Discover Medellín: Guadiana, castle and theatre

Medellín offers a range of highlights for a stay: Playa de Medellín on the Guadiana, the castle, the Roman Theatre, Santiago Church and a Baroque bridge. If you’re looking for hotels in Medellín, you can use these themes to decide whether you’d like to focus on the bathing area, architectural history or archaeological finds.

By the Guadiana: bathing area and bridges

Playa de Medellín is a bathing area on the riverbank. It has showers and lawns, and several chiringuitos serve traditional dishes and refreshing drinks. The riverbank therefore offers a distinct focus alongside the historic buildings and archaeological finds.

Puente Siglo XVII is a Baroque bridge completed in 1630. It has twenty arches and is 400 metres long. The remains of the Roman and Renaissance bridges that preceded it can also still be seen on both banks of the Guadiana. Those interested in architectural history will find a clear comparison here between the Baroque structure and the visible remains of its predecessors.

Castle, Theatre and Santiago Church

Medellín Castle is distinguished by a double ring of walls with numerous defensive and reinforcing towers. It also has imposing gateways and a two-part parade ground. The combination of fortifications, gateways and the layout of the parade ground gives the complex a distinctive architectural profile.

The Roman Theatre was uncovered through excavations on the south side of the hill between the castle and Santiago Church. Work began in 2007. The theatre preserves almost 800 original ashlar blocks, as well as outstanding sculptures and a wealth of significant decorative material. It was officially opened to visitors on 24 July 2013.

Santiago Church was built at the end of the 13th century over the ruins of a Roman temple. Its architecture combines late Romanesque features with early Gothic elements. The church was restored in 2003 and enhanced from 2007 onwards, alongside the excavations at the Roman Theatre. In recent years, it has housed the municipality’s Centro Museográfico. The theatre and the church therefore offer distinct points of interest: archaeological finds and their excavation in one, and a medieval building with features from two architectural styles in the other.

Plan your visit and stay

Medellín Archaeological Park can be visited year-round. Check the visiting conditions before you arrive. The Roman Theatre’s opening to visitors on 24 July 2013 was a historic milestone; check current visiting conditions separately.

Guided tours start at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at Plaza de Hernán Cortés. The entire route is on foot. Check the current schedule before your visit so you can plan around the available times.

There is a spacious, accessible motorhome area on the banks of the Guadiana within the municipality of Medellín. Overnight stays are currently not permitted there. Bear this restriction in mind when choosing your accommodation: the motorhome area is not an overnight option.

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Return to the main travel overview: Badajoz.