Plaza de España in Zaragoza. Famous sights of Zaragoza: photo and description

The bewitching beauty that absorbed the character and temperament of the Iberian tribes, Roman soldiers, Arab conquerors, Spanish defenders of the homeland, did not resort area but a tourist mecca.

An ancient corner of Spain, where every stone remembers and honors the centuries-old history of the people. If you are moving from Madrid to Barcelona, ​​stay here for a day or two, you won't regret it! The capital of the autonomy of Aragon, Zaragoza is ready to surprise you!

Zaragoza Attractions (Zaragoza)

The Caliphate of Cordoba "did" a lot to make Zaragoza today the way we see it. The Moors not only dominated this territory, but also brought to life a lot of building "projects" in the Mudéjar style. Arabic and European notes intertwined and "inscribed" their lines in the biography of Spanish architecture. As a result, we have received those sights that the whole world admires today.

Castles, palaces and fortresses, city squares and fountains, natural parks and man-made gardens and parks, towers and gates, bridges and arches, basilicas and temples… Silent witnesses of the richest and most difficult history of the local population today amaze with the skill of their execution, the professionalism of architects and architects, the imagination of painters and sculptors.

Today I, Eduard Surzhik, will try in my blitz notes to introduce you to the amazing objects and places of Zaragoza and tell you which sights of the city of Zaragoza (Spain) are worth seeing first.

Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar

If you come here, you have a chance to see the largest Spanish Baroque temple. It was built in the period 17-19st. However, as usual, long before that there was a completely different religious building. It was founded in the 2nd century. ancient temple was replaced by Romanesque, then Gothic, and now - Baroque. Although, according to legend, this was not the case at all. Once the apostle James had a vision of the Mother of God. Here on the very spot where it happened, they built the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar. They even installed a Holy Column with the figure of the Mother of God in the cathedral.

The building is framed by four towers 90 meters high. Moorish ornament on 12 domes. The legendary Goya worked on the creation of the interior painting.

The impression of everything seen is incredible. They say during the war civil war two enemy shells hit the basilica and did not explode.

You will find this basilica in Pilar Square, which I will talk about a little later. Near the Basilica - the famous Cathedral. About him - also later. I can only say that Our Lady Pilar is the patroness of the city and all countries with a Spanish-speaking population.

Monasterio de Piedra Natural Park (Parque Natural del Monasterio de Piedra)

Amazing place. It takes about an hour to get to this park from the city center. It is located in the Iberian mountains, dotted with numerous rivers and lakes, beautiful waterfalls. Although the park is natural, that is, it should, as it were, be clean, virgin, untouched, but it’s not quite like that. On the territory of Monasterio there is a fairly developed tourism infrastructure, which includes a hotel for visitors, a restaurant, a resort center and a lot of attractions.


In total, the length of all paths and paths of Monasterio is almost 5 km. The air is the purest. Landscapes are magnificent. The park, so to speak, is walking. Special shoes or clothing are not required, but you need to dress and wear shoes so that you feel comfortable wandering around the park. Especially good here in the hot season. Abundant vegetation provides a pleasant shade, and waterfalls and lakes are responsible for optimal air humidity.

Walking here, you can become a spectator of fascinating shows with birds of prey. It is both entertaining and educational.


Well, and, perhaps, you can’t leave the park without visiting the monastery that gave it its name. The monastery was founded in the 12th century. 13 monks decided to build their own monastery on the remains of the Arab fortress. They decided, and the Spaniards had to complete the matter for six centuries. Here and Gothic, and Gothic Renaissance, and classical Baroque. The monastery ceased to exist in the middle of the 19th century. Then the king issued a decree disbanding the order of local monks. Unfortunately, today its building is destroyed. Tourists can only see its ruins and the remains of some decorative elements.

If you decide to go around all the sights of Zaragoza in 1 day, you are unlikely to have time to appreciate this natural park. He deserves special close attention and your slowness.

Monastery of San Juan de la Paine

Date of foundation - 10th century. It was built when Christians (Mozarabs) adopted the language and culture of the Arabs, converting to Islam. Whether they obeyed the will of the invaders or did it voluntarily is no longer known. But from that time to the present day, far from all such structures have survived. Therefore, the Spaniards are proud of this monastery, perhaps more than others. The ashes of the first rulers of Aragon still lie behind the monastery walls. You will look for the monastery on the map, focus on the city of Jaca. There is a monastery next to it. This is a mountainous area in the north of Spain (Pyrenees massif). Of course, you will definitely need a map of Zaragoza with sights in Russian. This object belongs to the sights of Zaragoza, although it is within easy reach of France, unlike the Spanish Zaragoza.


