Best Things to Do in Zaragoza, Spain

The capital of Aragón, Zaragoza (Saragossa) is one of Spain's most underrated city breaks. The mood is set by the Moorish-built Aljafería and the soaring spires and domes of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, yet the city is missed by many travelers rushing to the coast or the nation's capital, Madrid.

We recommend giving Zaragoza at least a few days of your time. The best things to do in this history-steeped Spanish city range from exploring Roman ruins and Moorish relics to admiring Goya masterpieces, feasting on tapas and diving into the city's centuries-long love affair with chocolate.

Founded as Caesaraugusta in 14 BCE, Zaragoza has been a powerful stronghold for Roman and Moorish conquerors and Aragónese kings. The soaring basilica, the grand La Seo cathedral and the Aljafería – Spain's finest Islamic building outside Andalucía – all stand testament to its storied past.

But the appeal of Zaragoza goes well beyond its monuments. Local museums showcase the work of painter Francisco de Goya – born a short horse ride away in 1746 – and the city enjoys one of the best tapas and bar scenes in Spain, most notably in the central quadrangle of lanes known as El Tubo.

If you are looking for a city break with character, here is our pick of the best things to see and do in one of Spain’s most underrated regional capitals.

1. Climb the Tower of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar

The Non-Negotiable

The image of the multi-domed Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar reflected in the Río Ebro is a potent symbol of Zaragoza, and it's free to admire its lavish interior. This immense baroque cavern of Catholicism stands on the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Santiago (St James the Apostle) atop a pillar of jasper in 40 CE.

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A series of increasingly grandiose churches built on the site has culminated in the enormous basilica that stands today. The famous pillar remains, topped by a small 15th-century sculpture of the Virgin and child and concealed inside an elaborate silver casing, displayed in the Santa Capilla chapel.

The sacred relic is partly covered by a long mantle, except on the 2nd, 12th and 20th of each month, but a tiny portion of the pillar is exposed in the passageway behind, where streams of people line up to brush lips with its polished cheek.

Hanging from the Santa Capilla's northeast column are two bombs that were dropped on the basilica during the civil war and failed to explode. Nearby, a cupola in the north aisle contains Goya's fresco Regina Martyrum (Queen of Martyrs), painted in 1781. The artist's Adoración del Nombre de Dios adorns the ceiling at the church's far east end.

Getting there: You can't miss the basilica on the bank of the Río Ebro, right in the center of Zaragoza; get here on foot or by bus.
Pair with: A view – for magnificent vistas of the basilica's domes and the city beyond, take the lift up the northwest tower and climb 109 steps to the rooftop viewpoint. There's no better view of the center of Zaragoza, and it's well worth the small fee.

2. Appreciate the Rich History of La Seo

Best thing to do on a rainy day

Though overshadowed in scale by Zaragoza's landmark basilica, the La Seo cathedral, at the other end of enormous Plaza del Pilar, is arguably a finer example of medieval Christian architecture. Built between the 12th and 17th centuries, it stands on the site of Zaragoza's Moorish-era mosque, which itself was built over the ruins of a Roman temple.

The cathedral is built in a fabulous spread of styles from Romanesque to Baroque, with traces of the city's Moorish past. La Seo's northeast external wall is a masterpiece in the Mudéjar style, created by Muslim artisans living under Christian rule after the Reconquista. It deploys brickwork and colorful ceramics in complex geometric patterns that recall the Islamic architecture of Morocco.

Inside, beautiful fan vaulting adorns the ceiling, while elaborate chapels showcase a range of styles, from the eerily solemn Capilla de San Marcos to the golden baroque baldachin of the Capilla del Santo Cristo. The exquisite 15th-century alabaster high altarpiece is worth closer scrutiny too.

Getting there: Numerous city bus routes stop at Don Jaime I/Plaza De La Seo, seconds from the cathedral.
Pair with: A visit to the attached Museo de Tapices, displaying a collection of Flemish and French tapestries considered the best of its kind in the world.

