Welcome to the land of water, of large holm and cork oak meadows, of traditions and legends. Extremadura goes hand in hand with nature, historical and art heritage, tourism and gastronomy. Two united provinces trace the outline of an idyllic territory where you can discover a different way of looking at life.
Its strategic location in the heart of the Vía de la Plata makes Mérida the nerve centre of a stunning territory. In Roman times this wealthy, walled city was the capital of the province of Lusitania in which forums, temples and other monumental constructions were erected. It is currently the capital of Extremadura and seduces everyone who visits it with the archaeological remains it conserves in every corne
An accesible city
Mérida is essentially a tourist city that you can explore on foot while enjoying special occasions such as the Semana Santa Easter Week festivities, the Classic Theatre Festival, the Roman Carnival, the Stone or Emérita Lvdica Festivals.
Open to overyone
A unique, universal city, crowned in March 2022 as an example of urban inclusivity when it received the 2021 Queen Letizia Award for Accessibility and Universal Design presented by the Royal Board on Disability, in the Spanish city types category.
Heritage
Mérida was Roman, Visigothic and Arabic and this blend of cultures made it heir to a rich heritage, with highlights such as the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre, the Acueducto de los Milagros, the Casa del Mitreo, the Arabic citadel, the Roman Bridge or the Temple of Diana.
Natural environment
The River Guadiana, a Special Protection Zone for Birds (ZEPA) as it passes through Mérida, takes centre stage in a city that is never far from a vineyard and is surrounded by Extremadura’s exuberant Dehesa meadowlands. In its immediate vicinity are the Roman Proserpina Dam and Cornalvo Nature Park and, just 20 minutes away, Alange, a haven of water and history.
Gastronomy
Traditional dishes and the most innovative recipes go hand in hand in a city that at one time was the Ibero-American Capital of Gastronomy. Mérida keeps alive the cookery traditions of the Ancient Emérita. For a different experience, we also recommend that you enjoy the local tapas culture in any one of its excellent establishments.
How to get there
Bus
There are several intercity bus lines travelling to Mérida. It is possible to make the Madrid-Mérida-BadajozLisbon journey or the one that links Seville-Mérida-Cáceres-Salamanca and Santiago. There is also a direct Seville-Mérida line.
Car
Mérida can be reached via the A-66 Ruta de la Plata Highway (Gijón-Seville) and the A5 highway (Madrid-Badajoz-Lisbon).
Train
There is a direct rail connection with the cities of Madrid, Cáceres, Badajoz, Seville and Ciudad Real. The gradual deployment of highspeed rail now boasts a modern, highly efficient service.
Air
To reach Mérida there are direct flights from the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca to Badajoz airport (BJZ), which is 50 Km from Mérida.