Zaragoza is Spain's great secret. As the country's fifth-largest city with over 680,000 inhabitants, it commands the banks of the Ebro River at the heart of the Aragon region, sitting almost exactly halfway between Madrid and Barcelona on the high-speed rail line. Yet somehow it remains gloriously under-touristed compared to its neighbours — which means better prices, emptier monuments and a tapas scene that locals will tell you rivals San Sebastián.
The city's history reads like a timeline of the Iberian Peninsula itself. Founded as the Roman colony of Caesaraugusta in 14 BC — from which the name Zaragoza derives — it preserves a remarkable underground network of Roman ruins including a theatre, forum, baths and river port, all visitable beneath the modern streets. After centuries of Moorish rule, the Aljafería Palace stands as one of the finest examples of Taifa-period Islamic architecture outside Andalusia, its intricately carved arches predating the Alhambra by three centuries.
But Zaragoza's most distinctive gift to world architecture is Mudéjar — the extraordinary hybrid style born when Muslim craftsmen worked for Christian patrons after the Reconquista. The ornate brick towers of the Iglesia de San Pablo, the apse of La Seo Cathedral and other Mudéjar structures across Aragon hold UNESCO World Heritage status. At the other end of the Plaza del Pilar, the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is Spain's most important Marian shrine, its eleven tiled domes and Goya frescoes forming one of the most photographed silhouettes in the country.
Then there's the food. The narrow alleys of El Tubo — Zaragoza's legendary tapas quarter — pack dozens of bars into a few blocks, each specialising in different bites: champiñones (garlic mushrooms), croquetas, ternasco de Aragón (roast young lamb) and huevos rotos. All washed down with robust Garnacha wines from the nearby Cariñena and Campo de Borja denominations. And because Zaragoza hasn't been discovered by mass tourism, a night of tapas-hopping here costs a fraction of what you'd pay in Barcelona.
Zaragoza's position on Spain's main high-speed rail corridor makes it one of the easiest cities in the country to reach. AVE trains from Madrid Atocha arrive at Zaragoza-Delicias station in just 1 hour 20 minutes, while Barcelona-Sants is 1 hour 30 minutes away. Delicias station itself is modern and well-connected to the city centre by tram (line 1) and bus. Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) handles domestic flights and seasonal European routes, sitting 10 km southwest of the centre with an airport bus running to the city.
For accommodation, the best areas depend on your priorities. Casco Viejo (Old Town) puts you within walking distance of the Basílica del Pilar, La Seo, El Tubo and the Roman museum quarter — this is where the city's character lives, in narrow medieval streets that open onto the vast Plaza del Pilar. The Delicias district around the train station offers modern hotels at competitive prices, handy if you're arriving by AVE or need easy access to the motorway. The Expo zone along the Ebro's left bank, developed for the 2008 International Exposition, provides contemporary hotels with river views and proximity to the Aquarium and the striking Zaha Hadid-designed Bridge Pavilion. For budget travellers, the area around Plaza de España and Paseo de la Independencia sits at the junction of old and new Zaragoza, with excellent transport links and mid-range options.
Day trips from Zaragoza are exceptional. The Monasterio de Piedra, 120 km south, hides a fairy-tale landscape of waterfalls, caves and emerald pools inside a former Cistercian monastery. The ghost town of Belchite, destroyed during the Spanish Civil War and left as a memorial, sits 50 km southeast — one of Spain's most haunting historical sites. Wine lovers should head 50 km south to Cariñena, heart of Spain's oldest designated wine region (DO since 1932), where old-vine Garnacha is enjoying a renaissance. And the Aragonese Pyrenees begin barely 100 km north, with the valleys of Ordesa and Benasque offering world-class hiking and skiing.
The historic heart, stretching from Plaza del Pilar to Plaza de San Felipe. Inicio to both cathedrals, El Tubo tapas quarter, the Roman Theatre and the Mudéjar churches. Atmospheric narrow streets, lively nightlife and every major monument within walking distance. Expect charming boutique hotels and renovated historic buildings. Best for first-time visitors who want to be in the centre of everything.
The modern commercial district around Zaragoza-Delicias station, Spain's third-busiest AVE hub. Wide avenues, shopping centres like Puerto Venecia, and reliable chain hotels. Excellent value for money and perfect if you're connecting onward to Madrid or Barcelona. The tram whisks you to the Old Town in 15 minutes.
Developed for Expo 2008 on the Ebro's left bank, this area features the striking Torre del Agua, the Zaragoza Aquarium (the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe), and Zaha Hadid's Bridge Pavilion. Contemporary hotels with river views and landscaped parks. Ideal for families and architecture enthusiasts who want a modern setting with easy access to the Old Town across the Puente de Piedra.
