The Silver Route | Spain Tours

Itinerary

You’ll travel from Salamanca to Seville along the historic Silver Route. Along the way, you’ll discover Extremadura with stops in Plasencia, Cáceres, Mérida and Zafra.

Pace

A leisurely tour featuring a few longer drives interspersed with several nights in each region. You’ll combine culture with moments of relaxation in charming towns.

Highlights

You’ll explore Salamanca with its university and Plaza Mayor and stroll through the historic centre of Cáceres. In Mérida, you’ll discover Roman heritage, whilst Trujillo and Guadalupe add extra character. The trip ends in Seville with the Alcázar and flamenco.

Accommodation

You’ll stay for 7 nights in three Caractère hotels: in Salamanca, Cáceres and Seville. This allows you to travel in comfort without having to change hotels every day.

Profile

For travellers who love history and culture and enjoy discovering lesser-known regions of Spain, with a nice balance between city visits and time on the road.

Day 1: Departure to Madrid / Salamanca

Your journey starts with a drive to Salamanca, a charming university city. You will stay for two nights at Palacio de San Esteban.

Day 2: Salamanca

The monumental city of Salamanca stretches from the Roman bridge to the Puerta de Zamora. Palaces and religious buildings frame the district around the renowned university, which features a stunning Plateresque facade. With its many cafe terraces, the Plaza Mayor buzzes with life.

Day 3: Salamanca - Plasencia - Cáceres

A detour via Béjar, a beautifully situated village at the foot of the Sierra de Béjar, and a stop in the lovely village of Candelario are well worth the effort before you reach Plasencia, the regional capital of Extremadura. The city boasts a fortified historic center and a striking cathedral, and it gets a colorful touch from the many groups of storks nesting on roofs, towers, and antennas. Afterwards, be sure to visit Cáceres with its exceptionally beautiful historic center, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site! Exploring Cáceres is a unique experience: you walk past Gothic and Renaissance-style houses and palaces alongside Moorish walls and mighty towers.

Day 4: Trujillo - Guadalupe

Today you can choose between a visit to Trujillo or Guadalupe, or perhaps you would like to do both? The original Plaza Mayor of Trujillo is one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. The many grand mansions here were built in the 16th and 17th centuries by wealthy 'Indianos' after their return from the Americas. If you take the road to Guadalupe, an unexpected encounter awaits you: at an altitude of 650 meters, the imposing monastery with its battlements and turrets comes into view, built here after a statue of the Virgin Mary was rediscovered in the area. Columbus also came here to pray to the Holy Virgin before embarking on his long voyages! At the foot of this pilgrimage site lies the understated, charming village of Guadalupe.

Day 5: Cáceres - Mérida - Zafra - Seville

Travel via Mérida, where you can admire numerous monuments from the Roman era in the Museo Nacional de Arte Romano, to Zafra, where the Plaza Grande and Plaza Chica form a harmonious whole with their beautiful arcaded houses. Fuente de Cantos is located about 25 km further, featuring the house/museum of Francisco de Zurbarán. Afterwards, you continue your journey to Seville.

Day 6 & 7: Seville

Enjoy a guided visit to Seville, where you will experience the blend of colors, warmth, and vibrant atmosphere that characterizes the city. You will walk through typical neighborhoods, such as the Barrio de Santa Cruz. Experience an authentic flamenco show in the purest Andalusian style or take an introductory course in 'Iberian Ham Cutting'. The Alcázar, an eclectic complex of buildings bearing traces from many centuries, gives you the impression of entering a Moroccan palace. However, the Alcázar as you see it today is predominantly a structure from Christian times.

Day 8: Returning home

Unfortunately, your journey has come to an end, and it is time to go home. Do you still have a few days of holiday left? Then extend your stay with a few extra days in a Caractère hotel.

What budget should you expect?

For this trip, you can expect a price starting from €4,000 for two people (or €2,000 per person). This includes flights, bed & breakfast accommodation, a rental car, and all mentioned activities. The exact price depends on your travel period, your final choices, and any optional extras.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Silver Route

Is a rental car necessary for this north-to-south Silver Route?

Yes, a rental car is essential for this road trip through Spain. The Silver Route runs through cities and villages that are less well-connected by public transport. With a rental car, you can travel smoothly from Salamanca to Cáceres, Mérida, and Seville, while making stops along the way in places like Trujillo and Guadalupe.

What is the best time of year for this north-to-south Silver Route?

The best periods for this road trip along the Silver Route are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). Temperatures during these months are ideal for exploring cities like Salamanca, Cáceres, and Seville. In summer, it can get very hot in southern Spain.

What makes this Silver Route different from other Spain tours?

This tour follows the historic Silver Route from north to south through Spain, taking you to less touristy regions such as Extremadura. It combines well-known cities like Seville with UNESCO World Heritage in Cáceres and Roman sites in Mérida, which makes this route truly unique.