Extremadura is home to an exceptional heritage of great value and enormous diversity. Among all these corners, we highlight the locations with the World Heritage Emblem: Monumental City of Cáceres, Archaeological Site of Mérida and Roman baths of Alange and the Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe. In addition, the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste has a European Heritage Label.
PROGRAMME 20-25 MAY 2025
Extremadura is Heritage
Extremadura is home to an exceptional heritage of great value and enormous diversity. Among all these corners, we highlight the locations with the World Heritage Emblem: Monumental City of Cáceres, Archaeological Site of Mérida and Roman baths of Alange and the Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe. In addition, the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste has a European Heritage Label.
Extremadura is Culture
Museums
Extremadura has a wide network of museums, galleries and exhibition halls, both public and private, which surprises visitors with their variety and quality. Between them, practically the entire history of humanity is covered, from Prehistory in the Museum of Cáceres, the Roman era in the National Museum of Roman Art in Mérida, to the surprising and always current Vostell-Malpartida Museum.
Likewise, the Helga de Alvear Foundation Visual Arts Centre in Cáceres brings us closer to the most contemporary art and the Museum of Fine Arts of Badajoz collects the work of Extremaduran artists of national and international renown.
Fiestas of Tourist Interest
Extremadura experiences the preparation of its festivals, performances and historic commemorations with intensity; held throughout the year, they evidence the hospitality of the people of Extremadura.
The major religious celebrations take on special relevance to the point that Easter celebrations in Cáceres and Mérida are recognised as Fiestas of International Tourist Interest, benefiting from great aesthetics and popular fervour, they turn the streets of these two cities into authentic open-air museums.
With special consideration for its ethnological characteristics, it also has twelve Fiestas of National Tourist Interest such as the ‘Día de la Luz’ in honour of the patron saint in Arroyo de la Luz, ‘Jarramplas’ in Piornal, the staging of ‘El Alcalde de Zalamea’ by Calderón de la Barca in Zalamea de la Serena, and ‘Carantoñas’ in Acehuche. The same happens with the ‘Living Passion’ in Oliva de la Frontera, not to forget the Easter celebrations held in places such as Trujillo, Jerez de los Caballeros and Badajoz, which also has a renowned Carnival.
Performing Arts
The Mérida International Classical Theatre Festival, the oldest and most important of its kind, extends to three venues in Extremadura, specifically the Roman theatres of Medellín and Regina and the Roman city of Cáparra.
The Classical Theatre Festival is held annually in Cáceres, the Gran Teatro hosts works from the Golden Age, as do its unique streets and spaces, such as the Las Veletas Square, the San Jorge Square and the Palace of Carvajal Square.
The Alcántara Classical Theatre Festival is held in the summer in a unique setting, the Charles V Gallery of the Monastery of San Benito.
During autumn, Badajoz hosts the International Festival of Contemporary Dance and Theatre, held at the López de Ayala Theatre along with parallel activities such as conferences and lectures.
The Iberian Performing Arts Show in Cáceres aims to promote national and international professional theatre, with a particular focus on companies from Extremadura and Portugal.
Music Scene
In Extremadura you can enjoy numerous musical events that cover all styles and trends. Some as veteran as the multicultural Womad of Cáceres with numerous editions behind them. As it could not be otherwise, Extremadura strengthens ties with the neighbouring country in festivals such as the Badajoz Flamenco and Fado Festival.
Flamenco is precisely the protagonist of festivals of great importance such as the one held in Las Minas de Aldea Moret, Cáceres. 'Festisierra' of Fregenal de la Sierra has an extensive program of folkloric groups from the five continents.
Classical music is represented at the Iberian Festival in Badajoz, indie finds its framework at the Contempopránea in Albuquerque, rock at Extremúsika and Mayorga Rock and electronic music at the Hebben Live in Don Benito.
Blues and jazz have their respective festivals at the Blues Festival in Cáceres and the Badejazz in Badajoz. In addition to many other musical events that throughout the year cover all types of audiences.
Cultural Routes
Route of Isabel the Catholic: Accompanying Queen Isabel the Catholic is the protagonist of this route with its most significant place, the Monastery of Guadalupe.
Route of Charles V: Experience the history of Spain in Extremadura in first person just as Emperor Charles V did.
Route of the Discoverers: Get to know the towns where the great discoverers were born, such as Hernán Cortés (Mexico), Francisco Pizarro (Peru), Vasco Núñez de Balboa (Pacific Ocean) or Orellana (Amazon).
