The Roman Ruins in Spain are some of my favorite national landmarks of all time. If you´re a history geek and secretly dream of time-traveling back to the times of the Great Roman Empire – don´t miss this ultimate list of unique Spanish historical sites.

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Top Spanish Roman Ruins

Does Spain have Roman ruins?

Spain has some truly impressive Roman ruins that remain relatively in the shadow for international travelers, especially the remarkable ones in Mérida and Cartagena. Today, Spain’s most notable Roman ruins include aqueducts, temples, roadways, lighthouses, triumphal arches, circuses, sepulchral monuments, walls, palaces, bridges, and, of course, amphitheaters.

In this post, I’ll share with you some of my favorite places across the Iberian Peninsula. Despite Spain’s abundance of fairytale-like places, otherworldly landscapes, dreamy castles, and charming small towns, Roman landmarks are never overlooked on my road trips. As I’ve already mentioned while exploring Roman mosaics in Cyprus, many modern creations often require constant restoration, whereas the Romans crafted mosaic floors that have survived for thousands of years and will likely last thousands more. I find Roman landmarks in Spain simply fascinating.

Romans in Spain

With major battles like Numantia, Calenda, and Tiermes, we can confidently say that the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula was far from easy for the mighty Roman Empire. Hispania (present-day Spain) was not a unified country at the time but rather a patchwork of different small nations, each with its own approach to the Roman invaders. The Romans were initially drawn to Spain due to the Second Punic War, fought between Carthago Nova (modern-day Cartagena) and the Roman Republic. By 209 B.C., the Romans had become rulers of vast territories in Hispania, from the Guadalquivir River to Cartagena and up to Sagunto. Despite the ongoing military conflicts, the continuous Romanization of art, religion, architecture, dress, and law had a profound impact on local cultures of Spain.

What is the best preserved Roman town in Spain?

The best-preserved Roman towns in Spain are Mérida, Cartagena, and Tarragona, with the first two being my personal favorites. Mérida, known for its impressive Roman theater, amphitheater, and aqueduct, boasts one of the largest collections of Roman ruins in Spain. Cartagena is renowned for its ancient Roman port, well-preserved theater, and archaeological sites, reflecting its significance as a strategic city in Roman times. Tarragona, also a major Roman center, is famous for its amphitheater, aqueduct, and the archaeological ensemble that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, Tarragona is the most touristy of the three Roman cities in Spain, as it is conveniently located on the road between Barcelona and Valencia, and is also considered a popular weekend getaway from Barcelona.

Top Roman Ruins in Spain

1. Cartagena

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Roman Forum Museum in Cartagena
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Roman ruins in Cartagena
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One day in Cartagena

Cartagena is one of the most impressive stops for anyone seeking remarkable Roman ruins in Spain. The city far exceeded my initial expectations during a trip to the Murcia region. Packed with ambitious Roman sites, Cartagena transports you back to the ancient city of Carthago-Nova and the height of the Roman Empire’s glory in Hispania. You can check out my one-day itinerary for Cartagena in this post. Must-see stops in Cartagena to explore its Roman cultural heritage include:

  • Municipal Archaeological Museum (built over the 4th-century necropolis of San Antón)
  • Interpretation Center of the Punic Rampart (houses the remains of the Punic wall, one of the city’s earliest defensive walls)
  • The House of Fortune (contains the remains of an ancient Roman road and house walls, with fresco-painted decoration inside)
  • Augusteum (one of Cartagena’s first religious and worship sites)
  • Roman Forum Museum (one of the largest urban archaeological parks in Spain)
  • Museum of the Roman Theatre (divided into two important Roman historical sites: the museum, which displays archaeological items found during excavations, and the restored Roman Theatre itself)
  • Amphitheatre (built in the 1st century AD and located beneath the present-day bullring)
  • The Blind Tower, or Torreciega in Spanish (a Roman tower without windows, once part of a local necropolis)

To see more check my Instagram REELS Roman Ruins in Cartagena.

2. Tarragona

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Roman Ruins in Tarragona
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One day in Tarragona

The city of Tarragona is known as one of the most emblematic getaways from the artsy capital of Barcelona. The city has a port and is often an important stop on most of Mediterranean Cruises. Tarragona is famous in Catalonia and throughout Spain for having some of the greatest Roman historical sites in Europe. In Roman times, it was called Tarraco. You can check out my on-day itinerary for Tarragona in this post.

  • The Roman Amphitheatre (where gladiator contests and public executions took place) was built in the 2nd century and could accommodate around 15,000 people
  • The Roman Circus (300m long and 100m wide) was used for various events, such as chariot races, and could accommodate around 30,000 people
  • Pretorio (the only remaining palatium in Spain, built around the 1st century A.D.) currently houses the Tarragona History Museum
  • St. Anthony Gateway, or Portal de San Antoni in Spanish, is a monumental gate on the walls of Tarragona
  • Arch of Bera, built on the Via Augusta, was constructed to pay tribute to the Roman Emperor Augustus
  • The Ferreras Aqueduct, located 4 km north of the city
  • Tower of the Scipios, a funerary monument in Tarragona

3. Merida

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The Roman Theatre of Merida
Roman Empire Museum Merida Spain
National Museum of Roman Art

The city of Mérida was one of the absolute highlights of my Extremadura road trip. While its Roman theatre is the most famous one in Spain, I was extremely surprised by its National Museum of Roman Art, which, without a doubt, has the most impressive collection of Roman artifacts on the Iberian Peninsula. On top of that, the entrance was free during my visit.

