City guide · Spain
Zaragoza
Zaragoza, traditionally known in English as Saragossa, is the capital city of the province of Zaragoza and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain.
4 ready itineraries · 3, 5, 7, 10-day plans
Zaragoza, traditionally known in English as Saragossa, is the capital city of the province of Zaragoza and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. It lies by the Ebro river and its tributaries, the Huerva and the Gállego, roughly in the centre of both Aragon and the Ebro basin. thumb|Fuente de la Hispanidad in Plaza del Pilar.
Plaza del Pilar is the main square, just south of the River Ebro.
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Zaragoza without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of Churches.
- Skip if
- Skip Zaragoza if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.
Pick a trip length
One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.
- 3days3-day itineraryA long weekend walking Zaragoza.Open plan →
- 5days5-day itineraryPopularA first visit to Zaragoza with room for one extra neighborhood.Open plan →
- 7days7-day itineraryA slower week in Zaragoza, with one day outside town.Open plan →
- 10days10-day itineraryFirst-time visitors who want a full Zaragoza trip with day trips.Open plan →
5-day preview
Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.
- 1
Museums
Walk Museums in Zaragoza. Start at Caesaraugusta route, then Port and Forum. Stay on foot.
Caesaraugusta route · Port · Forum · Baths · …
- 2
Churches
Walk Churches in Zaragoza. Start at Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, then Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza and Iglesias Mudejares. Stay on foot.
Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar · Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza · Iglesias Mudejares · Iglesia de Santa María Magdalena · …
- 3
Parks
Walk Parks in Zaragoza. Start at Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta, then Puerta del Carmen and Puente de Piedra. Stay on foot.
Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta · Puerta del Carmen · Puente de Piedra
- 4
Moorish remains
Walk Moorish remains in Zaragoza, including Palacio de la Aljaferia and Las Murallas.
Palacio de la Aljaferia · Las Murallas
- 5
Day trip toward Madrid
Leave Zaragoza for the day. Come back to the same bed.
Madrid · Barcelona · Alcalá de Henares
Where to stay
Bases that fit the walking plan.
Churches
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza, Iglesias Mudejares on foot.
Moorish remains
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Palacio de la Aljaferia, Las Murallas on foot.
Museums
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Caesaraugusta route, Port, Forum on foot.
Expo
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Expo 2008, River Aquarium on foot.
Getting there & when to go
Lock timing and airport basics early.
Best time
Zaragoza works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.
- Shoulder months
- High season
- Low season
- Rain days
Airport
Zaragoza Airport (XXX)
thumb|right|The Carmen Gate is an example of the romanic period. If you stay in or near the old town, most of the main attractions are within easy walking distance. thumbnail|right|A tram in Zaragoza A transport card costs €7 at any tobacco kiosk (including an initial fee of €2, and credit of €5). With the card you will pay for a journey and can change lines within an hour without being charged again.
- Public transit from XXX30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
- Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Practical notes
Short reads before you book.
Understand
The city on the Ebro river was founded at the turn of the millennium by the Roman Emperor Augustus, and named after him as Caesaraugusta. 2,000 years later, the architectural remains of large public buildings indicate Caesar Augustus’ influence over the city.
Today you can still admire the city’s Forum, Thermal Baths, the River Port or the Great Theatre, archeological remains which reflect the splendour of the city as it was during the Roman Empire. It was on the banks of the river Ebro that Saint James (called Santiago in Spanish) reportedly saw the apparition of Virgin Mary on the pillar, which is seen as the pivotal moment in the foundation of the Spanish Christian heritage. thumb|right|The Aljafería Palace.
Get in
thumbnail|right|Terminal of Zaragoza Airport * | url=http://www.aena.es/en/zaragoza-airport/index.html | email= | address= | lat=41.666111 | long=-1.041667 | directions=is 10 km from the city centre | phone= | tollfree= | hours= | price= | wikidata=Q704823 | content=It is a relatively minor airport when it comes to passenger flights, but a major cargo hub seeing the world's largest airplanes land regularly. ZAZ receives regular flights, mostly by budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizzair.
Ryanair flies to its main bases across Europe, including London-Stansted, Bergamo, Beauvais and Charleroi, while Wizzair and several other airlines focus on Romania, where many of the local workers originate from. Other destinations are mostly seasonal flights to holiday destinations in Spain and abroad.
Get around
thumb|right|The Carmen Gate is an example of the romanic period. If you stay in or near the old town, most of the main attractions are within easy walking distance. thumbnail|right|A tram in Zaragoza A transport card costs €7 at any tobacco kiosk (including an initial fee of €2, and credit of €5).
With the card you will pay for a journey and can change lines within an hour without being charged again.
Stay safe
Zaragoza is one of Spain's safer cities. The Delicias neighborhood, where the main railway station is located, can get rough at night, but there's little touristic value to it.
The railway station is usually safe.
Related guides
Helpful next pages for Zaragoza.