Badajoz
Badajoz is a Spanish border city on the Guadiana River. Its Alcazaba is the main sight, and the city works as a base for Roman Mérida and the Portuguese town of Elvas.
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Badajoz is the largest city in Extremadura, the region of western Spain that borders Portugal. It sits on the Guadiana River, a few kilometers from the Portuguese town of Elvas. The old town is built around the Alcazaba, a fortress with medieval Moorish origins, and the city's walls and fortifications still define its historic quarter, a reminder of its centuries as a frontier town.
Badajoz works as a base or a stop on a longer route rather than a long stay. Roman Mérida, with its theater and amphitheater, is about an hour away by road, and Cáceres is within easy reach. Summer afternoons are very hot, so spring and autumn suit walking the old town best. Plan one to two days in the city itself, and add more if you plan to cross into Portugal or explore the wider region.
Badajoz in five
- Cross into Portugal knowing the clock changesPortugal is one hour behind Spain. The Guadiana crossing has no checkpoint, but check opening times and train timetables in local time before you head to Elvas or Évora.
- Visit the Alcazaba earlyThe Moorish fortress above the river is the city's main sight and has little shade. Go in the morning, and check current hours and entry rules on the official page before you set out.
- Count on summer heatJuly and August highs regularly pass 35°C. Sightsee early, rest in the afternoon, and save long drives for mornings. Spring and autumn are far more comfortable.
- Make Mérida the main dayThe Roman theater, amphitheater and aqueduct of Mérida are about an hour away. Pair it with Cáceres for a loop through Extremadura.Mérida travel guide
- Driving in from Lisbon? EES registration is not hereThere is no border post on the road, and EES registration takes place at your first Schengen airport or port. Arriving by car from Portugal means no desk at the Caia crossing.EES, explained
Things to do in Badajoz
See all attractions in Badajoz
Need to know
- Airport
- Seville (SVQ) or Lisbon (LIS), each about 2.5 hr by road
- Getting there
- Train and bus from Madrid, Mérida and Cáceres
- Getting around
- Walk the old town; a car for Mérida and the dehesa
- Best base
- The old town near Plaza Alta
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with Mérida or Elvas
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Cool, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Mild, clearFebruaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Spring startsMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Green, mildAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, mild
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh26°Low13°Warm, idealMayClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, ideal
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh32°Low17°Hot, dryJuneClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh36°Low19°Very hotJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh36°Low20°Very hotAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Hot, easingSeptemberClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, easing
- OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Mild, goldenOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Cool, quietNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Cold nightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold nights
Average daily high and low in Badajoz, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Badajoz
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 28%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Badajoz
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today25°5°0%Monday: Fog. High 25°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue22°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed20°5°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 20°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu20°1°0%Thursday: Clear. High 20°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri19°1°16%Friday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sat14°10°48%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 48%.
- Sun19°12°80%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 80%.
Updated 06:32 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Méridaabout 45–60 min by car or trainRoman theater, amphitheater and a good museum.Read the guide
- Cáceresabout 1 hr 15 min by carA walled medieval old town with stork nests.Read the guide
- Elvas, Portugalabout 20–30 min by carA star-shaped UNESCO fortress town across the border.
Before you go to Badajoz
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Rules for Badajoz, checked
- Spain is part of the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.
- Non-EU travelers may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's EES page for current rules.
- Carry your passport on day trips into Portugal, since border checks between Spain and Portugal can still happen.
Plan around Badajoz
Cities, regions and entry rules for visitors
Read the guideMéridaRoman theater and amphitheater, about an hour away
Read the guideCáceresA medieval walled city on the UNESCO list
Read the guideSevilleThe nearest big city, about 2.5 hours south
Read the guideSchengen 90/180-day ruleHow your days count when you cross to Portugal
Read the guideBadajoz FAQ
Is Badajoz worth visiting?
For a short stop, yes: the Alcazaba, the old town and the border position are interesting. It is mainly a base for Mérida, Cáceres and Portugal, not a long stay.
How long do you need in Badajoz?
A day covers the Alcazaba and the old town. Add a second day for Mérida or a short hop to Elvas in Portugal.
Is Badajoz close to Portugal?
Yes. The border is about 10 km away, and Elvas is 20 to 30 minutes by car. Remember that Portugal is one hour behind Spain.
When is the best time to visit Badajoz?
March to May and October for mild weather. July and August are very hot, with highs above 35°C, so sightsee early and rest in the afternoon.
How do you get from Seville to Badajoz?
By car or coach in about 2.5 hours. Check coach timetables in advance, since services thin out. A rental car also lets you stop in Mérida on the way.