A beautiful, stunning engineering feat, in a beautiful natural setting. Standing as a monumental testament to the genius of Roman engineering, the Alcántara Bridge majestically crosses the Tagus River in Cáceres, Spain. Constructed in just two years between 104 and 106 AD, during the reign of the Hispanic Emperor Trajan, it remains one of the most remarkable surviving pieces of Roman civil architecture. The bridge's name, derived from the Arabic al-Qantarah ("the bridge"), reflects the awe it has inspired for centuries. Its design, attributed to the architect Caius Julius Lacer, is a marvel of precision and scale. Built from mortarless granite blocks, it stretches 194 meters long and soars to a breathtaking height of 71 meters from the riverbed to its deck. Its most notable features include: * Six Soaring Arches: The bridge is supported by six grand, semi-circular arches that vary in size, with the two central arches being the largest, showcasing the Romans' mastery of this architectural form. * Triumphal Arch: At its center stands a 14-meter-high triumphal arch honoring Emperor Trajan, a common feature to broadcast imperial power and commemorate the public work. * A Unique Temple and Inscription: Uniquely for a Roman bridge, one of its entrances features a small temple. Inside, a poignant inscription dedicates the bridge to Trajan and immortalizes its creator, Caius Julius Lacer, who expressed his hope that the bridge would "last for eternity in the ages of the world." Despite Lacer's ambition, the bridge's strategic importance made it a target in later conflicts. The westernmost arch was destroyed during the Reconquista in 1214 and rebuilt in the 16th century. Later, the second arch on the opposite side was blown up during the Peninsular War in 1809 to halt French troops and was not fully restored until 1860. One of the most impressive Roman monuments I have seen! Even my fiancee, who has little interest in history, was impressed and thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

If you like to touch history and an 1800 year old, Roman Bridge it is worth the trip, about 75 minutes from Caceres going west towards Portugal.

A Beautiful and well preserved Roman Bridge it’s worth the visit!

Absolutely fantastic. To think that this bridge was built in the 1st century is mind blowing 🤯. Imagine the roman soldiers guarding the bridge and stopping travellers crossing it . Today I drove across it in 2025. Go before the new bridge is built and you won't be able to cross it.

Spectacular views to the riverside are slightly obscured by construction works to build a modern bridge. The existing one is paved with stone

U just have to be here. More tips about a good hike follow me 👉

One of the most staggeringly beautiful Roman legacies. Built over a raging river below. How did they build it? Still carrying traffic to this day. Inscription under the bridge by the contractor predicts the bridge will outlast the empire

Amazing

Iconic archway into nice plazas and alleys.

Amazing!

Historic gate in the old town

An amazing place to visit in Cáceres. The air around is magic, old, medieval.

Cercei Lannister was here

What's behind the gate is what's most beautiful. A great medieval city.

Full of many magnificent buildings few of which can entered and few of which seem occupied by families. The city is a museum piece and while one can marvel at the energy and commitment involved in its construction it does seem soulless. No bars or shops that we found in that part of the city we explored. It was worth visiting but my preference is for the small towns which are alive and atmospheric. Try Alcantara for example and appreciate the contrast.

That Town is in my opinion very underrated, because it's so, so beautiful! I reccomend to visit if you're travelling through Spain, it's definitely worth it. The Old Town is just breath taking, and seeing this at night time gives you an opportunity to feel the place, its spirit.

A great place to break our journey south for a wander around the city and grab a coffee. Lots of interesting buildings.

It’s a beautiful place, a bit magical. Cáceres has a stunning medieval old town, full of fascinating places to explore and plenty of towers. It’s a lively and truly captivating.

Great place to visit, a mixture of Roman, Moorish, and medieval Spanish. Interesting churches, the museum of Càceres is really a visit & if you can find La Cacharreria restaurant & get a table then go. The food is amazing...

Really wonderful ! Please come to Cáceres and don't forget to visit the "Casco histórico". History is present everywhere!

Caceres Old Town: Visited in September 2025. An excellently kept medieval town centre, still partially in use. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. There several monuments of Cultural Interest inside: the co-cathedral of Saint Mary, the church of St Francis Javier, and several palaces and museums.

Very well maintained old castle. Not a lot to see inside the castle itself, but you do get to walk along the ramparts and a little in the sewers below. Not bad for 2€. This is the castle from Game of Thrones Season 7 used for Castelry Rock.

Entrance fee is €2. 30-40 minutes you need to see and to walk inside. Astonishing view from the top to the city. Arabic water storage, small chapel, many towers and stairs.

A really good experience. Not crowded and gorgeous views.

Well worth the visit. Best to walk up to it from the Plaza Major in the early morning to arrive for its opening. the views are spectacular as is the place itself. The 'old town' of Trujillo, its walls and old streets takes your mind back to the time it was built and you are in awe.

Fantastic stay in Trujillo , the architecture is truly amazing topping with a fantastic Castle.

The Alcazaba de Trujillo is perched up on a hill. This fortified military camp was built in the 13th century mainly for defensive purposes, which is why there are no residential rooms. From what I could see from the outside is somewhat preserved. While it is on the outskirts of the old town, I do recommend going there. Unfortunately the day I went, I waited for an hour for it to open after the lunch break and it never did.

