Zafra to Villafranca de los Barros
A short, easy stage through vineyards, with Los Santos de Maimona halfway along the way.
Best season: Year-round; a short stage ideal for recovering strength
Map
- Zafra
- Villafranca de los Barros
FEAACS track published by IGN. Follow current trail signs.
Source: IGN/CNIG · FEAACS · CC BY 4.0 · Accessed:
The Camino Bonsai Café team · Last editorial update:
From Zafra to Villafranca de los Barros is 19.8 km along the Vía de la Plata. It's stage 7, with 285 m of ascent and 186 m of descent, completed in about 5h. Difficulty: Easy.
A short stage through vineyards
The stage runs along comfortable dirt tracks through gently rolling terrain, dedicated mainly to viticulture, with a modest hill separating Zafra from Los Santos de Maimona.
Los Santos de Maimona, halfway along, is a good place to stop: it belonged to the Order of Santiago from the 13th century and preserves the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, in Gothic-Renaissance style, with its plateresque Puerta de la Misericordia.
Villafranca de los Barros, the destination, is a pleasant, attractive city whose main monument, the Church of Nuestra Señora del Valle, sits right in the center. It is one of the shortest stages of the whole Vía de la Plata, ideal for recovering strength before more demanding stretches.
What the terrain is like, section by section
Terrain
Gently rolling, with a moderate hill between Zafra and Los Santos de Maimona.
Scenery
Vineyards and farmland, typical of the Tierra de Barros area.
Path type
Comfortable dirt tracks throughout the whole stage.
Villages
Los Santos de Maimona, halfway through the stage.
Water points
Good, thanks to Los Santos de Maimona with full services.
Shade
Scarce on the open path through the vineyards.
Traffic
Light, mainly on rural stretches.
Key fact
It's one of the shortest stages on the route: make the most of it to rest.
Staying in Villafranca de los Barros
Villafranca de los Barros offers a good number of accommodations, being one of the largest towns in the Tierra de Barros area.
Accommodation in Villafranca de los Barros
A pilgrims' albergue and several hotels and guesthouses in the city center.
Eating well in Villafranca de los Barros
Villafranca de los Barros has a good range of bars and restaurants in its center, serving typical Extremaduran dishes.
Extremaduran cuisine
Bars and restaurants in the city center, near the Church of Nuestra Señora del Valle.
Stops with history on this stage
Church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles
A 16th-century Gothic-Renaissance church, with a notable plateresque facade known as the Puerta de la Misericordia.
An ancient crossroads
The town belonged to the Order of Santiago from 1240 and has been a crossroads of roads and travelers for centuries.
Church of Nuestra Señora del Valle
The city's main monument, located right in the historic center.
Make the most of the stop at Los Santos de Maimona to restock: it's the only settlement on the whole stage.
Getting there and back
If you're starting here: Zafra has a train station and good bus connections.
If you need to get back from Villafranca de los Barros: it has a train station on the Madrid-Badajoz line and bus connections with the main towns in the area.
What to know before this stage
Make the most of the short stage
At just 19.8 km, it's a good day to arrive early and rest before longer stages.
Visit the church in Los Santos de Maimona
Its plateresque facade is worth a stop, even a brief one.
Take a look at the vineyards
Tierra de Barros is one of the main wine-growing areas of Extremadura.
Refill water at Los Santos de Maimona
It's the only intermediate village, so make good use of it.
Don't ruin this stage
Underestimating the initial hill
Even though the stage is short and easy, there's a moderate climb between Zafra and Los Santos de Maimona.
Not stopping at Los Santos de Maimona
It's the only spot with services on the stage and has interesting heritage to see.
Extending the stage without planning
Extending it to Almendralejo (36.4 km) isn't recommended, since that town lacks accommodation for pilgrims.
Not exploring Villafranca de los Barros
It's a pleasant city that deserves a walk beyond the main church.
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 Zafra to Villafranca de los Barros?
Is this stage difficult?
Can the stage be extended to Almendralejo?
What can you see in Los Santos de Maimona?
What is Villafranca de los Barros' main monument?
Browse the stages
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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