The Roman Theatre of Mérida is often regarded as one of the most iconic Spanish landmarks. It was constructed in 16 BC under the orders of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a general of Emperor Augustus. Originally designed to hold 6,000 spectators, it was remodeled several times, with the last renovation occurring between 330 and 340 AD. Other must-see Roman historical sites in Mérida:

  • Amphitheatre of Merida
  • San Lazaro Aqueduct
  • Los Milagros Aqueduct
  • Roman Circus
  • Roman Bridge
  • Arch of Trajano
  • House of Mithraeum
  • Proserpina Reservoir
  • Cornalvo Reservoir
  • Roman Thermae in Alange
  • Temple of Diana

There are more impressive Roman ruins located nearby Merida: Caparra, Coria, Alcantara, Garovillas de Alconetar, and Temple of Trajan.

4. Segovia

educate of Segovia
The Aqueduct of Segovia

The Aqueduct of Segovia is one of the most famous Roman ruins in Spain, and I was lucky to visit it on a recent 7-day Madrid road trip. Built around the 1st century A.D., the remains of the structure stand 28.5 meters tall and stretch 16 kilometers long. Archaeologists claim that the Aqueduct of Segovia was once one of the largest and most ambitious projects of its kind, supplying water from the nearest source on the Frio River, 18 km away from Segovia. The aqueduct is also the subject of mysterious local legends in Spain. While it is undoubtedly the most impressive of the remaining Roman aqueducts in Spain, smaller watercourses from the Roman Empire can be found across the Iberian Peninsula. For example, while hiking near Valencia recently, I had the chance to walk over the Acueducto Romano de Peña Cortada.

If you’re interested in exploring more Roman ruins nearby, the city of Palencia (about 1 hour 40 minutes by car) is known for having two Roman villas – La Quintanilla de La Cueza and La Olmeda (in Pedros de la Vega).

5. Cadiz and Baelo-Claudia

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Roman Ruins in Cadiz

While Cadiz is one of the most underrated cities in Spain, it is truly a cornucopia of history. As you wander around the city, you can find traces of different epochs and civilizations – from the Phoenicians, Romans, and Moors to Christopher Columbus sites and the enactment of the Spanish Liberal Constitution in 1812. No wonder there are so many epic things to see in Cadiz. Interestingly, in 1980, while excavating the remains of Castillo de la Villa, the Roman Theatre of Cadiz was discovered by pure accident. Archaeologists believe that during the 1st century B.C., it was one of the largest Roman theatres in Spain, although it is not as well preserved as those in Merida and Cartagena.

Within a 1-hour 15-minute drive from Cadiz, you can find another historical gem of Southern SpainBaelo-Claudia. Located near Tarifa, one of my favorite places in Spain, Baelo-Claudia was an ancient Roman town that dates back to the end of the 2nd century B.C.6.

6. Cuenca

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Roman ruins in Segobriga

Segóbriga Archaeological Site is one of the top places to visit in the Spanish province of Cuenca and a popular Madrid day trip. It was once a prosperous Roman city with a strategic location, conveniently situated between Carthago Nova (present-day Cartagena) and Toletum (present-day Toledo). I love that this archaeological site offers a website with a virtual tour of Segóbriga. You can read more about the region of Cuenca and its gems in this post.

7. Soria

Medinacelli Roman Arch
Roman arch in Medinacelli
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Visiting Numantia in Soria

The impressive Roman Arch of Medinacelli in the region of Soria is considered one of the most unique Roman monuments in all of Spain. Dating back to the 1st century AD, it was likely built as a triumphal arch to commemorate an important military victory or honor a Roman emperor. Its size and status as one of the best-preserved Roman arches in Spain make it worth visiting on any road trip from Madrid to Barcelona.

Another must-stop in Soria, not a Roman site but known for one of the most legendary names in the military history of the Roman Empire, is Numantia. Back in 133 B.C., it was a Celtiberian settlement involved in the ongoing conflict with Rome since 153 B.C. However, its heroic resistance to the Roman Empire made the town eternally famous. After 13 months of siege, the Numantians chose to burn the city rather than surrender it to the Romans. Even in modern Spanish, there is the expression “defensa numantina,” which describes the tenacious defense of one’s position to the limit, often in desperate conditions. Tiermes, or Termantia (currently Montejo de Tiermes), was a Celtiberian hill fort during Roman times, allied with Numantia during the Celtiberian Wars. Historians claim that Tiermes survived a few years after the tragic siege of Numantia but later became part of the Clunia region. The archaeological site of Clunia (or Clunia Sulpicia) is located in Peñalba de Castro (Burgos), about a 1h15m drive from Soria.