This should be the peak of my trip to Trujillo and I kept it for last. Unfortunately, the opening times are once more wrong online. The local ourist management is sloppy enough to ruin a visit to this town. Certainly not worthy of a town that expires world Heritage status.

I haven't got the statistics but I believe that Monfragüe National Park must be Spain's most visited National Park by foreign birders. It's a paradise for raptors, with Black, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Spanish Imperial Eagles, Golden, Booted, Short-toed and Bonelli's Eagles, as well as Black Stork, Eagle Owl, Iberian Magpie, Spanish Sparrow, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Hawfinch, and a whole lot more. My first visit here was with the UEA bird club back in 1985, and it hasn't really changed much in essence since then. These days I visit the park once or twice a year, usually leading birding tours for our own company, Birding In Spain, or for a British or American bird tour operator. There are more parking spaces at the Salto del Gitano, but it also gets a lot busier than it used to. The views from the Castillo are as impressive as they always were, and you can see still Eagle Owls at La Portilla, with a bit of luck. Then, just immerse yoourself in the beauty of the surrounding cork oak dehesa to really enrich the experience. Monfragüe National Park? AN absolute must-see for any visiting birder!

Absolutely stunning. Snow topped mountains, open clean air, sunshine. Great place to drive, amazing countryside. I went to take photographs of birds. I was not disappointed. I can recommend a visit.

Stunning views, you can see many eagles etc.

A must see on the road to Madrid or Lisbon !!! The scenery is amazing, I enjoyed walking / hiking in the middle of wild life. Animals were all around me. Be discret and observe 😉

Absolutely amazing scenery and wildlife.

recommended to avoid it on really sunny on hot days, since the park doesn't have many big trees for shade. the landscape is astonishigly beautiful and there are many paths you can follow around if you want to discober the park hiking

Amazing views of Griffin Vultures on the 'Rock'. Also a blue rock thrush and black storks. Definitely worth a visit.

Very interesting cathedral. We paid to enter €8 per person which includes audio guide. There is an old building and new building to explore. The altars are incredibly ornate.

A fantastic treasure of architecture and art. Maybe 8 euros is a but too much but it was still worth it.

Las Edades del Hombre..: great way to learn about transit across sacred art… if you can, spend a few days enjoying Plasencia, the food, people and the countryside. You will truly enjoy it!

Must see if you are in Plasencia! For only 4€ you can visit this fantastic place including a very interesting audio tour. You can see the history of the old cathedral of the 14th century and the new one of the 16th century build next to each other. Impressive!!!

Beautiful decoration on the inside of this noble and strong cathedral.

A beautiful cathedral, but there is only a small part you can see without paying entrance.

OK but others in the region more impressive and in better setting

€35 a night for an amazing central location, right beside the Cathedral and main plaza with shops and morning markets. Small but undeniably charming rooftop terrace with a view. Pleasant service from the lady who runs things, however, I take one star from the room - the shower worked but the head needs replacing. Would stay again, highly recommend.

Very nice hostel in a historic building, in the old part of the city. The room was lovely and clean, en-suite with two single beds. Beds were really comfortable and we slept well. Great value at less than £40 per night. We stayed an extra night because of the torrential rain. Breakfast was available at extra cost. We went out to the Plaza Major.

Very nice hotel, clean, tidy with friendly staff. Its situated just off the main town square, so just right for a short break.

Clean, basic, reasonably warn. But noisy if you have a room facing Street. Helpful staff.

Clean and reasonably priced room. Very good location to the main plaza

(Translated by Google) The hostel is the best I've ever stayed at. Everything is very clean and the beds are large. The lady who was in charge was super friendly and offered everything you needed. The hostel is gloomy inside, but it's fine; nothing to worry about. I only stayed one night, and the only thing I complain about is the people dragging their beds and banging on the walls, but that's a common occurrence in places like this. (Original) El hostal es el mejor que he probado nunca, está todo muy limpio y las camas son grandes. La señora que atendía era super simpática y te ofrecía de todo. El hostal por dentro es tenebroso pero está muy bien, no hay de que preocuparse. Solo he estado una noche, y en lo único que me quejo es en las personas que arrastran las camas y dan golpes en la pared, pero eso es algo que pasa frecuentemente en lugares como estos.

(Translated by Google) It's a very quiet hostel even though it's full... The rooms are clean... And the lady who works there is always attentive and friendly. This is my second time here, and I'll be back next time. (Original) Es un hostal muy tranquilo aunque este lleno... Las habitaciones estan limpias... Y la señora q atiende se preocupa en todo momento ademas de amable. Es la segunda vez q vengo aqui y lo hare la siguiente.

Excellent. Worth reading up on the emperor Charles v because he was so involved in English history and the lives of the Tudors. He died here and his austere little palace is well preserved. The monastery is very peaceful even when it’s busy.

Absolutely fantastic! Get a guided tour!!! You can buy tickets on the internet just to enter the place or pay a little bit extra and get an official guide to explain everything. All in the internet but guided tours are offered only at certain times. You need a guide or will miss 90% of the experience. In our tour there were only 4 people. There is too much history in this place.

