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Top 10 Hikes and Walks in Zaragoza

Hiking in zaragoza.

Want to go hiking in Zaragoza to explore more of this corner of Aragon? In this guide, we’ve reviewed our full collection of hikes and walking routes in Zaragoza to bring you the best hiking routes in the region. To see which of our walks in Zaragoza is the right one for you, browse real tips and photos uploaded by other hikers—and see what they had to say about each walk.

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Pico Moncayo y Peña Negrilla desde el Santuario de la Virgen del Moncayo

Parque natural monasterio de piedra.

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Galachos de juslibol — por el camino natural del ebro - gr 99, hayedo peña roya — circular por el parque natural del moncayo, casco histórico de zaragoza — circular desde av. de cataluña, pinturas rupestres de la roca benedí y cascada de calmarza — circular desde el santuario de jaraba, peñas de herrera - circular desde talamantes, cascadas de muel y cabezo de san borombón — circular desde muel, cerro del águila y pico del rayo — circular por la sierra de victor desde inogés, aguallueve de anento y arguilay de báguena — circular desde el castillo de anento.

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Explore the most popular tours in zaragoza, discover the most popular attractions in zaragoza.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Check out more Hikes throughout Zaragoza below and find the perfect Tour in your destination.

• La Almunia De Doña Godina
• Egea De Los Caballeros

Explore more of Aragon : Browse the best Hikes in other regions.

Best things to do and see in Zaragoza

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Walking Tours

Discover the secrets of its inhabitants and history of monuments and landmarks. You cannot even imagine the history that Zaragoza has, discover it on foot with our walking tour. Through this walk you will learn all the secrets of Zaragoza or what the beautiful buildings that today house the most important museums of the Old Town were used for. We will tell you the history of the different cultures that settled in the city and you will be able to observe the traces that still persist. You will walk through the busiest and oldest streets of Zaragoza and of course you will visit the emblematic Plaza del Pilar where you will discover why Zaragoza is the only city with two cathedrals and a thousand-year history.

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Free Walking Sightseeing Tours in Zaragoza, Spain

Guided free walking tours.

Book free guided walking tours in Zaragoza.

Guided Sightseeing Tours

Book guided sightseeing tours and activities in Zaragoza.

Explore Zaragoza in Spain with one of our free walking tours . Click on a marker on the map to get started and view details about the tour. Below is an overview of the sightseeing tours. A total of 12 tours are available in Zaragoza, Spain.

GuruWalk: Essential Zaragoza Free Tour

GuruWalk: The Bloody Tales of Zaragoza

GuruWalk: Indispensable Zaragoza Free Tour: Old Town

GuruWalk: Free Tour "The essence of Zaragoza"

Freetour: Essential Zaragoza Free Tour: Old Town

Freetour: Free Zaragoza Essentials Tour

Freetour: Free Tour through the Historical Center of Zaragoza

Self-guided Tour #1

• Iglesia de Santiago el Mayor
• Iglesia de la Mantería
• Iglesia de la exaltación de la Santa Cruz
• Museo de Tapices de La Seo
• Iglesia de San Nicolas de Bari
• Santa María Magdalena
• Iglesia del Real Seminario de San Carlos Borromeo
• Teatro romano de Caesaraugusta

Self-guided Tour #2

• San Miguel Church
• Plaza de los Sitios
• Museo de Zaragoza - Antigüedad y Bellas Artes
• Patio de La Infanta Ibercaja
• Monumento a la Constitución de 1978

Self-guided Tour #3

• Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Portillo
• CaixaForum Zaragoza
• IAACC Pablo Serrano
• Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen
• Museo de Ciencias Naturales de la Universidad de Zaragoza
• Museo del Teatro Romano de Caesaraugusta
• Centro de Historias de Zaragoza
• Parroquia de Altabás
• Casa Solans

Self-guided Tour #4

• Iglesia de las Fecetas

Why Visit Sights? Self-guided sightseeing tours are a free and safe alternative to bus tours. You can explore Zaragoza at your own pace, any time! Do something good for your health by walking.

