Discover Herrera Del Duque

Herrera Del Duque offers a range of ways to spend your stay, from historic buildings and festivals to routes, scenery and activities on the water. When planning your trip, you can arrange these themes around your interests—perhaps focusing on cultural history or making time for trails and water sports.

Historic buildings and landmarks

Casa del Conco is a 17th-century building with historic ties to the Encomienda de Alcántara. It contains mosaics and remnants of old stables. Herrera Del Duque Castle also preserves several architectural details: its walls and interior remains retain Gothic elements, a dungeon and a vaulted cistern.

The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista is documented as early as 1483 and has three vaulted naves; its interior is designed in the Renaissance style. The Franciscan convent, Convento franciscano de la Purísima Concepción, was founded in 1517, moved to its current location in 1603 and is a Renaissance building. On the historic, arcaded Plaza Mayor stands an octagonal fountain built from polished black jasper in 1787.

Behind Peloche are Bronze Age rock paintings. The scenes depicted include hunting and herding, animals and idols. Together with the buildings, they offer different glimpses into the destination’s cultural history.

Scenery and trails

The Sierra de Peloche is designated as both a ZEPA and a ZEC under Natura 2000 and is known for its wealth of birdlife and biodiversity. A landscape of dehesa-covered uplands is also characteristic of Herrera Del Duque. Check the current access rules before visiting the Sierra.

The Sendero Portillo del Cíjara has a clearly stated length, format and starting point: the 19.40-kilometre circular route can be walked or cycled and starts at Casa del Cíjara in Herrera Del Duque. It includes the Mirador del Búho and Mirador del Portillo de Cíjara, both of which have visitor information facilities. As trail conditions can change and facilities require maintenance, it is advisable to check their status before setting out.

The Ruta Palacio del Cíjara is a 22.20-kilometre linear route for walkers and cyclists. It passes the Palacio–Castillo de Cíjara and offers views of the Guadiana and the Embalse de García de Sola. Its length and route format distinguish it from the circular Sendero Portillo del Cíjara. Another route starts on Camino de Las Navas off the N-502 and is 7.5 kilometres long. From there, you can enjoy wide-ranging views of Herrera Del Duque, Peloche and the Río Guadiana, and spot birds and typical regional wildlife.

The Camino de Levante de Peregrinación a Guadalupe runs from Fuenlabrada de los Montes through Herrera Del Duque and onwards to Castilblanco in the Comarca La Siberia. The Herrera-Peloche cycle path connects with Campamento Alfredo Rivas. In addition to the individual routes described, there is also a pilgrimage route and a cycle path connection, each offering a different way to explore the area.

Water and outdoor activities

The Playa Natural de Peloche is on the Guadiana in Peloche, within the La Siberia Biosphere Reserve. Its clean, warm waters are suitable for swimming and a wide range of water sports. Check seasonal beach operations before your trip. The Playa de Peloche at the Embalse de García de Sola is a separate site: it has two boat ramps, and activities include fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding and recreational boating.

The paved area of Playa del Espolón offers fully adapted access for people with reduced mobility, lifeguard and surveillance services, showers, public changing rooms and picnic areas. These facilities make it a distinct option among the area’s waterside offerings.

Festivals and local cuisine

The Fiestas Patronales de San Antonio Abad in Peloche, a pedanía of Herrera Del Duque, have been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Special Cultural Interest since 2022. During the final four days of the novena, starting on 14 January, the Danza de San Antón is performed in full in the church. Canutos, a typical festive sweet, are prepared, stored and sold on 17 January. If you are travelling for these traditions, check the current festival dates and the sweet’s local availability.

The patron saint’s festival of Herrera Del Duque is celebrated on 8 September and includes a procession and an auction of mangas and traditional sweets. Festivals also feature a parade of giants and big-head figures, along with competitions in tug-of-war, ajoblanco and Pitarra wine. As the festival programme may vary from year to year, confirm the dates before your trip. Escarapuche, a fish dish that originated in Peloche, is also a local speciality.

Discover more destinations

Barcarrota, Monterrubio de la Serena, Higuera De La Serena, Fuenlabrada De Los Montes, Oliva De Mérida, Casas de Don Pedro, Entrerríos, Magacela

For the broader travel overview: Badajoz.