The monastery has a fascination with a huge historic fingerprint. Its a somehow remoted spot in this world with a calm appearance and wonderful view. The retired emperor choosed a spot to stay away and it is. The monastery is well prepared to give history and a understanding of Europe in some epochs. A time where Europeans were more united than devided. Ok thats because of Royal marriage Policy and less by consent from the people.

Enjoyed this historic place. Interesting building and park area to walk around.

Beautiful palace and gardens, well worth a visit. Check out the website for periods of free entrance.

Beautiful historical monastery where Charles I spent his last days until he died of malaria. Gorgeous place to take photos, very neat to be able to visit the emperor’s room and the chairs he sat on and was carried in when he was sick, a pretty chapel and so cheap to get into compared to historical buildings in the US (Under 8 Euros for adults and half price for kids up to 16, seniors, and a bunch of other discounted groups). The audio guide is recommended, it’s well done. The grounds are spacious and really impressive, all sorts of paths to walk around and off the beaten path from the usual tourist routes.

This monastery is by far the most beautiful, the most impossant one i have ever visited. The price is 7 euro each person. Really good that they check your stuff and safety. The three big trees oitside are jewels. The rooms inside too. What the most beautiful thing is, is the stair and wall, with all the growing and hanging treebranches that are climbing/growing to the wall.

Amazing!!!!!!

(Translated by Google) Circular route of about 6km going along a path and returning along a track. It can also be done the other way around or round trip through the same place. There are 3 parking spaces, two paid by the town hall for €5 and a private one that is closer to the start of the route for €3. All with hardly any shade. Several trash cans and free toilets next to the Interpretation Center. (Original) Ruta circular de unos 6km yendo por sendero y volviendo por pista. También se puede hacer al revés o ida y vuelta por el mismo sitio. Hay 3 parking, dos de pago del ayuntamiento 5€ y uno privado que está más próximo al inicio de la ruta 3€. Todos sin apenas sombra. Varias papeleras y baños gratuitos al lado del Centro de Interpretación.

(Translated by Google) I recommend a visit. The trail is a bit tiring, but worth it. The water is crystal clear and refreshing. Beautiful. (Original) Recomendo a visita. Trilha um pouco cansativa mais vale a pena. Água cristalina e refrescante. Lindo.

(Translated by Google) A pleasant, shady 3km walk to the river. If you swim 200m below the bridge, the water isn't as crowded. Crystal-clear water. We did it with children between 2 and 5 years old, and it was a great time! (Original) Agradable paseo sombrío de 3km hasta bañarnos en el río. Si te bañas 200m más abajo del puente de los pilones no hay tanta gente. Agua cristalina. Lo hicimos con niños de entre 2 y 5 años y muy bien!

(Translated by Google) It is a wonder of nature, the route is entertaining, from the interpretation center 2.9 km, with climbs, descents, with shade from the trees, medium-low difficulty, although there are some strong slopes, but it is worth it when you arrive and see this wonder, in the area of ​​​​the bridge you can bathe carefully ⚠️, and in the area of ​​​​the pilons it is great to be able to stop and listen to the sound accompanied by the wonderful view, it has a spout that comes out fresh drinking water to hydrate! 😉👍🏼 (Original) Es una maravilla de la naturaleza, la ruta es entretenida, desde el centro de interpretación 2,9kms, con subidas, bajadas, con sombra de los árboles, dificultad media baja, aunque hay alguna cuesta potente, pero merece la pena cuando llegas y ves está maravilla, en la zona del puente se puede bañar con cuidado⚠️, y en la zona de los pilones es genial poder pararse a escuchar el sonido acompañado de la vista maravillosa, tiene un caño que sale agua potable fresquita para hidratarse!😉👍🏼

(Translated by Google) A beautiful natural setting. A must-see if you're in the Jerte Valley. You can reach the gorge after a low-difficulty hike of approximately 70 minutes. It's worth it. (Original) Paraje natural precioso. Imprescindible visitar si estás en el Valle del Jerte. Accedes a la garganta después de una ruta de senderismo de dificultad baja de aprox 70 min. Merece la pena

(Translated by Google) It's truly wonderful. Hiking the mountain and then bathing in the pools was an incredible experience. (Original) Es una auténtica maravilla. Caminar por la montaña y luego bañarse en los pilones ha sido una experiencia increíble.

This part of the village is a must see when visiting the village. It is the Jewish part of the village and the buildings are very nice. Very historic in nature and I would highly recommend a visit to the Jewish part of the village. You can see small details on the buildings which are worth the photographs and visit.

One of the most beatiful towns in spain. You have everything you need there and more. Amazing place to invest for real estate and airbnb

One of the most charming Jewish Quarters in Spain!

I encountered the old synagogue completely by chance! Hidden away in a side alley. This village and it's old "Juderia", Jewish neighbourhood, is very, very picturesque and the local people enjoy telling history and sharing stories.

Very interesting town. With a little more night lighting of it most relevant places it would look even more beautiful.

Beautiful homemade ice-cream Guy serving was very helpful..me bey only able to speak English. Recommended.