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Zaragoza - Historic Walking Tour

• English Speaking Guide
• Entrance Fees
• Entry/Admission - Zaragoza
• C. de la Manifestación, 16, Casco Antiguo, 50003 Zaragoza, Spain In front of the Hotel Catalonia El Pilar, the tour guide shall be waiting with a Signboard.
• Mercado Central de Zaragoza, Av. de César Augusto, 110, Casco Antiguo, 50003 Zaragoza, Spain An alternate drop-off location can be arranged.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar

Similar experiences

• You'll start at C. de la Manifestación, 16 C. de la Manifestación, 16, Casco Antiguo, 50003 Zaragoza, Spain In front of the Hotel Catalonia El Pilar, the tour guide shall be waiting with a Signboard. See address & details
• 1 Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar Stop: 15 minutes See details Pass by Plaza del Pilar
• 2 Sala de Exposiciones La Lonja Stop: 20 minutes - Admission excluded See details Pass by Puente de Piedra
• 3 Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza Stop: 15 minutes See details Pass by Arco del Deán
• 4 Mercado Central de Zaragoza Stop: 10 minutes See details
• You'll end at Mercado Central de Zaragoza Av. de César Augusto, 110, Casco Antiguo, 50003 Zaragoza, Spain An alternate drop-off location can be arranged. See address & details

More to explore in Zaragoza

Zaragoza - Historic Walking Tour provided by BlackBuck Travels

18 Things to Do in Zaragoza, Spain

By: Author Laura Bronner

Posted on Last updated: September 18, 2023

There are so many amazing things to do in Zaragoza, Spain, you’ll no doubt want to extend your trip after just a few days.

Zaragoza, sometimes spelled Saragossa in English, is a beautiful city in northeastern Spain. If you are looking for a slightly off-the-beaten-path city in Spain that hasn’t become a huge part of the tourist trail of Spain just yet, Zaragoza is that city.

I added Zaragoza to my recent Spain itinerary as a way to break up my journey from Barcelona to Bilbao, and I am so glad that I did. This city surprised me so much.

It is far less visited than many other places in Spain, but it’s a shame because Zaragoza has Roman ruins, incredible cathedrals, and some of the best tapas bars outside of Madrid.

You can easily spend 2-3 days in Zaragoza, but if you are pressed for time, it’s still possible to do it on a day trip from Barcelona .

Where is Zaragoza Spain

Zaragoza, Spain is the capital of the Aragon region of northeastern Spain. It is the fifth largest city in Spain by population, but the center of the city where many of the Zaragoza attractions are located is easily walkable.

It is located about 300km or 186 miles from Barcelona. You can take a fast train from Barcelona-Sants to Zaragoza train station and arrive in about an hour and a half.

The close proximity by train, makes it an easy day trip or addition to the end of a trip to Barcelona for a day or two, without much trouble getting back to Barcelona to head to the airport.

If you are spending a few days in Madrid , you can also easily reach Zaragoza from here. It is located about 320 km or just under 200 miles from central Madrid and can be reached via fast train in only an hour and 15 minutes.

You don’t want to miss visiting the Catedral de Salvador.

Is Zaragoza Worth Visiting?

Absolutely, yes!

In my humble opinion, Zaragoza has one of the best food scenes in Spain and the history and museums are world-class.

There are so many amazing things to do in Zaragoza, but especially if you are a foodie or a history buff.

This isn’t the city for you if you prefer Spanish beach towns like Malaga or Alicante . This is more of a city break if you loved what you saw in places like Seville or Granada.

Zaragoza is also one of the most affordable cities that I have been to in Spain. When comparing tourist attractions in other cities like Barcelona, Seville, or Madrid, Zaragoza is a fraction of the cost, with some places even having free entrance in Zaragoza.

Food prices at tapas bars are also significantly lower when compared to tourist spots around Malaga, Marbella, Seville, or Barcelona.

