Relax and unwind: a tour of the lovely villages of Extremadura

To the south, in the province of Badajoz, there are many municipalities with beautiful old quarters that are worth a visit. Llerena, with its whitewashed houses and buildings that combine Gothic, Mudéjar and Baroque styles, is one of them. Not far from here, at the foot of the Sierra de Castellar mountains, is Zafra. Did you know that it’s called “Sevilla la chica” (little Seville) because of its beautiful architecture? Sitting in the sun and enjoying a drink and a snack in either of the two squares, La Grande or La Chica, is one of life’s simple pleasures.45 kilometres from Zafra, the Baroque bell towers of Jerez de los Caballeros are really striking, and if you decide to visit Fregenal de la Sierra you’ll be impressed by the huge Templar castle, which even has a bullring and a food market inside. And another recommendation: Olivenza, a little town where you can admire the mix of Spanish and Portuguese traditions and heritage.

The Sierra de Gata is another region with lots to enjoy. Did you know that this area is well-known for its mushrooms? If you’re travelling in the autumn, be sure to taste some of the mouthwatering local dishes cooked with mushrooms, or maybe go out mushroom hunting yourself. And you’ll love visiting the villages, enjoying rural gems like Robledillo de Gata or San Martín de Trevejo at your leisure. If you have time, the town of Villa de Coria is around 50 kilometres away, and there you’ll find monuments that include the cathedral and the old 14-metre high Roman walls.