Complitly worth it. Just amazing and beautiful

Bad rating!!! After I climbed the first steps I was throw away because there were no sign for climbing on stone. The employers don t speak english, not even a word, they just grab you and throw you like a junk outside after you pay the price for visit. I am a tourist and they don t speak or show any rule in english. At least they can warn you about what youre not allowed to do, but they only want the money.

Just a shell but still nice to visit. Could do a lot more to exhibit it and how the town was at the time of construction, its history etc. A model in the town showed how the castle looked.

Closed on Monday

Ok

(Translated by Google) You can park your car near the bus station and walk there. I only saw the exterior. It's not very big, but it's well-maintained, and walking around it is very pleasant because of the lovely views. (Original) Se puede dejar el coche junto a la estación de autobuses y acercarse andando. Solo pude ver el exterior. No es muy grande pero está bien conservado y pasear alrededor es muy agradable por las bonitas vistas.

(Translated by Google) Due to its location, it overlooks the river and the bridge at the highest point in the valley. It was built on a Vettonian hill fort, constructed in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries. It has a square floor plan and a surface area of ​​approximately 1,700 square meters, not including the lost outbuildings such as the moat, counter-moat, portcullis, dovecote, and stables. (Original) Por su situación domina el río y el puente en el punto más elevado del valle. Fue construido sobre un castro vetón, edificado en el siglo XII y reconstruido en los siglos XIV-XV. Es de planta cuadrada y tiene una superficie de unos 1.700 metros cuadrados, sin contar las dependencias desaparecidas como el foso, el contrafoso, el rastrillo, el palomar o las caballerizas.

(Translated by Google) A good place to visit in Barco de Ávila. It's simple, but well-maintained. It has clean, heated restrooms. Very friendly staff. (Original) Buen sitio para ver en Barco de Ávila. Es sencillo, pero está bien cuidado Tiene asesos limpios y calefactados. Muy amables.

Absolotely lovely building, some great art deco stuff, my only but was lots off dolls. No pictures allowed inside, but thisnis the outside

This is why you should save all the stuff in your Grandmother's house after she passes: people will pay good money to wander around and gawk at her quirky collections! You don't lose much (just the fabulous courtyard) by not being able to take pictures: it looks much better from the street & bridge lit up at night.

If you're an Art Deco and Art Nouveau enthusiast, this museum is a must-see. After your tour, you can enjoy a snack in the lovely café.

I saw a poster board advertising this museum, which had a photo of the glass ceiling. I had to go see it! I absolutely loved this art deco museum! Lots of wonderful items on display. The glass ceiling, when you enter the museum, is stunning. I loved seeing the porcelain dolls, fans, jewelry, glassware, etc. You can't take any pictures, which was disappointing. I was hoping the gift shop would have a book on items that were on display, but no, they didn't have any. At least I took a photo of the poster board for my memories.

I was sort of there to get some photos of the building but not allowed. Strict no photo or video. I can understand the no photos of the artworks but the building should be allowed. It still had some great stuff.

This must be our favourite place in Salamanca. Every corner had something interesting and beautiful but we especially loved the Lalique glass and the dancing figurines. The curator of the exhibitions has done a fantastic job. The dancers were lit like they were on stage and seemed to be moving; truly breathtaking. The café served simple but tasty sandwiches and the Caffè de Lis was yummy. Around a wonderful experience and a very stylish one. The shop was rather generic and doesn't have many items related to the exhibits, which was a little disappointing. Perhaps there is copyright issues. This does not detract from the visit. Do not miss coming here

Great museum with very extensive art work from the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods. Picture and filming is not allowed which is a bit of a shame. The cafe is superb with a art Deco interior

Wow! And Wow again. The Cathedral was built in 12-14 centuries, and it is not trying to look modern. The feeling of time is everywhere, from the central nave to the cloister and the chapels in the cloister. Highly recommended to everyone who is interested to learn more about history.

Catedral Vieja or Old Cathedral was founded by Bishop Jerome of Perigord (10??-1120), and was built in XII-XV centuries, and it is expressively Late-Romanesque/Early Gothic in style. High altar was created in 1430-1450 and its 58 panels were painted by Italian painters Dello Delli (1403-1470) and his brothers Nicola Delli and Sansone Delli. The population of Salamanca was growing very quickly in the XV century because of its university, and Old Cathedral couldn't admit all believers. That is why King Fernando, the Catholic (1452-1516), who was the Fernando II of Aragon and Fernando V of Castile commissioned construction of new cathedral. It was built between 1513 and 1733 right over the old cathedral. That's why today you can see old cathedral only from the belfry. The project of the cathedral was designed by Spanish architects Anton Egas and Alonso Rodrigues. The first stone of New Cathedral was laid in 1512 by Francisco de Cabrera y Bobadilla (14??-1529) the Bishop of Salamanca. His splendid tomb is in the New Cathedral. Salamanca, Castile and Leon, Kingdom of 🇪🇸 Spain 🇪🇸. December 1, 2014.

