Festivals

Central Spain is the land of festivals, and it's the best place to find an authentic, truly Spanish vibe. Cuenca's Easter celebration and Toledo's Corpus Christi draw people from all over Spain. During the pre-Lenten carnival, León and nearby La Bañeza are popular party centers. Expect crowds and book accommodations in advance. Caceres' annual World of Music, Arts, and Dance (WOMAD) festival attracts some 75,000 each May. On December 7, Jarandilla de la Vera fills the city with bonfires to celebrate Los Escobazos, when locals play-fight with torches made out of brooms. And in Mérida, the highlight of the cultural calendar is the annual Festival de Teatro Clásico, held in the Roman theater from early July to mid-August.

Gastronomic festivals abound. In early May, Trujillo's Feria del Queso (cheese festival) is popular with foodies. In Cáceres in September, there's the Celebración del Cerdo y Vino (pork and wine celebration), where the area's innumerable pork products are prepared in public demonstrations.