What to do in Merida

Activities, attractions and tours

Puente Romano
Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre
Merida
Merida
Merida

Merida Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Merida has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Merida is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Merida to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Merida Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Merida.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Merida attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Roman Theatre

When Mérida’s first citizens wanted to be entertained, one of the places they headed was the Roman Theatre. The venue was inaugurated around 15 B.C. and could accommodate up to 6,000 spectators. Allow at least half an hour for a self-guided tour of the well-preserved site. For many centuries, it lay buried underground, until excavations started in 1910.
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Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre

2. Puente Romano

More than 2,000 years after its construction, the Puente Romano is still in use. Cross the Guadiana River on this ancient bridge. This was one of the first Roman structures to be built in Mérida and it is one of the longest Roman bridges surviving in the modern world.
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Puente Romano

3. Temple of Diana

The Temple of Diana was a sacred place of worship dedicated to the Roman imperial cult, which regarded emperors and some members of their families as gods. The granite structure was built in the 1st century and would have been part of the forum, where the city’s most important buildings were located. Look up in awe at this ancient structure.
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Temple of Diana

4. Plaza de Espana

The Plaza de España has been a central feature of life in Mérida since medieval times. Over the years, it has hosted bullfights, festivals, markets, games, processions and executions. Today, come to the pretty square for a stroll and some relaxation as you watch passersby enjoying sunny days.
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Plaza de Espana

5. National Museum of Roman Art

The National Museum of Roman Art is housed inside an impressive-looking building that recreates the grandeur of ancient Roman structures. Within the exhibition halls and galleries, see ceramics, sculptures, tombstones, mosaics and paintings from Mérida’s period as a Roman colony.
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Museo Nacional de Arte Romano

6. Acueducto de los Milagros

Visit the Acueducto de los Milagros, constructed about 2,000 years ago to supply water to the Roman colony of Emerita Augusta, now known as Mérida. Like many Roman aqueducts, it was colossal. A small section remains today and is known as the Aqueduct of the Miracles, because of its awe-inspiring appearance.
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Acueducto de los Milagros

7. Alcazaba

When Mérida's 9th-century Muslim rulers wanted to protect themselves from local uprisings and revolts, they built the magnificent Alcazaba. See this impressive Arab fortification with its thick walls and 25 towers. While the remaining walls clearly define the overall structure, note that much of the original interior has not survived.
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Alcazaba

8. Circo Romano

The Circo Romano was an ancient sporting arena, where chariots once raced. Visit the site, considered one of the best-preserved Roman circuses to survive to the present day. It features the remains of stands and entrances as well as an on-site museum.
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Circo Romano

Recommended things to do in Merida

Number of things to do
13
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Merida: Legends and Mysteries Night Tour: CA $21
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Merida

Discover the most popular places to visit in Merida

Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre

Roman Theatre

5/5(6 reviews)

Explore the well-preserved remains of this 2,000-year-old theater that serves its original function as a performance venue as it has for scores of generations.

Roman Theatre
Puente Romano

Puente Romano

4.5/5(4 reviews)

Walk across this lengthy Roman bridge, a magnificent structure that has withstood centuries of damage from rain, floods and battles.

Puente Romano
Temple of Diana

Temple of Diana

4.5/5(4 reviews)

See the ruins of one of the most important buildings in Roman Mérida, a temple where sacrifices were made and emperors were worshipped.

Temple of Diana
Plaza de Espana

Plaza de Espana

4/5(4 reviews)

In the heart of Mérida's historical center is its medieval square. Relax in the restaurants and visit centuries-old buildings that surround this attractive plaza.

Plaza de Espana
Museo Nacional de Arte Romano

National Museum of Roman Art

5/5(4 reviews)

Discover many fascinating Roman works of art, such as sculptures, portraits and inscriptions, and see how Roman houses were decorated.

National Museum of Roman Art
Acueducto de los Milagros

Acueducto de los Milagros

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Marvel at this wonderful example of Roman architecture and engineering, which brought water into the city from a reservoir several miles away.

Acueducto de los Milagros
Alcazaba

Alcazaba

4.5/5(3 reviews)

In addition to its Roman buildings, Mérida has many other historical attractions, including this Arab stronghold from the 9th century.

Alcazaba
Circo Romano

Circo Romano

4/5(4 reviews)

During your time in Mérida, visit this 1st-century Roman sporting arena, which features parts of its original stands and a U-shaped track.

Circo Romano
Amphitheatre of Merida

Amphitheatre of Merida

5/5(4 reviews)

Get tickets for a show at Amphitheatre of Merida, a storied theater in Merida. Experience the area's theater scene and entertainment venues.

Amphitheatre of Merida

Explore areas of Merida

Puente Romano

Merida Old Town

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Historic sites, theaters, and museums highlight some of the noteworthy features of Merida Old Town. Make a stop by Roman Theatre or National Museum of Roman Art while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Merida Old Town
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Distrito 6

Visitors to Distrito 6 appreciate its restaurants. A visit to Puente Romano and Alcazaba might round out your trip if you're looking to see more of the area.

Distrito 6
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Carcesa

Carcesa might not have many top sights, but Puente Romano and Alcazaba are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Carcesa
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Nueva Ciudad

When in Nueva Ciudad, you can plan a visit to Puente Romano and Alcazaba, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Nueva Ciudad
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Polígono Industrial Cepansa

While Polígono Industrial Cepansa isn't home to many top sights, Puente Romano and Alcazaba are some notable places to visit nearby.

Polígono Industrial Cepansa
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Polígono Industrial Carrión

Though Polígono Industrial Carrión might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Puente Romano and Alcazaba.

Polígono Industrial Carrión

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Merida

Plaza Mayor

Cáceres