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

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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.

Blue and yellow mosaic domed rooftops in front of a wider golden building city view of Zaragoza, next to a turquoise river. An elevated view from the rooftop of a cathedral.

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

Contents

All the Things to Do in Zaragoza
Things to Know About Travel to Zaragoza

All the Things to Do in Zaragoza

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

Visit Aljafería Palace – UNESCO World Heritage Zaragoza

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 golden stone, four-pillar castle-like Ajafería Palace in Zaragoza, Spain.

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.

Two people sit at the back corner of a room filled with a sculptured archway of columns - the Islamic style Mudejar art inside Ajafería Palace.

The exquisite Mudejar art inside Aljafería Palace

See More Mudejar Art in the City

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.

The outer walls of a church building and church tower covered in intricately patterned blue and brown tiles.

Mudejar art on the Church of Mary Magdalen in Zaragoza.

Climb the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar

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.

People gather around a globe artwork at one end of the long Plaza del Pilar square in Zaragoza, Spain. The dominant golden structure of The Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is on the left.

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

A woman holds her hair while looking out of a brick window archway towards a the city of Zaragoza's blue and yellow mosaic domed rooftops, spires and low-lying buildings.

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

Wander Plaza del Pilar – Spain’s Largest Square

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’.

An elevated view of the densely packed Zaragoza city with a closer view down to the long building lined Plaza del Pilar square that features a blue Fuente de la Hispanidad water fountain in the shape of Latin America.

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

Find Remnants of Roman Zaragoza

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.

A large section of a Roman wall in Zaragoza city that stands in front of a modern apartment block. A white van is parked in front of the wall.

Remains of the Roman wall in Zaragoza city.

Take a Walking Tour of Zaragoza Street Art

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).

A residential housing block in Zaragoza featuring a street art mural of a woman.

Street art in Zaragoza is helping to revive forgotten neighbourhoods.

A crumbling building next to a yard of rubble is covered is lines of white paint and a bird-like mural - bringing life to a run down street in local Zaragoza.

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 two, tall yellow apartment blocks in Zaragoza's outer city neighbourhoods.

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

Go to the Otherworldly Zaragoza Expo Zone

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.

A woman wearing black and pink in a fighting stance pose in front of a wave-design building and a large figure made of white mesh metal.

The Alma del Ebro sculpture at Zaragoza Expo Zone

Visit the Goya Museum – The Artistic Son of Zaragoza

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.

Two people in a black room looking at the long row of illuminated artworks of Goya, at the Goya Museum in Zaragoza.

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

Eat Your Way Through Zaragoza

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.

On a small side street in Zaragoza, two women stand outside a white building in between shop front painted in ochre red and yellow. A man walks past them.

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

Outdoors seating at a cafe in front of a tall building with black balconies and next to a golden spired church.

Zaragoza’s cafe culture in Plaza de Santa Marta.

Empty tables and chairs outside a black panelled restaurant exterior which lists the word "montal" four times.

La Despensa de Montal restaurant in Zaragoza.

Food Workshops in Zaragoza – The Art of Cuisine

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.

A man in a blue and white stripped hat and grey and orange chef's overalls, picks up grilled meat from a black tray, ready to place on the white plates featuring a green sauce.

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

A man in a white doted shirt and brown apron, carves slices of red meat from a leg of Jamon.

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

A woman in a white shirt stands shows off green, yellow and red candied sweets in a traditional confectionary store in Zaragoza. Behind her are carved wooden shelves full of boxes.

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.

How to Get to Zaragoza – Book a Renfe Train

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 by train 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.

People queue up at a white box ticket counter at a train station in Spain.

The ticket check before boarding a Renfe train in Spain.

Zaragoza City Card

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.

Where to Stay in Zaragoza

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.

People walk down a street in Zaragoza city lined with white buildings and black lampposts. The street leads towards the golden dome structure.

The beauty of visiting Zaragoza city.