We had been advised to visit the extensive Roman ruins in Merida on our trip through central Spain. That was easier said than done……… we checked into our hotel around 3pm with temperatures nudging 45 degrees! (113 degrees Fahrenheit)! Needless to say we did what the locals do and took a short siesta to escape the heat.
It cooled down by 8PM
We ventured out around 6.30pm to visit the nearby ruins consisting of the Roman Circus, Roman Mithraeum House, Santa Eulalia Basilica and more. Our map led us straight there, right to the 7ft dense hedge that surrounded the ruins, no sneak peeks here! There has to be a entrance somewhere…….. we found the tourist office who gave us a little slip of paper with the visiting hours. Sunday 9.30 am – 9pm, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 9pm… great! We were there on a Wednesday, not so good! Monday to Thursday 9.30am – 1.45pm & 5pm – 7.15pm………. it was now 7pm and we had to weigh the entry cost of €12 each or €6 as a EU citizen, for a visit that would be 15 minutes at the most!!
We settled for the brief glimpses we could catch through the hedge!!!!!
Peeking through the fence
The Theatre and Amphitheater are open 9.30am – 9pm every day; however they were on the other side of town, too far to walk in this heat. Good news is that the ticket covers entry to all of the ruins and includes a guide booklet.
I am sure they are worth a visit……. arrive on a weekend and you will have all day to explore, along with the hordes. For midweek visits it is best to plan to stay over more than one night, as we had to be gone long before 9.30 am the next morning. Oh well next time!
