NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION The city of Mérida lies in western Spain’s Extremadura region, 175 miles (280 km) from the capital, Madrid
CAPACITY 15,000
DAYTIME TEMPERATURES
Jan: 43°F (6°C); Apr: 75°F (24°C); Jul: 99°F (37°C); Oct: 79°F (26°C)
On the hot, dusty plains of Spain’s high Meseta lies the lovely ruined municipium of Mérida. This was the provincial capital of Lusitania, and its ensemble of stunningly preserved ruins makes it one of the finest Roman sites in Europe. Its amphitheater, entered through brick arches, is an arid bowl, open to the skies and unshielded by the high walls of later surviving examples.
It is complemented by an adjoining circus and 5,000- seat theater, connected to the amphitheater by underground tunnels. The Roman museum has the finest collection of such artifacts outside Italy.
Practical Information
Getting There Mérida lies on the N-V highway between Madrid and Lisbon, and is served by regular trains and buses from Badajoz (1 hour), Seville (3 hours) and Madrid (5–6 hours). The nearest international airport is Badajoz, 28 miles (45 km) west, near the border with Portugal.
When to Go Spring (Apr–Jun) and fall (Sep–Oct) are most pleasant. The Mérida Festival runs July–August, with concerts in the Roman ruins.