If you’re asking yourself, “Is Badajoz worth visiting?” you’re in the right place! We recently spent a few weeks in Badajoz, using the city as a base for visiting nearby cities both in Spain and in Portugal.
We absolutely LOVED it! So if you ask me, YES, it’s worth visiting Badajoz!
There are so many reasons why this city has come to be on our favorites list over cities in Spain, and I’m here to share them all with you.
Are there downsides to Badajoz? Yes, of course, as with everywhere. You’ll need to find out for yourself if it’s the right fit for you, but I’ll do my best to help you with that.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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Reasons to visit Badajoz
Not very touristy, yet it has a myriad of attractions
I love cities that aren’t too touristy. I’m aware that I’m a tourist too, but I’m also a local in Spain. And in all honesty, there are places in Spain that suffocate you with way too many tourists at once.
Badajoz is not like that.
And even so, there are so many epic tourist attractions throughout the city, like the cathedral, the Giraldilla, Puente de Palmas, and Spain’s biggest Alcazaba.
The good thing is that you can spend one day in Badajoz and see the top attractions, yet you can stay longer to truly savour it all and explore deeper.
Home to Spain’s biggest Alcazaba (and it’s for free!)
The Alcazaba of Badajoz is the biggest in Spain, and yes, you read that headline right: it’s free to visit!
It’s very well preserved, too. It originates from the 9th century, but most of what you see today is from the Almohad era in the 12th century, when it went through major renovations and expansions.
The walls were expanded closer to the Guadiana River, so it would be easier to carry water into the Alcazaba.
Inside the walls, there are several archaeological finds of houses, mosques, and churches. Excavations started in 2015, so they’re quite recent.
I love that you can walk on the fortress walls almost all the way around, and there are information signs in both Spanish and English.
A true Spanish feel
Badajoz is not your typical holiday destination where you can get English Fish & Chips around the corner or try out 5 different vegan health bars in a day.
Far from it.
Badajoz gives you the feeling of being in Spain. Not anywhere else. And I love it. I don’t mind that it’s harder to find vegan options when I can communicate in Spanish and get this unique Spanish hospitality that you only get outside of the tourist hubs.
When you walk around the streets, you hear Spanish. Most of the time, anyway. There are destinations in Spain, where I hear more Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish than Spanish. I used to live in La Cala de Mijas, where I felt like I was in England, but with good weather. Badajoz is not like that.
If you like to experience the true Spain, Badajoz is a great place to visit.
Budget friendly
Say adios to overpriced restaurants and bars. Badajoz is catering to the locals and not tourists, unlike overtouristed places like Barcelona and Costa del Sol. Even hotel prices are more affordable.
But not only that. Several tourist attractions, including some of the best things to do in Badajoz, like the archaeological Museum and the Alcazaba, are completely free to visit.
For us, who travel full-time, it’s always refreshing to slow down in places where we can explore without worrying if we’re gonna get to the end of the month.
It does feel good to walk on the Alcazaba walls several days in a row and take in the city from all angles without breaking the bank.
Super charming old town
Badajoz has a super charming old town with plenty of hidden alleys and beautiful architecture. But also squares that take your breath away, like the colorful Plaza Alta.
We experienced a lot of bars with lively music, jam-packed with locals.
Our favorite street is Calle Manuel Cancho Moreno, which is beautifully decorated with pot plants and lights in the evening.
There are a couple of cafés that are super cute and an Arab-inspired fountain that Atlas loves drinking from.
Vibrant riverside
One of the things we liked best about Badajoz was how the city had utilized the riverside opposite the old town.
There are walking paths and bike paths along the river, and there are several football fields, beach volleyball, and even basketball courts that anyone can use.
We got inspired and bought a basketball at Decathlon and played there in the evenings. That way, we also connected with many of the locals as we ended up playing together.
Free campervan and RV park
I have to admit, as a full-time vanlife traveler, it’s always great to visit a city that has a dedicated campervan area.
Badajoz is one of them.
There aren’t many parking places, so you need to arrive early to get a spot, but if you don’t, there is plenty of parking on the same side of the river on the other side of the Palmas Bridge.
The caravan park has greywater emptying and water available.
Note that you’re only allowed to stay there for upto 72 hours according to Spanish law, and you cannot take any camping gear outside the caravan, like tables and chairs.
Dog-friendly destination
In our experience, Badajoz is a dog-friendly destination. While you can’t take your dog into museums and restaurants (you can always sit outside), there is more than enough to enjoy with your pooch.
We loved that we could take Atlas into the Alcazaba and walk around the area with him, like in the Alcazaba of Antequera. Just make sure you pick up after your dog!
There are also several parks in the city, especially by the river, where Atlas loved running around, playing with sticks, and doing some training with us.
We really enjoyed seeing the city with Atlas; he enjoyed every day filled with new adventures. We also experienced staff at restaurants and bars being super affectionate towards him, which always warms a dog mummy’s heart!
What we didn’t like about Badajoz
No beach
Badajoz is an inland city, which means there isn’t any beach nearby. The city is divided by the River Guadiana. And 20-30 years ago, you could swim there.
However, nowadays, it’s not cleaned, and according to a local, there are plants in the river that are easy to get tangled in.
He mentioned that there have been several tragic drowning accidents because of them, so it’s not only dirty, but straight out dangerous.
If you go to Badajoz in the warmer months, make sure you choose a hotel with a pool, like Hotel Badajoz Center.
Hard to find vegan options
For us, finding vegan options in restaurants is a plus. Especially plant-based milk for our morning coffee. There were a couple of places we could find vegan menu options, like Voodoo.
They also had plant-based milk. But in all honesty, the coffee was shit, so I’d rather have a black coffee somewhere else. The food was ok, but not from another world. So we preferred cooking in the van.
That said, it’s nothing we expect when going off the popular tourist trail in Spain. There are many traditional Spanish tapas and dishes that are naturally vegan and vegetarian, and most places will accommodate. If they don’t, just move on to the next place until someone does.
And there’s always Tostada con Tomate for breakfast!
Summing up: Is Badajoz worth visiting?
Summing up, I totally think it’s worth visiting Badajoz, just avoid the summer months since there’s nowhere to go swimming, unless your hotel has a pool. Either way, it will be very hot to go exploring the city.
If you’re looking for a true Spanish city with few foreigners and even fewer crowds, Badajoz is a fantastic destination.
It’s definitely not a city where you can expect everything to be tailored to your needs. This is Spain, and you can’t expect what you get in popular tourist and expat hubs like Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca.
Finally, even if you’re on a budget, you can see a lot of the main attractions for free.
Happy travels!