This is the older of the churches that make up Salamanca Cathedral. The Old Cathedral dates back to the 12th century when founded by Bishop Jerome Perigord. It was built during the 12th and 13th centuries and is mainly Romanesque in architecture with some Gothic features including the vaulted nave. The Old Cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria de la Sede (St. Mary of the See). The Old Cathedral can be visited as part of a combined ticket (€10 per adult) that includes entry into the New Cathedral, cloister & historic chapels as well as the Episcopal Palace exhibition rooms just across from the cathedrals at Plaza Juan XXIII. Highlights for us were the frescos in St. Martin's Chapel and the beautiful ancient chapel of St. Barbara. However, most impressive is the apse altarpiece, a cycle of 53 scenes known collectively as the Final Judgement by Italian painter Dello Delli. This is a remarkable cathedral treasure, worth spending some time to enjoy. The cloister area was mainly closed during our visit but we enjoyed the small museum setup with a handful of rooms containing cathedral antiquity and artworks. Then, through the shop and over to the Episcopal Palace to see the exhibition rooms and artworks there. That wraps up your visit to the Salamanca Cathedral complex.

Amazing building. It's great being able to visit the old and new cathedral. Don't forget to visit the tower (ieronimus)

Beautiful Catedral and visiting the interior is worthy!!

The Old Cathedral of Salamanca (Cathedral Vieja de Salamanca in Spanish) is one of two existing cathedrals in the city of Salamanca, Castile and Leon, Spain. It was founded by Bishop Jerónimo de Perigord. Its construction began in the first third of the 12th century, continuing until the 14th century. Its architecture has Romanesque and Gothic influences. It is dedicated to Santa Maria da Sede. The cathedral has a Latin cross plan and three Romanesque naves, topped by Gothic transitional vaults. The main door, although it has lost part of its original artistic value, still conserves two statues, representing scenes of the Annunciation, one on each side.According to a legend, the San Martín Chapel or Olive Oil Chapel, where the ports of oils that were later used in the lamps of the Cathedral, served as a refuge for Franco, a general of the time. It is also worth mentioning that in the Old Cathedral there was a dome that became known by popular as the Torre do Galo, this mainly due to a weather vane that had in the crown.

beautiful outside but definitely not worth 10€ entry in my opinion

¡Mi bella Salamanca! 🥰 What an amazing experience while attending La Universidad de Salamanca over the course of two summers!

The first university in Spain. The story of find a frog on the stone scrupture becomes world famous.

Salamanca University is a treasure trove of history and academia. The ancient lecture halls and ornate architecture transport you to another era. Walking through its historic corridors, I couldn't help but feel a sense of scholarly inspiration. The charming courtyards and vibrant student life added a delightful modern twist to this living piece of history. There is a 5 euro entrance fee gor student (don’t remember for the rest) but I have to say didn’t expect this nonsense payment! Try to find the frog in the facade otherwise you wont succeed in your exams 🤭

This is one of the oldest universities in Europe, and the sandstone facade is insanely detailed. Everyone tries to find the tiny frog hidden in the carvings—it’s a bit of a local legend. If you’re into history or architecture, definitely pop inside too—it’s full of charm and stories.

Students still rub the carved frog on the facade for exam luck, polishing its patina daily. The lecture halls' wooden desks bear ink stains from 16th-century scholars. The library's chains once secured priceless manuscripts. A beautiful historic place.

It's beautiful and very old, yes, but it's not exactly what I think of when I hear tourist attraction. It was a very brief sight to see, at it's exactly what you'd expect a university to be...just old. Not saying it was bad, it's just not something I'd recommended to a friend to spend their time on.

A beautiful university. The third oldest in the world. Tuition for a master’s degree, in English, for international students, one tenth of what it cost in the US (one third compared to State universities).

Great parking at the Castillo. Lovely walk along the river, evidence of recent flooding. Followed an Adventure Lab cache around the town which took us to many interesting and slightly unusual locations. Recommend stopping here. Castillo is a grain store so not open to the public.

There are visiting hours to enter, but I was there too early. No matter, walking around the castle in the morning hours, nearly alone, was worth the visit. You can park (free) very close to the castle. Plus, the town of Arevalo is nice. Too.

Pleasant surprise and its significance to my surname however this town is super charming, very walkable and lots of stunning old architecture to feast your eyes on. If this happen to be on your way, make a detour and you'll be rewarded nicely with medieval architectures.

I drove from Avila to Segovia and decided for this little detour. It worth every minute. It’s amazing how a tiny city could have been so important for the world history. This is the where Saint Ignacio de Loyola spent his youth years, as well as Queen Isabel the Catholic.

Nice place to park your caravan for the night. It is busy with people late into the night, but not noisy.

An interesting late medieval castle, with several features that were innovative in the XV century.

A bit of cultural heritage

Our first stop was the Castillo La Mota, a fantastic brick built 15th century creation with a deep moat and fully restored. The castle was built on relatively low lying ground so didn't dominate the area but the main tower was tall enough to make up for it. It is well signposted from the town and has a large car park and information office. Entry was free so we did a circuit of the inner walls before going in to the central courtyard. There were flocks of swallows flying around the castle but looked and sounded beautiful but meant that every photo needed extensive editing to remove their blurred images! We couldn't access the keep, other than as part of a tour so we went back to the ticket office to book that. Unfortunately the next tour was the dungeons and gun ports in the walls rather than the keep and the tour of the keep and rooftop wasn't for another hour and a half. This would heave meant we wouldn't get to the next castle in time so we had to skip that, bad planning on my part. I did a walk around the outside of the castle and saw some ruined medieval walls nearby, presumably part of an earlier fortification.