Other routes: Route of the Vía de la Plata, of the Jewish Quarters, of the Mozarabic and of the Fortresses.
Other Cultural Destinations
Destinations such as Jerez de los Caballeros that take you back to the time of the Knights Templar. In the ancient Roman theater of Medellín, time seems to have stopped. We can stroll through the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter of Hervás. The engineering work of the Roman bridge of Alcántara built over the Tagus River in the second century A.D. is admirable. The Plaza Mayor of Llerena, with fantastic balconies and arcaded arched galleries, is the heart of this town.
Enjoy Fregenal de la Sierra, the first town selected in Extremadura as a magical town in Spain. Montánchez, a land of impressive cultural baggage and whose gastronomy has the flavour of the pastureland. Delight in the hospitality of Coria, cathedral and stately. Experience the essence of the Sierra de Gata in Trevejo. Jarandilla de la Vera, crossroads of civilizations and starting point of the route of Emperor Charles V.
In the heart of the Sierra de Gata, the particular architecture of Robledillo de Gata makes it unique and it was named Rural Wonder of Spain 2018. Founded by the Order of the Temple, Olivenza is a beautiful border town where Spanish and Portuguese culture are mixed. Located in the Tajo Internacional Natural Park, Valencia de Alcántara offers a spectacular megalithic complex made up of 41 dolmens. In addition, it is a pleasure to walk through the arcaded main square of Garrovillas de Alcóntar, considered one of the largest and most beautiful in Spain.
Extremadura is Nature
Extremadura is a natural paradise with incredible biodiversity of landscapes that invites you to love the land, care for it and respect it.
Monfragüe National Park UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 2003
With the Tagus River as the backbone of the largest and best-preserved area of Mediterranean forest in the world. Over 18,000 hectares, 280 species of vertebrates coexist. This paradise for ornithologists finds its ideal viewpoint at the Salto del Gitano from where you can observe black storks, vultures, eagle owls, Egyptian vultures, and imperial eagles that nest in the Sierra de las Corchuelas. The Extremadura Birdwatching Fair (FIO) is held here every year.
Tagus-Tejo International Transboundary Biosphere Reserve UNESCO 2016
This protected natural area in both Spain and Portugal has the Tagus River as its natural border and link along 60 km. Its location has contributed to the conservation of the natural environment with great botanical variety and is home to numerous species in danger of extinction.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve La Siberia 2019
An area full of history, resources and possibilities. A territory that covers twenty-two municipalities and has great biodiversity that stands out for its plains, mountains and large reservoirs on the Guadiana and Zújar Rivers. This recognition highlights its natural and cultural heritage. The Cíjara Regional Reserve, the prehistoric archaeological sites, extensive meadows, various protected areas for bird watching and the Puerto Peña rock formations surprise visitors.
Villuercas-Ibores-Jara UNESCO Global Geopark 2015
It has spectacular landscapes that treasure the memory of hundreds of millions of years from which the continuity of the different geological periods, palaeontological remains and its biodiversity can be observed thanks to various trails.
Extremadura, Good Night
Extremadura has a network of resources that make this region an exceptional destination for astrotourism: along with its network of astronomical viewpoints, there is also the network of night trails and a variety of infrastructure and services such as the Monfragüe Observatory, with a Visitor Centre about the universe in the same building, the Trujillo Planetarium, the Cocosa Resource Centre in Badajoz and the Interactive “Experimenta” Science Centre in Llerena (Badajoz), as well as the different astronomical groups and associations and companies specialised in astronomy, which, together with many other professionals such as astrophotographers, specialised accommodation and guides for experiential activities related to stargazing and the sensations of Extremadura at night, are successfully positioning Extremadura as a unique destination in Stargazing Tourism.
Extremadura is Spirituality
Experience Extremadura through its spiritual destinations, eight routes that span from prehistory and antiquity, through Jewish and Muslim roots, pilgrimage caminos, the impressive religious and artistic heritage reflected in images, temples and monasteries, the devotion of religious festivals, as well as natural settings and SPAs.