The building is made in the Romanesque style and is a beautiful example of it.

Alhaferia Palace (Palacio Alhaferia)

This is a real business card of the old part of the city. "Born" in the 12th century, this palace is quite well preserved. Islamic architects created a symbol of their power and wealth in stone. Later, as was the case almost everywhere in Spain, the Spanish rulers arranged their residence in the palace. Even later, Aljaferia became the dungeons of the Inquisition and a defensive fortress, undergoing restructuring and strengthening. Today it is the oldest architectural object in the old part of the city and the most popular museum. The main styles are Mudéjar and Gothic.


Just think, in Zaragoza, two hundred various palaces have been preserved. And from this huge amount The greatest pride, of course, is the Aljaferia.

The interior, according to tourists, is incredibly beautiful. Actually, as well as decorative elements. On Sunday, the museum is admitted free of charge, and on weekdays for a fee of 5 euros.

Almenar Castle

This castle is one of the largest in Spain. In the 10th century, Christians who converted to Islam strengthened themselves on this set. They were called Mozarabs. The times were turbulent, and the people began to build defensive structures. We started with the watchtowers. And finished with Almenar Castle. However, this castle was not so much a castle. Rather - a large sentinel structure.


The main role of Almenar is sentinel and signal. The large and tall Almenar was convenient for highest point signal to other defenders about the situation outside the fortress walls. Basically, these were bonfires and other signal signs. And only after almost five centuries, the Almenar watchpoint began to be expanded, strengthened, giving it the appearance of a real fortress. Moreover, here, according to the idea, there should have been not only defenders, but also nobles. That is, a "residential" function was added to the defense function, so that the nobles could stop here during their travels around the country. With the advent of the 20th century, part of the premises of the fortress was given over to police barracks. Today, a tablet hangs on the palace walls, telling that a certain Leonor was born in Almenar. She was the daughter of a constable, and became the wife and muse of the famous Spanish poet Antonio Machado. This name, most likely, will not tell us anything, but the Spaniards, especially the Zaragoza people, are very proud of him.

Plaza de España

Almost every major Spanish city has its own Plaza de España. There is also one in Zaragoza. Not the most important, but one of the. Tourists know it from the monument to soldiers and local residents who died defending the city from Napoleon's army. And near the monument - a fountain.


This area is surrounded by modern business and administrative buildings, hotels and inns. There is even a McDonald's. For this, Plaza de España can be safely categorized as modern attractions. The city has many public transport routes that have a mandatory stop at Plaza España.

Pilar Square (Plaza Pilar)

On this square, like no other, the people of Saragossa love to stroll. But, if you are superstitious, then you are unlikely to set foot on Pilar. After all, this square was built in the 16th century on the site of an old cemetery.


Over the centuries, the square has changed both its shape and size. The cultural and political life of the Aragonese capital has always been in full swing here. Nowadays, here is a favorite place for all kinds of festivals and folk festivals. There are incredibly many original, original and amazing buildings. In the whole city you will not find a place where there would be so many such buildings and structures.

It is on this square that many of the attractions that I am telling you about today are concentrated. There is the Roman Forum, the Hispanidad Fountain, and a host of other most popular tourist attractions.

Pilar has another name - Cathedral Square. Two cathedrals look here with facades at once. One of them is the Cathedral. I'll tell you more about it a little later.

Fountain waterfall Hispanidad (Fuente-cascada de España)

Here's what you should definitely visit from the sights of Zaragoza - it's Hispanidad. This fountain, at the first glance, stands out for its unusual shape, appearance, scale. It was built for the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus. It is more like a waterfall than a fountain in the usual sense of the word. The architects depicted a map of Latin America, providing the fountain with the status of one of the most unusual on the planet. Streams of water fall into the split between the platforms, forming a waterfall. Marble slabs, standing vertically, are a symbolic image of the three ships of Christopher. There is also a sculptural statue of the globe. Such an unusual fountain makes Zaragoza itself very unusual.


