One day away from Barcelona: A day visit to ZARAGOZA

[alserrod]

Zaragoza  (1h30m away from Barcelona)

 

 

We often wonder what can be seen more in Barcelona. We already know the Gothic Quarter, we have visited the Sagrada Familia, the modernism of the Paseo de Gracia area and we have even climbed Montjuic mountain.

 

We want an additional visit and we don't mind going to places around us.

 

You have the option of visiting Zaragoza. It is a city of 700,000 inhabitants in the interior, and on the banks of the Ebro River. It is halfway between Barcelona and Madrid and the high-speed road passes right in front of it with a stop.

 

Between the different railway companies there is, more or less, a train every 30 minutes from Barcelona to Zaragoza and it takes 1h30m to make the trip. Prices vary according to demand and if you buy them in advance you can find them for 20 euros (and less). A taxi is more expensive than taking a high-speed train trip.
As a reference, an excursion to Montserrat ALSO takes 1h30m to arrive and the same amount of time to return.

 

If you are in Barcelona for a stop on your cruise, you can go to Zaragoza considering the "all aboard" time and the train schedules (in Barcelona the train leaves you at Sants station and it is just 10 minutes by taxi).

 

 

 

Zaragoza railway station. The whole building, so large and without any columns inside deserves a visit. Whilst you are arriving you are visiting first monument.

 

 

 

If your cruise starts or ends in Barcelona and you are going to visit the city, there is no excuse.

 

What can you find in Zaragoza?

 

- Cathedral Square

 

In the same square you have the Basilica of Pilar (in the center) and the Cathedral (at one end), on the banks of the Ebro River.
A visit to the square and entering these buildings is a must.

 

 

Basilica Pilar

 

 

Zaragoza cathedral

 

 

 

The whole square. In the left, basilica. At the end, cathedral. Just before, Roman Forum

 

 

 

- Roman Forum

The city was founded in 26 BC. and all its beginnings were Roman. In fact, the name "Zaragoza" derives from "Caesar Augusta" in honor of the first emperor of the Roman Empire, who had begun to rule just a year before the city was created.
If we see the streets of the historic center we can guess the Roman camp that was created with Cardo (currently Don Jaime Street) and Decumanus (currently Mayor Street).
It also had a Forum and it was not in the center of the city but very close to the river. Part of this Forum can be visited. The entrance is also in the Plaza de las Catedrales right in front of the Cathedral.
The city has more memories of its past than Rome. The most striking thing is the Roman theater. If you search for the city on Google and look at the old area it is very obvious where it is located. Much of it can be seen from the street. The rest (port, hot springs, etc...) I do not recommend seeing in a visit of just one day.

 

 

 

Just down from the cathedral you have the Forum.... and this is, for example, a Roman sewer

 

 

 

Roman theatre

 

 

 

- Walk along the river
In 2008 Zaragoza underwent an urban transformation in which it gave a lot of prominence to its river and its bridges. You will see that it is worth walking along the river and taking some photographs

 

 

Wanna walk?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Tapas by the "Tubo".
As in other Spanish cities, Zaragoza has areas where you can eat very good tapas. I am not going to recommend any restaurant to you. Just a few streets and you will be the one who decides where to enter (in any of the small places in that area you will be right)
Martyrs Street
Fourth of August Street.
Liberty Street

 

 

Are you hungry?

 

 

 

 

- Aljafería Palace Castle

And I'll leave my favorite monument in the city for last (although maybe I should have put it first of all).

 

All of the above that I have mentioned are very close to each other along with the city center itself.

 

This palace is located halfway between the cathedral and the train station (with a taxi you will get there very quickly and if you have time you can walk along the river until you reach the palace).

 

It opens every day and, check in advance, but in summer they give guided tours in English (at 11:00) and in French (at 5:00 p.m.), which will give you a lot of information.

 

The visit can always be done on your own and estimate that it takes 60 minutes to do the tour plus any time you want to stop to take photos in the courtyard and the walls.

I briefly summarize what you are going to find in it.

 

 

It began with a tower that was an Arab astronomical observatory from the 10th century (remember that the Arabs spent several centuries in this area).

 

 

In the following centuries three different palaces were built, each one on top of the previous one, maintaining much of what was already built.

 

 

 

 

Firstly, an Arab palace that was called the "palace of joy" (its name derives from there). It is the northernmost Arab monument that remains from the Middle Ages in the world.

 

 

It was later expanded with a Christian palace from the Middle Ages. It was a place of royal court

 

 

Finally, at the beginning of the modern age, it had the last extension as a palace

 

 

 

A century later it became a prison. The moat was built.
Later military fortress.

 

 

 

It had important use during the wars against Napoleon.

