Mérida makes a good base for the rest of Extremadura. Cáceres is 75 km north on the A-66 (about 50 minutes), and Badajoz is 60 km west on the A-5 — both have UNESCO old towns and can be visited as a day trip, though both reward an overnight if you have the time. Closer afield, the dehesa landscape of holm oak and grazing pigs that surrounds Mérida is good for a slow drive in any direction.
