Nature

Extremadura doesn’t shout about itself the way the Costas or Catalonia does. That’s part of its charm but for travellers who are keen to dig deeper – whether that means bird-watching in Monfragüe, cycling through cork oak forests, or following the ghost of conquistadors – a good guide makes all the difference. Here's a run-down of five of the most recommended tour operators in the region, each ready to share Extremadura’s secrets with warmth, wit and colourful local anecdotes

Several generations of readers have been lured to Spain by the words of Ernest Hemingway. I was drawn first to Pamplona by his immortal...

It took me ten days from the point where I crossed the Andalucia frontier – over the Arroyo de la Víbora (Ravine of the Viper) – to complete the 350km trek across the shimmering plains of Extremadura. Now, in two hours more, I’d cross the border into Castilla y León, a province so gigantic that all of Portugal would fit into it with room to spare for the country of Andorra. Extract: ‘…All that was lacking was a place to shower and somewhere to do my laundry. I hoped that Las

When it comes to outdoor adventures in Spain, many hikers are drawn to popular regions like the Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada...or the well-trodden trails of the Camino Francés. If you're yearning to embark on a journey of tranquillity, solitude and natural beauty, Extremadura's lesser-known hiking routes are hard to beat. While it's generally free from challenging altitudes, Extremadura (average elevation about 700m) nevertheless offers hidden trails that cater to hikers of all le

With around 340 species of birds and some truly charismatic Iberian mammals the region offers some unique wildlife sightings. Extremadura is recognised as one of Europe’s top bird-watching destinations. The Spanish imperial eagle , with a global population of around 300 pairs, can be found soaring in the skies above Monfragüe National Park. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a must-visit for birdwatchers, showcasing dramatic cliffs and valleys that create the perfect landscape

Beyond Extremadura's charming cities and lively villages lie forgotten paths that have been trodden by shepherds since Roman times. These hidden trails weave through breathtaking scenery and, preserved (originally by royal decree) up to present times, continue to offer a unique hiking experience. Historical significance of the cañadas reales migration routes Since before the Romans arrived, shepherds in Extremadura have travelled these trails, linking remote grazing areas an

In the midst of the seemingly untouched wilderness of Extremadura it comes as quite a surprise to walk through a gigantic four-sided...

Since it was constructed by the Romans (to supply water, via that miraculous aqueduct, to Mérida) Proserpina Reservoir has been a...

What you see is what you get: +-995 ...kilometres between Seville and Santiago de Compostela +-45 ...days to walk the entire route +-350 ...kilometres actually within Extremadura (walk-able in roughly 2 weeks) The Vía de la Plata (sometimes called the 'Silver Way' in English) is one of the most challenging - and fascinating - routes of the many Caminos that lead to Santiago de Compostela. Much of it follows ancient Roman roads and nomadic migration paths that were around long

[This article is a re-written version of a feature that I was commissioned to write for the travel section of Guardian newspaper. The original version was nominated for the 'Consumer National Newspaper Sustainable Tourism Feature of the Year Award' at the 2025 Spain Talks Media Awards.] The blistering sun glinted through the windows as the bartender slid a chilled glass of Cruzcampo across the metal bar. “Ocho meses de invierno, cuatro de infierno,” he muttered with a nod tow

Although this story - rewritten from an assignment that I did for CNN Traveller magazine - features the province of Aragón it is fair to say that the tradition of the transhumancia (the ancient migration routes) is more emblematic of Extremadura than of any other part of the Iberian peninsula. Ramón Noguero wrapped his hands around a tin mug of coffee-and-brandy and fixed his blue eyes once again on the snow-capped peaks that every year seem to take more energy in getting b

As I followed the dusty trail up to the old Moorish castle of Monfragüe I realised what a fantastic strategic position this must have been for the Muslim conquerors who aimed to dominate the great Rio Tajo. And Parque Nacional de Monfragüe is still a favourite haven for visitors from North Africa. In addition to hundreds of endemic Spanish birds, the craggy riverbanks and sprawling woodlands that make up the park are homes to dozens of migrant African species. Egyptian vultur