Visiting the Roman ruins was one of the highlights of my recent Extremadura road trip. Here’s the ultimate itinerary for one day in Merida to help you make the most of the city.

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An Ultimate Itinerary for One Day in Merida, Spain

Why is Merida in Spain famous?

Merida in Spain is famous for housing some of the most unique Roman archaeological sites in the country. Founded by Emperor Augustus in 25 BCE as Emerita Augusta, it was an important Roman colony and the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. Today, the Roman Theatre (Teatro Romano) is considered one of the top Spanish landmarks and one of the best-preserved in all of Europe. The Roman ruins in MErida are protected by UNESCO and typically represent the most important stop on any road trip across the Extremadura region.

How many days to spend in Merida

During my recent visit to Extremadura, I spent one day in Merida, which felt enough for me. However, if you are a history buff and love exploring historical landmarks at your own pace, you can easily spend two days in Merida following the same itinerary. Also, Merida is a great base to explore the whole region of Extremadura.

How to get to Merida

The closest airports to Merida are Madrid and Seville. For a longer itinerary, you can combine Merida either with this Southern Spain road trip or with my 7-day itinerary around Madrid. I do not really count the regional airport of Badajoz near Merida, as it has very limited flight options. Merida can also be reached by bus or train from Madrid (4.5 to 5 hours) or Seville (3 hours).

Where to stay in Merida

Generally, Extremadura is the poorest region of Spain, so the prices for hotels are far more budget-friendly than in other Spanish cities. The most unique and beautiful local hotel is Hotel Ilunion Merida Palace, while Hostal Emeritae and Vettonia Hotel are the top-rated budget-friendly alternatives.

Is Merida a walkable city?

Merida is relatively small and quite walkable, making it easy to visit many local landmarks in a single day. You can find all the top places to visit in the city on the map at the end of this article.

An ultimate one-day itinerary for Merida

1. Roman Theater

The first place I was most excited to visit in Merida was its best-preserved Roman theater, one of the best-preserved in Spain. Built in the 1st century BCE to hold up to 6,000 spectators, it is one of the most iconic Roman landmarks in Spain. Its front stage, with marble columns and statues of figures either robed or armored, is incredibly impressive.

2. Anfiteatro Romano

Near the Roman theater, you’ll find the Roman amphitheater, built for gladiatorial combats and other public spectacles. This ancient arena could accommodate around 15,000 people. While it is less impressive than the Roman theater, both are included within the same entrance, so it feels great to wander around in between their tunnels.

3. The National Museum of Roman Art

While planning a day in Merida, I was mostly looking forward to visiting its Roman theatre, but I ended up being so impressed by the large number of unique landmarks around it. The National Museum of Roman Art in Merida was one of my favorite discoveries, as it is definitely one of the most unique museums in all of Spain. It houses an extraordinary collection of Roman artifacts, mosaics, sculptures, and inscriptions found in Merida. The building itself was designed by architect Rafael Moneo and adds to the experience. I also loved that the entrance was free (at least during my visit), which makes the place accessible to everyone.

4. Casa Romana del Anfiteatro

Just behind the Roman amphitheater, you can visit an excavated Roman villa Casa Romana del Anfiteatro that offers a glimpse into how wealthy Romans lived (similar to the Roman villa I’ve seen in Soria). The beautifully preserved mosaics, garden areas, and household items provide a unique look at domestic life in Roman times.

5. Circo Romano

Another must-stop during a day in Merida is the Roman Circus, one of the largest and best-preserved in the world. This site is over 400 meters long and was used for chariot races, much like the Circus Maximus in Rome.

6. Termas de San Lázaro

Termas de San Lazaro in Merida is a set of Roman baths where locals once gathered to relax and socialize. Although only ruins remain, the layout of the baths, including the cold and hot rooms (frigidarium and caldarium), is still visible, making it quite interesting to visit.

7. Acueducto Romano de San Lazaro

Near Termas de San Lázaro, you’ll come across the Acueducto Romano de San Lázaro, an impressive Roman aqueduct that once supplied water to the city. Although it is not as impressive as the famous Roman aqueduct of Segovia, it is another example of the brilliance of Roman engineering in Spain.

8. Acueducto de los Milagros

Acueducto de los Milagros is one of the most impressive Roman sites in Merida. Even its name, “Miracles,” reflects the admiration it inspired over the centuries due to its sheer scale and architectural beauty. More than eight hundred meters of this aqueduct still stand today, and some of its brick and granite support structures rise twenty-seven meters above the ground.

9. Portico del Foro Romano

After visiting the aqueducts outside of the city center, I returned to the old town to check out the Portico del Foro Romano, the remains of Merida’s Roman forum. This structure used to be the center of civic life in the city, where citizens gathered for political and social events.

10. Templo de Diana

A short walk from the forum, I was really impressed by the Templo de Diana – a large, well-preserved temple dedicated to Emperor Augustus (despite its name). It showcases magnificent columns and a central podium. Hidden away between the regular buildings of the city, it is impressive how this structure has survived as part of the urban landscape.

11. Arco de Trajano

Another quick stop in the center is Arco de Trajano, a large archway that once served as one of the monumental entrances to the city’s forum. Standing over 15 meters tall, this triumphal arch was dedicated to the emperor Trajan.

12. Alcazaba and the Roman Bridge of Merida

My last stop for a day in Merida was the Roman bridge, one of the longest Roman bridges in the world, spanning 792 meters across the Guadiana River. It was built in the 1st century BCE. On the way to the Roman bridge, I also passed by the Alcazaba of Merida, the remains of a Moorish fortress built in the 9th century atop Roman foundations. While not Roman itself, the fortress incorporates elements of Roman architecture. Nevertheless, it almost feels rare to see traces of other cultures in Merida, as Roman architecture clearly dominates.

Optional: Casa del Mitreo

I had also initially planned a stop at for my one-day itinerary in Merida. However, due to slow service in one of the local restaurants, I lost too much time and didn’t make it there. Casa del Mitreo is a Roman house believed to have belonged to a wealthy family. The house contains well-preserved mosaics and frescoes, as well as a garden courtyard. Its funerary monuments provide insight into Roman burial practices, which would have been interesting to learn more about.

Is Merida in Spain worth visiting?

Merida is a must-stop in Spain for history lovers, and even with just one day, you can explore so many unique Roman heritage sites. While there are many Roman ruins across Spain, three cities particularly stand out – Merida, Cartagena, and Tarragona. The first two were my personal favorites, as they were less frequented by international visitors compared to Tarragona (since it is one of the most popular weekend breaks from Barcelona). While Merida is well-known in Spain when it comes to national tourism, it is still an emerging destination for international travelers – which is both a perk (because it feels authentic) and a disadvantage (as generally the service in restaurants felt a bit below the Spanish average, or at least in my experience). Everyone was really chill, like in Southern Spain in general, yet without the typical Andalusian personality, where the waiter is slow and inefficient but manages to sell himself with cordiality and jokes.

Spanish Festivities in Merida

While July and August in Merida are known for high temperatures, it’s a great time to visit for fans of Spanish festivities. The Summer Festival of Teatro Clasico in Merida features theatrical performances at the stage of Merida’s iconic Roman theater, which is truly unique. Although my trip took place in October, I still hope to return for this event one day.

Map of top things to do in Merida

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