Mérida in Full with Tickets

Starting Point

Activa Tours Office, Calle Jose Ramon Melida, 32 (Museum Street), Mérida

Duration

3h 30m

Tour Description

Discover the history of Augusta Emerita, one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire in Roman Hispania, capital of one of its three provinces, Lusitania. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Enjoy this guided walking tour with us for approximately three and a half hours. Our meeting point is at our office, Calle Jose Ramon Melida, 32 (Museum Street).

Our first stop will be the Puerta de la Villa, where we will take the opportunity to historically present this city at the site of one of its four monumental gates, thus contextualizing what we will discover during this comprehensive tour.

We will begin by heading towards Plaza de España, where the Co-Cathedral of Santa María la Mayor is located. This temple will allow us to explore the period when Mérida was reconquered by the troops of Alfonso IX in 1230.

From there, we will head to the archaeological site of Morerías (admission included), where we will find the longest stretch of wall still preserved today, revealing the passing of different civilizations, providing important information about urban development in this part of the city.

We will continue along the banks of the Guadiana River until we reach the Arab Citadel (admission included), admiring along the way the wonderful, two-thousand-year-old Roman Bridge, the longest in the Iberian Peninsula. From inside the Citadel, we will be able to see the remains of the walls again, as well as the Arab wall itself. We will also descend to the cistern, one of the best-preserved in the Iberian Peninsula. We can currently observe the excavation work being carried out in this area, uncovering an important example of a Roman villa.

We’ll return to the city center to admire the remains of the Roman Forum: the Temple of Diana and the Forum Portico, powerful examples of the splendor of Augusta Emerita.

Next, we’ll explore the Amphitheater House (admission included), where we’ll see some remains of the wall and mosaics with different themes. You’ll also have the opportunity to see what was once a Roman necropolis. Pay attention to the unique mausoleums!

The visit will conclude at the Roman Theater and Amphitheater (admission included), monumental symbols of the capital of Extremadura. We’ll learn about the gladiatorial fights in the amphitheater, culminating in the theater itself, admiring its majestic stage front.