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English10 must-see places in Tarragona
- Roman origins: the legions led by Scipio Africanus arrived in 217 BC and made the city Tarraco, a major city of the Roman Empire outside Italy.
- Amphitheatre and circus: the amphitheatre, built by the sea at the end of the 2nd century AD, held around 14,000 spectators and contains the remains of the church of Santa María del Miracle. The 1st-century circus, with room for more than 25,000 people, leads to the Praetorium.
- Cathedral and squares: Santa Tecla cathedral, begun in 1171 and consecrated in 1331, stands on the former temple of Augustus. The Plaza del Fòrum occupies the Roman forum, 300 metres long and 200 wide; add to this the Plaza del Pallol and the Plaza de la Font.
- Walls and aqueduct: the archaeological promenade runs for just over a kilometre along the 2nd-century BC wall, which once stretched 3,500 metres. The Ferreres Aqueduct, 3 kilometres from the centre, rises to 27 metres and you can walk along it for more than 200 metres.
- Key point: the city is easy to explore on foot, between Roman remains, the Rambla Nova, the Balcó del Mediterrani 40 metres up and the Serrallo fishing quarter.
This list of the best places to see in Tarragona will help you plan your route through one of the most interesting and historic cities in Europe.
Arriving by the Mediterranean Sea, the Roman legions led by the great general Scipio Africanus reached Tarragona in 217 BC and made it Tarraco, an important city of the Roman Empire outside Italy.
The Romans ran a large part of Hispania (the Iberian Peninsula) and built great structures such as the amphitheatre, the circus and the aqueduct, which have stood the test of time and can still be admired today.
1. Tarraco amphitheatre
The Roman amphitheatre, built beside the sea at the end of the 2nd century AD, is one of the most beautiful places to see in Tarragona.
In Roman times, this arena held about 14,000 spectators, and everything (from fights between gladiators and wild beasts to public executions) took place in view of the stone stands around it. You can see them from the Amphitheatre Park.
You can also go inside to see the vaults and the remains of the 12th-century church of Santa María del Miracle.
Most of the sculptures and the most important remains from the Amphitheatre and the ancient city of Tarraco are in the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona (MNAT), in the Serrallo district.
2. Roman circus
Another of the best things to do in Tarragona is to visit the circus which, together with the amphitheatre, is one of the two main buildings from the Roman Empire in the city.
Built in the 1st century AD and holding more than 25,000 people, it is one of the best preserved in Europe and was used for chariot races. Today you can still see part of the stands and three of the inner vaults: one of them leads to the Praetorium, a Roman tower whose stairs gave access to the provincial Forum.
Over time, this Praetorium tower became a fortress and a palace of the kings of the Crown of Aragon. At the top there is a viewpoint with a fantastic panorama over the city. The Plaça del Rei is a lovely square with a clear view of the Praetorium.
3. Tarragona cathedral
Walking up Calle Mayor, full of all kinds of shops, you reach the Pla de la Seu square, where you will find more of the places that rank among the most important sights in Tarragona.
Above all, there is Santa Tecla cathedral, begun in 1171 in the Romanesque style, completed later in the Gothic style and finally consecrated in 1331.
It was built on the former temple of Emperor Augustus, some remains of which can still be seen in the cloister area.
The exterior stands out for its Gothic main doorway with pointed arches, where you can see several sculptures of apostles and one of the Virgin on the central pillar.
It is also worth going inside to see the tailors' chapel, the high altar, the wooden altarpiece dedicated to the city's patron saint, Santa Tecla, the diocesan museum and the cloister.
4. Plaza del Fòrum
The Plaza del Fòrum, on the site of the provincial forum of Roman times, is a place steeped in history.
The city's Roman Forum covered an area 300 metres long and 200 wide, surrounded by porticoes, a piece of which can still be seen in the centre of the square.
Today it is one of the liveliest squares in the city and perfect for a drink on one of its many terraces. It may even be our favourite spot in Tarragona, as it brings together the oldest buildings, and charming cobbled streets lead into it, including Carrer de la Merceria.
5. Rambla Nova
Strolling along the Rambla Nova, the city's most famous street, is another of the best things to do in Tarragona.
A good walk starts at the Balcó del Mediterrani, a viewpoint 40 metres up with an incredible view over the Mediterranean Sea, the port and the amphitheatre.
From this viewpoint you can also see Miracle beach, perfect for walking or sport, and for a swim in warm weather.
6. Plaza del Pallol
Another of the squares that rank among the most interesting sights in Tarragona, which also has archaeological remains of the 1st-century AD provincial Forum, is the Plaza del Pallol.
Here you can see the remains of a gateway and a vault, as well as the pilasters of the former beguine house; and in the old public building you can make out parts of the south-west tower, with doors and stairs.
Inside this building there is a plan of Tarraco, showing the ancient Roman city in great detail.
7. El Serrallo
The old fishing quarter of El Serrallo is another of the most charming places to visit in Tarragona.
Next to the port where fishing boats and large luxury yachts moor, you will see buildings with colourful façades, narrow streets and restaurants specialising in fish and rice dishes, such as the iconic Pòsit del Serrallo.
The church of Sant Pere, the Fishermen's Association building and the Lonja, where fresh fish is sold at auction, are among its most important places.
8. Walls of Tarragona
Walk along the archaeological promenade, just over a kilometre long, beside the old 2nd-century BC wall of Tarraco.
This wall is one of the oldest Roman structures outside Italy and was up to 3,500 metres long at the time; it was reinforced in the 16th and 17th centuries to withstand attacks with more modern weapons and better protect the city.
9. Plaza de la Font
The Plaza de la Font, between the Rambla Nova and the old town, is the most popular square to see in Tarragona.
Built over a large part of the old Roman circus, this square is home to the neoclassical town hall building.
As well as having a drink or a meal at one of its restaurants with terraces, this long square is perfect for leaving your car in its underground car park and setting off to explore the city.
10. Ferreres Aqueduct
The Ferreres Aqueduct, or Pont del Diable, 3 kilometres from the centre, is another of the places that rank among the top sights to visit in Tarragona.
Although this structure is only a section of the 1st-century BC aqueduct that carried water from the Francolí river to the Roman city of Tarraco, this part is perfectly preserved. You can see two levels of stacked arches, reaching a maximum height of 27 metres.
As well as admiring it from both sides, we recommend climbing to the top and walking the more than 200 metres along the bridge.
After completing this list of places to see in Tarragona and if you plan to spend the night in the city, we recommend the night tour by the Viajeros agency, which tells the mysteries and legends of the city and takes you to surprising places and stories.
If you would like to invest in property in Tarragona, feel free to contact us.
Source: Viajeroscallejeros
Romain Traversino is head of the Barcelona office of Alveo Search (Alveo group). He supports international buyers with their property projects in Barcelona and in Catalonia, from search to signing. He speaks six languages and shares his advice on choosing neighbourhoods, analysing prices and buying remotely.
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