And the name of the fountain, Hispanidad, is a generalized name for more than 20 countries with Hispanic populations.

You will find the fountain on Pilar Square, which I wrote about a little higher.

Stone bridge

Avid travelers at least once, but heard about the existence of the legendary Stone Bridge in Zaragoza. It was this bridge crossing that connected local residents with other Spanish cities for a long period of time. You can find the bridge in the old part of the city. Date of construction - 15th century. In the 17th century, the bridge survived a severe flood on the Ebro River, losing its power and integrity due to the elements.


It had to be restored. And already in our time, in the early 90s of the 20th century, bronze lions were installed on the bridge. From that moment on, they began to call him Lion. Once in Zaragoza, you will certainly want to visit the Lion's Bridge. And you will do it right. This is a beautiful example of bridge architecture.

Alfonso Street (Calle Alfonso)

This street is known for its, so to speak, publicity and enchanting. Such a local Rambla. Everything here is focused on visitors who need to be entertained to the fullest. Well, those, in turn, leave their honestly earned here.


Alfonso Alley can be found in the city center. In summer it is bright, noisy, colorful, there are street cafes everywhere. In winter it is also bright, noisy, plus Christmas garlands everywhere and colorful lights.

Of all the streets in Saragoga, this is perhaps the most beautiful. There are so many antiquities on the sides that you now and then feel the breath of one century, then another. If you want to spend time idly, literally and figuratively, come to Calle Alfonso. Flowers, souvenirs, restaurants, street performers, shops and boutiques - you will not notice how the day will fly by.

Museum of the Roman Forum (Museo del Foro Romano)

On the site of modern Zaragoza, there was once a Roman colony. Sufficiently developed and prosperous colony. Now there are only ruins from the former power and luxury. From the former forum turned into a museum. Tourists can look at the remains of ancient buildings and structures: a theater, a square, various buildings. Next to each "exhibit" there is a special plate with information about the object and its original image. Plus - samples and models of Roman household items, dishes, water pipes, sewer systems and so on.


Everything that archaeologists found during their excavations, all this was combined into such a museum under open sky.

Museum of Zaragoza

This museum is from the category of local history, as we say. That is, it contains everything that can tell guests about the history of the city and the life of citizens over the centuries. Ethnographic, archaeological, art exhibits, a library, a restoration department, Roman mosaics, furniture and other details of the interior of the Aljaferia castle, paintings by representatives of the Renaissance, sculptures of Romanesque authors and much, much more - all this is the Museum of Zaragoza. In the entire province of Aragon, this museum is the largest. Well, almost the biggest one.


Pablo Gargallo Museum (Museo Pablo Gargalo)

Gargallo is an avant-garde sculptor who in Spain is considered the founder of avant-garde art. The museum in which his work is exhibited today is the Palacio Argillo. It dates from the 17th century. The painter of this, for sure, is not known to the general public. In any case, he is far from Picasso's glory. But he made a very impressive contribution to world art. In Barcelona, ​​for example, many buildings are decorated with his work. Therefore, in Zaragoza, this museum is included in many excursion routes for tourists and guests of the city.


Most of his life Gargallo lived in the French capital. He was friends with prominent artists of that time. Even made friends with Picasso and created his bust.

Francisco Goya Museum (Museo Francisco Goya)

The exposition of this museum is dedicated to none other than a celebrity named Francisco Goya. The whole world knows and respects him, at least the world of art. The museum began with a private collection of spouses who appreciate the work of this painter. Then Goya's admirers handed over everything they had collected to the local community. As it soon turned out, not only local, but also global.


Over time, in addition to the works of Goya himself, the museum also began to exhibit works by contemporaries of the outstanding artist.

By the way, in addition to the paintings themselves, tourists admire the architecture of the museum building. Once upon a time, to store the collected paintings, the creators of the museum bought a beautiful building of the Renaissance - the house of Koshida. He was a nobleman not of the highest levels of the social hierarchy. His house began to be built in the middle of the 16th century. The architectural style of the buildings is Moorish. At that time, the buildings that were part of the estate of this nobleman were akin to a revolution in local architecture.

Today, museum workers store a total of five hundred exhibits. The most valuable are 15 paintings by Goya, plus a collection of his engravings. Everything else is paintings and engravings by artists who worked almost at the same time as him.

