Museo Nacional de Arte Romano
This must-see museum is Spain’s most important repository of Roman artifacts, and Mérida’s star attraction. Designed in the 1980s by Rafael Moneo and remodeled in 2025, the towering red-brick structure houses a beautifully curated collection of objects discovered in and around what was Emerita Augusta. A veiled bust of Emperor Augustus is a highlight. Over three levels surrounding an airy central atrium, you’ll be transported back in time through statues, pottery, glassware, and coins, all with informative labels—many in English. Almost perfectly intact mosaics and murals offer a thrilling picture of everyday life in Mérida some 2000 years ago. Another highlight is how the museum incorporates the archaeological dig beneath its feet. A section of Roman road leads to the crypt where you can see the patios of ancient houses being excavated in real time. Tip: If you can’t get enough archaeology, the museum also manages the Museo Arqueológico de Arte Visigodo (Calle Santa Julia 1;Tues–Sat 9:30am–6pm or 8pm in summer; Sun 10am–3pm) a small, free exhibition in a former church near Arco de Trajano that’s dedicated to the surprisingly delicate stone carvings left behind by the Visigoths.
This must-see museum is Spain’s most important repository of Roman artifacts, and Mérida’s star attraction. Designed in the 1980s by Rafael Moneo and remodeled in 2025, the towering red-brick structure houses a beautifully curated collection of objects discovered in and around what was Emerita Augusta. A veiled bust of Emperor Augustus is a highlight. Over three levels surrounding an airy central atrium, you’ll be transported back in time through statues, pottery, glassware, and coins, all with informative labels—many in English. Almost perfectly intact mosaics and murals offer a thrilling picture of everyday life in Mérida some 2000 years ago. Another highlight is how the museum incorporates the archaeological dig beneath its feet. A section of Roman road leads to the crypt where you can see the patios of ancient houses being excavated in real time. Tip: If you can’t get enough archaeology, the museum also manages the Museo Arqueológico de Arte Visigodo (Calle Santa Julia 1;Tues–Sat 9:30am–6pm or 8pm in summer; Sun 10am–3pm) a small, free exhibition in a former church near Arco de Trajano that’s dedicated to the surprisingly delicate stone carvings left behind by the Visigoths.
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