Best Things to do in Zaragoza, Spain

If you want to know what to do in Zaragoza, don’t miss out on these exciting excursions.

The Aljafería Palace is one of the best things to do in Zaragoza.

1. Palacio de la Aljafería

Palacio de la Aljafería or the Aljafería Palace is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Zaragoza.

The palace was originally built in the 11th century during the Islamic occupation. At the time it was named Qasr Al-surur, or Palace of Joy. As time passed and the palace came into different uses, a prison tower and more fortified walls were built.

The palace is now home to the Aragon Parliament, but you can visit it every day of the week for €5. Due to the fact that it is a government building, you need to pre-book your tickets online which you can do here .

With your ticket you can simply explore the palace at your own pace, however, several times a day you can take a free tour in English or Spanish. Check the website as the times change depending on the season.

I highly recommend timing your visit with one of the tours so that you can learn more about the history of this incredible building. Once you finish the tour, you can go back into the palace and explore it at a slower pace and take as many photos as you would like.

2. Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

The Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar or the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, simply referred to as el Pilar, is one of the most exquisite things to see in Zaragoza.

It is believed that the location on which the basilica was built is where Mary appeared to St. James (Santiago in Spanish) with a pillar of jasper. She instructed him to build a church here in her honor. That very pillar of Jasper is now housed inside the church and people travel from around the world on pilgrimage to the site.

The jasper is housed in an ornate silver case which is almost entirely covered except for the 2nd, 12th, and 20th of every month when you can come to mass and see it. It is topped with a sculpture of Mary holding the baby Jesus.

It’s free to visit the inside of the church, but if you want to climb up to the top of the bell tower, Torre de San Francisco de Borja, then you pay €5 per person. The views from the top of the tower are some of the best in the city.

The tower has an elevator, so you don’t have to climb all the way to the top. You don’t need to pre-book your tickets, however, if you want to you can do so on their website . If you plan to visit several other religious sites like the Cathedral of Salvador, then getting the combination ticket will save you some money.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Pillar is one of the most breathtaking buildings in Zaragoza.

3. Catedral del Savador

The Cathedral of Salvador, also simply called La Seo, is one of the most fascinating things to do in Zaragoza if you want to learn more about the history of the city.

Your entry ticket includes an audio guide which you can put into several different languages. The guide gives so much detail about the history of the church, of the Mudejar architecture, about the dramas that took place in the city when things were trying to be built, and more.

The location of the Cathedral is actually where the original Roman Forum of the city used to be. You can still visit it beneath the cathedral with a nearby entrance to the Forum Museum (more on that in number 9!).

It was also home to a Mosque during the time of the Moors before eventually being heavily reconstructed (many times) over the centuries to become the cathedral it is today. You’ll see a combination of Mudejar , Romanesque, and Gothic styles both inside and out.

My personal favorite place to stare at is on the outside of the church to the left of the front facade (when looking straight at it). The tiles work on this side of the church is absolutely magical.

Strolling around the cathedral, it’s well worth stopping for a visit at the beautiful Arch of Dean.

4. Arco del Dean

The Arch of Dean is located just around the corner from the cathedral. The arch was built in the 13th century as a way to connect the church with the house of Dean.

It underwent some reconstruction in the 16th century. Take special note of the windows which are in a Mudejar style.

It’s a free and fun thing to see in Zaragoza and makes for a great photo op.

5. Goya Museum

Francisco Goya is one of Spain’s most celebrated artists. He was born in the Zaragoza region, not far from the city and in commemoration, they have built a museum where you can see some of his work as well as learn about his early life.

In addition to the works by Goya, the museum is also home to a collection of 1,000 pieces of art that span fine art from around Spain from the 18th-20th centuries.

Entry to the museum costs €8. It is free to all visitors on the first Wednesday of every month. Check the website for more information or to prebook your tickets.

The Goya Museum is a wonderland for art lovers.

