Mérida and the Roman Baths of Alange

A stroll around Mérida and its monuments immerses you in the golden age of the Roman Empire, a civilisation whose imprint on the city is so strong that a walk through its streets becomes a journey through the history, life and customs of ancient Emerita Augusta, the capital of Lusitania.

The artistic and architectural legacy of the city and its surroundings led it to be declared a historic-archaeological site and, together with the Roman Baths of Alange, a World Heritage Site. So if you choose to visit Mérida you will feel that you are taking a stroll through the history of the Roman Empire.

The impressive Roman Theatre should not be missed, neither should the Amphitheatre. The archaeologists of the Consortium of the Monumental City have made it possible to make nocturnal visits to the monumental site which will truly surprise you. In both of these spaces you will begin to understand the dimension which public spectacles reached in Roman times. In this setting the International Classical Theatre Festival is now held, a landmark cultural event in the region which you can enjoy if you visit us in the summer.

A tour through the city should start with a visit to the city's most emblematic monuments and sites, such as the majestic Temple of Diana, which will not leave you indifferent. At night under a starry sky the impression you take away will be unique.

Continuing our tour through the city centre we come to the forum leading to the Arch of Trajan, where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the square together with a good glass of Extremadura wine. 

Nearby you can do a little shopping in Calle Santa Eulalia, the commercial centre of the Extremadura capital, or enjoy the colourful Plaza de España square, brimming with flavour and enchantment.

You can also visit the Casa del Mitreo to see how the former veterans of the legions lived. Nearby there is an ancient mortuary, a journey through their customs which will lead you to the archaeological site of the Moorish Quarter.

In this part of the city, in mid-afternoon, you can venture into the Moorish world, because Mérida is much more than Roman. Within the walls of the Moorish citadel you will not only find such treasures as a cistern with Visigoth remains but also such little corners as the Garden of Antiquities from which you can view the fortress in all its splendour.

A privileged spot with superb views from the city walls, where you can breathe fresh air, and, camera in hand, capture a unique image of the city, the splendour of the Roman Bridge, and the modern Lusitania Bridge designed by the renowned Santiago Calatrava.

If you feel a need for more, go down to the Island of the Guadiana, the green lung of Mérida, where you can enjoy a relaxing walk. Perhaps you should know that this river is inhabited by the White Lady of the Guadiana, a beautiful woman dressed in white, floating in the water and whispering a beautiful melody, who according to legend, searches for men to drown in the depths of the river on nights with a full moon.

Our tour continues with a sunrise visit to the promenade beside the Albarregas River, where you will get an unforgettable view of the Aqueduct of Milagros, one of the most striking examples of Roman engineering to be found in the Iberian Peninsula.

The rest of the morning will be spent visiting the National Museum of Roman Art, which houses the most important collection of Roman art in Spain, where you will become immersed in the history and the culture of the Roman Empire. You will be impressed by the architecture and the aesthetics of the building, designed by Rafael Moneo. 

And what better way to finish the day than by enjoying the Roman Baths of Alange, which form part of the archaeological site declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. A unique place whose medicinal waters will provide you with such comfort as to leave you feeling like a true Roman emperor.