La Seo Cathedral and the Gobelin Museum (La Seo Cathedral y el Museo de Gobelins)

La Seo Cathedral is the most significant of all the religious sites in Zaragoza. As elsewhere in Spain, here the architecture has absorbed various trends, combining them in a bizarre way. First there was a Roman forum, then an Arab mosque, and now a Christian church.

Initially, the architects worked in the Romanesque style. When the cathedral began to expand and finish building, Gothic "intervened" in the matter. After a couple of centuries, his contribution to appearance The Baroque style also "introduced" the cathedral, embodied in a tall tower.

Three levels of the cathedral rise to the sky very gracefully and majestically. Reviews of tourists about this object are the most positive.

The decoration of the cathedral is also impressive, which matches the status of the most important institution for Saragossa Christians.


It is on the territory of the Cathedral that the Tapestry Museum also operates. Therefore, when you come here, you will see two outstanding local attractions at once. The museum is full of tapestries. The Flemish craftsmen did their best to make such thin beautiful carpets. The dimensions of most carpets are impressive. The age reaches several centuries. And all this is done by hand! In addition to carpets in the museum, you can also see all kinds of exhibits of a religious orientation, exquisite jewelry and the work of sculptors.

About weather

Zaragoza itself is located at 200 meters above sea level. It leaves its mark on her climatic conditions. It is cold here in winter (about zero degrees), and in summer it is usually hot (average 40 degrees).

If you are going to Zaragoza in the summer to see people and show yourself, then this season is not the best for traveling. Due to the heat, the local people, if possible, leave their apartments / houses and move closer to the sea or to the mountains. June is generally rainy. The best time to travel is April-May. Relatively dry and warm, and the people are all in place.

The city was founded in 24 BC. by the Romans and until 380 AD. had the status of a colony of Caesaraugusta, from which the modern name came.

Zaragoza is the capital autonomy of Aragon in Spain and relatively Big City compared to others settlements region. For 2012 in it officially 670,000 people lived, as well as up to thirty thousand illegal immigrants. On the today Zaragoza is the fifth largest city in Spain. He located at an altitude of about 200 meters above sea level and about halfway between Barcelona and Madrid. However, in essence it is a calm provincial town, with its own ancient history, hospitable people and well-developed infrastructure.


The beautiful city of Zaragoza, however, does not have as many attractions as Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia. Of course, there are ancient buildings here, as a result of constantly ongoing excavations, more and more new artifacts are discovered, but, unfortunately, this does not have the desired effect on the city's attendance by visitors.

Business Zaragoza

Zaragoza is serious the industrial center of Spain with branches of the largest European companies. In the city you can also find modern architecture. Here, in 2008, from June 14 to September 14, the world exhibition EXPO 2008 was held, dedicated to the topic of water and its shortage on the planet. For this event, a giant complex was built in Zaragoza with many interesting buildings and a funicular was installed. Having driven on it, you can see the entire complex from a height in half an hour and appreciate the architectural thought of its creators. This adds up to their pleasant, rhythmic, simple life, in which each year is similar to the previous one.



Ordinary people of Zaragoza

Nice people live in Zaragoza, not spoiled by the resort atmosphere of the coasts. For the most part, residents are involved in the work of local heavy industry enterprises, work according to a work schedule, receive a salary, and visit shopping centers with their children on weekends. From this, their pleasant, rhythmic, monotonous routine is formed from year to year. Restaurant prices are low good quality food, shops provide a sufficient modern range of basic goods at an appropriate price. This is a good city for a measured quiet life of the middle class for people who are not going to conquer the world in the near future and become the bigwigs of European business.

Old town and tours of Zaragoza

The historical part of Zaragoza is small, like the whole city. You can get around historical monuments and see the sights in an hour and a half. More will take about two days.

The Ebra River flows through the city, which later, already on the territory of Catalonia, will spill into a wide delta, providing moisture for the world-famous protected lands there. From the point of view of a city visitor looking for entertainment and spectacles, it will be difficult to find something to do in Zaragoza for more than two days. Although, if you decide to hide from world popularity and quietly grow old in the Spanish province, getting a job as a manager at a nearby factory where low-budget models of Opel cars are assembled, then Zaragoza is perfect a place.

