Major city · Spain
Badajoz
Give Badajoz one night as a Madrid–Lisbon break: the Alcazaba, Plaza Alta and MUBA fill a half-day, then move on to Mérida or Elvas.
Badajoz is a border city in Extremadura, 5 h by train from Madrid and about 4 h from Lisbon with a change, sitting 15 km from Portugal. The walled Alcazaba, the arcaded Plaza Alta and a free fine-arts museum are all in the compact old centre, so a single night covers it. Most travellers use it as a stop on the Madrid–Lisbon route rather than a base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (over 35 °C (95 °F)), mid-June carnival week if you want quietavoid Jul–Aug (over 95 °F (35 °C)), mid-June carnival week if you want quiet
- Airports
- MAD · LIS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Badajoz112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Badajoz, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetyBadajoz is a calm, low-crime city; the real risks are summer heat, the odd pickpocket around Menacho and Plaza Alta at night…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 091 National police · 062 Guardia Civil (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAD Madrid–Barajas (About 5 h by train or 6 h by bus to Badajoz; the usual arrival point.).
- Getting aroundThe old centre is walkable in 20–30 min end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.20–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerBeer (caña) / glass of local wine€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi€7–10 (≈ US$9–12)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride€1.30–1.60 (≈ US$2)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (MUBA and MEIAC are free)€0–4 (≈ US$0–5)
- Budget bedHostal or pension double, a night, per room€45 (≈ US$55)
- Mid-range bedHostal or pension double, a night, per room€65 (≈ US$80)
- High-end bedHostal or pension double, a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €85 (≈ US$100) · High €160 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAD Madrid–Barajas (About 5 h by train or 6 h by bus to Badajoz; the usual arrival point.) · LIS Lisbon Humberto Delgado (Cross-border train via Entroncamento, about 4 h to Badajoz; check current timetables.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Dec (9 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Badajoz: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old centre is walkable in 20–30 min end to end. Tubasa city buses cover the station, bus station and retail parks; bus LC2 links the centre with the railway station. Taxis are cheap for short hops. A car helps for Mérida, Cáceres and the Portuguese border.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mérida
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train or bus from Badajoz, about 1 h
Roman theatre and amphitheatre; a half-day is enough, a full day is better.
Elvas, Portugal
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or car over the border, about 30–40 min
Fortified hill town with an aqueduct; carry your passport.
Cáceres
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from Badajoz, about 1 h 15 min
Old town is a UNESCO site; worth a full day.
Zafra
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train or bus south-east, about 1 h
Pleasant plaza and castle, but thin for a whole day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old centre (Plaza Alta, Menacho)
Walk to the Alcazaba, cathedral and MUBA; best for one night without a car.
North bank (Av Adolfo Díaz Ambrona)
Chain hotels near the Guadiana and the A5; cheaper, 15–20 min walk to the old centre.
Around the railway station
Practical for early departures; 1 km (0.6 mi) north of the river, bus LC2 to the centre.Practical for early departures; 0.6 mi (1 km) north of the river, bus LC2 to the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €70–120 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
- High
- €120 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double1 × 1 night × €95 | €95 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €85 | €170 |
| City bus single ride2 × €2 · check | €3 |
| Train Badajoz → Mérida, one way2 × €10 · check | €20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €31 |
| Trip total≈ €170 per person per day, bed included | €339≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in euros; long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.20–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Menu del día at lunch | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Beer (caña) / glass of local wine | €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| 5 km taxi | €7–10 (≈ US$9–12) |
| City bus ride | €1.30–1.60 (≈ US$2) |
| Museum entry (MUBA and MEIAC are free) | €0–4 (≈ US$0–5) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- July and August afternoons regularly pass 35 °C (95 °F); shift sightseeing to morning and evening.July and August afternoons regularly pass 95 °F (35 °C); shift sightseeing to morning and evening.
- The railway station has no left-luggage office; the post office 100 m south-east stores bags for a fee and needs ID.
- Badajoz airport has had no commercial flights in recent years: check before booking anything into it.
- Cross-border buses and trains to Portugal run a few times a day at most; book ahead and carry your passport.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- National police
- 091
- Guardia Civil
- 062
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BadajozBadajoz
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- National police091
- Guardia Civil062
Embassy
No embassies in Badajoz; the US has an embassy in Madrid, the UK a consulate in Madrid and consulates in Barcelona and Málaga. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Badajoz → Madrid: about 5 h, several daily; fare varies, book ahead (check)
- Bus Badajoz → Madrid (Avanza): about 6 h via Mérida, around €35 (≈ US$45) (check)
- Taxi across the centre: €6–10 (≈ US$7–12)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyoh)
Tipping is optional: round up or leave 5–10% for good table service.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Badajoz. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (over 35 °C), mid-June carnival week if you want quiet · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MAD and LIS: last train and bus departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Alcazaba and Plaza Alta, cathedral and Menacho, north bank and Fuerte de San Cristóbal.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Alcazaba, cathedral museum, MUBA, MEIAC, Museo del Carnaval) and eat pages with last orders.
- Border fixtures for Elvas and Lisbon so cross-border days can go green.
Sources
- officialBadajoz city council tourism
- officialAyuntamiento de Badajoz
- officialTubasa city buses
- officialAvanza Bus
- officialMuseo de Bellas Artes de Badajoz (MUBA)
- officialMEIAC contemporary art museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Badajoz, revision 5339094 (CC BY-SA 4.0)