Well worth the visit. Free to walk around the castle. But to see inside have to be on a guided tour. Limited information in English. Would recommend

It's not a ruin. Therefore, there is something to look at without having to use your imagination. There's not much to see on the inside. You probably need a guided tour to get access to more areas. Unfortunately, the tours are only in Spanish, but you can pay for an audio guide to give you more information about the parts you can access.

Super interesting but be aware you need to reserve if you want to visit the 40m tower. The guided tour is absolutely fascinating. We learned a lot and even my kids thought the guide was interesting. Non Spanish speaker note: The tour is only in Spanish so if you don't have a decent level it could be tricky.

This was an ok visit, I was really disappointed when we saw the castle. It isn't as I imagined, the outside is brick, which didn't come over in the photographs when booking. We booked a castle and tower tour, but had a walk around with head phones prior. The castle tour (you can do everything yourself apart from the lower floor of the castle where the prisoners hole is and you can see how the soldiers moved throughout the castle). The tower tour, you see inside one room before going to the tower, which only has 2 rooms. The stairs are very uneven and steep, these feel like the only genuine part of this tour. If you don't do this you're not missing out on a lot. All the tours are in Spanish, there's no information boards so you can't even Google translate any information which is a shame and wouldn't be too difficult to do. The area is very flat so you can see a long way from the roof, but not a lot to see. Like i said it's ok, but I wouldn't go back. It's been completed reformed in the last 100 yrs.

A magnificent castle. The moat is huge, pity it wasn't filled with water 😕.

Although Castillo de Mota has a very significant part in Spain’s history given it was home to Isabel de Castilla and Fernando de Aragon’s kingdom, there’s no mention to them nor to the role this place played during such an important period during the Spanish Empire. The Castle is mostly closed, poorly restored, only allows for external visits, and ignores its historical significance.

Coca Castle was another Gothic Mudejar brick extravaganza, again built in the 15th century, and only a 30 minute drive away from La Mota. There is a large carpark in front of the castle and entry to the castle was €3. Once we got inside we saw that we only had 30 minutes before they closed for lunch (1PM - 4PM) so we did a whirlwind tour of the keep and rooftop before taking our time exploring the outer baily and then doing a circuit outside the walls. This castle was even more ornate than La Mota but was also very overgrown on the battlements and the route through the keep started with climbing four flights of a dilapadated spiral staircase, not Deb's favourite thing! Mum and I went on ahead , leaving Deb to go at her own pace. The rooftop battlement views were just awesome and the rooms had lots of frescoed decoration. We spent about another 30 minutes walking around the interior of the walls and then Mum and Deb went to find a cafe and I did a circuit of the castle exterior. Like La Mota the castle walls appear deceptively low as the moat is barely visible until up close and is on low lying ground rather than a hill. The restoration gives you a chance to see the castle as it was in its heyday, rather than being a crumbling pile of authentic bricks.

Amazing. One of the best stops on my Spanish trip. I hired a car in Madrid and drove out to Coca to visit this stunning castle. Not only was it visually incredible, but it was also fully accessible, I was able to walk the walls inside and out, explore the interior, and even climb up and out onto the roof. If that's not amazing enough, I was able to do that was barely anyone else present as the castle is aittle off the beaten path. The town of Coca is definitely worth a wander too, it's beautiful and historic - even scoring a mention in the Astrix and Obelisk comics. Definitely one of my highlights!

Tickets are €3, you’d buy them inside to climb up to the top and see the chambers. There are no restrooms inside. Be warned that it’s closed on the first Tuesday of every month - it’s open on other Tuesdays, unlike what Google Maps say.

A really interesting place to visit with information provided in English and an English speaking man on reception. It must be said that the stairs up the towers are challenging with large risers and no hand rails. But we are two 74 year old not particularly fit pensioners and we managed OK. It is really worth the effort.

Great experience, after the restore of 1956, the castle looks great and the inside rooms are worth visiting. Symbolic ticket, kind reception, see pictures.

It’s very well preserved castle from old times. City itself has not much to offer, nearby are some nice cheap restaurants. I do like castles so i am visiting various ones around.

Very authentic castle still untouched by the masses. There’s a nice self guided walking tour climbing up quite a big amount of tall steps that showcase the convergence of Mudejar design and Gothic architecture.

The castle from the outside looks great, but unfortunately, you can only get inside via a Spanish only guided tour if there are sufficient numbers. You can, however, pay €1.50 per person at the tourist office at the castle and get a token to walk a portion of the wall. At the one end of the wall, you will see very narrow stairs and go down them into a room that shows before and after pictures of the renovations of the castle wall. You will get a good view of the castle, town and surrounding landscape from the castle wall.