Between Barcelona and Madrid lies the ancient city of Zaragoza. It differs from the Spanish megacities by the measured pace of life with its characteristic provincial calm. Perhaps this is where the differences end. Zaragoza is not inferior to other resorts in hospitality, the level of infrastructure development and the number of places against which you want to be photographed. Sagarosa is called the industrial center of Spain. You can also do great shopping here.

Weather

Zaragoza is located at an altitude of 200 meters above sea level. That is, winters here are usually cold, and summers are hot. In degrees, this is expressed as follows: in August +40, in January - about zero. But even if you like to “smoke” in the sun, we do not advise you to visit Zaragoza in the summer months: the streets are empty at this time, the locals leave for the coast or the mountains, the bars-restaurants are closed. But in April - the very thing: warm, fresh, pleasant. And so on until June - the rainiest month. Although the raininess in our understanding is not at all what drips from the sky in Zaragoza during this period. So you can go.

At first glance, the city of "five cultures" may seem boring. There is no atmosphere of "spoiled relaxation", as in coastal resorts. The local population works at local factories strictly according to the schedule. And their weekends are spent as a family in some shopping center.

Nevertheless, Zaragoza throws new artifacts to archaeologists every year. Perhaps in the future this city will take its rightful place in the top of the most interesting historical and cultural places in Spain. Today, all the beauties of Zaragoza can be explored on foot in a couple of hours. If you hurry, of course.

To capture the "spirit" of the city, you need to stay at least a couple of days. We recommend starting the tour from the historic center of Casco Viejo and Pilar Square. There is the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar or, in other words, the Cathedral of Our Lady. By the way, this Cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Spain. Its walls are painted by the hands of Francisco Goya himself. Zaragoza is the birthplace of this great and strange painter. The temple itself houses a priceless statue of the Virgin Mary, after which the majestic Baroque building was named.

The Cathedral is the main symbol of Zaragoza. visit Holy place can be free. But if you want to get into the museum at the temple, you need to pay a symbolic amount of € 3.

Literally a couple of steps away is the Cathedral of the Savior. A mosque once stood in its place. After the expulsion of the Arabs from Christian lands, the Muslim building was hastily converted into a temple. But after a few years, they still decided to destroy the mosque, leaving no memories of the past. This is how the beautiful and consecrated Cathedral of the Savior appeared. It has a museum with many interesting exhibits, including works by Rubens and Flemish tapestries. The collection of tapestries gathered here is considered the best in the world. The cathedral is included in the UNESCO list. Entrance to the temple is free.

The heritage of Muslim culture is the Aljaferia Palace. This is the former residence of the Arab rulers, and later - the Catholic kings. By visiting it, you will find out what romantic story formed the basis of the famous opera Il trovatore by Verdi. On Sundays, admission to the Aljaferia is free. On other days - € 5, discounts are provided for children and the elderly.

The stone bridge of Zaragoza is a famous and popular landmark of the city. This is a wonderful place where you can indulge in romantic dreams and see the sun go beyond the horizon. The "stormy temper" of the Ebro River demolished the wooden, and later the stone structure of the bridge many times. Finally, the last built version of the "lion" bridge (its other name) turned out to be hardy and withstood against the current of the most full-flowing river in Spain.

Piedra Monastery, or rather its natural park, deservedly bears the name of a historical monument. It is an hour's drive from Zaragoza, among the mountains, in one of the very beautiful places. Mixture of architectural styles rich story, a riot of greenery and a hotel specially built for visitors have turned the quiet monastery into a popular tourist attraction.

The oldest building in Zaragoza is the Lonja Stock Exchange. It was built during the Renaissance. An interesting fact: the building attracts tourists by no means by its external splendor. What then? Inability to count floors. To solve the puzzle created by a smart architect, you need to get inside. Now various exhibitions are held in the halls of the exchange, mostly art. Nearby there are many bars and cafes, sitting in which you can admire the special illumination that beautifully illuminates the ancient landmark in the evening.

An hour's drive from Zaragoza spread transparent lake Yesa. Although it was created by human hands, its beauty attracts absolutely everyone. Enough entertainment is concentrated here to comfortably relax near the shores of the reservoir, stretching out in the sun, or have fun.

