Badajoz - Northeast
Extremadura castles: Benquerencia de la Serena
Due to its location, Extremadura has been a strategic territory to conquer and defend for throughout history – by the Arabs, the Romans, and the Christians. That’s why there are so many fortresses and castles scattered around the region. There are, in fact, more than...
Roman architecture in Extremadura: Hijovejo
That Extremadura abounds in Roman sites is no secret. Mérida, Medellín, Cáceres or Alcántara are some of the destinations to visit if you’re interested in Roman history and architecture. However, they are many other Roman sites scattered throughout the region that are...
Swimming in Extremadura: the Orellana reservoir
After months of no rain, Extremadura looks like a yellow desert in summer. A desert full of oases, though, be it rivers, streams, natural pools or reservoirs. With over 1,500 km of freshwater coastline, the possibilities for swimming in Extremadura are many, but...
Walking in Extremadura: Villanueva de la Serena-Magacela
Every time I go back to Extremadura I try to include a day of walking in my agenda. I tend to eat a lot while I’m there (a classic when you are at mom’s), so a good walk keeps me, if not fit, at least guilt-free. Today I’m sharing a recent walking route I did with my...
Eating with a view: La Alacena del Castillo, Puebla de Alcocer
[UPDATE from 01-09-16] I found out this restaurant recently closed down. A real pity. Let's hope someone takes over and it reopens soon! If you visit Puebla de Alcocer (in the Siberia area) there are two things you must do—visit the castle and eat at La Alacena del...
Puebla de Alcocer, or the Spanish castle with the best views of Siberia
A Spanish castle? In Siberia? How does that work? You may think I’ve gone crazy, but I haven’t. Surely everyone has heard of (the Russian) Siberia, but only a few know that there is another Siberia… in Spain. In Extremadura, to be more precise. La Siberia is an area...
Zalamea de la Serena and Spain’s most famous mayor
If you ask any Spaniard who Pedro Crespo was they probably don’t know, as there must be thousands of men in Spain with that name. But if you ask them about the mayor of Zalamea they will immediately know who you are talking about. Pedro Crespo was the main character...
What to see in Medellín, Spain
Most travellers have heard of Medellín, Colombia, but are unaware that the city was named after a small town in the Spanish region of Extremadura. While small in population (+2,300), the original Medellín is big in history, and is worth a visit. If you...