6. Zaragoza Museum

To get a general overview of all of the history and different museums of Zaragoza, you can visit the Zaragoza Museum. If you only have time to visit one place and you want to get a sampling of all of the different things to do in Zaragoza, this is a good option.

Inside the museum, you’ll be able to see Roman history, including pieces of stone and pottery as well as well-intact mosaics found amongst the ruins of Roman homes around Zaragoza.

There is also a level of the museum home to some fine arts paintings, including a few paintings by Goya.

The Zaragoza Museum is completely free to visit, making it one of the best value-for-money things to do in Zaragoza.

The Zaragoza Museum.

7. Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta

Of all of the Roman ruins that are worth visiting in Zaragoza (of which all are worth it), this is perhaps the biggest and best.

When the Romans arrived at this settlement, they named the city after their emperor, Caesaragusta.

If you plan to visit more than one of the attractions, the best option is to purchase the Roman entry ticket which includes all four sites (#7-11 on this list). You have 48 hours to see all of them, but they can easily be seen in about 2-3 hours.

The Roman theater is very well preserved at this site. If you are short on time or don’t want to pay entry, you can peer into the theater without entering the museum. To the right of the museum entrance, there is a balcony area where you can look directly into the theater’s ruins.

This is the largest of the museums not only for the ruins, but for the amount of information and interactive displays that you can enjoy. Most things are available both in Spanish and in English here.

You can easily spend about 30 minutes learning about the ancient city of Caesaraugusta before heading outside to walk through the theater.

Entrance to the museum on its own is €4, the multi-museum pass is €7. Check the website for more information about free days or other ticket options for students and pensioners.

The inside of the theater in Zaragoza is a fascinating place.

8. Museo de las Termas Públicas

No Roman city is complete without public baths. The site of the ruins of the bath is very well preserved. It’s a small museum with the main bath at the center.

There are plaques around the room where you can learn about what each bath was as well as see a Roman toilet rebuilt. They didn’t get quite as much privacy in the baño as we enjoy today!

9. Museo del Foro

The Roman Forum, as mentioned above, was located in the Plaza del Pilar, right where much of the Cathedral of Salvador is located today.

What remains of the forum is several feet below present-day ground level.

Inside the museum, you can walk the streets of the forum, see recreations of the shops and vendors that would have sold their wares here, and sit and watch a video that tells you all about the history of the forum and the city of Caesaraugusta.

It’s second in size to the Theater Museum and offers quite a lot of information. If you watch the video and explore all of the different parts of the museum, you’ll spend about 30-45 minutes here.

Grab the €7 ticket to be able to go into all of the different Roman museums and ruin sites around Zaragoza.

10. Museo del Puerto Fluvial

During Roman times, Caesaraugusta was something of a hub for goods. Things would come from other Roman cities further afield in the empire and their first port of call would be to Caesaraugusta before things were sorted and redistributed to smaller cities in the region.

This museum is at the location of the port. Anything that came into the city via the Ebro River had to stop here and be accounted for.

Interestingly, the river actually used to come right up to where the ruins now sit. This made it easy to load and unload boats that were carrying goods. You can see as you leave the museum that the river is quite a bit further away these days.

11. La Lonja

A Lonja (sometimes spelled Llotja in Aragon), is a building that was used during the Middle Ages for trade. One of the grandest and most well-known is the Lonja in Valencia .

La Lonja in Zaragoza was built in the 16th century as a public place where merchants could sell their goods. Before the Lonja was built, trade was being conducted at the cathedral or at other churches around the city.

The building is now an exhibition hall run by the government where you can come to see different art or community exhibits. Sometimes they have exhibits with Goya or other famous artists, other times it is smaller scale but equally interesting.

It’s worth visiting just to explore the interior of the building, which maintains a lot of its medieval details. Entrance to the Lonja is completely free.

The view of the basilica from the puente de piedra.

12. Puente de Piedra

This is my favorite Zaragoza attraction and one of the best places to take photos of Zaragoza.

