Mérida, Spain

By Damian Corrigan, About.com Guide

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The Roman Amphitheater in Mérida, Spain

Image: Damian Corrigan

Overview of Mérida, Spain:

Mérida may be small and have only one truly important aspect to come and see - its Roman ruins - but there are so many ancient remains here in Mérida that you'll be kept very busy during your stay!

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The nearest airports to Mérida are in Seville and Madrid.
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Best Time to Visit Mérida, Spain:

In July and August, the Roman theater and amphitheater put on shows, including Greek dramas and other performances.

The city's main feria is in September.

Number of Days to Spend in Mérida (excluding day trips):

Two days. Merida is small, but with so many Roman ruins to see, you'd be hard pushed to see it all in one. Viewing times are divided into two sessions, with the afternoon session infuriatingly short - just 2h15 long. Therefore, you'll need to arrive early to take advantage of both sessions, but even then, a single day would be hard work.

Hotels in Mérida, Spain:

For hotels in Mérida, check out Venere.com

Five Things to Do in Mérida, Spain:

The Roman Theater and Amphitheater Excellently preserved theater and amphitheater, conveniently situated side by side.
The Roman Bridge (Puente Romano) One of the longest bridges built by the Romans.
The Templo de Diana Ruins of an old temple.
Circo Romano Hippodrome The ruins of an ancient stadium where chariot races would have been held. Nearby is an old aqueduct - watch out for the storks!
The Zona Arqueológica de Morería Archeological diggings.

Day Trips from Mérida:

Cáceres is an hour way.

Where to Next?:

Merida (along with Cáceres) is the perfect stepping stone from Seville to Madrid or Salamanca and vice versa.

Distance to Mérida, Spain:

From Madrid 340km: 3h20 by car, 5h by train, 4h30 by bus. (It makes sense to stop off in Cáceres on the way). Read more on Madrid

From Seville 192km: 2h10 by car, 4h45 by train, 3h by bus. Read more on Seville

From Barcelona 963km: 9h15 by car, 13h30 by train. No bus. Read more on Barcelona

Hiring a Car in Mérida, Spain:

Compare prices on car rental on Travelocity or Kayak (book direct).

First Impressions of Mérida, Spain:

Mérida is very small, meaning that the walk to from ruin to ruin is very short.

The bus and train stations are at opposite ends of the town. If coming by bus, you will come into Mérida from the west. After crossing the River Guadiana, you will come across the Zona Arqueológica de Morería. Turn right from here and you'll come to the Alcazaba, a post-Roman fortress, and the Puente Romano, one of the longest bridges in the Roman world. Not far from the Alcazaba is Plaza de España, a lively square with open air bars and cafes as well as nesting storks on the roofs.

Heading east along c/Santa Eulalia, you come across the Templo de Diana. A little further is Mérida's twin masterpieces - the Roman theater and amphitheater., as well as the National Museum of Roman Art and the 'Casa de Anfiteatro'. From here, you have a choice of continuing north to the old hippodrome (the Circo Romano) or south to the Roman graves and Casa del Mitreo excavation.

If arriving by train, it makes sense to visit the Circo Romano first, before passing by the theater and amphitheater and finishing in Plaza España.