A CITY GUIDE TO MERIDA, SPAIN. MORE ROMAN RUINS THAN YOU MIGHT EXPECT.
Somewhat hidden away in Spain’s Extremadura region, Mérida isn’t usually the first place people think of when planning a trip to Spain. But after spending a few days there at the end of the Camino Mozarabe, I can honestly say it’s one of the most surprising cities I’ve visited.
With a remarkable collection of Roman ruins, a relaxed pace of life, and some brilliant local food, Mérida is the kind of place that quietly wins you over.
In this guide, I’ll share how to get to Mérida, where to stay, how to get around, what to eat and drink, and of course, the best things to do while you’re in town.
Is Mérida Worth Visiting?
Yes, absolutely. Mérida is a compact city packed with history. If you have even the slightest interest in Roman ruins or archaeology, you’ll find plenty to enjoy. But beyond that, it has a friendly, walkable centre, good food, and a laid-back vibe that makes it ideal for a couple of days of exploring.
It’s not flashy, and it won’t give you the same kind of buzz as Madrid or Seville, but there’s something special about Mérida’s atmosphere, and the prices are much lower than it’s fancier neighbours. It’s easy to imagine staying a bit longer than you planned.
A Brief History of Mérida
Founded in 25 BCE as Augusta Emerita by order of Emperor Augustus, Mérida served as the capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. This status made it one of the most important cities in the western Roman Empire, and that legacy is still visible all over the city today. The name “Mérida” itself is a corruption of “Emerita.”
After the fall of Rome, the city passed through Visigothic and Moorish hands before being retaken during the Christian Reconquista. Each of these layers of history adds to Mérida’s unique character, but it’s the Roman period that dominates and defines its identity.
Today, Mérida is a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to its exceptional collection of ancient monuments – arguably the best preserved Roman ruins in all of Spain.
The city is also significant as the “pilgrim meeting place”. Walkers bound for Santiago de Compostela meet here, having walked from either Seville, Malaga, Almeria, Granada or Cordoba on one of Southern Spain’s many Camino routes.
How to Get to Mérida
Mérida is quite well connected, despite its slightly out-of-the-way location. This makes it ideal as a stop on your Southern Spain itinerary. We were able to combine a visit to Seville with a visit to Mérida.
By train: The train station is central and offers regular connections to Seville (around 3 hours), Madrid (about 4.5 hours), and Cáceres (just over an hour). Trains are operated by Renfe and tickets can be booked online.
By bus: Buses are often more frequent than trains. ALSA and Avanza run services from major cities including Madrid, Seville, and Salamanca. You can book buses in advance via Bus Bud.
On foot: It would be remiss of me not to mention that you can of course get there on foot, and I imagine many people reading this will have done so! We reached Mérida after 620km on the Camino Mozarabe from Almeria – many will arrive after walking from Seville too!
Getting Around Mérida
The city is compact and largely walkable (even with tired legs). We didn’t use any public transport during our stay – everything we wanted to see was within a 20-minute stroll. If you’re staying centrally, you’ll be able to get to the main attractions, restaurants, and train station easily on foot.
There is a local bus service, but you’re unlikely to need it unless you’re staying on the outskirts.
10 Things to Do in Mérida, Spain
Here are ten of the things that we enjoyed doing in the city of Mérida.
1. Visit the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre
The main archaeological site in Mérida is genuinely impressive. The Roman theatre, built in 15 BCE, is still used today for performances. Right next to it is the Roman amphitheatre, once home to gladiator games.
You can visit both with a combined ticket that also includes several other historical sites in the city. So it’s best to go for it, if you have a full day to see the sights n Merida.
Near to the theatre on C/ José Ramón Mélida, keep your eyes down on the ground to see the floor markings representing different musical artists that have played in Merida over the years.
2. Cross the Roman Bridge
The Puente Romano is one of the longest surviving Roman bridges in the world. It stretches over the Guadiana River and makes for a scenic walk. The view back towards the city, especially at sunset, is worth the detour.
You’ll see walkers with backpacks crossing the bridge from the south of the city – this will be people who are walking the Camino Via de la Plata from the direction of Seville. Not heard of the Camino? Find out more here.
3. Explore the Alcazaba
Just across from the bridge is the Alcazaba, a 9th-century Moorish fortress built over Roman foundations. It’s quiet and peaceful, with great views from the top of the walls. There’s also a small archaeological museum inside.
4. See the Temple of Diana
In the centre of town, the Temple of Diana is beautifully lit up at night and worth seeing both during the day and after dark. It’s free to view and forms part of a pleasant square surrounded by cafes and restaurants.
You can also pay to enter, for a few euros. Personally, we were quite surprised at just how close you can get to this temple without paying a cent.
5. Visit the National Museum of Roman Art
Even if museums aren’t usually your thing, this one is worth it. The building itself, designed by Rafael Moneo, is impressive, and the collection inside includes mosaics, statues, and everyday objects from Roman life. A good place to cool off on a hot afternoon.