Children will surely enjoy the Zaragoza amusement park with many rides and playgrounds. You can go to the aquarium with your family and feed the local fish with special food bought here. Golf enthusiasts will definitely enjoy the high-class field where you can shoot balls. And for those who prefer to have fun at night, Zaragoza offers a variety of discos and clubs to choose from.

shopping

The most beautiful in the city: Alfonso Street is a kind of corridor of time. Buildings in different architectural styles, as well as countless branded clothing and souvenir shops, coupled with good restaurants, will saturate you with large-scale experiences and more.

Actually, Zaragoza is a city of shopping. You can "shop around" on almost any street and in many places. shopping malls. True, the sales time does not coincide with the high season: January-February, July-August. But there are always reasonable prices and high quality.

Nutrition

If somewhere it is appropriate to use the combination of "haute cuisine", it is in Zaragoza. Exotic lovers will be able to discover interesting dishes. Although, in fairness, it must be said that budget tourists will also like it here.

Almost every restaurant offers national cuisine. The "chip" of some of them is meat cooked on coals. Add a fresh salad and a glass of Spanish wine to it. Seafood lovers also have a place to roam. A network of fish restaurants is always at your service. You can try French, Jamaican, Basque and, of course, Spanish cuisine. Peaches in wine is a divinely delicious dessert that is not so easy to order. The fact is that it is not in every restaurant. But it's worth trying to find it.

Local tapas bars differ from other resorts in their special satiety. Despite the fact that this is just an appetizer for drinking, in terms of volume it can be called a full-fledged dinner, consisting of hot, salad, almost soup, sauce and a slice of omelette with cheese ... Real tapas bars are not the ones that you enter associations with fast food - opens in the late afternoon, after six. Prices are low, for example, a glass of beer costs about € 2. Breakfast, consisting of juice and coffee with a croissant, will cost the same amount.

Where to stay

In total, there are up to a hundred hotels in the city. Basically, these are budget "low-star" options. There are discount hotels and non-smoking hotels. You can safely rent an apartment, both in the city center and further away. But, recall that the main attractions of Zaragoza are concentrated around the central Pilar square. In addition to hotels, you should pay attention to hostels and apartments.

Accommodation prices are quite reasonable. This is due to the fact that the city is not very spoiled by tourist influxes. Excluding, perhaps, the autumn period. In October, the main holiday in Zaragoza takes place - a big festival in honor of the Virgin - the patroness of the city. At this time, tourists from all countries and from neighboring resorts come here. Therefore, it is advisable to book a place to stay for the night in advance.

How to get there

There are no direct flights to Zaragoza yet. Therefore, it is best to first head for Madrid or Barcelona. Then transfer to a bus, car or train and thus get to your destination. The bus ride will take about four hours. Such a pleasure costs € 20 from Madrid or Barcelona - it does not matter. By train twice as fast: 1.5 hours. But for the opportunity to ride with the breeze, you will have to pay € 50-60.

Relevance

Zaragoza- the capital of the region and the province of the same name, located 325 km northeast of Madrid. This is a fairly large city with a population of over 600 thousand people.

Zaragoza for the province of Aragon is like Moscow for Russia: the entire population is concentrated in Zaragoza, all other cities of the province are much smaller.

Weather in Zaragoza:

Getting around in Zaragoza:

From the railway and bus stations you can walk to the city center in 20 minutes.

Zaragoza is located on a low hill near the Ebro River. On the northern, left, bank - new residential areas and parks; on the right - the historical center of the city, the quarter of El Tubo (El Tubo), east of Avenida de Augusta (st. Augusta), where one of the most revered churches in Spain, dedicated to the Virgin Mary Pilar, the patron saint of the country, is located.

Zaragoza is worth visiting for those who are interested in the work of Francisco Goya - the artist spent his youth here, several of his works have been preserved in the churches and museums of Zaragoza. The province of Aragon will be of interest to those who love Romanesque art: in the Pyrenees near Zaragoza, several very valuable Romanesque monasteries have been preserved.

When is the best time to visit Zaragoza?

Locals joke that the people of Zaragoza can live anywhere, as it is terribly cold in winter and terribly hot in summer. In winter, the problem is not even the temperature, but the strong icy winds. So it's better to come here sometime in the off-season.

