Mérida Uncovered: Discovering Spain's Hidden Historical Gem

Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre

Spain is a country full of hidden treasures waiting to be explored. While well-known cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville attract millions of tourists every year, there are still many underrated destinations that are worth a visit. One of them is the Roman city of Mérida, located in the western region of Extremadura. 

Roman ruins of Mérida, Spain

Extremadura is completely landlocked so I get why the hordes of tourist skip this part of Spain..but their loss!  Despite being well-known to Spaniards, Mérida remains largely unknown to international tourists...well unless you're a history buff! Here I'll share with you our experience in this amazing city and highlight some of its must-visit attractions.

Located just three hours east of Lisbon and three hours west of Madrid, Mérida is certainly worth a day trip from either Madrid or Lisbon, but a day would hardly cut it for such an incredible place! A week, at the very least, is required to explore the glorious autonomous region of Extremadura, where sunlit landscapes and ancient history converge!

The Romans trampled their dusty sandals all over the Iberian Peninsula and truly left behind a historical buffet across Spain for future generations to relish! The most important Roman city in Spain was Emerita Augusta. (Read the following like a caveman): 'Me no is schooled history person.' Maybe not the most important in Roman Spain...but at least in the top three—I'd say that stat's a safe bet! Nowadays, we call Emerita Augusta: Mérida.

My daughter taking in the Roman history and sights.

Mérida was founded as a Roman colony in 25 BC. A stroll through its charming downtown was how we first started our visit. The city center is filled with beautiful plazas, narrow streets, and numerous sidewalk cafes. (I have no photos of the city itself, as this blog is a total afterthought... whoops! As with all my posts, I hope they whet your appetite enough to do some googling on your own—sorry, not sorry.) It’s also home to one of Mérida’s star attractions, the Temple of Diana - A Roman temple built at the end of the 1st century BC.   

My beautiful mummsies snapping up history.

We couldn't see it all in one day, so  when we next visited, we made a beeline for the Roman Museum in Mérida. The museum houses a huge collection of Roman artifacts, including statues, mosaics, and other relics from the ancient city. The museum alone is worth the visit to Mérida, but you've only scratched the surface! Once you're done in the just pop across the street from the museum where lies to the jaw-dropping Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre. These well-preserved ruins are still used for concerts and festivals.  Being here really provides a glimpse into the grandeur of Ancient Rome. Our kids loved the opportunity to walk through history and explore the ancient ruins. 

What a gift when children can run their grubby little fingers all over history!

But wait! There's more!  Mérida is a cornucopia of gems!  Not only is the city lovely, you also have an incredible Roman museum, Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre, and on top of it all a collection of Roman aqueducts that still stand today. These Roman aqueducts jump all over the nearby river and are impressive both in size and number. In total, there are eight surviving aqueducts in Mérida and they’re definitely worth checking out. The many historical sights are spread out across the city so I'd recommend a car or tour especially in those months when the sun is throwing a temper tantrum.

The Roman Museum in Merida houses a wealth of impressive mosaics and statues.

Mérida is also an excellent base for exploring nearby cities like Badajoz, Spain and Elvas in Portugal. Badajoz, the largest city in the Spanish province of Extremadura, is just a short drive from Mérida. 

Mérida may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a trip to Spain, but it’s definitely worth a visit. From its incredible Roman ruins to its charming downtown and aqueducts, there’s something for everyone in this hidden gem of a city. Whether you’re a Roman scholar or just looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination, Mérida is sure to exceed your expectations. So, grab your toga and start exploring this historic Roman city - there's only one Mérida!   Ok, ya, ya so there's another in the Yucatán - but you catch my drift you savvy blog reader you!