join a guided tour of the dehesa (pastureland) around Caceres, visiting a jamón ibérico producer. Learn about the black Iberian pig, the acorn-fed diet, and the curing process. Includes a tasting of different grades of jamón. Tours cost €40-60.
🐦 Monfragüe Birdwatching Day Trip
Full-day guided trip to Monfragüe National Park, 50 km north. Expert guides help spot Spanish imperial eagles, black vultures, and other raptors. Includes transport, guide, and picnic lunch. Tour costs approximately €65-80 per person.
Nearby Cities in Extremadura
Preguntas Frecuentes
Is Caceres safe for tourists?
Very safe. Caceres has very low crime rates. The Old Town is well lit at night and regularly patrolled. Standard city precautions apply. The city is welcoming and friendly to tourists.
Do I need a car in Caceres?
No for the city itself — Caceres is compact and walkable. For day trips to Monfragüe, Trujillo, or Merida, a car gives you flexibility, but trains and buses connect all three easily from Caceres station (10 min walk from the centre).
What language is spoken in Caceres?
Spanish (Castilian) is the primary language. The local dialect includes some Extremaduran (estremeñu) influences. English is spoken in hotels and tourist-oriented restaurants but less widely than in larger Spanish cities.
Was Game of Thrones really filmed here?
Yes. Caceres stood in for King's Landing in Season 7 of Game of Thrones. The Arco de la Estrella, the Plaza de Santa María, and several other locations were used. You can take a dedicated Game of Thrones walking tour from the tourist office.
Is Caceres good for food lovers?
Absolutely. Extremadura produces Spain's finest jamón ibérico, the Torta del Casar cheese is world-class, and the local pitarra wine is distinctive. The Plaza Mayor and surrounding streets are packed with excellent tapas bars and restaurants serving authentic Extremaduran cuisine at very reasonable prices.
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