Villafranca de los Barros to Torremejía
A long, flat stage with full sun exposure and hardly any intermediate services.
Best season: Avoid the midday hours in summer: there's no shade along the whole route
Map
- Villafranca de los Barros
- Torremejía
FEAACS track published by IGN. Follow current trail signs.
Source: IGN/CNIG · FEAACS · CC BY 4.0 · Accessed:
Gaps in the source file are preserved; no connections have been added.
The Camino Bonsai Café team · Last editorial update:
From Villafranca de los Barros to Torremejía is 26.7 km along the Vía de la Plata. It's stage 8, with 44 m of ascent and 158 m of descent, completed in about 6h 45min. Difficulty: Moderate.
Long, flat, and shadeless
The stage runs along long, straight dirt tracks, with a practically flat profile but full sun exposure for almost the entire route, except for the first few kilometers.
Unlike other stages, this one has no intermediate services on the direct route. There is the option to detour to Almendralejo (about 5 km extra), but there are no services on the main route, so it's worth setting off from Villafranca de los Barros with plenty of water.
Torremejía, the destination, is a small village built alongside the ancient Roman road that gives the route its name, which still divides it into two areas today. Founded in the 14th century by Don Gonzalo Mejía, Master of the Order of Santiago, it preserves the Torre de los Mojinetes that gives the town its name, along with remains of the Palacio de los Mexía.
What the terrain is like, section by section
Terrain
Practically flat throughout the whole stage.
Scenery
Farmland plains of Tierra de Barros, with long, monotonous stretches.
Path type
Long, straight dirt tracks.
Villages
None on the direct route; Almendralejo remains as an optional detour.
Water points
Scarce: set off from Villafranca de los Barros with enough water.
Shade
Practically none for the entire route.
Traffic
Light, mainly on rural stretches.
Key fact
It's a long stage with no services or shade: plan your water carefully and avoid the hottest hours.
Staying in Torremejía
Torremejía, a small village at the gates of Mérida, offers basic accommodation for pilgrims.
Accommodation in Torremejía
A pilgrims' albergue in the village, a simple option before reaching Mérida.
Eating in Torremejía
Torremejía has a simple range of bars and local establishments.
Simple Extremaduran cuisine
Local bars with pilgrim's menus in the village center.
Stops with history on this stage
The Torre de los Mojinetes
The watchtower that gives the town its name, built on the orders of Don Gonzalo Mejía, Master of the Order of Santiago, around 1370.
The Palacio de los Mexía
The manor house of the town's founding family, of which remains are still preserved.
Church of la Purísima
A late-Baroque 17th-century church, which was once the chapel of the old Mexía palace-fortress.
The ancient Roman road of the Vía de la Plata still divides Torremejía into two areas: look out for its line as you walk through the village.
Getting there and back
If you're starting here: Villafranca de los Barros has a train station on the Madrid-Badajoz line.
If you need to get back from Torremejía: it's just 15 minutes from Mérida, with good train and bus connections from there.
What to know before this stage
Carry enough water
There are no services on the direct route: set off from Villafranca de los Barros well stocked.
Avoid the midday hours in summer
The stage has practically no shade along its entire route.
Set off early
Being a long stage exposed to the sun, it's worth taking advantage of the coolest hours of the day.
Consider the detour to Almendralejo
If you need services halfway through, that option exists, though it adds about 5 km to the stage.
Don't ruin this stage
Setting off without enough water
It's one of the stages with the fewest services on the whole Vía de la Plata.
Walking during the hottest hours
The lack of shade makes sun exposure especially harsh in summer.
Underestimating the monotony of the route
The straight stretches can feel long mentally: bring along a bit of distraction.
Not planning the detour to Almendralejo
If you need it, decide in advance so you don't waste time or energy along the way.
What to pack, travel insurance and getting around
One single guide with the recommended gear, useful services (insurance, eSIM) and transport options for the whole Camino.
Work out how much it will cost you
Set the days, route and type of trip, and we give you an estimate of the total cost with a full breakdown.
Everything you want to know before this stage
How many kilometers from Villafranca de los Barros to Torremejía?
Is this stage difficult?
Are there intermediate villages on this stage?
What can you see in Torremejía?
Why is the Vía de la Plata important in Torremejía?
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Ideas for after you finish the Camino
A café waiting for you in Santiago
You still have many kilometres ahead, but once you finish the Camino in Santiago, Bonsai Café is a great spot for breakfast: right in the city centre, with Berraco by Bou specialty coffee and weekend brunch.
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