We really wanted to visit Merida, Spain, so we planned a getaway trip for 3 days. Although the city is small, it has many things to see and do: this city of Extremadura has the largest Historical-Artistic heritage in Spain from that time. Moreover, it is still unknown to the vast majority of tourists. It’s a shame that this region offers so much to see and do, with a rich history that adds a lot to your stay in Spain.
So long story short, yes, Merida is worth to visit. I swear you will not get bored finding out what Merida offers. Also, it is well connected from Madrid by train and by bus so it can be combined with the capital of Spain.
In this post you will find everything you need to get to know Merida in three days, with its best-known places.
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT MERIDA (SPAIN)?
If you still don’t know why Merida can be a wonderful destination to discover Spain, keep reading!
The first reason is economic: the trip costs much less compared to Madrid, Valencia, or Barcelona, for example.
All in all, it is a very cozy small city where the experience is much more relaxed. You don’t have to run from one place to another, almost everything of cultural interest is in the same area.
Also, did you know that Mérida was the capital of Hispania? Technically it was the first capital of Spain!
Another reason I think people should visit Mérida is because of its connection with Roman past.
But Mérida is not only about Roman culture, but is also surrounded by Christian culture and of course, Arab culture. The oldest Muslim fortification in all of Spain is the Alcazaba of Mérida.
In this post, you can learn more about how Muslims passed through Mérida and the influence they left in this beautiful city.
And of course…Did you know that one of the origins of Iberian ham, the famous jamón ibérico, is in the Extremadura region? Or that one of the best Spanish cheeses, the renowned Torta del Casar, is produced here?
In Mérida, you can taste these delicatessen, below I leave you some places for you to try them.
Discover the historical wealth of Mérida in Spain!
DAY 1 OF THE ITINERARY IN MERIDA
Get ready to dive into the Roman history of Mérida!
You will be visiting a bunch of cool spots, but it’s ok! they are all super close to each other. Which places though?
The Theater-Amphitheater, Alcazaba, Circus, Sta. Eulalia Crypt, Casa Mitreo-Columbarios, House of the Amphitheater, and Temple of Diana.
You can grab your tickets at any of the ticket offices at these sites.
The Temple of Diana:
The Temple of Diana is the only Roman religious temple still standing today, and it’s amazingly well-preserved.
And yes, it is quite old! The construction began in the 1st century AD: it was probably dedicated to Caesar Augustus rather than the goddess Diana. Located in a central square in Mérida, it is easy to find a nearby place to sit and spend some time contemplating it 🙂
The amphitheater of Mérida:
The Amphitheater is a must-see in Mérida, in fact, it is the most known place in the city: it has a capacity for 6k people and in summer it hosts the Theater Festival. When you visit, you can wander through the hallways where fighters once waited, sit in the stands, and even walk on the sand.
Not far from the Amphitheater and Theater, there’s another cool spot: the Roman House of the Amphitheater. This place was once home to a wealthy family and has amazing mosaics. You can also check out the hot springs, parts of the water system, and other interesting details.
.Afterwards, it’s time to visit the Roman Public Baths. The Romans liked to enjoy baths with hot and cold water, which is why there are ruins of hot springs today in Mérida. Admission is free and they are located in the heart of the old town.
Museum of Roman Art
The next stop is the Museum of Roman Art. It’s an important Museum…so don’t skip it!
It shows one of the largest collections of Roman sculptures and architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. The basement has archaeological remains, and there are three more floors displaying original statues from the Roman Theater, a column from the Temple of Diana, ancient coins, mosaics, and more.
Admission costs 3 euros, although it is true that on weekends you can enter for free during the afternoons on Saturdays and Sunday mornings. The schedule is different in summer and winter, so check it 😉
And finally, it’s time to see the Roman Bridge of Merida (one of the most famous in Spain) :
You can snap some amazing sunset photos here, especially in spring and summer. The bridge has 60 arches and you can cross it by taking a walk through the city: Strong river currents and battles damaged some parts, and they’ve been fixing it since Visigoth times up to the the 19th century.
