Zaragoza

Aragon's capital on the Ebro, home to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and the Aljafería Palace, World Heritage Mudéjar architecture and lively tapas lanes.

Zaragoza is the capital of Aragon in northeastern Spain, with a population of about 670,000. It sits in the Ebro Valley between Madrid and Barcelona, each only about 1.5 hours away by high-speed train, making it an ideal stopover between the two cities. Its history goes back to Caesaraugusta, the Roman city founded under Augustus; later came the Islamic Taifa kingdom and the Kingdom of Aragon, leaving layers of heritage from Roman ruins and Moorish palaces to Mudéjar brick churches — the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main sightseeing area is the old town on the south bank of the Ebro: Plaza del Pilar links the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, La Seo Cathedral and La Lonja; to the south, the narrow lanes of El Tubo are the place for tapas; to the west lie the Central Market, the Roman walls and the Aljafería Palace; and the Expo 2008 site in the northwest of the city showcases modern architecture. Classic day trips include the Civil War ruins of Belchite's old town, Goya's birthplace Fuendetodos, and the Monasterio de Piedra Natural Park, about 110 km southwest, with its many waterfalls. The climate is continental and semi-arid: summers are scorching, often above 35°C, and winters bring the strong northwesterly cierzo wind, so April–June and September–October are best. The Fiestas del Pilar around 12 October are the city's biggest celebration, so book accommodation early. In town, walking plus the tram is all you need; for sights outside the city, drive or join a tour. Plan on 1–2 days: one for the old town and the Aljafería, one for a day trip. Many churches and museums close on Mondays and at midday, so plan accordingly.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries