Last updated September 2022
Zaragoza may not be on the top of everyone’s list of places to visit in Spain but it really has a lot to offer and it is possible to visit it without spending too much money. It is the capital of the autonomous region of Aragon and it is the 5th largest city in all of Spain. I was only in Zaragoza for 3 nights, around 2 full days, but I was happy with all that I saw in this time and I was able to get a good feel for the city.
So here is my list, in no particular order:
- Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
- La Seo Catedral
- La Lonja
- Origami Museum and Centro de Historias
- River Ebro
- Parque José Antonio Labordeta
- Plaza de España
- Museo de Goya Colección Ibercaja
- Museo de Zaragoza
- Aljafería
Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
The basilica is almost certainly the top attraction in the city. Surprisingly, there is no entry fee so you can enter any time you like and return as many times as you wish.
To be honest, it is more impressive from the outside than from the inside. It is impressive inside, of course, but it is not a basilica that will stand out for me in years to come. That being said, it is very beautifully decorated on the inside, I liked the blue and white theme. I also really liked the grates on the ground in the shape of big stars; I am pretty sure that this doesn’t signify anything but I liked this detail. You must keep your eyes open for Goya’s frescoes in the Choir and the dome he painted, the Regina Martyrum dome. Goya is important to the city, don’t be surprised to see signs of him all over the city.
Make sure you go up the elevator to the tower. It only costs €3 and it offers wonderful views of the city, especially of the River Ebro and its various bridges. It also offers an excellent view of the coloured domes of the basilica, see photo above. In order to find the lift you must follow the sign that says Ascensor, this is Spanish for lift. There is also a museum in the basilica, it costs €2.
Address:
Plaza del Pilar
Admission fee:
Free
Note: the lift costs €3 and the museum costs €2
Can I take photographs?
Yes
La Seo Cathedral
Its full name is Catedral del Salvador (Cathedral of the Saviour) but it is more commonly known as La Seo Cathedral. It is very close to the basilica.
It is in the Plaza del Pilar. The entrance is through the door of the white building beside the tower with the red pointed top. The statue of Goya is in-front.
I was surprised by how beautiful the cathedral was on the inside, it is really stunning. For me, it is more impressive than the interior of the basilica. It has beautiful columns, all decorated differently, and many little chaples.
The exterior is impressive too, of course. It’s worth walking around the perimeter so you can really appreciate the different architectural styles, especially the Mudéjar style, this architecture style shows an Islamic influence. Zaragoza has some excellent examples of Mudéjar architecture and are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
La Seo is also home to the Tapestry Museum, I didn’t enter but it is supposed to be very interesting. It is also included in the admission fee of the cathedral.
TIP: The entrance to the Tapestry Museum is opposite the door you enter the cathedral. When you enter the cathedral and if you keep going straight, past the Retablo del Altar Mayor, you will come to a wooden door. There is an arrow beside it pointing to the Museum.
Address:
Plaza del Pilar
Guided tours of tapestry Museum:
Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30 and 16:30, 17:30
Sunday: 10:30 and 11:30
Can I take photographs?
No
La Lonja
La Lonja is now an exhibition space, one of many beautiful ones in the city. Even if you just enter to admire the beautiful columns and intricate ceiling, you will have spent your time wisely. There is no entry fee so there is no reason to not hop in. It is located in the Plaza del Pilar, beside the Town Hall and very close to the basilica.
Origami Museum and Zaragoza’s Centro de Historias
Zaragoza has its own Origami Museum and I would recommend visiting it if you have the time. It is housed on the top floor of the city’s Centro de Historias. The centre has 3 floors of free exhibitions and a café, in addition to the museum. I would absolutely recommend visiting it. I enjoyed my time here so much that I have already dedicated a post to it, you can read it HERE.
River Ebro
The River Ebro is a huge river and it runs through a lot of cities in Spain, such as Logroño, the capital of the autonomous region of La Rioja – an area that has much more to offer than just wine, although this is delicious! I will be writing in La Rioja in detail very soon.
You can enjoy the view of the river from the tower of the basilica (you must pay €3 and go up the lift to reach it) or from walking one of its many bridges, especially Puente de Piedra (Stone Bridge) and Puente de Santiago (Santiago Bridge, relating to the Camino de Santiago). You can also walk beside the river, if you feel like relaxing a little bit.
Parque José Antonio Labordeta
This is a huge park, one you can easily spend a few hours in. It has many different areas with many statues, fountains, places to sit and relax and little cafés. It is named after a former mayor of the city. I was very impressed with it and was glad that I made the time to visit it.
It is a little outside of the centre, near the University of Zaragoza and the canal.
Plaza de España
For me, this was square was very impressive. The architecture reminded me of Madrid, a little. The roads that converge here are all very important ones, in particular, Paseo de la Independencia. For shopping, I think this is the best place to be. There are restaurants and shops in the square too.
Museo de Goya Colección Ibercaja
Goya is very important to the city as he is from Aragon, he was born in a town near Zaragoza called Fuendetodos.
This museum is the most Goya-related place you can visit in Zaragoza. There are 4 floors dedicated to Goya! It’s well-worth visiting if you are interested in his art, if not then I would say to save your €6 and just take a photograph of his statue in Plaza del Pilar, see photo above.
Address:
Espoz y Mina, 23, Zaragoza
Opening times:
Spring/Summer (21st March – 31st October)
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 – 20:00
Sunday and Festivals: 10:00 – 14:00
Winter (1st November – 20th March)
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 – 14:00 and 16:00 – 20:00
Sunday and Festivals: 10:00 – 14:00
Admission fee:
€6
Can I take photographs?
No
Museo de Zaragoza
The museum building and inner courtyard are beautiful. The museum is located in a very pretty, peaceful area of Zaragoza. It is located in a lovely square, Plaza los Sitios. It has a little park in the centre. It is located a little outside the historic centre but it is just off Paseo de la Independencia, a very pleasant street to walk and shop on. There are some nice cafés and restaurants here too. I went to a restaurant very near called Café Bosho, I enjoyed my lunch there.
There are 2 floors in the museum. The 1st floor/ground floor focuses on the more ancient history of the city, especially its Roman foundations. The 2nd floor focuses on art, there are some works by Goya and there are also some Japanese objects.
Address:
Plaza los Sitios 6
Website:
http://www.museodezaragoza.es/
Social media:
Admission fee:
Free but you still need to go to the ticket desk (the room to the left of the entrance) to get a paper ticket and to state your nationality.
Toilets:
Yes
Note: The toilets are a little bit hidden, they are between Room 5 and Room 6 but you can only access them from the outside, from the courtyard. The door is behind the bust of Goya/Museo de Zaragoza sign in the centre of the courtyard in the museum.
Wi-Fi:
No
Aljafería
Unfortunately, I didn’t go inside the palace even though I have it on good authority that it is well worth the visit. However, I did sit outside it on my Sunday afternoon and I enjoyed myself very much. Sun, palm trees, grass and benches, it is easy to forget that you are near some busy roundabouts and roads. It is located very close to the train and bus stations (called Delicias) and to Caixaforum, a very interesting exhibition space.
The grounds are free so it is a nice place to sit and relax. Even from the outside, the fortified palace is impressive, and it is worth seeing it both during the day and night.
Those are my Top 10 but here are some other attractions in the city that you might want to check out:
- Pablo Gargallo Museum – dedicated to his sculptures
- Zaragoza Expo 2008 – impressive architecture
- CaixaForum – exhibition space
I hope this post will help you plan your trip to Zaragoza!
