What to see in Plasencia in one day. What to visit in the Pearl of the Valley
Plasencia, known as the Pearl of the Valley, is a perfect place as a starting point to visit the natural beauties of northern Extremadura as well as to visit its monuments and numerous churches, a legacy left by its rich history.
From here you can take a route through La Vera or Valle del Jerte, the two nearby natural paradises to see in Plasencia. It is, without a doubt, an ideal place as a base to visit the north of Extremadura. We are going to tell you what to visit in Plasencia.
If you stay in Cáceres we recommend this excursion to Plasencia, which also includes a visit to Yustey el Monfragüe.
A walk with the best things to see in Plasencia in one day
1. The Walls of Plasencia and the Puerta del Sol
Our one-day Plasencia tour can start at Puerta del Sol.
In the best preserved part of the wall is the Puerta del Sol, so called because it was built in such a way that the sun’s rays hit it from when it rises until it sets.
Inside the Walls, of which a large part is still preserved, there is a large number of churches and palaces that follow one another between the narrow streets of the center.
Behind it begins Plasencia ‘s main shopping street, Calle del Sol, where traditional stores are gradually being replaced by the most important franchises.
2. The Plaza Mayor of Plasencia
At the end of this street we find the nerve center of the city, the Plaza Mayor.
Plasencia ‘s Plaza Mayor is dominated by the Municipal Palace, the town hall, an impressive 16th century building. In his Clock Tower is Grandfather Mayorga, a statue that every hour on the dot gives way to the chimes.
In this square, every Tuesday since the founding of the city in the 12th century, a very important market is held and it has a special day each year, the first Tuesday in August, called Martes Mayor, which takes the city back to the 12th century. the time from which the market originated.
3. The surroundings of the Plaza Mayor
Around the Plaza Mayor is where the different churches and palaces are located that are worth visiting and photographing.
Among them are the Casa del Dean, located opposite the cathedrals and which stands out for its Renaissance-style corner balcony and its Corinthian columns.
Nearby we find the Casa de las Dos Torres, in neo-Gothic style, but which only preserves one tower as the other was demolished due to its poor condition due to an earthquake. A few meters away, the Palace of the Marquis of Mirabel.
4. Visit the Cathedrals of Plasencia
There are two cathedrals to visit in Plasencia, the New Cathedral, in Gothic style, and the Old Cathedral, in Romanesque style and also called the Church of Santa María.
Both cathedrals are linked by the cloister, a very interesting place because that is where you can see the fusion between Gothic and Romanesque.
In its center there is an interesting Gothic fountain.
The Old Cathedral was built between the 13th and 14th centuries and stands out for its Romanesque gate, its main altar and the Chapel of San Pablo.
It is also home to the Cathedral Museum. For its part, the New Cathedral was built in the 16th century and is undoubtedly the most beautiful of the two. It stands out for its main façade, which is actually a side façade, which gives way to an impressive interior where the Main Altarpiece dominates everything.
But its lateral altarpieces, the Choir Stairs (which formerly belonged to the Old Cathedral) and the Plateresque organ also stand out.
5. The Churches of Plasencia
Among the churches of Plasencia we highlight the Church of San Martín, the oldest in the city, from the 13th century, and is currently an exhibition center, and the Church of San Esteban, located next to the Plaza Mayor and in which he contracted marriage the famous poet José María Gabriel y Galán..
Also of note is the Convent of San Vicente Ferrer. It currently houses the Parador de Plasencia and stands out for its Renaissance cloister.
Next to it is the Church of Santo Domingo where the steps of the Holy Week brotherhoods are kept.
In addition, there are also many more churches, hermitages, palaces, fountains, stately homes and convents that you cannot miss.
6. The Plasencia Aqueduct and the bridges
The Plasencia Aqueduct will be the first monument you find in Plasencia if you access the city from the north.
It was built in the 16th century to bring water to the city from the nearby mountains.
Currently it is possible to admire 300 meters of the original aqueduct, 18 meters high at its highest point and with semicircular arches between large pilasters. It is undoubtedly one of the symbols of the city.
In addition, the bridges that cross the Jerte River and that lead to the city are also very important.
Some of these bridges are of recent construction but there are 2 of them that are very old and deserve to be visited. The San Lázaro Bridge is the oldest, dating from 1498, and is also the narrowest.
Also noteworthy is the 16th century Puente Nuevo, so called because it is the most modern bridge among the old ones, with a change in elevation and with an image of the Virgen de la Cabeza on its highest part.
7. The Parks and Gardens of Plasencia
Plasencia has numerous parks and gardens where you can rest, stroll or cool off during the hot summers that this area of Extremadura experiences.
Two of them stand out, Parque de los Pinos and La Isla.
The Parque de los Pinos is also known as the Parque de los Patos, due to the display of birds and ducks that are inside.
In addition to these animals, there is also a wide variety of botanical species and several lakes. It is without a doubt a place where the little ones can enjoy.
The Island is located next to the Jerte River. It gets its name because the river as it passes through the city divides into two, forming an island. Inside there are rides, restaurants, sports areas and recreational areas for children and adults. In addition, one of the branches of the river is prepared in summer for bathing.
You can find more information about what to see in Plasencia on the official Plasencia tourism page.