DAY 2
Going on with the Roman culture, next stop is Casa del Mitreo: built at the end of the 1st century AD, it seems that the owners were important at that time.
Oh and they also knew about Hellenistic culture. The house has three patios, making it spacious and nicely organized. It’s worth visiting just to see the ongoing archaeological digs.
To learn about the Arab culture that influenced this city, definitely you should start with the Alcazaba of Mérida:in 835, King Adberramán II built the Alcazaba on the old Roman walls by the Guadiana River. The main entrance was the Puerta del Puente.
If you have time and if you would like to keep learning, you can check out the Morería archaeological site. It’s not as big as the others, but if you have a combo ticket, it’s free. Plus, you will see Roman roads and the famous House of Marbles.
DAY 3 IN MERIDA
The last day it’s time to get to know the Christian Mérida. Check out the Basilica of Santa Eulalia, which has Roman and Visigoth remains.
This Basilica is the first Christian temple built in Hispania after the Peace of Emperor Constantine. It is the only medieval building in the city in Romanesque style but with Gothic influence. Also, inside the Basilica, you can see paintings from the 16th century.
The Basilica of Santa Eulalia is open Monday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tickets costs 6 euros.
The Crypt is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., from October to March, and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., from April to September.
If you still have time…
I recommend seeing these areas of Mérida: the Temple of the Imperial Cult and the Albarrana Tower.
FAQs about Merida (Spain)
What can’t you miss in Merida, Spain?
Mérida has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, therefore, it has lots of historical treasures!
Throughout this itinerary I made sure I would not miss the best places like the National Museum of Roman Art, and the Visigoth Collection of the Museum, two cultural jewels that enrich the experience in this unique city.
For more details, download my free guide to Mérida 😉
How to get to Merida?
To get to Mérida the best option is by car, although it is true that from Madrid or Seville you have trains. Check it out here
Where to stay in Merida, Spain?
Hotels in this part of Spain do not usually have high prices. Although as always, it depends when do you plan to make the trip. Make sure if you plan to visit during Easter or summer, book everything in advance since the prices may go up.
Anyway, here are four well located hotels in Mérida:
Hotel Spa Adealba, very close to the Temple of Diana (a place that is included in the itinerary)
Hotel Ilunion Mérida Palace, in Plaza España
Hotel Paula Films Collection
When is the best time to go to Merida, Spain?
You can go throughout the year, but keep in mind that from May to October it is a region where the sun is present every day . Also, the months from June to August the heat waves are usually intense in Merida. Therefore, the most welcoming months are usually February, March, April, October, and November.
Where to eat in Mérida, Spain?
You will love the local cuisine of Mérida, no doubt!
I really loved La Sibarita Gastroshop, Mesón el Pastoreo (which is located in Plaza España) and a place called La Tahona
Where to eat the best jamón ibérico in Mérida Spain?
You have to know the delicatessen jamón ibérico from Nico Jimenez. His store is called Ibericos Nico and you will find plenty of Iberian ham, and bacon to cheeses. It is located on the same street as the National Museum of Roman Art.
And, here are the restaurants where you can try Torta del Casar cheese:
Rex Numitor (one of the best restaurants I have tried in Merida, it is worth going for its extensive menu and the quality of its dishes) and De Tripas Corazón restaurant
For more places with quality food, I suggest you download my free guide to Merida 🙂
Can you get to know Merida with other Spanish cities?
It is possible since as explained above, you can get to Mérida from Madrid or Seville for example. Moreover, as Mérida can be seen perfectly in 3 days, perhaps it is even interesting to spend another 3 or 4 days in Madrid or Seville.
Anyway, if you would like a cheap trip to Spain where you can learn about history and art, this city is home to many treasures. No joke, the wealth of Mérida will surprise you.
So now the question is, are you willing to visit Merida in Spain?