We enjoyed our day in Merida very much and felt compelled to respond to recent critical reviews. Regarding the price of seeing the major sites, 16 euros is comparable to any museum visit anywhere in the U.S., or to ice cream treats for a family of four. (Please! It is not “too expensive”.) Also, for those who had trouble with the authenticity of the Roman ruins, it’s important to understand the context. What we understood is that the ruins were looted and buried over the course of centuries. What little remained was excavated starting in the 1880s, when archaeological procedures were not as refined as they are today. What exists now at the sites of the Anfiteatro and Teatro Romano are in the process of being restored, but what is really cool is that they are living theaters in which performances are today being produced. The fragmentary remains of the architecture and sculpture of the ancient Roman city of Augusta Emerita, which is now Merida, are housed in the architecturally gorgeous and significant Museo, directly across from the ruins. We thought the whole complex reflected a thoughtful way to bring the remains of the ancient city to life.

Merida was a destination of ours, it was a stop over on our way to Lisbon. We had a room booked and got there 4-5 earlier than expected so we opened up Google and looked for something to do and found this. It was excellent. Both my wife and i loved it. It was a real nice unexpected treat for sure.

This is well worth a visit. I was amazed by the size of the area and how intact it was . €13 per adult for the theatre tour. Cheaper if you’re over 65 but only if you’re European! The display boards are in several languages including English. You need about 45 mins to an hour.

Amazing theater (plays) and amphitheater (sporting events-think gladiators). Also see the Temple of Diana and Aquaduct. Like being in Rome. Well worth a visit. Also don’t miss the Museum of Roman Art that has so many 1st & 2nd century statues from these buildings. Merida was the capital of one of the 3 states on the Iberian Peninsula under Caesar August’s rule. So Merida was big deal and the ornate theater & amphitheater reflect that status. Merida looks unimpressive when driving up but you’ll be glad when you look at their Roman ruins.

Incredible ancient ruins. We toured by ourselves but there are guided tours. Sufficient clear signage if you choose not. The Napoli restaurant at the entrance added a lovely finish to our visit. Waitstaff and food was wonderful.

After spending 18 days in Spain Portugal and Morocco and seeing countless sights including churches, castles and palaces and going on numerous tours, this was the last major "sight" we toured. And, for me, it was one of, if not the best. It wasn't the most beautiful, majestic, ornate or expansive as some of the things we saw but when you understand how this was discovered and then painstakingly excavated, which started in 1910 and is still ongoing, it is truly amazing. And that it was built in 15-16 BCE makes it all the more incredible. We just don't have anything manmade that ancient in the states so it's "mind-boggling" for us to contemplate. We really enjoyed walking around and exploring the site and seeing the various sections of the complex. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and, frankly, I'm surprised it wasn't before then. This is a must see if you're anywhere near the area.

These ruins (the theatre and adjacent amphitheatre) are very extensive. They have undergone some sympathetic restoration and overall they captured the scale and feel of the different epoch. This was an excursion for us en route from Seville to Salamanca by car. Parking was plenty in an adjacent street which shared a school. One of the highlights of our two week road trip.