Barcelona is one of the most exciting cities in Spain with a rich culture and several architectural masterpieces. But if you want a break from the crowds and fancy seeing a Roman mini-Barcelona, then take a day trip to Tarragona. Tarragona is a Roman port city located on the Mediterranean coast, 60 miles southwest of Barcelona, in Spain's Catalonia region. The best way to see a new place as a local is to explore it on foot. And Tarragona is no exception. So in this blog, we'll be doing a self-guided Tarragona walking tour.
In Tarragona, you get to experience a fascinating mix of ancient Roman ruins, a busy port, classic museums, beautiful beaches, and a colourful city centre that's filled with cute cafes and restaurants. Therefore, taking a day trip to Tarragona is one of the best things to do from Barcelona.
Day Trip To Tarragona - Tarragona Walking Tour Tips And Practical Advice
The Tarragona walking tour involves quite a lot of walking so I'd advise you to wear comfortable walking shoes. The city looks it's absolute best when blessed with sunshine so try taking a walk on a sunny day. Start the walking tour early in the morning so you don't have to experience the mid-day heat. And don't forget to put on your sunscreen.
Buy a day pass that covers all the ruins, museums, and historic sites. It saves you money and costs 7.5 Euros. If you crave a cup of really good coffee in the middle of the tour, then visit the Bay-Pass Cafe. It a 5-minute walk from the famous Monument Als Castellers. For a good meal, visit Restaurante Raco de l'abat. It is a 3-minute walk from the Tarragona Cathedral.
For shopping, the numerous shops lined along the Rambla Nova are an ideal choice. If you're visiting during May-June, then don't miss out on attending the Tarragona Wine fair. And if you're visiting during Nov-Dec, then do attend the Christmas fair and Crafts n Gifts fair. You can also enjoy shopping in Tarragona's Central Market (Mercat Central de Tarragona) for some fresh fruits, vegetables, and sea-food.
How To Get To Tarragona From Barcelona
The distance from Barcelona to Tarragona is about 97 km. There are a couple of ways you can get to Tarragona -
Barcelona To Tarragona By Train
The easiest way to get to Tarragona is by taking a train from Barcelona to Tarragona. You can board a train to Tarragona from any of these three Barcelona stations - Sants, Passeig de Gràcia, and Estació de França. You can book your tickets online by clicking here. During your journey, try to communicate with a local and get to know more about the culture of the place.
Barcelona To Tarragona By Bus
The other way to get to Tarragona is by taking a bus from Barcelona to Tarragona. Buses to Tarragona depart mainly from Barcelona Nord (Estació d'Autobuses Nord) bus station. You can also take a bus to Tarragona from the small bus stand next to Barcelona Sants station. Book your bus tickets online by clicking here.
To return, you can take a train from Tarragona to Barcelona. Book your train ticket by clicking here. You can also travel from Tarragona to Barcelona by bus. Book your bus ticket by clicking here.
Places To Visit In The Day Trip To Tarragona
You'll be covering the following places in your day trip to Tarragona through the Tarragona walking tour :
Mediterranean Balcony
Located at the Passeig de Les Palmeres, the Mediterranean Balcony is an open observation deck from where you can enjoy enchanting views of Tarragona.
You can see the beach, the port, the sea, the railway tracks, and even the Tarragona Amphitheatre from the balcony. The place is one of the most loved spots in the city. After all, who doesn't like to look at the endless blue sea and hear the sound of the waves kissing the shore?
The plaza of the balcony is lined with beautiful palm trees and street lights throughout it's stretch. The place is ideal for photography so even if you're traveling solo, go ahead and tell someone to click your photograph just like I did. Also, it's believed that touching the railing at the balcony brings good luck.
Tarragona Amphitheatre
The next stop in your Tarragona walking tour is the Tarragona Amphitheatre (Amfiteatre de Tarragona). The site is one of the most important ancient ruins from the Roman city of Tarraco (now Tarragona). The amphitheatre, built in the 2nd century, could hold up to 14,000-15,000 spectators in it's time.
During the Roman era, this venue witnessed epic fights between gladiators and wild beasts. You are literally transported to ancient times when you step inside this impressive oval-shaped structure. The amphitheatre overlooks the stunning Mediterranean sea and makes for a visually-pleasing sight.
The amphitheatre is well-preserved and walking around the site is an enjoyable experience. The entry fee for the amphitheatre is 3.30 Euros. However, if you've purchased a day pass, then you don't need to pay the entrance fee.
Tarragona Cathedral
The Tarragona Cathedral (Catedral Basilica Metropolitana Primada de Tarragona) is a Roman Catholic church. The Cathedral looks royal and stately from the outside.
