Extremadura, Spain

Extremadura, Spain

Extremadura is among Spain’s best-kept secrets. With a rich heritage (and few tourists), it’s a must for lovers of history, Iberian ham and… Game of Thrones.

Extremadura is among
Spain’s
best-kept secrets. With a rich heritage (and few
tourists), it’s a must for lovers of history, Iberian ham and… Game
of Thrones.

Where?

Extremadura, Spain.

Why now?

North of Seville and bordering Portugal’s Alentejo,
this Spanish region has been kept under wraps by locals for
centuries. Despite its many alluring qualities, Extremadura is one
of the country’s least-visited regions, making it the perfect
alternative to tourist-filled city breaks and jam-packed
beaches.

This remote region is made up of vast landscapes with craggy
mountains, thick forests and sparkling lakes, interspersed with
ancient Roman villages. Spend days traversing wildlife reserves –
both Monfragüe National Park and Cornalvo Natural Park are great
for hiking and birdwatching. Afterwards, head to the region’s
capital Mérida to replenish energy levels with plates piled high
with Iberian ham and bottles of Spanish wine – Extremadura has the
second biggest wine-making area in Spain, stretching across 80,000
hectares.

Stroll through Mérida’s streets to admire Roman ruins from the
crumbling Teatro Romano to the impressive Circo Romano, which is
believed to have been built around 20 BCE. History buffs should
also pay a visit to any of Extremadura’s six Unesco World Heritage
Sites. Our favourite is the walled medieval city of Cáceres, where
the Old Town boasts a striking blend of Roman, Moorish, gothic,
Italian renaissance and Islamic architecture. Round off the trip
with a day spent at Orellana, Spain’s only inland blue-flag beach.
Located within a protected bird area in Badajoz province, the beach
is a secluded place to doze off and catch some rays.

Don’t miss…

Extremadura’s spooky ghost town. Only accessible by a single,
pot-holed road, Granadilla has been vacant since the 50s when
residents were forced to flee the village after it was pronounced a
flood zone. Walk to Granadilla’s towering fortress, which offers
panoramic views over the city and surrounding reservoir.

Who to take with you

A serious carnivore – Extremadura produces some of the world’s
best ham. Just outside the town of Montanchez sits an Iberian pig
farm, where pigs are free to wallow where they please and are fed
acorns. The resulting meat is called jamón ibérico puro de bellota,
known for its smooth, rich taste.

When to go

Visit in July
for WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) festival. Held
in Cáceres since 1992, this free festival hosts music performances,
workshops, street entertainment and fairs showcasing the best of
international cultures.

Where to stay

Stay at Hotel Izán Trujillo in the
centre of Trujillo. Set inside an old baroque-style convent dating
back to the 16th century, the russet-pink exterior walls echo the
original structure while original religious frescoes and vestiges
are dotted throughout the rooms inside.

Most likely to bump into…

A
Game of Thrones
geek. Trujillo’s Arab fortress in the province
of Cáceres was used to film Casterly Rock, and the city’s medieval
streets set the scene as King’s Landing.

Essentials to bring with you

Pair this Tide Slub cotton-jersey tank from
The Range
with these Valentino wool-and-silk crepe
shorts
for a breezy outfit that smoothly transitions from day
to night.

How to get there

Fly to Madrid
from London
in two and a half hours before renting a car to drive through
Spain’s rolling countryside, arriving at Extremadura in just under
three hours.

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