The Puente de Piedra is the oldest bridge remaining in Zaragoza. It was built in the 15th century, however, a flood in the 17th century destroyed several central parts of the bridge. Shortly after, it was restored. The final construction that we see today was completed in the 18th century during a final strengthening.

You’ll see two lions at each end of the bridge. Lions are a symbol of Zaragoza and were added to the bridge in 1991.

Walk to the center of the bridge, just beware that there is one-way traffic on the bridge, so don’t walk down the center (it looks like a pedestrian bridge, but it’s not).

Once at the center you can walk out to one of the viewpoint areas and look back over the city. The views of the Basilica of Our Lady of Pillar are exceptional. If you wait until late afternoon, the light back over the city makes for a perfect photograph.

The central market in Zaragoza.

13. Mercado Central de Zaragoza

If you are self-catering while you are visiting Zaragoza, then there’s no better place for produce and meat than the Central Market.

Even if you are planning to spend all of your mealtime in El Tubo, it’s still worth visiting the market. It is a stunning old market building and located near some more wonderful (free) Roman ruins. Just behind the market, you’ll find an old part of the Roman walls as well as a statue to the city’s namesake, Caesar Augustus.

Inside the market, you can see the inner workings of a traditional Spanish market. It’s particularly busy in the mornings when the fish and meat stalls are open.

Come in the evenings for happy hour (starting at 7 pm) where you can get large beers for under €2 and have a few tapas in the center of the market.

14. Homage to the First Football Pitch

Do you love fútbol? Or do you just love obscure tourist attractions when you travel?

Then you’ll love this little ode to the very first football pitch in Zaragoza.

Right in the middle of Avenida San Juan de la Peña and Calle Peña Oroel and Oliván Bayle, there is a safe place to stand and peak at this little corner flag and piece of turf.

The monument is an homage to the first football pitch in Zaragoza (and indeed, all of Aragon). It was the location of the first football game in Aragon. The field was called Arrabal and the game was played on May 28, 1922.

The beautiful tiles on the outside of La Seo in Zaragoza.

15. Pabellón Puente

Want to see a totally different side of Zaragoza? The Pabellón Puente is a bridge that was designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.

It was built for the 2008 Expo which was located in Zaragoza. It is a futuristic covered bridge that is absolutely stunning and you can walk right across it.

This whole part of the city that you can explore once crossing the bridge was built for the expo. Many of the buildings have been turned into museums. The entire area is a huge greenspace where you can relax on a sunny afternoon or head for a walk or a jog.

16. Aquarium of Zaragoza

The Aquarium of Zaragoza is located in one of the buildings that was created for the 2008 expo.

If you are looking for things to do in Zaragoza with kids or you’re just a kid at heart, the aquarium is a fun place to come on a trip to Zaragoza.

The Zaragoza Aquarium is the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. There are over 5,000 animals and over 350 species that call the aquarium home.

Be sure to stop and take a few moments to appreciate the central tank. It is 9 meters deep (30ft), 45 meters long (147ft), and 9 meters wide (30ft). It is the largest freshwater aquarium tank in Europe and is pretty incredible to see in person.

Entrance is €17 for adults, €11 for children between the ages of 5 and 11, and €5 for kids between 3 and 4. Book aquarium tickets here .

The inside of the thermal baths museum in Zaragoza.

17. Take a Walking Tour

If you want to learn even more about the history of this city from a knowledgeable guide, the best thing to do is to take a walking tour.

This historical tour is flexible and affordable (especially considering it’s a private tour!).

You can visit some of the different Zaragoza attractions that I mentioned above with the guide. Or you can request the guide to take you to a few more of the off-the-beaten-path things to do in Zaragoza.

Book a tour of the city here .

The exceptional Iberico Secreto from Doña Casta in El Tubo.

18. Eat Tapas in El Tubo

I saved the best for last. While I love to explore history all over the different cities in Spain, the thing I love most about this country is its varied cuisine.