3. Learn About Roman Caesaraugusta

Must-do with kids

Buried below Zaragoza's streets lies an older city, Caesaraugusta, the Roman town that flourished as one of Hispania's most illustrious and strategically important colonies. As the millennia passed, Caesaraugusta disappeared beneath the ever-growing city – until archaeological work in the 1980s and '90s brought it to light again.

Today, four kid-friendly museums showcase what was discovered here, with cleverly designed exhibits and multimedia that provide a real sense of how life was back in Roman times. Consider buying the Ruta Caesaraugusta ticket, valid for all four Roman museums.

The Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta shows the excavated substructures of the Roman city's forum; the Museo del Puerto Fluvial displays the river port installations; the Museo de las Termas Públicas is home to the public baths; and – best of all – the Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta showcases a 6000-seat theater that was one of the largest in Hispania.

Getting there: The museums are clustered together within walking distance of the La Seo cathedral on the south bank of the Erbo.
Pair with: A recharge break at Mi Habitación Favorita, a favorite stop for coffee and sweet, sticky cakes.

4. Marvel at the Artistry of the Aljafería

The surprise

The castle-like exterior of the Aljafería gives no hint of the decorative splendor inside this UNESCO World Heritage-listed landmark. Built as a fortified palace for Zaragoza's Moorish rulers in the 11th century, it passed into Christian hands in 1118, and in the 1490s, Aragón's Reyes Católicos (Catholic Monarchs) tacked their own palace onto the complex.

Wandering through its courtyards and dainty archways, you'll get a sense of the pomp and majesty of both the Islamic court and its Christian replacement. The Patio de Santa Isabel was the Islamic palace's central courtyard, marked by delicate interwoven Moorish arches; the octagonal prayer room and the Salón Dorado, the palace's throne room, show off more exquisite sculptural work.

Moving upstairs, you'll pass through rooms of the 14th-century Palacio Cristiano Medieval, and the Palacio de los Reyes Católicos (Catholic Monarchs' Palace). Pause to admire the lavish Salón del Trono (Throne Room), with its superb coffered ceilings in the Mudéjar style.

The Aljafería is still a seat of political power today: depending on working hours, you may be able to peek into Aragón's regional parliament chamber, installed here in 1987.

Getting there: The Aljafería is about 1.5km west of the center; you can get here by bus, or a pleasing walk through a historic part of the city.
Pair with: More Mudéjar artistry at the Iglesia de San Pablo, about 1km east. This imposing Gothic church was embellished with Mudéjar details in the 14th century.

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5. Follow in the Footsteps of Goya

Best for art appreciation

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes, better known simply as Goya, was born at Fuendetodos, about 45km south of Zaragoza, in 1746, and the great Spanish painter spent most of his first three decades in the city itself. Works by Goya are showcased inside the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, and at two city museums that are well worth a detour.

The Museo Goya contains Goya's first self-portrait (1775) and his well-known portraits of King Carlos IV, Queen María Luisa and Félix de Azara, plus four complete sets of his dark and disturbing prints, including the groundbreaking Desastres de la Guerra (Disasters of War), a bitter attack on the cruelty of war.

A collection of 19 further Goya canvases is displayed in the Museo de Zaragoza – an interesting history museum set around a courtyard at Plaza de los Sitios, to the south of the Roman theater. There's also a statue honoring the city's most famous son in pride of place at Plaza del Pilar.

Getting there: The Museo Goya is a short walk from La Seo cathedral, while the Museo de Zaragoza is about 500m south.
Pair with: A Goya tour of the area around Zaragoza – with a hire car, you can roam out to see several Goyas at the Museo de Huesca in Huesca, about 75km north of Zaragoza, and visit the artist's modest birthplace at Fuendetodos.

6. Shop in Zaragoza's Historic Food Market

Best snacking experience

Shoppers in the know in Zaragoza grab ingredients at the Mercado Central, a 130m-long, art-nouveau food market dating from 1903. Under its iron-framed canopy, stalls sell fresh fruit and veg, olives, deli meats, cheeses and other treats that are ideal for a picnic.

Outside the market's northern end, a statue of Caesar Augustus (the Roman emperor from whom the name "Zaragoza" is ultimately derived) stands before a stretch of the original Roman city walls. Take your picnic ingredients to an outdoor space such as Parque de Macanaz, just across the river.

