Small Towns, Big Stories
14 Ways to Explore Tajo Internacional
14 Ways to Explore Tajo Internacional
There’s another way to get to know Tajo-Tejo Internacional: through its towns and the people who bring them to life.
Each town has its own personality, landscapes, stories, and those hidden gems that are often known only to those who live there. From towns with an extraordinary historical heritage to small villages surrounded by pastures, riverbanks, and trails, the fourteen municipalities in the Spanish part of the Reserve offer many ways to enjoy a rural getaway.
And who better to show you around than the residents themselves?
We invite you to get to know them through a series of videos in which the locals themselves tell you what to do, what’s worth visiting, and how to enjoy a weekend in each town.
Choose where to start, let their recommendations guide you, and plan your next getaway. Because in Tajo Internacional, every village has a story to tell.
Alcántara
Alcántara is home to one of the great masterpieces of Roman engineering: its impressive bridge over the Tagus River, considered the tallest surviving Roman bridge in the world. But Alcántara is much more than just its bridge: the Conventual Church of San Benito, its churches, palaces, and historic streets invite you to explore a town shaped by its Roman legacy and the history of the Order of Alcántara. A must-see destination to discover how heritage, landscape, and the border intertwine in Tajo-Tejo Internacional.
Chickens
Brozas was once the seat of the Grand Commandery of the Order of Alcántara and still boasts a collection of historic landmarks worth exploring at a leisurely pace, including churches, palaces, manor houses, and the Commandery’s castle. Just a short walk from the town center, the Charca de Brozas y Ejido, designated a Peri-urban Conservation and Recreation Park, offers a unique experience: observing waterfowl, birds of prey, and the large flocks of cranes that arrive during the winter.
Carbajo
Carbajo is located in the Sierra de San Pedro region, an area of great natural value. Its connection to wildlife was highlighted by Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, who filmed scenes of the Iberian imperial eagle in the area. The town is also known for cultural initiatives such as the El Magusto festival, which celebrates the music and traditions of La Raya.
Tail
At the western edge of Extremadura, Cedillo invites you to discover the landscapes of the Tajo and Sever rivers, with overlooks of the river and trails that wind through the Mediterranean forest. The Miñola Trail lets you explore this area and visit the Joaninha dolmen, a testament to its megalithic past. To learn about local traditions, visit El Casón, an ethnographic interpretation center, and discover the Enfariñá, the town’s unique flour fight held during Carnival.
Herrera de Alcántara
A town closely tied to the river and its riverside landscapes. The Mari Loza botanical trail is one of the best ways to explore its natural surroundings. The trail allows visitors to identify different species of Mediterranean vegetation and experience the landscapes of the Tagus, with lookouts and spots from which to admire the riverbanks.
Herreruela
Herreruela is home to stories that seem straight out of a novel. Among them is the story of Chico Cabrera, the famous 19th-century bandit whose exploits in the Sierra de San Pedro and along the banks of the Salor River have fueled popular imagination for generations. Although he was born in Brozas, his story became closely tied to the area around Herreruela, where he died in 1877. Today, you can learn about him at the Chico Cabrera Interpretation Center, a space that explores the history and legends of banditry and smuggling along the border. It’s a unique way to explore the past of La Raya and the figures who left their mark on it.
Mata de Alcántara
Mata de Alcántara preserves vestiges from various eras, ranging from the rock altar at Peña Carnicera to ancient Roman wine presses and early Christian tombs. In October, its Autumn Equinox and Reconquista Market transforms the town with cultural activities, crafts, cuisine, and historical reenactments linked to its medieval origins and the history of the Order of Alcántara.
Membrio
Part of Membrío’s history lies in the countryside. On the El Parral estate, old shepherds’ huts—traditional structures that evoke a way of life tied to livestock farming—still stand alongside the remains of an ancient fort and anthropomorphic tombs carved into the rock. To round out the visit, it’s worth discovering one of the town’s most distinctive flavors: its sweet empanadas, a traditional treat made with anise-flavored dough that keeps alive the connection between the local cuisine and the memories of its people.
Piedras Albas
Piedras Albas retains the charm of the small villages of La Raya, where the proximity to Portugal is part of daily life and the local identity. Strolling through its streets, discovering its traditional architecture, and learning about the history of its people is an invitation to enjoy the region at a leisurely pace. Its location makes it a must-visit stop for experiencing the culture shared by both countries and discovering another way of life along the border.
Salorino
Salorino invites you to explore its streets through a mural tour that turns a stroll through the town into an outdoor cultural experience. It’s a way to linger in its hidden corners, enjoy urban art, and get a sense of the local identity from a different perspective. The visit can be rounded out with a tour of the town’s historic mills and the trails that wind through the surrounding countryside.
Santiago de Alcántara
It is home to one of the most fascinating prehistoric sites in the region. The Lagunita dolmens, the cave paintings in the Buraco Cave, and its Dolmen Culture Interpretation Center offer a glimpse into the communities that inhabited these mountain ranges thousands of years ago. A journey through prehistory where archaeology, landscape, and human memory converge.
Valencia de Alcántara
History, architecture, and nature come together in a town known for its Gothic quarter and its wealth of megalithic sites. A destination where you can combine culture, hiking, and frontier landscapes.
Villa del Rey
In Villa del Rey, nature and ethnographic heritage are best discovered on foot. The Cabra Mills, designated a Site of Ethnographic Interest, offer a glimpse into the traditional relationship between water and rural life. In winter, the town also becomes a particularly interesting spot for observing cranes and other birds, with trails and areas from which to enjoy the wildlife without disturbing it.
Zarza la Mayor
Every Easter Sunday, Zarza la Mayor celebrates Domingo de los Tiros, a festival designated as a Festival of Tourist Interest in Extremadura in 2026. Its most distinctive moment is the “Reverencia,” the encounter between the Risen Christ and the Virgin of the Castle, accompanied by volleys of gunfire from the riflemen and the participation of the townspeople. No matter the time of year, it’s worth visiting the Church of St. Andrew the Apostle—designated a Site of Cultural Interest in the Monument category—to discover the heritage that tells the story of its border history.
Where will your next destination be?
Fourteen towns, many stories, and a region well worth exploring at a leisurely pace. Choose one to start with, or combine several into a getaway that lets you discover the nature, heritage, and hospitality of Tajo Internacional on both sides of the border.