Jarandilla de la Vera and the Valley of la Vera

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How to get there: Driving from Guadalupe to Jarandilla de la Vera takes a comfortable 2 hours over the EX-118 and the EX-119 motorways.

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Jarandilla is a rather simple village with a pleasant square and a Roman bridge, but there is a very good parador that serves as a base to explore some of the treasures of the beautiful Valley of la Vera:

• Monasterio de Yuste
Close to the small village of Cuacos de Yuste you will find the intimate monastery of Yuste where the last emperor of Europe, the powerful Carlos V, voluntarily retired until his death in 1558. The monastery has been restored in the 20th century after having been burned down. A visit, even though it is only possible in groups, is highly recommended. The monastery is also home to a cultural foundation, the European Academy of Yuste Foundation. • Garganta la Olla
A very pretty and charming little village, one of the oldest in the valley, not far from Cuacos de Yuste. Park your car, wander through the old village with its wood-beamed houses, and enjoy local-style grilled meats at Restaurante La Vera. Garganta la Olla is pictured below.

• Guijo de Santa Barbara
A very small village set almost 3000 feet (875 meters) above Jarandilla de la Vera, and a good starting point for a hike in the hills.

Where to stay and dine
Stay in the Parador de Jarandilla de la Vera, which is housed in the 15th century castle of the Counts of Oropesa, where emperor Carlos V was guest for a short while. The hotel has a lovely inner courtyard where you can enjoy a drink. The rooms range from simple to luxurious. We had an excellent meal in the very atmosphere-rich restaurant. One of the specialties of the Valley of la Vera is smoked peppers, pimentón de la Vera, which may be one of the ingredients in the dishes offered on the menu. This is an excellent parador.

Next stop on your itinerary: Plasencia and the Monfrague National Park

Return from Jarandilla de la Vera to Guadalupe

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