Looking for a quick escape from the big, bustling, touristy cities on your way between Barcelona and Madrid? Zaragoza is your guy. Everyone has heard of and enthusiastically books trips to Barcelona (rightfully so), Madrid (also rightfully so), Valencia, Ibiza, and Málaga, but Zaragoza? Not so much. And the funny thing is, Zaragoza (Saragossa in English) is actually the 5th largest city in all of Spain, the 32nd largest city in all of the EU, and the capital of Aragon, a former kingdom in northeast España (fun facts are always fun). Home to nearly 800,000 residents, Zaragoza is full of people who probably would love to show off their city a little more to visitors, but is often overlooked in the huge rush to get to those big daddies of Spain that everyone raves so so much about.
Where It Is
Situated almost perfectly on the route between Barcelona and Madrid, which are two top dogs in terms of Spanish cities that attract an impressive number of tourists every year, Zaragoza has all the makings of a perfect pit stop. It is also not far from Toulouse and Montpellier in southern France, and located right on the Ebro River for those looking for a day trip and a view.
Why It’s Worth a Visit
The better question is, why isn’t Zaragoza worth a visit? There’s never a reason to not make a day or overnight trip to somewhere that is so damn easily accessible (one notable exception: if you are driving cross-country from the west to east coast of the United States, and you decide to stop in Amarillo, Texas on the way between Albuquerque, New Mexico and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. That place is maybe best skipped over, unless you’re into walking down deserted streets and driving aimlessly for an hour, faint with hunger, looking for BBQ).
In this case though, it is wise to take a step off the classic tourist path and make a stop in Zaragoza, a beautiful, walkable city with more restaurants, shopping, and nightlife than you could ever hope to find (one of the best places for drinks and tapas, a must while in Spain, is El Tubo, the best tapas and nightlife district in the city).
Then of course, there is the gorgeous and obviously imposing Basilica del Pilar (supposedly the first church ever dedicated to the Virgin Mary in history, if you’re one to be in interested in churches and the Bible and that stuff, but also just a really nice thing to look at for those who are not. Plus, entry is free!), and the La Seo Cathedral, located on the beautiful Plaza de la Seo, if you can believe it. Combined with the Aljafería Palace, the buildings form theMudéjar Architecture of Aragon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And on top of all this, Zaragoza has a lot of well-maintainedRoman ruins, as it was captured peacefully after the Roman empire declined.
Quite simply, the city is a perfect blend of ancient and modern. A little something for everyone, if you will, and without the profusion of tourist traps that exist within some of the more visited Spanish cities (and European cities in general, to be honest).
Zaragoza is probably most well-known for its week-long Fiestas del Pilar in October, which also honors the Virgin Mary with religious ceremonies, as well as a theme park, beer, dancing, costumes, and fireworks. My kind of party (although I have not been fortunate to be in Zaragoza during the celebrations…yet, at least).
If nothing else, or if you only have a small amount of time on your hands, Zaragoza is perfect for just wandering through the city, along the river, by the Basilica, through the winding, colorful shopping streets, and past the street art and smell of savory tapas in El Tubo. This city has a distinctly Spanish feel, and has a diverse array of offerings to its visitors. Not to even mention the fact that it is easy to explore in a day or two, and you won’t have to deal with hoards of other visitors. So tear yourself away from action-packed Barcelona for a day (if you can; Barcelona is one special place) and drive a couple hours west to this unique, culture-rich city. It may just be the breath of fresh air that you need.
