Casco Histórico
First-timersAround the Pilar and El Tubo.
Zaragoza city guide
Zaragoza Travel Guide
Spain's fifth city, on the Ebro between Madrid and Barcelona, with a baroque basilica on the river, a Moorish palace, Roman ruins and almost no foreign visitors.
3
Hostels in the city
8.3
Average, from 4,306 reviews
14 BC
Founded as Caesaraugusta
1.25 h
To Madrid by AVE
Goya
Born nearby
Between Madrid and Barcelona
Zaragoza was founded by the Romans as Caesaraugusta, ruled by the Moors, and then became the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon. Each left something behind: Roman ruins under the streets, the Aljafería, a Moorish palace, and the huge baroque Basílica del Pilar on the river Ebro.
It is Spain's fifth-largest city, but few foreign visitors stop, even though it sits on the AVE line between Madrid and Barcelona. That makes it relaxed and cheap.
The painter Goya was born nearby, and his frescoes are in the basilica. One or two days is right.
Where to stay
Stay in the old town, near the Pilar.
Centro
Being centralAround Plaza de España.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 3 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Zaragoza
The Basílica del Pilar, with its tiled domes and towers on the Ebro, holds frescoes by Goya; take the lift up a tower for the view. Cross the Puente de Piedra for the view back.
La Seo, the cathedral, mixes Romanesque, Gothic, Mudéjar and baroque in one building. The Aljafería, an eleventh-century Moorish palace, is part of the UNESCO-listed Mudéjar architecture of Aragon.
The Caesaraugusta museums show the Roman forum, baths, port and theatre under the city.
Eat tapas in El Tubo, a maze of narrow streets in the old town.
Free things
Free things to do in Zaragoza
The Basílica del Pilar is free to enter. The riverside, the old town and El Tubo are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Zaragoza
Zaragoza eats tapas in El Tubo, and ternasco de Aragón, roast young lamb, is the local dish. Borrajas, a leafy vegetable, is a regional oddity.
A menú del día is €11 to €14.
Nightlife
Going out in Zaragoza
Zaragoza has a large student population, and bars in El Tubo and the old town are busy. The Fiestas del Pilar in October are the city's great party.
A beer is €2 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Zaragoza
The centre is walkable, and a tram line runs through it. AVE trains reach Madrid in about an hour and a quarter and Barcelona in about an hour and a half.
Costs
What Zaragoza costs
Zaragoza is cheap. Dorms start around €16. A careful day is €35 to €50.
The euro is the currency. Cards work almost everywhere, though small bars still like cash.
Safety
Staying safe in Zaragoza
Zaragoza is safe.
The cierzo, a strong, cold wind, blows down the Ebro valley, especially in winter.
Emergency number is 112, with English-speaking operators usually available.
Day trips from Zaragoza
Aragon's mountains and villages.
Albarracín
A pink medieval village on a gorge.
Monasterio de Piedra
A monastery in a park of waterfalls.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The Fiestas del Pilar fill the city in October.
Staff pick
19–28 November
Zaragoza Film Festival
The Zaragoza Film Festiv…
Staff pick
3–8 December
Zaragoza International Magic Festival
The Zaragoza Internation…
Staff pick
12–22 November
Zaragoza Jazz Festival
Zaragoza Jazz Festival i…
21 November
Hombres G
Hombres G, one of Spain'…
21 Nov – 10 Jan
The New Cinderella on Ice
Nerea Rodríguez, known f…
11–13 December
Comic Book Fair
Zaragoza hosts this even…
12 December
Enrique Bunbury
Enrique Bunbury will per…
1–29 November
Flamenco Dance Cycle Estación del Norte
Flamenco Dance Cycle Est…
Hostels
Where to stay in Zaragoza
The top-rated places to stay in Zaragoza right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
April to June and September to October. The Fiestas del Pilar are in October.
Jan
Windy
Feb
Windy
Mar
Spring
Apr
Holy Week
May
Good
Jun
Warm
Jul
Hot
Aug
Hot
Sep
Good
Oct
Fiestas del Pilar
Nov
Quiet
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. Hot summers, windy winters.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Fiestas del Pilar week runs higher.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Zaragoza travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Zaragoza worth a stop?
Yes, between Madrid and Barcelona, for the Pilar, the Aljafería and cheap tapas.
How far is it from Madrid and Barcelona?
About an hour and a quarter and an hour and a half by AVE.
When are the Fiestas del Pilar?
The week around 12 October.
Where should I eat?
In El Tubo, the old town's tapas streets.
Is Zaragoza cheap?
Yes.
How many days do you need?
One or two.
When is the best time to visit?
April to June and September to October.
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