This list of the best places to see in Tarragona, will help you prepare your itinerary for one of the most interesting and most historic cities in Europe.
Bathed by the Mediterranean Sea in Tarragona came the Roman legions led by the great general Scipio the African in the year 217 BC, to make it Tarraco, one of the great cities of the Roman Empire outside Italy, from where the Romans administered much of Hispania (Iberian Peninsula) and where they made large constructions such as the Amphitheater, the Circus or the Aqueduct, which have survived to this day.
This architectural complex, declared a World Heritage Site, is one of the main tourist attractions of the city, next to the old town and the fishing district of Serrallo.
Based on the experience of the many times we have visited this city, we have made a list of what we believe are the 10 places to visit in Tarragona essential. We start!
1. Tarraco Amphitheater
The Roman Amphitheater, built at the end of the 2nd century A.D. by the sea, is one of the most beautiful places to see in Tarragona.
During the Roman era, in this enclosure with capacity for about 14,000 spectators, they were carried out from gladiatorial and wild beasts to public executions and nowadays a part of the stone bleachers that surround the sand and that can be observed from the Amphitheater Park You can also access the interior to see the vaults and remains of the church of Santa María del Miracle from the 12th century.
The price of the ticket is 3.30 euros, although you can buy the combined ticket that allows access to 4 archaeological sites for only 7.40 euros.
Many of the most important sculptures and remains of the Antitheater and the ancient city of Tarraco are found in the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona (MNAT), located in the Serrallo neighborhood.
Visiting hours: from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm from April to September, the rest of the months close at 5pm. Sunday and holidays closes at 3pm.
Tarraco Amphitheater
2. Roman Circus
Another of the best things to do in Tarragona It is to visit the Circus, which next to the amphitheater, are the two main constructions of the Roman Empire of the city.
This enclosure of the 1st century A.D. with capacity for more than 25,000 people, it is one of the best preserved in Europe and was used for car racing and today you can still see a part of the stands and three of the inner vaults, of which one of them It will take you to the Praetorium, a Roman tower that facilitated access by stairs to the Provincial Forum.
This Tower of the Praetorium, converted over time into a fortress and palace of the kings of the Catalan-Aragonese crown, has a viewpoint at the top with fantastic panoramic views of the city to get off the tower leaving the archaeological site through the Plaça del Rei, a beautiful square with good views of the Praetorium.
An interesting way to learn more about the history of Tarraco and not miss anything interesting is to book this guided tour in Spanish, this free free tour or this spectacular tour that takes place with virtual reality glasses that will show you how the city was at the time Roman
Visiting hours: from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from April to September, the rest of the months close at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, holidays and Mondays from June to August, closes at 3pm.
Views from the Praetorium Tower
3. Tarragona Cathedral
Going up Calle Mayor, full of shops of all kinds, you will arrive at Pla de la Seu square where there are other most important places to see in Tarragona, the Cathedral of Santa Tecla built in 1171 in Romanesque style that later passed into Gothic style, until consecrated in 1331, was built on the ancient temple of Emperor Augustus, from which you can still see some rest in the area of the cloister.
The exterior stands out for the Gothic-style main door with ogival arcades, several apostle sculptures and one of the Virgin of the mainel.
It is also worth going inside to see the Chapel of the Tailors, the High Altar, the wooden altarpiece dedicated to the patron saint of the city of Santa Tecla, the Diocesan Museum and the cloister. The ticket price is 5 euros and you can book it here in advance.
To learn more about the history of the cathedral and not miss any interesting details you can book this guided tour.
In addition to visiting the cathedral, we recommend you have a drink in Pla de la Seu square surrounded by historic buildings such as the Palau de la Cambrería and walk to the great neo-Gothic building of the Seminary, where the charming chapel of Sant Pau of the century is located XIII
Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm from June to September, the rest of the months close at 7pm and 5pm, in January and February. Sunday and holidays only open in summer from 3pm to 8pm.
Tarragona Cathedral
4. Plaza del Forúm
The Plaza del Forúm, located in the former Provincial Forum of the Roman era, is another of the places to visit in Tarragona With more history.
The Roman Forum of the city occupied a space of 300 meters long and 200 wide and was surrounded by porches from which you can see a piece in the center of this square.
