Place to visit
Vía de la Plata, Spain: what it is and when to go
The first section of the Camino de Santiago along the Vía de la Plata, on the Roman road that linked Mérida with Astorga. It leaves Seville and crosses the farmland and dehesas of Extremadura to Mérida. Flat, solitary and with long stages between villages. The best time to visit is April to June and September to October. In June there are 14 h 38 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 22. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Ancient commercial and pilgrimage path · Hiking
- Where
- Spain
- Best time
- April to June and September to October.
- Nearest airport
- AGP Málaga, 223 km as the crow flies
- Trail network
- National
- Distance
- 209 km
- From
- Sevilla
- To
- Merida
- Coordinates
- 38.15009, -6.20247
What you will see here
- The start via Itálica, in Santiponce
- The castle and walled ensemble of Monesterio and the northern hills
- Zafra and its Plaza Grande
- The arrival in Mérida over the Roman bridge across the Guadiana
There are long stages with no village in between: carry plenty of water and confirm hostels before setting off. The yellow-arrow waymarking is good, but in the dehesas there are livestock gates you must close behind you.
What it is and where
Vía de la Plata is an ancient commercial and pilgrimage path in Spain (Monesterio).
01 Sevilla to Merida
It is in Monesterio, where this site lists 5 more places to see, 9.2 km from the centre.
Its coordinates are 38.15009, -6.20247; the nearest main airport is Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP, Málaga), 223 km as the crow flies. How to get around Spain (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
- Trail network
- National
- Distance
- 209 km
- From
- Sevilla
- To
- Merida
It is one of the Hiking places in Spain. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit Vía de la Plata is April to June and September to October.
It's done in winter, autumn or early spring. From June to September the heat on the farmland and the lack of shade make it inadvisable.
- JanPossible9:38
- FebPossible10:35
- MarPossible11:42
- AprBest time13:00
- MayBest time14:04
- JunBest time14:38
- JulPossible14:24
- AugPossible13:29
- SepBest time12:14
- OctBest time10:59
- NovPossible9:53
- DecPossible9:22
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 14 h 38 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 22. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
When to go to Spain in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to Spain
To enter Spain there are 6 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Valid ID card or passport”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the Spain checklist. Currency: Euro (EUR); plugs: Type C and F · 230 V · 50 Hz; emergencies: 112.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Cerveza MonesterioBrewery9.2 km
- convent of Saint JamesTemples13 km
- Cerro de TentudiaMountain in Spain16 km
- Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Granada, LlerenaTemples19 km
- Bodegas CortésWinery20 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the Spain guide.
More in Spain: Hiking
- Camino de Santiago: Catholic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Vía de la Plata: ancient commercial and pilgrimage path
- French Way: pilgrims' way, part of Santiago Way
- E3 European long distance path: walking path
- Northern Way: cultural property in Municipios del Camino, Spain
- E9 European long distance path: walking path, Europe
Every Spain place under Hiking, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Vía de la Plata?
It is an ancient commercial and pilgrimage path in Spain.
When is the best time to visit Vía de la Plata?
April to June and September to October. In June there are 14 h 38 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 22.
How do you get to Vía de la Plata?
The nearest main airport is Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), 223 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around Spain is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Spain map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Cerveza Monesterio, convent of Saint James, Cerro de Tentudia. The rest is in the Spain guide.
Keep reading
- Monesterio5 places to see in and around Monesterio, Spain: convent of Saint James. Best time: March to June and September to October.
- Hiking4310 places for hiking in Spain, from Camino de Santiago to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: April to June and September to October. Each with its own season by al
- SpainBefore travelling to Spain: 6 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. For visitors from the EU there are no entry formalities: a valid ID card or passport is e…
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. More about Vía de la Plata on Wikipedia. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.