Getting there: The Mercado Central is on the L1 tram route, or it's a short walk from Plaza del Pilar.
Pair with: A coffee break in one of the cafes around plane-tree-shaded Plaza de San Felipe, where the Museo de Pablo Gargallo displays sculptures by the man recognized as Aragón's most gifted artist after Goya.

7. Wander Zaragoza's Historic Center

Best free thing to do

Sprawling around the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, the historic heart of Zaragoza is a place to explore on foot, looking up to admire the architecture. Start a walk around the center at the lively Mercado Central, created by Aragonese architect Félix Navarro Pérez.

First, head east along Plaza del Pilar to the mid-20th-century Ayuntamiento (City Hall), fronted by statues of Zaragoza's guardian angel and patron saint San Valero. The elegant 16th-century La Lonja trading exchange next door is now an exhibition hall; if it's open, go inside to see the soaring stone columns and vaulted ceiling.

Next, take a loop around the La Seo cathedral, appreciating the building from all sides, then work your way south between small squares such as Plaza San Marta, with its cluster of pavement cafes, and Plaza San Pedro Nolasco, with its monument to the Argensola brothers, two poets from Spain's Golden Age. Finish up at the Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta, where entry is free on the first Sunday of the month.

Getting there: There's no charge for walking around the old city, but bring a hat or umbrella to keep off the sun. If you want to see inside the basilica and other sights along the route, save on entry fees using the city tourist office's Zaragoza Family Card.
Pair with: A tapas break at El Ángel del Pincho near La Seo, where the small plates come with Argentinian and Japanese influences.

8. Cross Puente de Piedra at Sunset

Best photo op

Behind La Lonja, the 15th-century Puente de Piedra, Zaragoza's oldest bridge, has spanned the Ebro since the 15th century. The views along the river are particularly dramatic at sunset; lovers stroll, families amble, and photographers grab shots of the spires of Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar on one side and La Seo on the other.

For a rewarding detour, continue walking south past La Seo, with its superb Mudéjar decorative tiling and brickwork, then head southeast through small streets to the 14th-century Iglesia de la Magdalena, with its beautiful Mudéjar tower. The Magdalena neighborhood has a distinctly alternative ambience, as the street art, vintage clothing shops, vegetarian cafes, wafting aromas and political posters will tell you.

Getting there: The bridge is an easy walk from La Seo or the basilica.
Pair with: A bite or drink at One Cup Bistro on Plaza de San Pedro Nolasco, across the street from the Rosario de Cristal, a stunning display of religious stained glass inside a historic church building.

9. Go Tapas-Hopping in El Tubo

Best for foodies

Head to the quadrangle of lanes known as El Tubo, north of Plaza de España, for one of Spain's most appealing collections of tapas bars. Dining here is a quintessential Zaragoza experience and the scene is bubbling any night of the year. Just wander around, especially along Calles de la Libertad and Cuatro de Agosto, and see what takes your fancy.

All manner of tapas can be found at the 150-year-old Bodegas Almau, but anchovies are a house speciality. Alternatively, join the El Tubo crowds at Taberna Doña Casta for flavorsome croquettes and big plates of huevos rotos (fried eggs with potatoes). For tasty Mexican-inspired vegetarian tapas, try La Causa, run by a migrant women's cooperative, and tucked away in the offbeat Magdalena neighborhood.

If you’re looking for something more substantial, the stylish bistro La Clandestina is known for its brunch (with cava), tasty vegetarian creations and excellent cheesecake. Dishes cooked a la brasa (on the barbecue) are the speciality at Los Xarmientos, from meat and seafood to asparagus. And for an upmarket meal, book a table at the cozy dining room at Restaurante Palomeque.

Getting there: A foodie evening out in Zaragoza can run late into the night, so budget for a taxi or rideshare back to your hotel.
Pair with: Aragonese wine; Garnacha (Grenache) is the favored grape in the Zaragoza area, and Bodegas Almau has plenty of bottles to choose from.

