Badajoz Holidays: Cathedral, Alcazaba and Extremadura
Provincia de Badajoz · Extremadura · Spain · 150,530 residents
Badajoz Cathedral
Alcazaba of Badajoz.jpg/500px-MEIAC-MaquinArte_exterior_(pacovila).jpg)
Museo Extremeño e Iberoamericano de Arte Contemporáneo
Museo de Bellas Artes de Badajoz
plaza de toros de BadajozBadajoz is a city of around 150,000 people in Extremadura, set inland at 192 metres above sea level and far from any beach. Its appeal is cultural rather than coastal. The cathedral stands at the heart of the old centre, the Alcazaba rises a short walk away, and a cluster of museums covering fine art, archaeology, contemporary art and the city's carnival sits within easy strolling distance. For British travellers it works well as a short city break in spring or early autumn, with direct flights from the UK into Seville or Faro. It also makes a sensible base for exploring Mérida, Cáceres and the smaller towns of the province.
Why go
- Badajoz Cathedral and the Alcazaba sit within a short walk of each other in the centre.
- Spring and September bring highs of 25 to 29°C with only a handful of rainy days.
- Direct UK flights land in Seville, about 117 miles and under three hours' drive away.
Top sights in Badajoz
Cathedral, Fortress and City Museums
Start with Badajoz Cathedral, the city's best-known monument, right in the centre. From there it is about 0.4 miles to the Alcazaba of Badajoz, the castle that dominates the older part of town. The Museo Extremeño e Iberoamericano de Arte Contemporáneo, a contemporary art museum, lies at a similar distance, around 0.4 miles away.
Closer in, the Museo de Bellas Artes de Badajoz and the Monasterio de Santa Ana are both about 0.2 miles from the centre. The Archaeological Museum of Badajoz, the Museo del Carnaval de Badajoz and the convento de las Adoratrices are each roughly 0.3 miles away, and the plaza de toros, the city's bullring, is around 0.4 miles off. The museums are a good choice with children on a hot afternoon.
Tours and tickets for Badajoz can be booked directly on this page.
1cathedral- 2castle
- 3museum
Museo Extremeño e Iberoamericano de Arte Contemporáneo
In the centre · Photo
contemporary art museum in Badajoz, Spain
- 4museum
- 5amphitheatre
._Espa%C3%B1a._Espagne._Spain.jpg/500px-Monasterio_de_Santa_Ana_(Badajoz)._Espa%C3%B1a._Espagne._Spain.jpg)
6monasteryMonasterio de Santa Ana
In the centre · Photo
7museum
8museumMuseo del Carnaval de Badajoz
In the centre · Photo
9monasteryconvento de las Adoratrices, Badajoz
In the centre · Photo
Tours & tickets in Badajoz
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Badajoz can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Badajoz
Choosing a Base in Badajoz
Badajoz is an inland city with no seafront, so the real choice is between staying in the old centre and staying further out. The cathedral, museums and monasteries all lie within half a mile or so of one another, which makes a central base the easiest option if you want to walk everywhere and step out for evening meals without the car.
As a city of around 150,000 people, Badajoz has quieter residential districts beyond the centre that suit drivers planning day trips. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Badajoz and the villages around it is a hire car from Seville (SVQ), about 2 h 46 min away.
Best time to visit Badajoz
When to Visit Badajoz
- 15°CJan61 mm
- 17°CFeb38 mm
- 19°CMar58 mm
- 25°CApr29 mm
- 26°CMay17 mm
- 31°CJun27 mm
- 36°CJul1 mm
- 37°CAug0 mm
- 29°CSept29 mm
- 25°COct137 mm
- 19°CNov51 mm
- 14°CDec14 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
April, May and September are the most comfortable months. April reaches around 25°C with about four rainy days, May around 26°C with roughly three, and September around 29°C with about four.