As a bonus, when we visited, the museum was totally free to enter! Normal rates are €3 per person, but after certain times on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, entrance is free.
6. Walk Through the Casa del Mitreo and Columbarios
A short walk from the centre, the Casa del Mitreo is the ruins of a Roman villa with some well-preserved mosaics. Nearby are the Columbarios, ancient Roman funerary buildings. These sites are usually very quiet, and you might even have them to yourselves.
7. Visit the Roman Circus
The Roman Circus is one of the largest remaining Roman chariot tracks in Europe. It’s mostly a ruin now, but the scale is still visible, and there’s a small interpretation centre that gives context. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the centre.
To make things easier, if you’re planning to visit all the Roman sites in Merida, you may wish to consider taking the Complete Roman Tour.
8. Get Coffee in the Main Square
Plaza de España is the heart of the city and a great place to stop for a break. There are several cafés dotted around the square where you can enjoy a morning coffee or a mid-afternoon caña and people-watch. It’s also a lovely spot in the evening when the lights come on and locals gather.
Although there are lots of fancy cafes and bars on the square, we were a big fan of local hang out Bar Arcade. In Spain, our approach to finding bars and cafes is to follow where the older local gentleman go – it has never steered us far wrong.
9. Wander Around the City Centre
Mérida has a compact and relaxed city centre. We enjoyed walking through the narrow streets, stopping for a coffee in the squares, and soaking in the local atmosphere. It doesn’t feel overly touristy, and the pace is slow in a good way. Look out for jacaranda trees and take in the scent of orange blossom and jasmine.
Don’t forget to see the large Trajan Arch that marks the former entrance to a temple. As well as the free museum, the collection of Roman Art.
10. Get Tapas and Local Wine
There’s no shortage of good food in Mérida. We had a great meal at Bar Volterra, which serves beautifully presented tapas and jamón ibérico. It’s best to get here early to get a table.
Cachicho Casa Benito was another standout -inventive but still rooted in traditional flavours. In general, if you stick to the centre of the city, rather than eating near the tourist attractions, you can’t go wrong!
Local Extremaduran wine is worth trying too – you’ll often find it by the glass in most tapas bars.
11. See the Pilgrim Mural
If you’re walking the Camino Mozárabe or Via de la Plata, or simply interested in local culture, don’t miss the modern mural dedicated to pilgrims. It’s a nice nod to the town’s place on this lesser-known pilgrimage connections.
Where to Stay in Mérida
There are a mix of place depending on budget. Here are some suggestions:
We have a bit of a dream to stay in the Parador Hotels in Southern Spain and I have to say we regret not booking the Merida Parador after seeing it. Set in a lovely square, with orange and jasmine trees outside. This is a beautiful hotel and very reasonably priced for a Parador.
For those on a budget, the private lodging options are plentiful, including basic hostels/pensions.
For anyone walking the Camino -if you’d rather pilgrim accommodation, there is a 16 bed albergue in Merida (found here.) Keep in mind that the Via de la Plata joins the Camino Mozarabe in Merida, so there will be quite a few pilgrims seeking lodging.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
13 of the best places to visit in Galicia
13 OF THE BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN GALICIA. After walking the Camino through Galicia several times, we’ve spent a fair amount of time getting to know this quiet, green corner of Spain. Each visit, we’ve found somewhere new to love. If you’re planning a trip to Galicia, or maybe you’re finishing your Camino and…
Do you need to book accommodation on the Camino Primitivo?
DO YOU NEED TO BOOK ACCOMMODATION ON THE CAMINO PRIMITIVO? PROS AND CONS. We walked the Camino Primitivo recently and after much debate, decided to book all of our accommodation ahead of time. While the Primitivo is often described as one of the quieter Camino routes, that reputation is becoming outdated. Throughout the summer we…
Taking the ferry from Laredo to Santoña: a short guide
TAKING THE FERRY FROM LAREDO TO SANTONA ON THE CAMINO DEL NORTE: A SHORT GUIDE. Walking the Camino del Norte along Spain’s northern coast brings many unique experiences. For me, one that stands out is the crossing the estuary from Laredo to Santoña by ferry. Despite being a quick journey, it’s a rare chance to…
Most of our planning is done using other blogs, but you can’t beat a guide book at the bottom of your case.
Find them here on Amazon.
USEFUL LINKS FOR FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT
CHECK LATEST FLIGHTS
ACTIVITIES TO CONSIDER
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please note that some links on our website are partnered with affiliates. Using an affiliate links does not make it more expensive for you to purchase. We receive a small commission whenever you buy something which in turn allows us to keep writing independent travel guides and your support is greatly appreciated.
One response to “Explore Mérida: A Hidden Gem of Roman Ruins in Spain”
[…] In this blog post, we set out our daily stages for the final section from Cordoba to Merida. […]