10. Join the Party at Fiestas del Pilar

Best for party people

Few countries do parties better than Spain, and if you're a fiesta fan, the time to be in Zaragoza is the first half of October, when the city hosts the energetic Fiestas del Pilar. From around October 5 to the middle of the month, Zaragoza reverberates to a lively program of concerts, parades, fireworks, dance performances, food and beer fests, markets and exhibitions, plus a huge funfair on the southwest edge of town.

The fiesta peaks on October 12, the Día de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, when hundreds of thousands of devotees gather from around Aragón, Spain and the world, many in bright regional or national dress. People parade through the city to Plaza del Pilar to deposit a veritable mountain of flowers around the image of the Virgin, which is brought out from the basilica for the occasion.

Getting there: Events take place all over the city, so get around by tram, bus or rideshare, via the Bolt or Uber apps.
Pair with: Festival foods – food stalls abound at events during the fiesta, and this is a great time to try local treats such as Aragón-style roast lamb and potatoes.

11. Relax in Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta

Best place to unwind

Zaragoza is blessed with many green spaces, but the best is outside the center. A 20-minute tram ride south of the river, the free-to-explore Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta is Zaragoza's prettiest park, covering some 40 hectares of planted beds, shady walkways and cooling fountains. Many locals just call it Parque Grande.

This much-loved green lung was established in the 1920s in honor of Spanish dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera, but later renamed after the Aragonese activist, singer and songwriter José Antonio Labordeta Subías. It's the ideal place to come to escape the heat of summer, with a kids' playground, bikes for rent, and plenty of shady trees to picnic under.

Getting there: To reach Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta, board the L1 tram at César Augusto, and disembark at Emperador Carlos V, a short walk from the entrance.
Pair with: A picnic spread from the Mercado Central (the César Augusto tram stop is just south of the market).

12. Taste Chocolate Among Chocolate Aficionados

The secret

If you notice an unusual number of chocolate shops around Zaragoza, that's because the city was the first place in Europe to take a fancy to the cocoa bean. As the story goes, Fray Jerónimo Aguilar, a monk from the Monasterio de Piedra in central Aragón, sampled a cocoa drink in the Americas in the 1530s and was smitten. When he brought it back to Zaragoza, chocolate caused a sensation, and it's still loved by the Aragonese today.

Over time, the recipe was refined into the hot chocolate we know today (solid chocolate came much later). To enjoy quality hot chocolate in central Zaragoza, visit long-established Churrería La Fama, where it's served as an accompaniment for churros (Spanish-style fried dough).

Getting there: Arrive on foot so you can grab some churros to go, and munch them as you wander the lanes south of the basilica.
Pair with: Some chocolates to take home; for fantastically elaborate chocolate creations, check out Jeff de Bruges, Pastelería Ascaso and Confitería Fantoba.

Planning Your Time in Zaragoza

Whether you are here for a day, a weekend, or longer, here are some handy tips for planning a trip to the Aragonese capital. For advice on where to stay, when to visit, costs and getting around, see our complete guide to Zaragoza.

How Many Days Do You Need in Zaragoza?

While plenty of people see the highlights in just a day, 2 days is a better timeframe for covering the main attractions such as the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, La Seo and the Aljafería. Spending 3 or more days in Zaragoza will give you time to explore at a more relaxed pace, and perhaps fit in a day trip to the Goya sights beyond the city limits.

What Should You Book Ahead?

Alongside tables at more upmarket restaurants in Zaragoza, it's worth booking tickets ahead for the Aljafería and the tower climb at the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, plus the Ruta Caesaraugusta ticket, if you plan to visit all four Roman museums. If you intend to visit during Fiestas del Pilar, book transport and accommodation several months in advance.

Can You Visit Zaragoza as a Day Trip?

It's possible to visit Zaragoza on a day trip from Madrid or Barcelona using high-speed trains on Spain's Renfe rail network, though it pays to get an early start so you don't spend all your time in Zaragoza in the hottest part of the day. The journey takes about 1.5 hours from Madrid, and 3 hours from Barcelona.

This article was adapted from Lonely Planet’s Spain guidebook, published in February 2025.