Long beloved of Madrileños seeking an escape from the big city, Cáceres has previously garnered little attention outside the Iberian peninsula. However, its recent appearance in a hit TV show, and a restaurant scene ever on the up means its Unesco-listed Old Town won’t remain crowd-free for long. Phenomenally hot during the summer months, Cáceres cools to more strollable temperatures in the winter – perfect for wandering its narrow, cobbled lanes past palaces, mansions and churches with leering gargoyles. Though it is endlessly pleasing visually, and peppered with intriguing museums, the highlight here is the food – this is one of the homes of jamón ibérico, and no day should pass without partaking in a plateful.
Find out more at
turismoextremadura.com. Cáceres is a three-hour drive or a four-hour train ride from Madrid, accessible from various UK airports (from £85;ryanair.com)
1 It has an unsually high proportion of churrerias – one for every 4,000 inhabitants. The deep-fried doughnut sticks, dusted with sugar and served with thick hot chocolate, are the breakfast of choice for locals. The Churros Factory is a favoured spot, and a good place to try the other start-theday staple, pan con tomate (bread with tomato). Calle Donoso Cortés 25