Thermal baths and wellness, the other Spain in Extremadura
It is a region in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula that is little travelled but full of life and charm where water is the real protagonist
Key points
With the arrival of autumn and the scorching heat of summer now behind us, one of the best times to visit the south-west of Spain begins. Extremadura, a little-travelled but surprising region, in this season offers ideal days for a trip between wellness, nature and history. Although it is inland, water is the central element of the Extremaduran landscape: reservoirs, meandering rivers, hidden waterfalls and thermal springs draw a territory full of life and charm. Thermal water is one of the elements that make it a unique destination for those seeking wellness and relaxation: there are six thermal establishments in the region, known for the curative properties of their mineral waters. In addition to this dimension that invites you to take care of yourself, there are relaxing landscapes and centuries of history, including medieval villages and Roman towns. To reach Extremadura you can fly to Madrid, Seville or Salamanca and continue by train, bus or car.
Wellbeing in the Heart of Badajoz
It is in the heart of the province of Badajoz, in this territory just a few kilometres from Portugal, that the presence of two thermal oases remind us of how curative water is the protagonist here: the thermal baths of Alange and the Balneario El Raposo. Before you relax, you can visit the city of Badajoz with its historical heritage largely donated by the Arabs who built the Alcazaba in the year 875, the imposing castle-fortress. From here you can dominate the ancient defensive system of bastions and walls that still tell the city's history. A few kilometres from Badajoz is Alange, a town on the banks of the artificial lake of the same name, with its famous thermal centre. Built by the Romans in the 3rd century and recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its interior exudes a timeless atmosphere: sunny courtyards, manicured gardens and a slow pace that invites you to relax. The thermal waters of Alange, known since antiquity for their beneficial properties, are particularly indicated for the treatment of rheumatism and respiratory disorders. Immersing oneself in these pools means regenerating body and soul, in a context of absolute quiet. Further south is the Balneario El Raposo, another fundamental place for thermalism in Extremadura. Here the curative element is natural thermal mud and the history of this establishment has an almost legendary origin: in 1860 a local farmer discovered by chance the therapeutic virtues of the spring when one day he found his piglet, afflicted with joint pain, covered in mud next to a pond. From then on, the animal found relief and the news quickly spread among the inhabitants of the area, who thus discovered the beneficial properties of these waters, capable of improving the condition of those suffering from pain and inflammation. Thus it was that in 1886 the first buildings of the El Raposo centre were built, which is still famous today for its thermal waters and mud.
The Hidden Treasures of the Province of Cáceres
.The historic centre of Cáceres, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a jewel that has remained intact over time. Its architecture reflects the city's history, marked by battles between Moors and Christians, and is a fascinating mix of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles. The influences of these cultures can be clearly seen in the kilometre-long Arab walls, palaces and towers. It is in the province of Cáceres that you will find four other establishments that make Extremadura a popular destination for thermal baths: Baños de Montemayor, Fuentes del Trampal, the thermal baths of Valle del Jerte and those of El Salugral.
Autumn, the ideal season to visit the Ambroz Valley
When the chestnut and oak forests are tinged with warm and intense colours. This natural spectacle is celebrated every year with the Otoño Mágico (Magic Autumn) event, which in 2025 will be held from 24 October to 30 November. On the programme: tastings of typical dishes, guided tours, concerts, theatre performances and exhibitions. Among the attractions of this valley are the thermal springs, which have been used since Roman times, between the 1st and 4th centuries. The thermal complex of Baños de Montemayor was highly appreciated by soldiers, officials and the local population for the properties of its sulphurous waters. Today, this centre combines modern facilities with the ancient Roman baths, offering wellness and relaxation experiences. In the small village of Montánchez is the Fuentes del Trampal thermal baths. Here, too, the therapeutic use of these waters has been handed down for centuries. It is the blossoming of the cherry trees, one and a half million of them, that colours the spring in the Valle del Jerte. An enchanted place, crossed by the river of the same name, which offers year-round hiking routes, such as the Garganta de los Infiernos loop: 16 kilometres, which can be covered in about six hours, winding from the village of Jerte through the spectacular landscapes of this nature reserve, among rock formations shaped by water and natural pools known as marmitas de gigante. Just a twenty-minute drive from Jerte is the thermal baths of the Valle del Jerte: a hydrothermal space with wellness-oriented treatments, including cherry and chocolate. Finally, in the picturesque village of Hervás, known for its historical and cultural heritage left by the Jewish community, the thermal baths of El Salugral are another centre dedicated to well-being, thanks to the properties of its mineral waters.