July and August are the hottest months by some distance, with highs of 36 to 37°C, lows near 20°C and almost no rain at all. October is the wettest month, with around 137 mm spread over about 13 days. Winter is cool rather than cold, with December and January highs of 14 to 15°C and nights around 5°C. There is no sea temperature to consider, as Badajoz is inland.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15°C | 5°C | 61 mm | 7 h |
| Feb | 17°C | 5°C | 38 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 19°C | 8°C | 58 mm | 9 h |
| Apr | 25°C | 10°C | 29 mm | 12 h |
| May | 26°C | 13°C | 17 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 31°C | 17°C | 27 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 36°C | 19°C | 1 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 37°C | 20°C | 0 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 29°C | 16°C | 29 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 14°C | 137 mm | 8 h |
| Nov | 19°C | 10°C | 51 mm | 7 h |
| Dec | 14°C | 5°C | 14 mm | 7 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights and Driving from the UK
The most practical route from the UK is a direct flight to Seville, about 117 miles from Badajoz, followed by a drive of roughly 2 hours 45 minutes. Faro also has direct flights from the UK; it is about 140 miles away, around 3 hours 20 minutes by car.
Badajoz has its own airport just 8 miles from the city, around 11 minutes by road, but it has no direct flights from the UK, so reaching it means connecting elsewhere. There is no ferry port serving the city.
Driving all the way from Calais takes about 21 hours 48 minutes behind the wheel, so it is best split over several days.
By air
- Seville (SVQ)117 miles, about 2 h 46 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Faro (FAO)140 miles, about 3 h 18 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Badajoz (BJZ)8 miles, about 11 min by road
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 21 h 48 min without stops.
Badajoz is good for
Around Badajoz
Day Trips Across Extremadura
The closest outing is Alburquerque, a small town about 24 miles away. Mérida, a city of around 60,000 people, is roughly 34 miles from Badajoz and an easy half-day or full-day trip.
Valencia de Alcántara and Jerez de los Caballeros are both about 40 miles away, in different directions, and suit a slower drive through the province. Cáceres, the largest of the nearby places at around 96,000 people, is about 52 miles away and worth a full day.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Visit
High summer is genuinely hot here, with highs of 36 to 37°C in July and August, and there is no sea breeze to soften it. Plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings and use the museums for the middle of the day.
If you are travelling in autumn, pack a waterproof for October, by far the wettest month. And as the local airport has no direct UK service, budget the drive time from Seville or Faro into your first and last days, or pick up car hire there for exploring Extremadura.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Badajoz with direct flights from the UK?
Seville is the closest airport with direct flights from the UK, about 117 miles away with a drive of around 2 hours 45 minutes. Faro also has direct UK flights and is around 140 miles away, roughly 3 hours 20 minutes by car.
Does Badajoz have its own airport?
Yes. Badajoz airport is about 8 miles from the city, around 11 minutes by road. However, it has no direct flights from the UK, so British travellers would need a connection, which is why most fly into Seville or Faro instead.
When is the best time to visit Badajoz?
April, May and September offer the most pleasant conditions, with highs of around 25 to 29°C and only three or four rainy days a month. July and August reach 36 to 37°C, while October is the wettest month of the year.
Is Badajoz near the beach?
No. Badajoz is an inland city in Extremadura at 192 metres above sea level, with no coastline. It is better suited to a cultural city break centred on its cathedral, the Alcazaba and its museums than to a beach holiday.
What are the main sights in Badajoz?
The headline sights are Badajoz Cathedral and the Alcazaba of Badajoz. The city also has a contemporary art museum, the Museo de Bellas Artes, an archaeological museum, a carnival museum, the Monasterio de Santa Ana and the plaza de toros, all within about half a mile.
What day trips can I take from Badajoz?
Alburquerque is about 24 miles away and Mérida about 34 miles. Valencia de Alcántara and Jerez de los Caballeros are both around 40 miles from the city, and Cáceres, the largest nearby city, is about 52 miles away.