And it currently houses the parliament of the Aragon region (the chamber is next to the southern wall), it has many official administration offices and a part that can be visited.

 

 

 

 

[marazul]

Thanks.  I love Zaragoza and hope more people visit it.

[edinburgher]

4 hours ago, alserrod said:

We want an additional visit and we don't mind going to places around us

Tarragona is also worth considering, also reachable by train from Barcelona.

[alserrod]

Indeed!!!

 

I want to prepare some info about Tarragona too.

 

I read about too many people wanted to visit Montserrat. IMHO it is overrated.

 

Providing from Sants station and by public transport

 

Barcelona - Montserrat, 1h45m

Barcelona - Zaragoza, 1h30m

Barcelona - Tarragona 0h50m

[mskaufman]

It was only 108 F the day we were there

[alserrod]

You can have a glance to weather forecast here

https://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/zaragoza-id50297

 

This is an official web, thus most of weather pages use it as a source.

 

It is true in Southern Europe you can find terrible temperatures in summer. Not all the summer, just a three days peak and later just warm temperatures for several weeks.

 

Best option is to check weather forecast and decide.

 

Two cities, one close to the other, can have very different weather on summer days 

[jmwg49]

I love this information!   We are spending 5 days in Madrid after our cruise that ends in Barcelona.  I am wondering if Zaragoza is ok to explore on our own or finding a guide or tour is worthwhile.   We have no problem taking a train back and forth but would make it a day trip.   

[marazul]

@mskaufman

The Goya fountain was a lifesaver for our grandkids on an equally scorching day. 

[alserrod]

6 hours ago, marazul said:

@mskaufman

The Goya fountain was a lifesaver for our grandkids on an equally scorching day. 

 

 

 

 

On the opposite side of the square where you were there is a fountain and a very original waterfall with all of Central and South America on a map.

 

 

 

 

* In this picture, bottom side Patagonia and Chile

* In diagonal (waterfall), first Colombia, Venezuela, etc... left side for Central America. Have a look, there's a corner from Florida in the picture

 

 

 

Regarding heat, whenever I travel I check the weather. In summer in southern Europe you can have days of extreme heat (and days when the temperature drops strangely, or there are strong storms). When it is extremely hot it is a few days in a row but enough to have to adjust plans.

This includes all the cities in southern Spain, inland Spain, southern France and many in Italy, among others.

[alserrod]

8 hours ago, jmwg49 said:

I love this information!   We are spending 5 days in Madrid after our cruise that ends in Barcelona.  I am wondering if Zaragoza is ok to explore on our own or finding a guide or tour is worthwhile.   We have no problem taking a train back and forth but would make it a day trip.   

 

 

Hello:

My suggestion. I would make an intermediate stop in Zaragoza. This city is halfway between Barcelona and Madrid and many of the trains stop there.
I think it is easier for you to leave Barcelona, stop in Zaragoza and continue to Madrid than to leave Barcelona, arrive in Madrid and plan a round trip from Madrid (and much cheaper).
If you make a visit on the same day, there are lockers at the station where you can easily store your luggage. If you are going to spend a night in a hotel, on the day of departure they will store your luggage at the reception in many of them.

I encourage you to visit these not so big cities. You go to Europe and you stay with big cities or well-known cities like Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Lyon, Rome, Venice... and you have many other smaller cities that are worth it. A shorter visit but worth it. If these cities had a port they would be a magnificent one-day stopover.

If you visit Zaragoza keep in mind that
- hotels are cheaper than in large cities (check booking and you will see that you can go to higher category hotels with the same budget)
- all taxi rides within the city should cost less than 10 euros
- it is much less crowded than the big cities (and you can eat in good restaurants or walk through streets full of tapas bars like in the rest)

So, if you are interested in making a stop and visiting the Plaza de las Catedrales, the northernmost Arab palace in the world, a Roman city, etc... I can tell you anything you want here. You can also ask the tourist office via chat
https://www.zaragoza.es/sede/portal/turismo/es-util/info-chat?locale=en

[bennybear]

We throughly enjoyed an overnight stop there.   So much to see and lovely atmosphere.  So much fun to get a little off the beaten path,   Thanks for the great photos! 

[alserrod]

Regarding guided tours, the best option is the one from the tourist office. On certain dates there are visits in English and French.
You also have guided tours from companies like Civitatis.

As for the rest... what was mentioned about prices. They will be cheaper than in Madrid.
For reference, Palafox, Aragonia, Boston... are the best hotels in the city (five stars). They are business-oriented hotels. Sometimes on weekends and in summer there are incredibly cheap offers (and they do not reduce the quality of service, only the price). Check on any hotel comparator website.

[alserrod]

Zaragoza has the largest Origami museum in Europe (possibly the largest in the world outside of Japan). Don't expect a sumptuous building but do expect a complete collection dedicated to this art.

