Map
8 ideas, picked for these days
The Jerte Valley in spring, under three hours from Madrid
The Jerte cherry trees blossom between the end of March and mid-April, so many years Holy Week coincides with the flowering. It depends on that winter's cold: check the state of the blossom before leaving. On those days the tourist office advises going midweek, and accommodation is booked weeks ahead.
Jerez de los Caballeros: towers and citadel
Holy Week in Jerez de los Caballeros is of national tourist interest, with floats leaving and returning to its four parishes, among Baroque towers. The rest of the year, the Museum of Sacred Art shows that Holy Week in a permanent exhibition. An hour from Badajoz.
Cáceres: towers, palace and cistern
In Holy Week the Cáceres processions go through the monumental city, among palaces and wall-walks. The crypt of San Francisco Javier houses its interpretation centre. On Sunday the Cáceres Museum and the Golfines open only in the morning, and in these days the parador is booked in good time.
Mérida: theatre, museum and Alcazaba
The Mérida monumental site is open every day of Holy Week, because it only closes on 25 December and 1 and 6 January. The National Museum of Roman Art is free on Sunday and Saturday afternoon. Enter the theatre first thing, before the groups.
Aracena: the Gruta and ham in Jabugo
Spring is one of the good seasons in the Aracena sierra, with the streams full. The Gruta de las Maravillas is visited with a time slot and on long weekends sells out: buy your ticket a few days ahead. The Jabugo cellar charges €15 for children aged 3 to 12.
Évora: temple, cathedral and bones
In Portugal Good Friday is a holiday and Maundy Thursday is not, so Thursday is the best day for Évora: the centre at its normal pace and the cathedral terrace without queues. October to June is its season; in July and August it goes above 35 °C.
A Weekend in Lisbon, Two and a Half Hours from Badajoz
Two nights in Lisbon fit from Thursday to Holy Saturday. Watch out for Sunday: on Easter Sunday the Jerónimos and all of Belém close, so leave Belém for Friday or Saturday and Sunday for Alfama, the castle and the boat to Cacilhas.
A night in Zafra and Jerez de los Caballeros, an hour and a half from Seville
One night at the Feria palace in Zafra and Sunday in Jerez de los Caballeros, with the last days of its Holy Week. October to May is the season for the El Raposo spa, a few kilometres away: book its circuit for Saturday afternoon.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Which days are holidays in Extremadura at Easter?
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Easter Monday is a working day, so the long weekend runs from Thursday to Sunday.
Does Holy Week coincide with the cherry blossom?
Many years yes, because the blossom arrives between the end of March and mid-April. It depends on the winter: check the state of the blossom before going.
Are monuments in Portugal open at Easter?
On Maundy Thursday, normally. On Easter Sunday the Jerónimos and Belém in Lisbon, the Convent of Christ in Tomar and Mafra palace close.
Where can you see processions near Badajoz?
In Jerez de los Caballeros, of national tourist interest, in Cáceres and in Mérida, all less than an hour and a half away.