Study in Cáceres, Spain

About Cáceres

Cáceres is a provincial capital in Extremadura, in western Spain, with 96,651 registered residents on 1 January 2025 according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). It is a compact, walkable city whose walled old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city promotes itself as "Cáceres Patrimonio de la Humanidad". Much of everyday life, from cafés to cultural events, takes place within a short walk of the historic centre.

For students, Cáceres is a quieter and smaller alternative to the large university cities. It is home to one of the main campuses of the Universidad de Extremadura, so students are a visible part of the population, and its size makes it easy to settle in quickly and to use Spanish in daily life from the first week.

Studying in Cáceres

Our directory lists two active schools in Cáceres: one higher-education centre and one language school. The Universidad de Extremadura (UEx) was created in 1973 and today has four sites: the Badajoz and Cáceres campuses and the university centres of Mérida and Plasencia. According to the university, more than 24,000 students take bachelor's and postgraduate degrees there, and another 8,000 follow doctoral programmes, the university's own qualifications or continuing education. Most degree teaching is in Spanish.

Spanish courses for international students are run by the university's Instituto de Español como Lengua Extranjera (IELE), based in Cáceres. The institute states that it is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes and is an examination centre for the DELE and the CCSE (the Spanish nationality test). Its programmes include:

• an intensive Spanish programme over one academic year
• one-month courses
• pathway programmes towards bachelor's, master's and vocational studies
• Spanish for healthcare professionals
• courses for international UEx students and tailor-made programmes for partner institutions

The intensive programme takes students from level A1 to B2 with 20 hours of classes a week (4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Friday) and costs €2,500, according to IELE. Note that the institute closes for the whole of August.

Music students have a newer option: the Centro Superior Internacional de Música de Extremadura (CESIMEX), which received authorisation from the Junta de Extremadura to start teaching in the 2024/2025 academic year. Its study plan covers Pedagogy, Composition and Performance (saxophone, brass, percussion, piano and singing), and it publishes entrance exams (pruebas de acceso) for 2026 on its website.

Cost of living for students

Cáceres is generally a less expensive city than Madrid, Barcelona or the large Andalusian capitals, and rent is the main monthly cost. We did not find an official or university source with current room prices, so ask the university or your language school about student residences, shared flats and homestays before you arrive. Course fees are easier to plan: the IELE intensive programme costs €2,500 for the academic year.

The city council has subsidised urban bus fares in recent years, including a 50% discount on bus passes, and has added a Línea Campus route for the university. Fares and discounts change from year to year, so check the current prices with the city council before you buy a pass.

Getting around and daily life

Most of the old town and the central shopping streets can be reached on foot, and the bus network links the centre with the university campus and the outer districts. Renfe runs Alvia trains between Madrid Puerta de Atocha - Almudena Grandes and Cáceres, which makes the capital and its international airport the main gateway for many students. Badajoz Airport, operated by Aena, is the closest airport in the region.

Winters are mild and summers are very hot and dry. At the AEMET Cáceres station (normals for 1982-2010), the average temperature is 7.8 °C in January and 26.2 °C in July, when average daily highs reach 33.7 °C. Annual rainfall averages 551 mm and falls mostly between October and May. If you plan a summer course, expect intense heat in July and August.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cáceres a good place to learn Spanish?

Cáceres suits students who want a small, walkable city with fewer English speakers around them. The university's Instituto de Español como Lengua Extranjera offers courses from one month to a full academic year and is a DELE and CCSE examination centre.

How much does a Spanish course in Cáceres cost?

The IELE intensive Spanish programme, with 20 hours a week over one academic year, costs €2,500 according to the institute. Shorter courses are also available; check the IELE website for current prices.

Which universities are in Cáceres?

The Universidad de Extremadura, created in 1973, has one of its two main campuses in Cáceres; the other is in Badajoz. Cáceres also has CESIMEX, a higher music school authorised by the regional government in 2024.

What is the weather like in Cáceres?

Winters are mild, with an average of 7.8 °C in January, and summers are hot, with average highs of 33.7 °C in July (AEMET normals 1982-2010).