 

It has hours from Tuesday to Sunday and an almost ridiculous price: 3 euros

 

It has a permanent exhibition and is expanded with temporary exhibitions and even origami workshops for children and adults.

 

It is in a corner of the old town. You can walk there from the center or take a taxi for less than 5 euros.

 

 

 

English Museum Webpage

 

http://www.emoz.es/language/en/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[catspaw1]

This sounds great. Heard it's less touristy than Barcelona.  Thinking of staying 2 nights on our way to Barcelona.  How did you get from the train station to the center where the tourist things are? Did you like Zaragoza? Compared to Barcelona?

[alserrod]

On 8/24/2024 at 4:12 AM, catspaw1 said:

This sounds great. Heard it's less touristy than Barcelona.  Thinking of staying 2 nights on our way to Barcelona.  How did you get from the train station to the center where the tourist things are? Did you like Zaragoza? Compared to Barcelona?

 

 

Hi

 

You can move by taxi. Distances are shorter than in Barcelona and taxi are cheaper.

Absolutely all you may visit is within no more than 5 km from train station.

A 5 km ride on a taxi costs 6,5 euro city to station, and 8,5 euro station to city ('cos station supplement)

 

My favourite corner to visit is just 1,5 km away from the station.

 

I live in Zaragoza so.... I cannot say if I like or not!!!

ask anything you need

[catspaw1]

1 hour ago, alserrod said:

 

 

Hi

 

You can move by taxi. Distances are shorter than in Barcelona and taxi are cheaper.

Absolutely all you may visit is within no more than 5 km from train station.

A 5 km ride on a taxi costs 6,5 euro city to station, and 8,5 euro station to city ('cos station supplement)

 

My favourite corner to visit is just 1,5 km away from the station.

 

I live in Zaragoza so.... I cannot say if I like or not!!!

ask anything you need

Gracias . Tengo Mas Preguntas despues.

[alserrod]

8 minutes ago, catspaw1 said:

Gracias . Tengo Mas Preguntas despues.

 

 

You are wellcome!

 

 

[alserrod]

40 minutes ago, catspaw1 said:

Alserodd, I'm so glad you responded as we are interested in going to Zaragoza because of your wonderful review. We like to get off the beaten path!  I do understand about tourists as I live a few miles from Washington DC & we too get fed up with the tourists! It's gotten so bad, I don't go into DC much over the summer. I too like to learn phrases in another language & feel it opens many doors. I can speak words in about 10 languages but speak better Spanish & can get by in French. So I don't blame Barcelona. I don't like the rowdy crowd that just comes to party & get drunk either. Maybe they should start appealing to seniors more who have the time & money to stay a few days???? On Zaragoza, we are thinking of arriving by train in early pm & staying 2 nights at Hotel Catalonia or Sauce. How do we get from the train station? Is there a bus or walking distance? How much is a taxi? Than an am train on the third day for 3 nights in Barcelona before heading on a transatlantic cruise. How far a walk is it to the castle or is there a bus? Thanks for your great inspiration to visit!

 

 

Hi.... I'll try to answer.

 

First of all, between Catalonia hotel and Sauce hotel choose first one. It is in the middle of historic area and better than second one.

 

 

Just consider to go by taxi in Zaragoza.

Reason?. Bus-tramway Fares for tourists are a really nightmare. I have a single card that makes me paying just 0,43 euro/journey in bus or tramway but single ticket costs 1,60 euro/journey. It is very easy to move with that "magic card" but I do not know why but.... it is not possible to buy it in the station.

So better paying 6 euro for a taxi than 3,2 euro for 2 single tickets.

 

If, being in city centre, you wanna buy a card, ask in frontdesk in your hotel. Surely in some tobacco shop or press shop in the area.

 

Taxi fares are these ones

 

https://www.zaragoza.es/contenidos/policia/taxi/taxi-tarifas-2023.pdf

 

They are not in English but

 

"Tarifa 1", for weekdays

"Tarifa 2" for weekends (and after 22:00)

(Fare 3 and Fare 4 to go to airport and other destinations)

 

So for "Fare 1"

"Bajada de bandera" (fixe fare) is 2 euro

Price per distance is  0,90 euro/km

 

and you may add 1,95 euro if you start in the station.

 

Yeah.... really really cheaper than in Barcelona (and most other cities).

So.... consider to grab a taxi to anywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[alserrod]

About moving in Zaragoza

 

If you book in Catalonia hotel (or Sauce hotel or that area) you will have ALL except the castle within 600 m, no more.

 

Castle is 1,6 - 1,8 km away from that hotel (if you go walking I would do a small detour along the river area). It is your decission to walk there or to pay 3-4 euro to reach it.

