Best Roman Ruins in Spain

I know of several examples: Roman ampitheater ruins in Sagunto and Cartagena. Both are pretty intact and restored but lack the stage backdrops. But I have not been to either. The most famous might be the aquaduct at Segovia. It is completely intact and dramatic and a short train ride from Madrid. Very worth the visit. There is a Roman bridge in Cordoba, mostly reconstructed. I don't know how much is really original though. Some Visogothic ruins under the Mezquita but not much to see. Merida is reportedly the most intact Roman city with several ruins. The theater has its colonnaded backdrop, there is a bridge and an aquaduct I think. Plus remains of a temple and mosaics. I have not been there.

Thanks Douglas, We'll see the Aqueduct in Segovia, the Visigoth part of the Mesquita, and the Roman bridge in Cordova. I'll have to debate going to Merida. We have an extra day between Seville and Cordoba that isn't booked, so we could try to go up there and spend the night. Have you seen Italica or Baelo Claudio? Roman ruins aren't my wife's favorite so I probably get to visit one or the other.

We visited Baelo Claudio in Bolonia (just north of Tarifa). What a wonderful seaside site and museum. My wife and I arrived there first thing in the morning and wandered around there all alone before any of the tour buses arrived. Your wife could also enjoy strolling along the beautiful sandy beach while you snoop to your heart's content. Don't know your mode of transport but we arrived by car and for such a great site there is very little signage en route to guide you. The aqueduct in Segovia is also a favourite - about as amazing of a site as we've seen. Hasta la vista!

Bob, Thanks for the response. The seaside may be a great option. We will have a car. We plan to spend half a day in Gibraltar on a Thurs and stay somewhere going toward the Costa de la Luz (leaning toward Tarifa at this point). The plan is to spend Friday and Saturday working our way up toward Sevilla, with some beach stops, Cadiz and probably one night in Jerez. We considered spending the night in Conil de la Frontera but the prices are resortish without the quality. There is a resort in Chiclana de la Frontera where the price seems to match the amenities. We'll have a GPS so hopefully that will help us find the ruins. We'll plan on being there early to beat the crowds then spend time on the beach.

I visited the ruins in Merida a few months ago. They were beautiful and extensive. There is both an amphitheater and an arena that you can sit in and explore.