El Tubo is a collection of streets in downtown Zaragoza that come alive by night. You cannot come to Zaragoza and not spend some time tapas bar hopping along the streets of El Tubo.

If you want to sample a few different places with a guide who can walk you through the history and culture of each dish and location, take a food tour . Food tours are great if you want to eat a lot of small bites in a short period of time or if you want to learn more about what you’re eating. Book a food tour here .

Best Tapas Bars in El Tubo

These are my top picks for where to spend your Euros and eat well.

• Bar El Champi : Cheap beers and the most delicious mushroom tapa. Order the “champi” (a shortened version of  champiñon which means mushroom in Spanish). You’ll get a stack of mushrooms that have been cooked whole and topped with garlic and herb oil. Served on top of a slice of bread, there is no delicate way to eat this. Grab a few napkins.
• Taberna Doña Casta : This place is serving up the best croquetas I have ever had in my entire life. Fried to order, they have a huge selection of different meat and cheese croquetas. They even have one with chicken and chocolate. Tables go quickly here, so you may have to wait a few minutes or prop at the bar.
• El Truco : This place is best known for its Iberico Secreto. This is a cut of the Iberico pork located behind the rib. Grilled to perfection and served with a slightly spicy sauce and potatoes. Good for a main meal or for a few people to share as a tapa.
• Taberna Carmelo : The tapa that you don’t want to miss here is the caramelo del Carmelo. Caramelo is a cut of slow-cooked pork that is covered in a luscious caramelized sauce and served with a slice of bread.

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Cultural Travel , Spain

Things to Do in Zaragoza, Spain – The World Heritage Capital of Aragon

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to handpicked partners, including tours, gear and booking sites. If you click through or buy something via one of them, I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and allows this site to keep running.

Wedged between Madrid and Barcelona is a city with an artistic legacy often overlooked. Here are all the things to do in Zaragoza city – the capital of mighty Aragon.

Zaragoza melds modern-day gritty and urban revival with its ancient and opulent architectural design heritage. The entire city is a showcase of its historical lineage of art and expression. And when travellers bypass the chance to visit Zaragoza on their journey between Madrid and Barcelona, they miss out on one of Spain’s most artistic and underrated cities.

Here’s why you should schedule the extra stop when travelling the popular Spain train route and experience what it feels like to stumble upon a Spanish secret.

The Art of Travel in Zaragoza, Spain – A Guide to World Heritage, Legacy and Urban Revival.

Visit Aljafería Palace – UNESCO World Heritage Zaragoza

See more mudejar art in the city, climb the cathedral-basilica of our lady of the pillar, wander plaza del pilar – spain’s largest square, find remnants of roman zaragoza , take a walking tour of zaragoza street art, go to the otherworldly zaragoza expo zone, visit the goya museum – the artistic son of zaragoza, eat your way through zaragoza, food workshops in zaragoza – the art of cuisine , how to get to zaragoza – book a renfe train  , zaragoza city card, where to stay in zaragoza, all the things to do in zaragoza.

Ready for a centuries-long journey into Zaragoza’s artistic heritage? Here’s where to start. 

Native to Aragon, Mudejar art blends Islamic and Christian elements from a time during the 12 th and 17 th centuries when both faiths coexisted. A core part of Zaragoza’s architectural heritage, the sheer amount of Mudejar art earned it a UNESCO World Heritage title, with the Aljafería Palace being the most symbolic.

This 11th-century medieval Islamic palace remains one of the most beautiful and significant of all the sights in the city and the seat of the regional parliament. It’s an open museum of the residential structures of the Taifa kingdoms.

The castle-like Aljafería Palace in Zaragoza.

By 1118, Aljafería became a Christian Palace and the residence of Aragonese monarchs, who added extra layers and extensions to the existing design, as did the Catholic monarchs with the Throne Room in 1492.

