- The city receives the ‘Best Cultural Destination’ award from the V VIAJAR AwardsLa ciudad recibe el galardón ‘Mejor Destino Cultural’ de los V Premios VIAJAR
This Wednesday in Madrid, Cáceres received the Cultural Destination Award from the V VIAJAR Awards, a recognition that highlights the work being carried out to position the city as a tourist and cultural destination of national reference and its ability to combine its historical heritage with a modern and avant-garde cultural offer.
The mayor, Rafa Mateos, received the award at a gala in Madrid. During his speech he highlighted that the key to the evolution of Cáceres as a cultural destination has been “knowing how to adapt to the times without losing our essence”, combining the 40 years of recognition as a World Heritage City with new spaces and cultural proposals.
Mateos has highlighted the value of the Monumental City’s heritage, as well as the addition of new cultural landmarks—such as the Helga de Alvear Museum and the future Madruelo Museum—and the establishment of the MAPFRE Foundation’s Iberian headquarters within the monumental district.
The mayor has also highlighted the consolidation of Cáceres as the scene of major cultural and musical events and the city’s ability to maintain cultural programming throughout the year. As an example, he recalled the concerts by Pablo López and Vanesa Martín held last weekend, along with the Irish Fleadh festival and the different activities carried out in the neighborhoods.
EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE: THE GREAT CHALLENGE
Rafa Mateos has identified Cáceres’s bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2031 as one of the city’s major future challenges.
“That is the great challenge that we are taking on from Extremadura,” stated the mayor, who highlighted the cross-border dimension of Cáceres, its relationship with Portugal and the existing links with Latin America as elements that can contribute to the city’s cultural project.
The bid represents, Mateos pointed out, the opportunity to demonstrate to Europe the capacity of Cáceres to contribute from an inland, cross-border city with a cultural identity built from its heritage, but also its capacity to incorporate new proposals and look to the future.
CÁCERES, A LEADING DESTINATION IN SPAIN
The Cultural Destination Award of the V VIAJAR Awards is a consequence of a national and international tourism promotion strategy that during 2026 has reinforced the presence of Cáceres in different markets and showcases, with the aim of consolidating the city as one of the great inland destinations in Spain.
An award that adds to a recent history of recognition, since Cáceres has recently been chosen as Best Cultural Destination in the World’s Best Awards Spain by Travel + Leisure magazine; In addition, last June the City Council received the Extremadura Tourism Award 2026 from El Periódico Extremadura, in recognition of the tourism promotion work carried out on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Cáceres as a World Heritage City.
Added to these recognitions is the presence of Cáceres in the main publications specialized in travel and tourism such as National Geographic, Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, which have placed the city among the outstanding destinations in Spain.
