Why Zaragoza Deserves a Spot on Your Spain Itinerary
Go for an early morning stroll in Zaragoza. Take a minute to stop and close your eyes. Picture the historic inhabitants of Spain’s fourth-largest city who’ve walked in your footsteps: ancient Romans, prosperous Moors, royal Aragonese. Architectural landmarks from each of these civilizations form the basis of a city tour of Zaragoza. Then venture into the countryside to sip Grenache and wander medieval fortresses. Framed by Madrid, Barcelona and the Basque Country, Zaragoza lies in the heart of accessible yet undiscovered Aragón. Here are the best things to do in Zaragoza, Spain, and why it’s worth a visit.
Highlights:
- Historic landmarks are clustered in the safe, walkable old town, bordered to the north by the Ebro River.
- Day trip options, including wine tours from the city center, broaden Zaragoza’s appeal.
- Zaragoza is making news in 2026 because it lies in the path of totality for the August 12th solar eclipse.
Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.
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Zaragoza: A Destination Worth the Detour
Year after year, Europe sets new tourism records with Spain, Italy and France as the primary EU destinations. As a frequent traveler to Europe, I’ve definitely experienced increasing crowds and surging prices. Overtourism is a growing concern, grabbing headlines and making people consider detour destinations. By choosing a place like Zaragoza, you get all the goodies – ancient ruins and soaring cathedrals, savory tapas and local wines – with fewer crowds and value pricing.
Zaragoza Fast Facts
- With approximately 700,000 residents, Zaragoza is Spain’s fourth-largest city and the capital of the Aragón region. It’s located in northeast Spain, less than 200 miles from both Madrid and Barcelona. It’s easily accessible from both cities by car, bus or Spain’s high-speed rail network.
- The city, a thriving hub for over 2,000 years, attracted over 1.3 million tourists in 2025. The vast majority are from Spain, but international visitors, primarily from France, Italy, the UK and the US, constitute approximately 30% of the total.
- Most of the must-visit attractions are located in the compact historic quarter, making it easy to tour in one or two days.
- Zaragoza and Aragón lie in the path of totality for the August 12, 2026, solar eclipse, making the region a prime destination for astro-tourists. Special ticketed events will be held at stops along the wine route and at Loarre Castle.
Best Things to Do in Zaragoza
Begin in Ancient Rome
Zaragoza derives from Caesaraugusta, the Roman name for the city, established in the last quarter of the first century BC. It experienced centuries of prosperity until it was absorbed by the Visigoths in the 5th century AD. Four Zaragoza museums preserve Roman ruins; discover them on a walking route that also passes by remnants of the Roman walls and a bronze statue of Caesar Augustus.
Distinctive Muslim Architecture
Following a period of rule by the Visigoths, Muslim conquerors assumed control of the city in the 8th century AD, remaining in power for four centuries. The Aljafería Palace, originally constructed as a “palace of joy” for Muslim kings in the 11th century, currently serves as the legislative and administrative headquarters for the Aragón region. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites grouped under the “Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon” designation. The unique Mudéjar art relies heavily on intricate brickwork and colorful glazed tiles with elements of Islamic and Gothic architectural styles and was popular until the early 17th century.
Pause for a Sweet Treat
It’s believed, but not documented, that the first cocoa recipe arrived in Europe as a gift between monks of the Monasterio de Piedra in Aragón in the 16th century. Chocolate-making remains an important tradition. Popular sweets include chocolate-covered candied fruits and guirlache, an almond brittle. Step into Fantoba to sample candies they’ve been crafting since 1856. If you have a real sweet tooth, consider purchasing the Chocopass from any of the Zaragoza Tourism offices. The 11 Euro pass entitles the bearer to sample up to five delicacies from Zaragoza shops.
One City, Two Cathedrals
I encourage you to get up and out at dawn and head to Plaza del Pilar, the pedestrian square dominated by Zaragoza’s two cathedrals. You’ll have the city to yourself. Sit for a moment. Watch the morning light paint the facades as pigeons dart between the spires. It’s worth losing a little sleep.
The Goya Museum is also located in the square. It’s currently closed, undergoing extensive renovations with an expected reopening in the fall of 2026. You can still view master works which are temporarily located in the Aljafería Palace. An exhibit of Goya engravings is on display at the Patio de la Infanta, a building housing a Renaissance courtyard that was returned to the city after it was moved to Paris in 1903.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The square was targeted during a 1936 air attack by Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War. Four bombs were launched. Two ended up in the Ebro River. Two crashed through the roof of Our Lady of the Pillar but did not explode. Look for them on the wall to the right of the altar.
Cathedral of the Savior
Known as La Seo, this 12th-century cathedral stands on the remains of both a Roman forum and an Islamic mosque. The exterior features traditional Mudéjar brickwork but the interior combines Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque flourishes. Adjacent to the cathedral is a museum housing one of the world’s largest collections of Flemish tapestries.
Our Lady of the Pillar
Marian pilgrims flock to Our Lady of the Pillar (Nuestra Señora del Pilar, in Spanish) to worship in the presence of a pillar of jasper and a small statue of the Virgin, believed to have been given to Saint James during an apparition in 40 AD. The diminutive scale of the statue stands in stark contrast to the massive and ornate cathedral. Two of the domes feature frescoes painted by Francisco de la Goya, one of Spain’s foremost artists, who was born near Zaragoza and lived in the city during childhood and as a young adult.