Modernisation into the fortress style we see today came in 1593. Each room is like a puzzle piece of this architectural timeline, and while it draws the crowds, it’s a place where you can easily get lost in its detail, most notably in one of the main halls with these mesmerising archways.

BOOK: A two-hour guided tour of Aljafería Palace , with skip-the-line entry. 

The exquisite Mudejar art inside Aljafería Palace

Beyond Ajafería Palace, you can still find Mudejar art details on historic structures around the city.

See how Zaragoza’s Roman past is interlaced with Mudejar art at the Lonja Market. Or find the Parish Church of San Gil Abad – a Romanesque temple destroyed in the 14 th century to make way for the still-standing Mudejar church.

El Salvador Cathedral was built upon the site and structure of the main mosque of the old Muslim city. Today, Mudejar design can be found on the outer wall of the parish chapel, and the Church of Mary Magdalen is Mudejar in style with a tower and intricately patterned tiles.

Mudejar art on the Church of Mary Magdalen in Zaragoza.

One of the defining features of Zaragoza is the stunning Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar – a Roman Catholic Church in the heart of the Plaza del Pilar (the largest of all in Spain).

It provides one of the best-elevated views over the multi-domed dreamscape and a better perspective on the artistic Plaza del Pilar and its water features.

The Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar lines the Plaza del Pilar.

One of the best views of Zaragoza city from the top of the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar.

Plaza del Pilar is where you will find another of Zaragoza’s famed public artworks. Controversial but central to Aragon’s history, the Fuente de la Hispanidad fountain is shaped like the continent of Latin America. A reference to Columbus – amongst other symbols in the city – who monarch Ferdinand II of Aragon commissioned for the ‘discovery of the New World’.

Elevated view to the Fuente de la Hispanidad water fountain shaped like Latin America.

Zaragoza’s 2000-year-old Roman legacy is primarily found in the many archaeological museums, preserving a prominent layer of the city’s design.

Like most Roman cities, modern structures have covered many ancient remains, and Zaragoza is no exception. The construction of the San Pablo church replaced the old Roman hermitage of San Blas.

Still, there’s a lot of Roman Zaragoza on show. The Caesaraugusta Theatre Museum (Museo Del Teatro De Caesaraugusta) is one of the largest theatres of Roman Hispania that once held 6,000 spectators, and you can view ruins from a market at the Caesar Augustus Forum Museum.

Even an 80-metre long section of the old Roman city walls stands crumbling in front of a modern apartment building. 

Remains of the Roman wall in Zaragoza city.

We were able to wander beyond the opulent centre of Zaragoza, where there is an interesting contrast in its abundance of street art. It’s all a part of an annual urban regeneration drive, Festival Asalto (the International Festival of Urban Art), bringing an artistic new life to forgotten neighbourhoods.

Since its inception in 2005, the city has been filled with over 70 artworks using murals, graffiti, templates, posters and installations as the medium of expression by local artists and groups. You can embark on a self-guided walking tour to find them all using the handy online map (a printed version is also available).

Street art in Zaragoza is helping to revive forgotten neighbourhoods.

Street art in Zaragoza is reviving once run-down streets.

Zaragoza’s street art collection includes a Flamenco dancer on a building in a neighbourhood sports court.

Detailed artworks on tall apartment blocks in Zaragoza – part of the urban regeneration drive, of Festival Asalto

Space age-like modern architecture adds to the multi-layers of artistry here, which you can see showcased at the Zaragoza Expo Zone, constructed in 2008.

My two favourite designs are the Alma del Ebro sculpture outside the Congress Palace, which was made especially for this International Exhibition by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa and the Bridge Pavilion designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.

The Alma del Ebro sculpture at Zaragoza Expo Zone

In the home of Goya, it’s no wonder that art plays a central role in the city’s persona. The dedicated Goya Museum (housed within the 16th-century Renaissance building, Calle Espoz y Mina 25) showcases works from the 15 th to 20 th century, with rooms dedicated to Goya’s self-portraits and etchings – the only museum which has the entire six series on display.