You can see a Gothic style of architecture in it's design. The main gate is capped with a circular window and the figures of the apostles in the main portal are particularly noteworthy.
On the inside, you see a nave with two aisles, Romanesque and Gothic windows, the organ, stalls of the choir, the main altarpiece, a cross-vaulted octagonal dome, and the cloisters. The lovely gardens in the courtyard area add a lively element to the cathedral.
The atmosphere inside the Cathedral is serene. Do not miss visiting the museum in the cloister. It takes you an hour to explore this mesmerizing Cathedral. The entrance fee for the Tarragona Cathedral is 5 Euros.
Tarragona Old Town
The whole point of a walking tour is to visit every nook and cranny of a place and get lost in the streets. Walk around the old town (Casc Antic) of Tarragona and enjoy watching the medieval alleyways, old buildings and their wonderful architecture, slightly decayed facades around the streets, and Gothic spires.
Soak in the colours and history of the old town and get a taste of the essence of Tarragona. Feel free to stop anywhere, have a coffee, and strike up a conversation with the locals. The people are extremely warm and welcoming.
Rambla Nova
The Rambla Nova (La Rambla Nova) is a wonderful boulevard where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll and take in the sights and sounds of the Tarragona city centre. It is the main walking street in the city, lined on either side by plenty of shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. Enjoy having a drink or an authentic Spanish meal at any of the eateries.
There's a lovely outdoor seating from where you can admire the intricate architecture of the buildings around you. You can also spot the Tourist Information Centre. At every intersection, you'll find a roundabout with either a fountain or a statue in the centre. In a way, this boulevard is the heart of the Tarragona city.
Human Tower
If you continue walking along the La Rambla Nova, you'll come across the famous Human Tower (Monumento a los Castellers). This tower is a popular attraction in Tarragona and consists of several levels of human towers or 'castells'. It reflects the famous adage "United we stand and divided we fall".
Forming human towers is an activity that is performed during the week of the Santa Tecla festival, an occasion that is celebrated every year with a lot of fervour and enthusiasm. It is believed to be a representation of the human desire to reach the top.
Next to this statue you'll see several statues of musicians playing musical instruments, almost as if they're cheering the humans in the main statue to successfully complete the Human Tower.
Tarragona Beach
Also called the Miracle beach (Platja del Miracle), Tarragona beach is the main beach of Tarragona that's located in the centre of the city. This is the beach that you see from the Mediterranean Balcony. The beach is a tranquil resting spot for locals and tourists alike and can be accessed via stairs.
Relax your feet in the sand and relish the sight of the endless blue waters of the Mediterranean. For a beach that's located inside the city, it is surprisingly clean. The water is clear, warm, and ideal for swimming. As there are no stalls nearby and no one is renting loungers or parasols, the Miracle beach is very quiet and has a relaxed, laidback vibe.
Ferreres Aqueduct
End your day trip to Tarragona by visiting the Ferreres aqueduct. This site is slightly distant from the Tarragona city. Also known as the Devil's Bridge ("Pont del Diable" in Catalan), this ancient Roman aqueduct is situated 4 km away from the Tarragona city centre.
It's a smarter option to use public transport ie. local bus from Tarragona to get to the Ferreres aqueduct. Bus routes 5 and 85 travelling from "Prat de la Riba - St. Salvador" do the to-n-fro journey between Tarragona city and the aqueduct. You can keep a check on the bus timetables here.
The Ferreres aqueduct, built during the reign of Emperor Augustus, used to supply fresh drinking water to the ancient Roman city of Tarraco (present Tarragona) by taking water from the Francolí river. It is located in the Pont del Diable Eco-Historic Park
It consists of two levels of arches and is proof of the great Roman engineering. Walking along the bridge and witnessing the magical sunset is an experience you shouldn't miss!
Tarragona Accommodation - Best Hotels In Tarragona
If you wish to spend the night in Tarragona, then book an accommodation near the Tarragona city centre. That's because some of the best hotels in Tarragona are located in the heart of the city.
Tarragona Hotels Near City Centre
1. Hotel SB Ciutat de Tarragona - Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
2. Hotel Pigal - Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
3. Hotel SB Express Tarragona - Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
Tarragona Hotels Near Beach
1. Hotel Astari - Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
2. Hotel Nuria - Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
3. Port Plaza Apartments - Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
Hotels in Tarragona Old Town
1. Plaça De La Font - Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
2. Hostal Noria - Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
3. Hostal 977 - Check out the property and book your stay by clicking here.
Conclusion
So that was my comprehensive guide on a day trip to Tarragona, including a self-guided Tarragona walking tour.
Tarragona is a charming off-the-beaten-path travel destination that enthralls you with it's rich cultural heritage, architectural brilliance and incredible hospitality. Make sure you visit this gem of a place if you're in Barcelona.
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