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Extremadura is Film Set
EXTREMADURA AUDIOVISUAL is a trademark created and registered by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports of the Regional Government of Extremadura through the Extremadura Foundation of Culture for the Area of Cinema and Audiovisual. Under this denomination are grouped the audiovisual professionals of Extremadura together with their productions in the field of fiction and documentary feature films and short films, the Extremadura Film Commission as a regional filming office, and all the activities, programs and projects in the area. Extremadura, a destination straight out of a movie.
Extremadura, Place to Get Old
Extremadura is a leading region in Europe for healthy and active aging. Here, we see aging as a stage full of opportunities— a time to rediscover oneself, stay active, start new projects, fulfill dreams, find purpose in everyday life, remain engaged in the community, maintain independence, and enjoy the surrounding environment. This approach highlights essential values such as care, support, and intergenerational connection, deeply rooted in the region’s identity.
The elderly in Extremadura remind us of the importance of purpose and meaning in life at every stage. They show us the value of intergenerational bonds, traveling between past and present to reveal that in Extremadura, aging with quality of life is all about community, connection, tradition, and love.
Extremadura, Investment Destination
Extremadura is positioned as a key territory in the new global investment map, combining strategic resources, institutional stability and a unique value proposition for industrial, energy, technological and agri-food projects. The autonomous community has designed an ambitious plan for the period 2024-2027 that promotes the attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI), with the aim of projecting itself as the best eco-efficient destination in southern Europe.
One of the pillars of this strategy is Extremadura's leadership in renewable energies. At the end of 2023, the region led the national ranking of installed PV power for the third consecutive year, accounting for a quarter of the total in Spain, with 6,410 MW. This effort is not only maintained but intensified with a projection of reaching 11,000 MW by 2030.
In addition, the Public Land Bank of Extremadura makes available to investors more than 27,000 hectares of unprotected rural public land, with excellent solar availability, proximity to key infrastructures and suitable for industrial projects with energy self-consumption. This model allows not only to reduce energy costs, but also to offer long-term price stability, a strategic advantage highly valued by electro-intensive and technological sectors.
Another critical resource that places Extremadura on the radar of international investment is lithium. The deposits under exploration, particularly in the province of Cáceres, position the region as an essential node in the electric vehicle value chain. According to the plan's analyses, a single of these projects could supply 30% of the European Union's objectives in terms of the supply of lithium of European origin. This opens the door to an industrial strategy that aspires to attract, not only extraction, but also processing, battery manufacturing, and eventually assembly plants.
The region's agri-food tradition and potential represent another attraction for investment. Extremadura has a solid base in the production of high-quality food, and large multinationals are already present in the territory. The region is now promoting a new model based on the circular economy, digitalisation and the efficient use of water and energy, which allows the added value of the agro-industrial chain to be scaled. Likewise, the installation of biogas and biomass plants is promoted, taking advantage of agricultural and livestock waste as an energy source, which reinforces Extremadura's position as a benchmark in sustainability.
The region offers immediate availability of industrial land in; the Southwest Iberian Logistics Platform (PLSW-Badajoz), ExpacioMérida and ExpacioNavalmoral, equipped with logistics services and infrastructures adapted to the new requirements of intermodal transport. The freight terminals in these spaces and the connection with strategic ports such as Sines, Algeciras or Huelva, reinforce its logistics competitiveness.
From an economic and administrative point of view, Extremadura has clear advantages. The region offers the highest intensity of public investment aid – up to 40% in the case of large companies – low labour disputes, high institutional stability and a favourable governance environment. In addition, the Administrative Simplification Law (4/2022) and the figure of the PREMIA project (of regional interest) make it possible to halve administrative deadlines and streamline procedures for strategic projects, generating a more agile, predictable and favourable environment for the investor.
In the field of human capital, Extremadura has a public university with centres specialising in critical technologies, and a network of Vocational Training centres capable of offering tailor-made training. In addition, quality of life, safety, low cost of living and a privileged natural environment contribute to the attraction and retention of talent, both local and international.
Finally, sectors such as technology are beginning to be viewed with greater ambition. Despite the initial limitations, progress has been made in fibre optic and 5G coverage throughout the territory, which opens up possibilities for digital projects such as data centers, blockchain, artificial intelligence or distributed computing, especially those that require high energy capacity with a sustainable approach.
In short, Extremadura is no longer just a region with latent potential, but a space with real conditions to become the epicentre of Europe's new green, digital and industrial economy. With available land, clean energy, competitive incentives, adaptable talent and a solid institutional framework, the region is prepared to receive high-value projects and accompany them from conception to consolidation.
