Curator’s statement
Zaragoza wasn’t on my radar until it was, and now it’s a place I point people toward when they ask about Spain and have done the usual spots like Barcelona and Madrid. As the country’s fifth-largest city, it has the infrastructure of a major metropolitan area but moves at a pace that actually lets you breathe. It sits along the Ebro River, walkable, and the architecture is stunning without the tourist fatigue you get elsewhere. The tapas scene in El Tubo sealed it for me, and it’s the kind of city that earns its place on your itinerary and then stays on your mind long after you leave.
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Where to stay in Zaragoza, Spain
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Things to do in Zaragoza, Spain
Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar: Zaragoza’s most iconic landmark is a Baroque masterpiece that spans the entire riverbank. Visiting at golden hour, when the light hits the tile-covered domes, is worth rearranging your day for.
El Tubo: This tight network of narrow alleys in the old town is where Zaragoza’s tapas culture lives. The bars are small, the energy is local, and the food is delicious! Plan to check out a few spots rather than settling at just one, you won’t regret it.
Palacio de la Aljafería: One of the best-preserved Islamic palaces in Spain, the Aljafería is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The intricate archways and ornate interiors rival anything you’ll find in Granada, with a fraction of the crowds.
Mercado Central: Built in 1903, it’s a genuine working market, not a tourist version of one. Come in the morning when the stalls are full and the locals are doing their actual shopping. It’s a great place to get oriented to the flavors of the region before you eat your way through the rest of the city.
Take a food tour: A guided culinary tour is one of the best ways to get inside Zaragoza’s food scene quickly. When I went, we stopped at about seven stops across the city, including a pass through the Mercado Central, and gave me a great idea of where I wanted to go back to. It’s how I found some of my favorite spots.
Walk the Puente de Piedra: Zaragoza’s historic bridge is one of the most scenic spots in the city, especially at golden hour. Right on the Ebro with an unobstructed view back toward the Basilica’s domes, which is exactly the kind of moment that makes this city hard to forget.
Places to eat & drink in Zaragoza, Spain
Champi
Bar El Champi: This is the stop. The “Champi” tapa is three perfectly grilled, marinated mushrooms stacked and finished with a secret garlic oil and a single shrimp. It sounds simple, and it is. It was one of the best bites of my entire trip!
Montal: Duck into the Tienda Gourmet here for a glass of wine and some of the most satisfying tapas you’ll find in the city, like the alcachofita montal. The real surprise is the wine shop in the back, a proper cellar with a history going back to 1919. It’s the kind of place you wander into for one glass and stay much longer than you planned.
La Ceci: A family-run wine and vermouth bar that feels like exactly the kind of place you’d never find without a local pointing you toward it. It’s warm and unpretentious, and the pours are excellent. Try the Crema Queso Anchoa with the tomato-chocolate confit if you’re feeling adventurous. The anchovy-meets-dark-chocolate combination is genuinely surprising, and trying it is worth it for the story alone.
Meli Del Tubo: A more contemporary take on the tapas bar experience, right in the heart of El Tubo. It’s a nice contrast to the older, more traditional spots in the neighborhood and a good option if you want a slightly more modern setting without leaving the action.
Taberna Amy: A classic Zaragoza tavern. Grab a seat at the bar or one of the high tops outside to people watch and settle in. I like the classics so had to get the croquetas and olivas fritas, but then just let your eyes take in the bites in front of you. Everything was fresh and delicious!
Helados Tortosa: When you need a break from the tapas circuit and are ready to indulge your sweet tooth, this is the stop. Try one flavor or a few! My faves were the hazelnut and rum & raisin.
La Flor de Lis: A recommendation from my food tour guide, I grabbed dinner here and it was a hit. One of my favorite dishes was the Carpaccio de presa Duroc!
Need to know
Best time to visit: Spring and autumn are the sweet spots for Zaragoza. The weather is comfortable, the city is active, and you can actually enjoy being outside. Summer gets extremely hot, but the city comes alive after dark. If you visit in July or August, lean into the nightlife and plan your outdoor sightseeing for early morning.
Getting there: Zaragoza is an easy location to slot into a Spain itinerary. Direct high-speed AVE trains connect from Madrid in about 1.5 hours and from Barcelona in just under two hours. Trains in Spain are an affordable and comfortable option.
Nearby: If you’re building out a longer Spain itinerary, Zaragoza pairs well with San Sebastian. There’s a direct train between the two cities that’s about 4.5 hours. Departures are limited to once or twice a day, so you definitely have to plan a little ahead. San Sebastian is a favorite of mine, so would love to help you plan a stop there!
Book trains in advance: Book trains in advance, you won’t regret it. Spanish AVE ticket prices can rise significantly closer to the travel date.
Navigating El Tubo: The tapas bars in El Tubo are super popular with locals and tourists alike. The narrow streets can get a bit crowded from around 7 p.m. onwards. Hop from place to place to try out some amazing eats the Spanish way, and don’t be surprised if you’re standing at the bar with a tapa in one hand and a glass in the other like a local.
Where to stay: There are many options, I stayed at the NH Ciudad de Zaragoza and would recommend it for the location alone. It’s not the fanciest option in the city, but it doesn’t need to be. A room overlooking the Ebro River gets you sunset views that are hard to beat, and you’re right on the edge of the old city, so everything is walkable from the moment you check in. Just steps from the Mercado!
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