Nowadays it is one of the squares with more atmosphere of the city and it is perfect to have a drink in one of its many terraces as well as being our favorite to see in Tarragona, having the oldest buildings and charming cobbled streets such as The Haberdashery.
A good option to eat modern tapas in this neighborhood is the AQ Restaurant, located on one side of the cathedral.
Plaza del Fòrum, one of the places to see in Tarragona
5. Rambla Nova, one of the places to see in Tarragona
Walking along the Rambla Nova, the most famous street in the city, is another of the best things to do in Tarragona.
A good tour starts at the Balcó del Mediterrani, a viewpoint located 40 meters high and with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea, the Port and the Amphitheater. From this viewpoint you can also see the Miracle beach, perfect for walking or playing sports along its promenade and take a bath on hot days.
During the walk of almost two kilometers along this promenade, you will pass through different monuments such as the one dedicated to Roger de Llúria, that of the heroes of 1811 who fought against the French troops and that of the Castellers, the most photogenic in the city.
Rambla Nova
Our recommended hotel in Tarragona
Our recommended accommodation in the city is Hostel 977 located in the historic center a few meters from the Circus and the Plaça de la Font. In addition to its excellent location, the rooms of the hostel have a private bathroom and all amenities.
6. Pallol Square
Another of the most interesting places to see in Tarragona, which has archaeological remains of the Provincial Forum of the 1st century AD. C., is the Plaza del Pallol.
Here you can see remains of a door and a vault and the pilasters of the Old Beguinage, while in the building of the Old Audience there are pieces of the south-western tower with doors and staircases.
Inside the building is the Model of Tarraco, which shows with high precision the ancient Roman city.
A fun and comfortable way to know all the tourist attractions of the city is to book the tourist train, which you can use for a whole day.
Tarraco mockup
7. The Serrallo
The former fishing district of Serrallo is another one of the most charming places to visit in Tarragona.
Located next to the port where they dock from fishing boats to large luxury yachts, in this neighborhood you will see colorful facade buildings, narrow streets and restaurants of fish and rice, such as the emblematic Pòsit del Serrallo.
Among its most prominent places are the church of Sant Pere, the fishermen's building and the Lonja, where fresh fish is auctioned.
Serrallo neighborhood
8. Walls of Tarragona
Walk the Archaeological Walk, just over a kilometer next to the old wall of Tarraco from the second century BC. C., is another one of the best things to do in Tarragona.
This wall is the oldest Roman construction outside of Italy and reached 3500 meters in length, its walls being reinforced during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to withstand attacks with more modern weapons and better protect the city.
To access this walk you will have to leave the old part of Tarragona through the Portal del Roser and pay 3 euros (free if you have the combined ticket).
During the tour outside the wall you will see the Archbishop's Tower and that of Minerva, which has the oldest Roman sculpture and inscriptions of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Archaeological Walk, one of the best things to do in Tarragona
9. Plaza de la Font
The Plaza de la Font, located between the Rambla Nova and the old town, is the most popular to see in Tarragona.
Built on a large part of the ancient Roman circus, this square has on one side the building of the Town Hall, in a neoclassical style.
In addition to having a drink or eating in one of its restaurants with a terrace, this elongated square is perfect to leave the car in its underground parking and start touring the city.
Plaza de la Font, one of the places to visit in Tarragona
10. Aqueduct of Les Ferreres
The Aqueduct of Les Ferreres or Pont del Diable, located 3 kilometers from the center, is another of the most essential places to visit in Tarragona.
Although this construction is only a piece of the aqueduct of the 1st century BC. C. that carried water from the Francolí river to the Roman city of Tarraco, this section is perfectly preserved and you can see two levels of overlapping arches that reach a maximum height of 27 meters.
In addition to contemplating it from both sides, we advise you to climb to the top and travel more than 200 meters from the bridge.
In this area located on the outskirts of Tarragona and surrounded by nature, you can also go hiking and have a picnic in one of the enabled areas.
Aqueduct of Les Ferreres
After completing this list of places to see in Tarragona And if you are going to spend the night in the city, we recommend you book this night tour of mysteries and legends, where you will know amazing places and stories.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 10 places to see in Tarragona essential, add yours in the comments.