As a castle it is magnificent. But regrettably we only saw it from the outside. It is used as some kind of educational establishment. One can ONLY visit it at specified times in a group with a Spanish speaking guide. How's that for financial lunacy? At the campsite we were staying at there were French, Dutch, English and German tourists. All potential visitors. And within that group English would be the most widely spoken second language . So the provision of an English speaking tour guide makes economic sense. But we did, for 1.5 Euros each get to walk the walls and from there to view the scenery and the town . The town itself has many churches and various other sites of interest. The churches, as is almost always invariably the case, were closed. He/She may have created the world ...so the myth goes...in 7 days but His/Her edifices are usually only available when the faithful are gathered . The Plaza Major was nothing worth seeing. So unless you are proficient in Spanish you will only be able to admire the castle from outside. And the town itself hardly warrants a visit. Postscript...the owner informs me I can book an English speaking guide. At some considerable cost I assume. If one is simply passing through the area and decide to visit the castle on the spur of the moment pre- booking doesn't apply. The simple solution is to employ bilingual guides. We found no reference to the availability of an English speaking guide on the website. Nor were we informed of that provision at the castle information office.

Castle is being recently renovated. There are some areas near castle that are abandoned unfortunately. Castle itself offers an entrance for some euro and bunch of actors telling you a bit of story of that place, mostly in Spanish unfortunately…

Not worth the time. You can only see that from outside, which is quite nice. If you walk in you will be kicked out by a very unpolite agressive woman, who keeps yelling to you in Spanish.

Very well maintained and large walls with great visits during the day and theatre events on the weekend. Should well be a top place to visit in the area. As the Castle is an archive and school as well the place is clean and with lots of activities.

Great castle in perfect condition. Actually it is a school so it is very well preserved. The tour, around 45min, is amazing and you can learn about the castle, the history and the life of the village. The tour guide is amazing and his explanations very clear and helpful

Amazing historial Castillo just bursting with history and honest sound architecture.

The wine museum was genuinely interesting to visit, and the entrance is free, which is a nice bonus. The castle can only be visited with a guided tour, which might be a plus for those who enjoy detailed explanations. Personally, I would have preferred to explore it on my own. The view from the top platform of the castle is beautiful, but inside there isn’t much to see, as none of the original interiors have been preserved.

Nice visit to the castle. Couldn't understand much as the guide was talking really fast. But is is an nice sight to behold and well worth a visit

Beautiful castle, build like a ship with a long and impressive history There are also great views of the area from the top of it Check the opening time, we got there at around 13:30 but it closes at 14:00 so we couldn’t go in so we came back after 16:00 when they opens up again The wine museum is worthwhile a visit if anything for the smelling exercise you can do inside

You can only visit as part of a guided tour in Spanish. So a wasted journey. Anyway, the castle looks better when seen from the town We don't do guided tours unless it's somewhere very very special like the Altamira Caves

Beautiful looking castle structure with great views. I did not go in.

Wonderful views from a castle steeped in Spanish history. Long walk up steep road to access, but plenty of parking if driving at the top. €6.20 ticket for adult guided tour and entry to the wine museum.

The castle itself is wonderful and impressive, however, it turned out to be a wine tour/museum, so the only way to see the inside is on a wine tour. You cannot roam by yourself, which was a disappointment. Still feel the "touch of history" by visiting

We visited Bodegas Protos for a tour, and while the winery itself is undeniably beautiful, it was our least favorite experience in the region. The atmosphere felt quite commercial, which isn’t really our style—we tend to prefer smaller, family-run wineries with a more intimate feel. It was also the only winery we visited that didn’t seem particularly kid-friendly, which made the visit a bit less enjoyable for our family. While it may appeal to those looking for a more polished, large-scale operation, it just wasn’t the right fit for us.

Nice place to visit, where I visit by tour. Get wine testing and also free wine glass. The tour guide explained really well

Dear Protos. You have been my favourite brand for years. Therefore I bought a private tour to Your winery today. Unfortunately, I’ve also asked my private guide to buy a bottle of wine, while waiting a hour before. Then, we’ve arrived. Yes, we’ve had a half of bottle unconsumed. And that is it. We left it inside, with 2 glasses. Was it a reason to send us outside, calling police? I think no. I’ve managed to calm all emotions down, but it’s something I don’t have to do during my time, being at holidays. Therefore I ask for apology from Your command in front of me, That was really bad behaviour. BRDS, DMITRI

We took a tour that lasted about an hour and 15 minutes, followed by a wine tasting. The tour guides where extremely knowledgeable and the ambience was phenomenal. Definitely worth a stop.

Fine winery with a lot of history in their wheels. We booked the tour + wine tasting at the end. I would recommend the cellar to update the initial phase with all the audiovisual contents, they look old fashioned and kind of boring. The guides were OK, the tasting was OK, nothing out of the blue for such an iconic cellar. They should probably revamp and rethink the process, nothing to complain, but living in 2023 it's good to be updated with the time being.

Bodegas protons good history behind and very well presented, they do millions of litres wine there … you can understand where wines makers will bring the wines in the future

A must see and enjoy. The tour was great, and the Bodegas are amazing. The tour guide was very nice answering questions and teaching us about Ribera del Duero wines.

