Living and Teaching English in Extremadura

Roman theaters, walled towns, big skies, and quiet natural parks.

Extremadura at a Glance

Extremadura Overview

If you are thinking about teaching English in Extremadura, picture storybook plazas, World-Heritage old towns, and weekend escapes to river canyons and cork-oak hills. The region is made up of two provinces, Badajoz and Cáceres, with around 1.05 million residents in 2024, capital functions in Mérida and the largest city in Badajoz, and landscapes that run from the Tagus and Guadiana river plains to dehesa woodlands and the Monfragüe hills. Badajoz brings broad avenues and border-city energy, Cáceres wraps you in medieval stone lanes, and Mérida sets daily life against Roman arches. Daily rhythms are relaxed, with café con leche mornings, market errands, and plenty of walking, plus hot, dry summers in the lowlands and crisp winter nights. You will use local buses in town and Renfe for regional links, with the Madrid–Extremadura corridor steadily improving via faster Alvia services and ongoing high-speed upgrades. Teach English in Extremadura and you get calm commutes, friendly neighborhoods, and easy train or bus links for bigger adventures.

Why People Love Extremadura

“Moved here when me and my wife decided to permanently move to Spain. Only thought of this region as a starting point as this is where her family is based. A few years later and we are still here and I´m loving the laid back setting and the small city where we are in. You end up knowing a lot of people as you do more things or attend classes and reencounter them again at some point which makes you feel less isolated as you´ll always see a familiar face. There is a sort of community feel between villages and cities as you´ll always meet someone new who probably knows someone that you already know.”

Christine, RVF Team

“I’ve only been to Cáceres but I really liked it! Cáceres surprised me with its perfectly preserved medieval old town and quiet charm. Walking through its narrow streets feels like stepping back in time, with history around every corner.”

Lourdes, RVF Team

Local Culture & Attractions

Cáceres Old Town (UNESCO)

Plasencia Cathedral

Trujillo’s hilltop castle & Plaza Mayor

Roman Theatre and amphitheater in Mérida.

Bird-watching and cliff viewpoints in Monfragüe National Park.

Where to Live in Extremadura

Badajoz — Centro/Santa Marina: wide streets, markets, easy buses.
Cáceres — Casco Antiguo/Cánovas: historic core or lively modern spine.
Mérida — Centro/Riverfront: Roman stones, walkable to classrooms.
Plasencia — Old Town: compact center, gateway to Jerte and Monfragüe.
Trujillo — Plaza Mayor area: castle views, small-town pace.

Tip: Choose housing near your school’s bus stop or a Renfe station; proximity beats prestige in smaller towns.

Quick Facts

Population: ~1.05M (2024). Comparable to Delaware (state-level size).
Famous For: Mérida’s Roman complex, Cáceres Old Town, dehesa landscapes, ibérico ham routes.
Travel: Badajoz Airport (BJZ) handled ~91k passengers in 2024; Madrid–Badajoz Alvia fastest journeys around 4h 15m–4h 20m with more frequencies added in 2025; high-speed upgrades and tests continue on the Madrid–Extremadura line.

Cost Snapshot

Rent (room in shared flat): €150–€350 ($174-$408) typical in Badajoz/Cáceres/Mérida; lower in smaller towns.
Groceries: ~€170–€230 ($198-$268)
Public transport (monthly): Badajoz city bus abono mensual ~€15 ($17.50); temporary 2025 fare reductions ended June 30. Other towns run similar low-cost passes or multi-trip cards.

Top 3 Can’t-Miss Experiences

Roman Theatre of Mérida

Stand among columns where the summer festival still stages plays.

Tip: Go near sunset or on a festival night if you can and check hours in advance.

Cáceres Old Town

Walk the walls and towers through perfectly preserved medieval streets.

Tip: Walk up from Plaza Mayor in the late afternoon so you catch the stone streets in golden hour light.

Alcántara Roman Bridge

Monumental 2nd-century stone bridge over the Tagus, with a triumphal arch and scenic river gorge

Tip Aim to visit in the late afternoon so you can walk the bridge in softer light, linger by the Tagus gorge, and safely enjoy the views without the midday heat.

🏛️ Roman-stone moments 🧱 walled-town walks 🌿 dehesa picnics  ☀️ big-sky summers 🐦 bird-watching weekends 🚆 easy AV/Alvia hops

RVF Staff Picks

(top places staff suggests)

Roman Theatre of Mérida: They still do plays and theatres here every now and then!
National Park of Monfragüe: Specifically the Salto de Gitano point where thousands of bird watchers visit this roadside view for a chance to see different giant bird species.
Plaza Mayor of Caceres: If you turn towards the old stone infrastructured side of the plaza, you will see that it is where they shot a scene of game of thrones!