Zaragoza's main boulevard runs from Plaza de España south to Plaza de Aragón, lined with elegant 19th-century buildings, shops and cafés. Hotels here sit at the junction of old and new — walking distance to El Tubo in one direction and the university district in the other. The tram line runs along the Paseo, making it an excellent base for exploring without a car.
Zaragoza's flagship five-star hotel, located steps from the Basílica del Pilar and Plaza del Pilar. The Palafox features 179 rooms with contemporary décor, a rooftop terrace with cathedral views, an indoor pool, spa and the celebrated Aragonia Palafox restaurant. It has hosted Spanish royalty and is the top address in the city. Rooms from approximately €130/night. Every booking through IMPT removes 1 tonne of CO₂ and earns 5% cashback in IMPT tokens.
Book Hotel Palafox →Occupying a stately building on one of Zaragoza's finest streets, this NH Collection property blends classic grandeur with modern comfort. The 138 rooms feature high ceilings and refined décor, and the hotel sits between Plaza de España and the Old Town, making both the shopping district and El Tubo easily walkable. The lobby lounge and breakfast room retain Belle Époque character. Rooms from approximately €110/night.
Book NH Collection →A Zaragoza institution since 1929, the Gran Hotel occupies a landmark Art Deco building on Joaquín Costa. Its 155 rooms blend period features — marble staircases, original balustrades — with modern amenities. The central location means Plaza del Pilar is a 10-minute walk, and Paseo de la Independencia begins right outside the door. Ideal for travellers who appreciate heritage properties. Rooms from approximately €80/night.
Book Gran Hotel →Named after the 12th-century Queen of Aragon, this Palafox Hotel Group property offers 190 spacious rooms with a sophisticated design. Located slightly south of the centre near the Parque Grande, it features a spa, rooftop pool, and the respected La Ontina restaurant serving Aragonese cuisine. A 15-minute walk or short tram ride to the Old Town. Rooms from approximately €120/night.
Book Hotel Reina Petronila →A well-positioned four-star hotel on the historic Calle Coso, which traces the line of ancient Roman walls through the city centre. The Alfonso offers modern rooms with good soundproofing, a well-regarded restaurant, and immediate access to both El Tubo and the main shopping streets. Its central location makes it an excellent base for exploring Zaragoza's compact historic core on foot. Rooms from approximately €75/night.
Book Alfonso Hotel →A charming boutique property tucked into the heart of El Tubo, Hotel Sauce offers 46 individually designed rooms in a renovated 19th-century building. The rooftop terrace has direct views of the Basílica del Pilar's domes. Below, the city's best tapas bars are literally on your doorstep — step outside and you're in the thick of Zaragoza's culinary scene. Outstanding value. Rooms from approximately €55/night.
Book Hotel Sauce →Part of the reliable Eurostars chain, this 82-room hotel sits on El Coso, the wide avenue that traces the line of ancient Roman walls. Rooms are sleek and contemporary with excellent soundproofing. The location is hard to beat — two minutes walk to El Tubo, five to Plaza del Pilar, and right on the bus network. The breakfast buffet is particularly well-regarded. Rooms from approximately €70/night.
Book Eurostars Zaragoza →A dependable Meliá-group property in the heart of Zaragoza, the Tryp offers well-appointed rooms with modern furnishings and a convenient location for exploring both the historic quarter and the commercial centre. Ideal for business travellers and those who appreciate consistent international hotel standards combined with Zaragoza's walkable layout. Rooms from approximately €65/night.
Book Tryp Zaragoza →A solid budget-friendly option on one of Zaragoza's main avenues, Hotel Avenida offers clean, comfortable rooms at accessible prices. Named after the Roman emperor who founded the city as Caesaraugusta, the avenue itself is a short walk from both the Old Town and Delicias station. A no-frills choice that delivers value without compromising on location. Rooms from approximately €45/night.
Book Hotel Avenida →Spain's most important Marian pilgrimage site and Zaragoza's defining landmark. This monumental Baroque basilica, built from the late 17th century, houses a tiny wooden statue of the Virgin Mary said to have been placed on a jasper pillar by the apostle Saint James in 40 AD. The interior contains frescoes by Francisco de Goya and a chapel that preserves two unexploded bombs from the Spanish Civil War. Take the lift to the tower for panoramic views across the city and the Ebro. Free entry; tower lift €3.