We had a fantastic time at the bodega during our wine tasting experience. Camino was our guide and she was amazing—so warm and welcoming! She spoke great English, even though we did the tour in Spanish, and made the whole experience really enjoyable for my husband, our little one, and me. We loved the wines we tried so much that we left with a few bottles to take home. Highly recommend visiting if you're in the area! :)

Please forget about all other winery tastings. If there is only one visit to make to Ribera del Duero this is this place. Combined with a stay and meal at the posada, our dreams were fulfilled. Great value for the money and authentic hospitality. Back to the tasting: Camino (our wine guide) went out of her way to show us the hidden secrets and treasures of the winery. Exclusive wines from amfora but also wines tailored to our taste-spend ratio. Dosed with humour and history it is a visit that we will remember (until we return).

We had a tour + tasting with Tamara who was excellent! Very knowledgeable and patient with our limited Spanish. Very thorough tour with explanations of the whole process, followed by a great tasting. The most incredible wines!

We visited the wineyard couple of weeks ago and got truly a five star attention from Camino. She showed us the actual wineyard, the process of making wine, the cellar and we finished with amazing wine tasting with the best view you can get. The wine is excellent, and as a bonus you get an explanation about how to taste the wine as a pro :-) Camino is a great professional, with passion for her work. And she had a very sweet personal touch with us, as we commented we were having difficulties booking a visit to a beer craft factory and she actually managed to reach them and book us in :-) We will be back for sure, maybe for wine picking next time :-)

Beautiful place, beautiful wines with Camino! Can’t thank her enough for a great learning experience.

We made a guided visit in bodega. Highly recommended, The guide was a person with a lot of knowledge and passion for vine production. Asked all our questions ( and we had plenty). The vine testing in the end was amazing.

Everyone was so great and informative! I would highly recommend recommending visiting, absolutely breathtaking!!

We were really looking forward to visiting this winery, but unfortunately, it turned into a disappointing and frustrating experience. From the moment we arrived, things were off. Despite the restaurant being visibly empty (only one table was full), we were told there were no available tables for dining. It was raining, and yet they insisted we sit outside on the terrace just to have a drink. We weren’t allowed to order any proper food—only tapas were available—which we were thankful for, but the whole situation felt dismissive and unwelcoming. Throughout our time there, the service remained cold and impersonal. No one explained anything about the wines, the food, or the winery itself. We felt completely ignored and unwelcome. It’s honestly the worst service we’ve experienced at a winery or restaurant. We left feeling disrespected and very disappointed. With so many beautiful wineries that value their guests, I’d recommend looking elsewhere for a more genuine and hospitable experience.

Did you know there’s an amazing restaurant in here? The castellano menu is my favorite. But we have tried the other one too during our last visit! Besides being one of the best wine manufacturers in the region (and yet not as popular as other bigger more comercial brands) this winery is a must stop if you are interested in getting to know more and learn about Ribera Del Duero wine region. And then there’s the restaurant… I mean, obviously anything you eat that’s accompanied by their excellent wine is going to taste twice as good. But the real thing is that the quality of the food, the selection of their raw materials, their service and knowledgeable staff makes this restaurant a top option when you are in the area. Their menus come with a generous amount of dishes for the value you pay and the quality you get. And there’s always some good discounts at their wine store downstairs after a good meal.

Amazing architectural tour of Norman Foster’s genius design… our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, as for the wine, the Verdejo was the best above the two other reds, but that’s individual preference.

Pleasant vineyard, with good tasting wine and a beautiful building. Staff member Raquel was particularly welcoming to our tasting request and overall friendly.

Chose this specially as they advertise their gastro bar, and everywhere you look it says open all day. Imagine my surprise when the gastro bar was closed, and the restaurant only available if you made a reservation. Nowhere on their website or publicity does it mention this. Staff were utterly disinterested. AVOID.

A modern, elegant and masterly designed (by no other than Norman Foster) winery with quite good wine, food and staff. From the moment one arrives, parks the car (in the shade), walks to the entrance of this magnificent building, one feels each corner has an ultimate purpose. Produce and show wine. I would recommend to try (possibly buy) the prima and summa wines. Depends on how much you want to spend. On the food menu, the carrillera was excellent.

Dear Family Martinez Zabala By vineyards I hope this comment will help other travelers that come from far away and plan to visit this particular winery Bodega Portia. We travelled from CR and made reservations days before our arrival. And email was sent requiring a change in time since we had a group of 12 and have a tight schedule. That email was never responded. Kept calling to anounce our arrival. We certainly were late at our arrival and as I read later in reviews, it doesn't matter if you are 2 minutes late or 1 hour late. Bodegas Portia has a non flexible policy on time arrival. A very rude woman in front desk simply told us the other people in the tour , have already started the tour. We kindly ask if we could join that "group" and only received a plain and very rude NO since they already started. Soon enough we discovered that all of it was a lie since we found 12 cups on a tasting table untouched, assuming there was no other group joining ours. This woman lied plainly to our face. Resuming all we lost our money, and to compensate from Bodegas Portia we got a 7 minute "tour" from a window to see the cellar and a minimum cup of wine on an empty restaurant. Ill share the pictures of how they "compensated" I think Bodegas Portia and staff have no idea or training in how to treat people on tour companies that come from abroad. No courtesy to far away travelers. If you are reading this, I can suggest other wonderful wineries like MATAROMERA that puts a heart into the experience, Marquez de Riscal, Heras de Cordon. I will never recommend Bodegas Portia to anyone. Bodegas Portia lacks of warmth, heart or passion.