The modern Goya Museum in Zaragoza, creating a spotlight of his works.

Zaragoza is synonymous with gastronomic, cultural expression. Much like art, people reinvent old recipes and add modern twists to traditional establishments and food customs. So where’s the best place to eat in Zaragoza?

Zaragoza’s restaurants and culinary establishments pride themselves on local produce. The love for tapas lines every corner and alley, such as the El Tubo district, known for attracting hungry crowds and Plaza de Santa Marta for café culture.

A typical side street in Zaragoza’s El Tubo district is filled with the best places to eat and drink. 

Zaragoza’s cafe culture in Plaza de Santa Marta.

La Despensa de Montal restaurant in Zaragoza.

Mixing old and new with artistic flair is very much a part of the food scene in Zaragoza. Here’s where you can sample the best of tradition.

• Attend a tapas workshop at the modern gastronomic space La Zarola, helping to cook up half a dozen dishes. It’s like being at the house of a friend.
• Book a three-hour evening Tapas bar-hopping tour and indulge in the best culinary spots in the city. 
• Enjoy a masterclass of Jamon carving by Félix Martínez, who owns the award-winning restaurant La Jamoneria. You’ll be taught how to carve Jamon while sampling perfected slivers of Jamon alongside a tapas and wine menu. 
• Indulge in candied fruits and chocolates at the vintage 1856 confectionary shop , Fantoba. Its old wooden shelves stacked floor to ceiling with boxes, bottles and old trinkets takes you back to that time.

Part of the neverending indulgence of the Tapas Workshop at La Zarola.

The master at work. Jamon carving by Félix Martínez at his restaurant, La Jamoneria.

Zaragoza’s oldest sweet shop, Fantoba, opened in Zaragoza in 1856.

Things to Know About Travel to Zaragoza

Ready to see Zaragoza? Here are some handy tips about getting around and helpful on-the-ground travel hacks. 

Tarragona to Zaragoza is one hour and 30-minute journey on the train, landing you right between Madrid and Barcelona. Zaragoza is 90 minutes from Madrid by train and just under two hours from Barcelona.

I have a whole Spain rail AVE guide , with suggested routes and top tips for travelling around the country, but here are some quick-fix tips for planning your rail adventure.

• You can book standard and specific high-speed network tickets via the Renfe website, which is available in English. All tickets must be pre-booked (payable by Visa, Mastercard and Paypal), since you can’t turn up on the day and book at the station.
• The AVE trains have nine classes if you count the overnight trains with sleeper/bed options, but there are two main ones to consider – Turista (a second class option with 2 x 2 seating rows) and Turista Plus, which is a little more spacious (with 2 x 1 seating rows). I travelled to each destination with a Turista ticket – comfortable and great value for money.
• If you want to book a multi-stop trip, consider getting a ‘Spain Pass’, so you can travel using just one ticket for the AVE and other long-distance trains. You must reserve a seat before every trip, as limited space is assigned for Spain Pass holders.

The ticket check before boarding a Renfe train in Spain.

If you are looking to visit many museums and monuments and make use of public transport, consider getting the Zaragoza Card. From €20 for 24 hours or €23 for 48 hours, you’ll have access to all major sites, buses, and tram lines, and discounts for listed shops and restaurants.

You can stay in the old town for under €100 a night, especially in shoulder seasons, including the rustic-elegant Hotel Avenida and minimalist-stylish Hotel Inca . Ebro riverside properties like the four-star NH Ciudad de Zaragoza are mid-budget, lux options. 

The beauty of visiting Zaragoza city.

About Becki

Becki Enright is a British Travel Press Award-winning writer whose work focuses on changing perceptions about misunderstood aspects of destinations. Her writing combines storytelling with insight into the social, historical, political and economic factors that shape the country or place in relation to tourism. Becki has appeared live on Sky News and CNN and has contributed to high profile media including National Geographic, Time.com, Guardian online, New York Times, Grazia and Buzzfeed.

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