 

I posted almost all information about Zaragoza  in the first posts but

 

this year (2024) we are having English walking tours on saturday afternoon

https://www.zaragoza.es/sede/portal/turismo/post/walking-tours?locale=en

 

Surely you will find some companies that offer walking tours (not so many like in Barcelona but you will find them)

This one is offered directly by Tourism office

It takes 2,5 hours with a terrible cheap price

 

Anyway, you can ask Zaragoza tourism office any question by whatsapp

+ 34 606 655 107

 

All deskmen in the tourism office speak fluent English and French. Just write them by whatsapp

Definitely they will have larger information than mine about some monuments. I can make you proposals but accurate information belongs to them.

 

 

 

About the castle.... it is a "must-see" in Zaragoza. I would miss most of monuments before missing that castle.

 

I guess there's a daily visit in English only in summer.

But you can ask for an audio-guide in English. 

You can choose among going by yourself (free tour) or joining a guided visit (it doesn't have extra cost). If you have an audio-guide and you join a group, tell the guide you are following in English with the audioguide and you will ask him/her some questions later. Surely he/she will answer you in English.

 

 

 

 

 

[alserrod]

Zaragoza station...

 

 

 

I think it's the largest building in Spain without columns inside to hold it up (it's held up by a system of braces in the ceiling. Architects think it's a spectacular system).

 

 

 

 

 

 

After going down to the platform you have to go to the "Arrivals" area (and just after the station you have the taxi rank where you won't have any problem getting one).

 

To go up from the platform to the main floor of the station, you do it by means of "mechanical ramps". It's like escalators but without any steps.

 

 

 

 

Don't worry at all about your luggage. I arrived at that station with my family and all the luggage we had from a cruise and it wasn't a problem for me (I think it's the trip I've taken the most luggage on).

 

If you have mobility problems (people in wheelchairs or any other problem including blind people), you just have to ask in advance and there is assistance service just like at airports.

 

In the arrivals area there is a small Zaragoza tourist office with the same opening hours as the central offices in the city. There they can help you with any last-minute questions you may have.

 

 

 

 

Some pictures of the station

 

Up - corridors, shops, offices, etc...

Down - platforms

(yellow and red in the right... that's a hotel inside the station indeed)

 

 

 

 

 

and this is the roof that makes having no columns inside

 

 

 

 

It is another monument to visit in Zaragoza indeed.... but if you arrive by train, you are visiting it since you get off the train, don't you?

 

[catspaw1]

Thanks it's an interesting building. The moving walkway looks pretty steep! I'll let you know when everything  is booked. Do taxis take credit cards ? 

[alserrod]

8 hours ago, catspaw1 said:

Thanks it's an interesting building. The moving walkway looks pretty steep! I'll let you know when everything  is booked. Do taxis take credit cards ? 

 

 

Yes, they accept credit cards (VISA and Mastercard only).

 

I would say you will pay almost 99% with credit cards. Barely you will need cash

[catspaw1]

That's really good to know that everyone takes credit cards as we don't want to have a lot of cash on us. 

[alserrod]

1 minute ago, catspaw1 said:

That's really good to know that everyone takes credit cards as we don't want to have a lot of cash on us. 

 

In Zaragoza you will be able to pay even a coffee or a coke in a terrace with a card. Of course restaurants, souvenir shops (and almost any kind of shop), transport tickets, taxi, etc...

 

If any friend can borrow you some euro in cash "just in case", get them. You will probably return them without being used.

If not... you can come without any cash. Just pay with the card. If you would need cash, you will find an ATM within one minute walking around in city centre. Ask your bank abour fees for withdrawing euros.... bur surely you will not need them

 

Nor in Barcelona, nor in most of European countries.

I barely use cash.

 

 

[catspaw1]

1 minute ago, alserrod said:

 

In Zaragoza you will be able to pay even a coffee or a coke in a terrace with a card. Of course restaurants, souvenir shops (and almost any kind of shop), transport tickets, taxi, etc...

 

If any friend can borrow you some euro in cash "just in case", get them. You will probably return them without being used.

If not... you can come without any cash. Just pay with the card. If you would need cash, you will find an ATM within one minute walking around in city centre. Ask your bank abour fees for withdrawing euros.... bur surely you will not need them

 

Nor in Barcelona, nor in most of European countries.

I barely use cash.

 

 

Thanks yes we will definitely get some Euros. I hate putting small amounts on my credit card. I know Citibank has ATM in Madrid & that's our bank so no fees. We have a credit card with no foreign fees either.  I mostly charge things here in the US also so I can accumulate points on my credit card. We pay the balance in full monthly. My parents taught me not to charge if I couldn't pay the bill in full the next month so I have always followed that rule.