Zaragoza

Cathedrals, Tapas and Roman Roots

Zaragoza stands out as a major urban center in northeastern Spain, located along the Ebro River. The city combines historic architecture with modern cultural spaces. Its old town features buildings from different eras, including Moorish influences and Gothic churches. Public parks provide green areas for residents and visitors to relax. Museums display art and history related to regional traditions. Local markets offer fresh produce and traditional dishes such as cocido and ternasco. The city’s layout reflects centuries of development shaped by various rulers and communities.

Add to list Map view

City in Spain

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 8.0

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, museums, and tourist attractions, but less so in small shops or local bars. Younger locals and staff in the hospitality sector are usually comfortable with visitors.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Zaragoza Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Strong in historic landmarks and Spanish culture. Visit grand basilicas and palaces, explore museums, walk lively plazas and enjoy tapas bars.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Walkable

Spotless

Local cuisine

Architecture

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Spain – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in Spain, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations. Credit and debit cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are available in many establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Spain but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is customary. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may also be tipped, though it is less common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is restricted in some regions, particularly in tourist-heavy cities. Local laws may vary.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas.

La Tomatina (August)	A famous tomato-throwing festival, expect large crowds in Buñol.
Semana Santa (March/April)	Religious parades and events make this a busy time in major cities.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive celebrations, with tourist areas becoming busier.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Cabify, Bolt, Uber
Other:	Spain is known for its diverse culture, stunning architecture, and vibrant festivals. Public transport is reliable and efficient, making it easy to explore.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Zaragoza, Spain

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

☀️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	April - May, Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, June, Sep.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Fiestas del Pilar around 12 October, a week of parades and events, hotels fill up early

Cierzo, a strong cold dry northwest wind, blows most often in winter and spring

August: many restaurants and shops close as locals leave the city

Don't miss

⛪ Visit the stunning Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
🏰 Explore the historic Palacio de la Aljafería palace
🕍 Discover the gothic beauty of La Seo Cathedral
🌉 Walk the scenic Puente de Piedra over the Ebro River
🍽️ Sample tapas in the lively El Tubo district
🎨 Visit Museo Goya, home to famous artist’s works

You've been here?

Why travel to Zaragoza?

Zaragoza is perfect for travelers who love history, architecture and authentic Spanish culture without the crowds of bigger cities. The Plaza del Pilar is a showstopper, flanked by two cathedrals and buzzing with local life. You’ll find UNESCO-listed Mudéjar architecture, the jaw-dropping Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the ornate Aljafería Palace and even a unique origami museum. The city’s Roman heritage peeks through in ancient walls and museums, while the El Tubo district is a must for tapas hopping. But be prepared: Zaragoza’s climate is dry and can be windy, especially in the vast open squares. Summers get hot and winters are chilly. English is spoken in tourist spots, but less so elsewhere, so a few Spanish phrases go a long way. The city is walkable, but some attractions are spread out – bring comfy shoes and plan for some strolls along the river. Still, Zaragoza’s welcoming spirit, rich history and food scene make it a fantastic and underrated Spanish destination.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Museo Goya
2 Puente de Piedra
3 Iglesia de San Pablo
4 La Lonja
5 Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
6 Escuela Museo Origami Zaragoza

🎡Places for activities

1 Palacio de la Aljafería
2 Acuario de Zaragoza
3 Plaza del Pilar
4 Parque de Atracciones de Zaragoza
5 CaixaForum Zaragoza

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Parque del Agua Luis Buñuel
2 Camino de los Galachos
3 Rio Ebro

🎈Events

Fiestas del Pilar (October)
Holy Week processions
Zaragoza Tapas Festival
Expo Zaragoza anniversary events
Christmas markets
Roman Festival
Street art and music festivals
Open-air concerts in Plaza del Pilar
Film and theater festivals
Flower offering during Fiestas del Pilar

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Stay central; most sights cluster around Plaza del Pilar.
Visit both cathedrals: Basilica del Pilar and La Seo; they’re close yet architecturally very different.
Reserve time for Aljafería Palace; entry slots can sell out, especially on weekends and holidays.
For classic photos, cross Puente de Piedra at sunset – Pilar’s domes glow over the Ebro River.

How to travel to Zaragoza

Zaragoza is well-connected by high-speed train (AVE) from Madrid and Barcelona (about 1.5 hours from each), with frequent departures. Zaragoza Airport has flights to several Spanish and European cities and is a short taxi or bus ride from the center. Long-distance buses and highways link Zaragoza to the rest of Spain. The main train and bus stations are modern and easy to navigate.

Access summary

From Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ): Airport bus or taxi, around 20–30 minutes.
From Barcelona: High-speed AVE train about 1.5 hours; driving roughly 3 hours.
From Madrid: High-speed AVE train about 1.5 hours; intercity buses slightly longer.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Zaragoza

Zaragoza offers everything from boutique hotels in the old town to modern chains, budget hostels and apartments. For atmosphere, stay near Plaza del Pilar or the old Jewish Quarter. Book ahead for major festivals, especially Fiestas del Pilar in October, as rooms fill quickly.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Catalonia El Pilar

9.2

Silken Reino De Aragon Hotel

8.9

Vincci Zentro Hotel

8.9

Hotel Eurostars Zaragoza

NH Ciudad de Zaragoza

8.9

Hotel Reina Petronila

8.9

NH Collection Gran Hotel de Zaragoza

9.0

Hotel Eurostars Rey Fernando II

8.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Zaragoza

The city center and main sights are walkable, but some attractions (like Aljafería Palace and Expo area) are a bit further – local buses and trams are efficient and easy to use. Taxis and bike rentals are also available. The city is flat but can be windy, so cycling is pleasant but sometimes breezy. Parking in the old town is limited; use public lots or park outside and walk in.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-31 %

Daily expenses in Zaragoza are around 31% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£51	£104	£254
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£98
🍝 Food per day	£26	£52	£137
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£7	£20

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£17
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£9.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.40
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£11.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.40

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£32
🤧 Cold medication	£12.50
💇 Basic haircut	£11.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Zaragoza is very safe, with low crime rates. Standard precautions apply: keep valuables secure in crowded areas and on public transport. The city is lively at night, but avoid deserted streets late in the evening.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies throughout the city. Tap water is safe to drink. No special vaccinations are needed, but travel insurance is always a good idea.

Accessibility

Most main attractions and public transport are accessible, but cobblestone streets and some historic buildings can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Check ahead for accessibility at specific sites.

Tap water

Tap water in Zaragoza is safe and widely available. Public fountains exist in parks and squares, but carrying a refillable bottle is handy, especially in the summer heat.