Destinations
Valencia de Alcántara — a delightful small town in the mountains
From Neolithic dolmens to the Jewish Quarter, Valencia de Alcántara can boast of a heritage worthy of exploration and a gastronomy to be savoured. Its surroundings are ideal for long walks or practising sports activities.
- Explore
- Valencia de Alcántara
Location and Contact:
- Contact person: Valencia de Alcántara Tourist Office
- Tel.:927 582 184
- Website address: www.valenciadealcantara.es
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From Neolithic dolmens to the Jewish Quarter, Valencia de Alcántara can boast of a heritage worthy of exploration and a gastronomy to be savoured. Its surroundings are ideal for long walks or practising sports activities.
Surrounded by three mountain ranges, this town lies inside the Tagus International Nature Reserve. Its heritage attests to the different cultures that have settled there since prehistoric times. Founded by the Romans, it was later taken over by the Visigoths until the 13th century. Its proximity to Portugal left its imprint on the following centuries until the town reached its period of greatest splendour in the 16th and 17th centuries with the building of its most representative monuments.
A good place to begin your stroll around Valencia de Alcántara is the Jewish-Gothic Quarter, which has been declared a Site of Historic and Artistic Interest. The area is dotted with palaces and mansions with their porches and pointed arches, you will also come across a synagogue there. Nearby you have the Church of Nuestra Señora de Rocamador, declared to be a Monument of Historic and Artistic Interest. It was built over a Roman temple and houses a Baroque altarpiece by José de Churriguera, among other works of great value. From here, head for the castle (13th century), which is a must on your visit to the town. Its keep and fortified enclosure house a splendid library.
You should also have a look at the Convent of Santa Clara or the Church of the Encarnación. On your walk, be sure to pass through Plaza de Gregorio Bravo (which is home to a beautiful, 19th-century marble fountain), as well as Plaza Mayor, paved as it is in Portuguese style.
In spite of the beautiful wood that surrounds the town, with its typically Extremadura-like estates, the main tourist attraction is undoubtedly the Neolithic dolmens and other Bronze Age constructions that have been preserved in the district. There are several routes you can explore to see these prehistoric monuments, while at the same time delighting in the beauty of the surroundings. On your return from one of these walks we recommend that you try the "chanfaina" (lamb stew accompanied by potatoes or rice) to get your strength back. If you have a sweet tooth, you're definitely in the right place: try the "frutos borrachos" (fritters), "tortas de chicharrones" (pork scratching cakes) or the "bollos de Pascua" (Easter buns), they're simply delicious. -
Type:
- Locality
Theme:
- Destinations
Target audience:
- Families
- Young people
- Single people
- Senior citizens
- Children
- Couples
- Single people
Gallery:
More suggestions
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ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM OF VALENCIA DE ALCÁNTARA
The ethnographic museum is located next to the Tourist Office.
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El Berrocal de La Data
Situado en Valencia de Alcántara, el Berrocal de la Data es Monumento Natural desde diciembre de 2020. Destaca por sus impresionantes rocas graníticas, sus cinco dólmenes, sus pinturas rupestres y su riqueza medioambiental.
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Dolmens Valencia de Alcántara
In the vicinity of this village in the Caceres region, we find one of the most important megalithic sites in Europe.
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Jewish Valencia de Alcántara
Before the Jewish community was expelled by the Catholic Monarchs, they built neighbourhoods that remain to this day.
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Church of Nuestra Señora de Rocamador
This monument is a part of the Valencia de Alcántara historic site. Its beauty lies both in the exterior and the interior, where there a great works of art which must be seen.
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Valencia de Alcántara Bullring
The Valencia de Alcántara bullring was built in the late 19th century and the building still has many of its original elements.
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Valencia de Alcántara Interpretation Centre
Visit this manor house in the Gothic Quarter of Valencia de Alcántara and enjoy this exploration of the history of the area and its most important tourist attractions.
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Valencia de Alcántara Tourist Office
Come and discover all that Valencia de Alcántara has to offer.
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The Royal Weeding, Spanish-Portuguese history
Valencia de Alcántara reenacts the royal wedding between the Infanta Isabella, daughter of the Catholic Monarchs, and the king of Portugal, Dom Manuel.
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San Isidro Pilgrimage in Valencia de Alcántara
On 15 May, Valencia de Alcántara puts on its best face to celebrate the patron saint of farmers on the feast of San Isidro.