Spain will soon overtake France to become the most visited country in the world, thanks in large part to its global appeal of a diverse range of natural landscapes and vibrant cities.

However, most international tourists seem to flock only to a select few destinations, such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, or to the Mediterranean coast such as the Costa del Sol.

What most people don’t realize is that the nation is also home to countless hidden treasures that remain underrated and without throngs of tourists flocking to the most popular regions.

One such gem is Caceres, a city steeped in history and architectural splendor, recently hailed as Spain’s most underrated destination by American travel influencer Nick O’Brien, known as @NickLovesSpain on X (formerly Twitter).

Caceres is located in the center of the autonomous region of Extremadura. According to 2021 data, the city itself is home to over 94,300 people.

Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, the historic center of Caceres has the third largest collection of monuments in Spain, according to the country’s official tourism portal.

The city is considered a cradle of Renaissance architecture in the Iberian Peninsula, inhabited by castles and farmhouses with several centuries of history.

Visitors can see remains from prehistoric, medieval times, both Roman and Moorish occupation, and the golden age of Jewish culture in Spain. Caceres has four main areas to explore: the historic quarter, the Jewish quarter, the modern center and the outskirts.

At the heart of Caceres is the impressive Plaza Mayor, one of the largest squares in Spain according to O’Brien, flanked by 17th-century arcades and the city’s town hall.

Torre de Bujaco towers above the square, a striking 25-meter-tall structure of Arabic origin. Nearby are the smaller towers of Pulpitos and Yerba, as well as landmarks such as the Ermita de la Paz and the Arco de la Estrella, the main gateway to the old city.

The old city walls, originally Roman and reconstructed in the 12th century, are remarkably well preserved, something that cannot be said of many Spanish cities.

Another must-see area is the Plaza de Santa Maria, home to the impressive Cáceres Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with a striking facade and impressive interior.

Surrounding the square are several ornate palaces, including the Bishop’s Palace, Hernando de Ovando’s Palace and the Palace of the Mayoralgo, all of which contribute to the area’s timeless charm.

But tourists can also visit something much, much older. There have been settlements near Caceres since prehistoric times. Discovered in 1956, Maltravieso Cave contains hundreds of paintings, including the world’s oldest known cave painting – a red hand stencil that is over 67,000 years old.

This is 20,000 years before the known arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe and is therefore believed to have been made by Neanderthals.

Visitors like O’Brien are often captivated by its rich heritage, stunning beauty and hidden nooks filled with character.

For those seeking a cultural retreat, Caceres offers the perfect weekend getaway in the heart of Extremadura.