8. Galicia

Finisterre Spain
Finisterre

The Great Roman Empire must have had impressive lighthouses at all the main ports of former Hispania, yet historians highlight the lack of detailed descriptions of these structures in ancient texts. While the title of the greatest Roman lighthouse might belong to Turris Caepionis (present-day Chipiona in Cádiz), the Tower of Hercules in Galicia is the only Roman lighthouse that has continued to serve its original purpose throughout centuries of Spanish history. It was likely built in the 1st-2nd centuries at Finis Terrae (present-day Finisterre), meaning “the end of the world,” because the Romans believed this part of Galicia’s west coast marked the boundary of the known world.

9. Zaragoza

While Zaragoza is known worldwide for housing one of Spain’s most impressive cathedrals, it is also a great place to explore Roman ruins. The city was founded in the 1st century B.C. as Caesaraugusta, in honor of its founder, Caesar Augustus. The main stops on a brief Roman sightseeing route include the Roman Walls and museums such as Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta, Museo del Puerto Fluvial, and Museo de las Termas Públicas.

Within a 1.5-hour drive from Zaragoza, you can find the unique Roman Mausoleum of Fabara and the “Altar de los Moros” (also called the Mausoleo de los Atilios) in Sabada.

10. Sagunto

Sagunto
Roman Ruins in Sagunto

Sagunto (known as Arse and later Saguntum during the Roman era) is known for a heroic resistance story similar to that of Numantia, but with the distinction that Sagunto was an ally of Rome during the war with Ancient Carthage. Its strategic location between Carthago Nova and Tarraco made it a key town. Historians claim that when Sagunto was losing its battle against Carthage, the locals first waited for help from Rome (which never arrived), then burned all their property and valuables to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Five years later, the Romans reconquered the city and began rebuilding it. Sagunto is a popular day trip from Valencia by train.

Another interesting piece of Roman heritage can be found in the nearby province of Castellón, in the form of Millenary Olive Trees. Some of these ancient giants are over 2,000 years old. Historians believe they were brought to the Iberian Peninsula by the Romans. You can spot two of these Olive Giants at the entrance to the small village of Canet lo Roig, but to explore more, you’ll need to be prepared for a 6-kilometer hike. You can read more in this post.

11. Seville and Malaga

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Roman Ruins in Malaga

The Roman ruins of Southern Spain, such as Seville’s Italica, Malaga, Carmona, and the ruins of Acinipo, are all relatively close to each other and make for a great route to explore the Roman presence in the region. In fact, Malaga, Seville, Cordoba, and the nearby villages have enough smaller Roman historical sites to warrant a separate post, so I’m only highlighting a few of my favorites here.

Seville

While Seville is one of the most beautiful Spanish cities and an ultimate romantic destination on the Iberian Peninsula, you can also travel back to Roman times and explore one of the most impressive Roman ruins in Spain: the Conjunto Arqueológico de Itálica. Itálica was once an important Roman city and the first founded by the Roman Empire outside of Italy. This site was a popular destination for the aristocracy of Hispania, and two Roman emperors, Trajan and Hadrian, were born here. Itálica is known for its stunning mosaics (such as the Mosaic of the Birds, the Neptune Mosaic, and the Planetary Mosaic) and its impressive amphitheater. Also, don’t miss the Archaeological Museum of Seville.

Carmona

Just a 30-minute drive from Seville, you can explore more Roman ruins of Carmona. The town is famous for its Roman Necropolis and the remains of ancient Roman walls. The Museum of Carmona and City Hall also house some rare Roman mosaics.

Malaga

The city of Málaga is known for its Roman Theatre, spectacularly located at the foot of the Alcazaba, the city’s Moorish citadel. Like many other Roman ruins in Spain, it was discovered by accident in 1951 during the construction of a cultural center. Additionally, the nearby town of Antequera houses the remains of the Santa María Roman baths, and its museum proudly displays a few unique Roman art pieces, including the Bronze Statue of the Ephebus of Antequera and the Sculpture of Venus of Antequera.

Acinipo Ruins

The ancient city of Acinipo is located at Ronda la Vieja (Old Ronda), 15 km north of Ronda. Built in the 1st century AD, it was once a prosperous settlement with a population of around 5,000 people. One of the most impressive Roman sights is the remains of the Acinipo Theatre, which had a capacity to hold 2,000 people.

12. Barcelona

Not many travelers know that Barcelona actually houses unique Roman heritage beyond its famous Gaudí landmarks. The city was a Roman settlement known as Barcino, and you can explore its ruins at the Museu d’Historia de Barcelona (MUHBA), which was a fascinating discovery during my recent 4-day itinerary. Also, the Roman Temple of Augustus is an absolute hidden gem in the city center, often overlooked by international visitors.

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Roman Temple of Augustus in Barcelona

Map of the Roman Ruins in Spain

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