The statue of the Virgin stands on the cathedral altar, dressed with one of hundreds of collected skirts, known as manto. Historically, families of the sick and dying would request fragments of the manto for their loved ones. Today, visitors purchase colorful blessed ribbons, cut to the height of the Virgin statue, to gift to family members in need who wear or display them. The faithful await their turn to kneel, pray and touch or kiss an exposed section of the pillar located behind the altar.
Exploring Aragón Beyond Zaragoza
Aragón has notable day trip destinations within easy reach of Zaragoza. Self-drive, hire a private guide or book tours through agencies like Rutica 41, which offers a wide range of excursions and receives consistently positive reviews. I met a honeymooning couple from Vail, Colorado, at a winery. They were driving through Aragón on a four-country road trip and noted how easy it was to navigate the Spanish highways.
Tour a Winery
Aragón is one of Spain’s notable wine regions, home to four protected Denominations of Origin (DOs). The oldest grape, Garnacha or Grenache, is widely popular when partnered with Syrah and Mourvèdre in GSM blends. I’m not currently drinking reds, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover delicious and very drinkable white Garnacha and its bubbly counterpart, Cava.
Wine Route Stops
- Aragonesas: The largest winery in the Campo de Borja DO, Aragonesas produces premier wines including one produced as a tribute to the Cistercian monks who planted Garnacha vines back in the 1100s. The bottle’s exterior is sanded to resemble a dust-covered, centuries-old cellar dweller. Tastings, which include three wines and a ham and cheese appetizer, require confirmed reservations.
- Tierra de Cubas: This beautiful destination winery in the Cariñena DO commands the landscape from its hilltop setting. Tour the production facilities before a tasting. Or attend a pairing dinner in the gourmet restaurant overlooking the vineyard. You don’t have to worry about drinking and driving. Five boutique suites are available to rent if you’d like to spend the night.
SheBuysTravel Tip: In my New York neighborhood, bodegas are our local convenience stores. In Aragón, wineries are bodegas.
Veruela Monastery
Veruela is another historic destination where, if you try really hard, you can hear the quiet steps of monks moving between the Romanesque refectory and cloisters. Original construction began in the middle of the 12th century; Veruela, one of three Cistercian monasteries constructed during this time in Aragón, was designed to house approximately 30 monks in a self-sufficient community. The order continued operating until 1835. Subsequent government efforts saved the monastery from destruction and continue its preservation and restoration.
Loarre Castle
Monks also lived here, but Loarre Castle looks more like a fortress with its double walls and multiple towers. The hulking clifftop structure, considered one of the finest Romanesque castles in Spain, inspired me to begin humming the “Game of Thrones” theme. But the guide quickly noted that the HBO series wasn’t filmed here, but the Orlando Bloom 2005 film “Kingdom of Heaven” was.
The Ideal Home Base in Zaragoza
Hotel Silken Reino de Aragón
You can’t beat the premium location of the Hotel Silken Reino de Aragón on the city’s main historic avenue, Calle Coso. Within walking distance is the ancient Roman Theater, both basilicas, the Goya museum and Paseo de la Independencia, a major shopping district with one of the city’s two El Corte Inglés luxury department stores, great for purchasing the chic linen sundresses Spanish women wear without wilting in the summer heat.
Room furnishings are comfortable but minimal. The hotel has a fitness center and on-property restaurant. Midweek rates, including breakfast, are a very budget-friendly 100 Euros per night. (rate current as of the original July 2026 publication).
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you’re road-tripping through Zaragoza, the Hotel Silken Reino de Aragón offers room rates that include garage parking.
Where to Eat in Zaragoza
El Tubo is Zaragoza’s lively, historic tapas district. Located on narrow winding streets in the old quarter are dozens of packed bars with outdoor bistro tables where everyone gathers to share plates. I’d feel comfortable navigating the experience with a local, but going on my own, felt a little too fish out of water.
Alternatively, you can experience a coursed tapas meal at Montal Restaurant. Family-owned for four generations, this Zaragoza institution offers tasting menus featuring domaine-protected Teruel ham and local cheeses. The restaurant’s wine shop has an extensive selection of Aragonese wines.
Another fab option is chic and intimate La Clandestina Bistro. Dramatic plates are crafted by Executive Chef Susana Casanova, including Spain’s 2023 best tapas, Cruz de Navajas. Its Aragón-based ingredient list – razor clam in garlic sauce, pickled Calanda peach, Aragón cava gel, cow’s foot reduction, borage coral and lemon peel – sounded wildly exotic and tasted delicious.
If you fall in love with the tastes of Spain, take a cooking class at La Zarolain Zaragoza so you can prepare Aragonese specialties for your friends at home. It’s a much better souvenir than a t-shirt.
FAQs
My guide assured me that Zaragoza was safe to explore on my own. On my early morning walk, I had the city mostly to myself, except for pigeons, runners getting in workouts before the heat set in and shopkeepers washing store windows in preparation for opening.
Follow the city’s historical timeline. Begin at the ancient Roman theater, then head to Aljaferia Palace. Break for a long, multi-course lunch in the late afternoon. Browse the city shops before touring the cathedrals and dining on tapas.
As a major pilgrimage destination, Zaragoza welcomes all international tourists. Spanish is the primary language; it’s what you’ll hear on the streets, in shops and attractions. Ask politely – ¿Habla inglés, por favor? – and, like me, you’ll almost always find someone who speaks English. If a translated menu isn’t available in restaurants, Google can be helpful.
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This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 1:52 PM.