One of the most important examples of Islamic architecture in Western Europe, built in the second half of the 11th century for the Taifa ruler Ahmad al-Muqtadir. The palace features horseshoe arches, intricate stucco decoration and a reconstructed mosque that predates the Alhambra. After the Christian reconquest, it became a residence for Aragonese kings and was later used by the Spanish Inquisition — the sombre Inquisition tower remains intact. Today it also houses the Aragonese Parliament. Entry €5; free on Sundays.
Housed in the Renaissance Palacio de los Pardo (also called Casa de Jerónimo Cósida), this museum holds the most complete collection of Goya's engravings in the world, including all 80 prints of Los Caprichos, the Disasters of War series, and La Tauromaquia. Francisco de Goya was born in the Aragonese village of Fuendetodos, 44 km south of Zaragoza, and spent his formative years studying in the city. The museum also displays paintings by Goya's predecessors and followers. Entry €6.
Four separate underground museums reveal the remains of Roman Caesaraugusta: the Forum Museum beneath Plaza de la Seo, the River Port Museum on the banks of the Ebro, the Public Baths Museum near the Aljafería, and the Theatre Museum displaying one of the largest Roman theatres in Hispania with capacity for 6,000 spectators. A combined ticket (€9) covers all four sites and offers a vivid journey through the city's founding era.
Zaragoza's iconic Stone Bridge spans the Ebro River, connecting the Old Town with the Expo 2008 area. Originally built in the 15th century (though rebuilt several times after floods), it offers one of the most photographed views in Spain — the Basílica del Pilar reflected in the Ebro's waters with the bridge's stone lions standing guard. Best at sunset, when the basilica's tiled domes catch golden light. Walking across takes five minutes.
This warren of narrow streets between Calle Alfonso I and Calle Don Jaime I is Zaragoza's tapas paradise — and one of the best in all of Spain. Each bar specialises in a particular dish: El Champi for garlic mushrooms, Bodegas Almau for traditional Aragonese wines and cured meats, Los Victorinos for bull-themed décor and montaditos. The tradition is to stand, order one tapa and a small beer (caña), then move to the next bar. Budget €15–25 for a full evening of eating and drinking.
Built for Expo 2008, the Zaragoza Aquarium is the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe, themed around the world's great rivers — the Nile, Mekong, Amazon, Darling and Ebro. Over 5,000 animals across 70 tanks inhabit the striking building on the Expo site along the Ebro's left bank. Particularly impressive are the Nile crocodile enclosure and the Amazon piranha and arapaima tanks. A perfect half-day outing for families. Entry €16 adults, €11 children.
The Instituto Aragonés de Arte y Cultura Contemporáneos occupies a striking modern building designed by architect José Manuel Pérez Latorre. It houses the work of Aragonese sculptor Pablo Serrano alongside rotating exhibitions of contemporary Spanish art. The permanent collection includes Serrano's powerful Unidades-Yunta series and portraits. Free entry. Located on Paseo de María Agustín, a 10-minute walk from Plaza del Pilar.
Distance: 5 km · Time: 1.5 hours · Difficulty: Easy. Start at the Puente de Piedra and walk upstream along the Ebro's left bank through the Expo 2008 parklands, passing the Aquarium, the Zaha Hadid Bridge Pavilion and the Torre del Agua. Cross back at the Puente del Tercer Milenio (Third Millennium Bridge), a dramatic tied-arch span, and return along the right bank past the historic Arboleda de Macanaz park to the Basílica del Pilar. The route is flat, paved and beautiful at sunset when the basilica reflects in the river.
Distance: 3 km · Time: 2–3 hours (with museum stops) · Difficulty: Easy. Begin at Plaza del Pilar, the vast square flanked by the Basílica del Pilar and La Seo Cathedral — visit both. Walk to the Roman Forum Museum beneath Plaza de la Seo, then south along Calle Don Jaime I to the Roman Theatre. Loop through El Tubo for a tapas stop, emerge onto Calle Alfonso I, and head west to the Iglesia de San Pablo (UNESCO Mudéjar tower). Finish at the Aljafería Palace, a 15-minute walk west along Calle del Conde de Aranda. This route covers 2,000 years of history in a single morning.
Distance: 4 km loop · Time: 1.5 hours · Difficulty: Easy. Zaragoza's largest urban park, named after the beloved Aragonese singer-songwriter and politician, stretches south from the Canal Imperial de Aragón. Enter from Plaza de los Sitios and stroll through the Botanical Garden, past the cascading fountain and up the gentle hill to the monument of Alfonso I. The park is popular with joggers, families and dog walkers. On summer evenings, the outdoor terraces near the Canal serve cold beer and tapas — a perfect way to end the day.