Tourist Office of Zaragoza:

  • Plaza del Pilar, 976 39 35 37,
  • 10.00-20.00,
  • www.tourismozaragoza.com

How to get to Zaragoza:

The airport

  • 10 km from the city, buses from Plaza de Aragon, 976 71 23 00.
  • Madrid (daily), Barcelona (daily except Sun), Frankfurt (Germany) and Palma de Mallorca.

Avenida Anselmo Clave

  • Madrid (up to 14 times a day, 3 hours, 20.50-28 €);
  • Barcelona (up to 14 times a day, 3 hours 45 minutes - 5 hours 45 minutes, 18.10-28.50 €) ;
  • Valencia (5h 45min, 15.80€),
  • Huesca, Jaca, Teruel.
  • Bus connections to more than 20 cities in Spain.
  • There are more than 10 bus stations in the city.
  • Paseo de Maria Augustin, 7, 976 22 93 43.
  • Madrid (15 times a day, 3 hours 45 minutes, 15.50 €) ,
  • Barcelona (15 times a day, 3 hours 45 minutes, 10.75 €) ,
  • Huesca (8 times a day, 1 hour, 4.60€),
  • Jaca (2h 15 min, 9.60 €) ,
  • Lourdes (France) via Huesca and Jaca (summer weekends, 6h 45min, 24€).
  • Highways E804 (A68), E90 (A2), A123, N232.

History of Zaragoza

  • 20-10th BC On the site of the Celtic settlement of Sadduba, the Romans founded the colony of Caesaraugusta, inhabited by approx. 25 thousand people
  • 710s. Zaragoza was captured by the Moors; it became the capital of a small frontier Arab state.
  • 1118. Alfonso I liberated Zaragoza from Arab rule and proclaimed it the capital of Aragon.
  • 1480s. After the marriage of King Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, Aragon becomes part of a unified Spain.
  • 1809. Zaragoza offered serious resistance to the Napoleonic troops, who were able to capture the city only after a long siege. Many historical monuments were destroyed.
  • 1936. Zaragoza became an important stronghold of the Falangists.

Attractions in Zaragoza:

  • Photos of Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a medium-sized city (that is, city transport is not superfluous here, if you arrived at a conference, then you should use it), but most of the sights are concentrated more or less in the center, in the vicinity of the cathedral.

Tourist route around the city of Zaragoza

We advise you to start your acquaintance with Zaragoza with PlazaCaesarAugusto(pl. Cesar-Augusto); the name of which is associated with a preserved small fragment of the Roman fortress wall. The square is located on the banks of the Ebro near the Santiago Bridge (Puente de Santiago), it is adjacent to the Plaza del Pilar (Pilar Square) - here stands the main temple of Zaragoza, eleven-domed Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar(Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar, 05.45-20.30).

Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar in Zaragoza

It is the second pilgrimage center in Spain after the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Virgin Mary Pilar is considered the patroness of the whole country. On January 2, 40, the Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle James, standing on a marble column (Spanish “pilar”). After the vision disappeared, the pillar remained; it soon became a place of worship for the first Spanish Christians. They built a small chapel around the column; in the 8th century the chapel was replaced by a church in the 12th century. after the liberation of the city of Zaragoza from the Moors - the cathedral.

In 1681, according to the project of arch. F. Sánchez y Herrera), a new baroque temple was laid (but it acquired its current cathedral only in the 18th century (architect V. Rodriguez). The towers decorated with colorful tiles appeared at the beginning of the 20th century.

Holy Chapel:

The main shrine, a marble column, constantly surrounded by believers, can be seen in Saintchapel(Capilla Santa), in the eastern part of the temple. It is crowned with a luxuriously decorated statue of the Virgin Pilar, whose precious clothes are changed every day by the attendants.

All the frescoes in the cathedral are naturally associated with the life of the Virgin Mary; pay attention to the northern dome - one of the early works of F. Goya, "Queen of the Martyrs", has been preserved here. The artist created this fresco in 1780-1781, in 41 sessions. Another of his paintings has been preserved in the chapel opposite the Holy Chapel - here Goya painted a ceiling on the plot "The Adoration of Angels in the Name of Jesus."

Other sights of the city of Zaragoza:

There is a building next to the Basilica. city ​​administration (Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza, Plaza del Pilar, 18), followed by a Renaissance building exchanges(Lonja, XVI) - a symbol of the commercial power of Zaragoza. The medallions on the façade depict the kings of Aragon and historical characters. An exhibition hall is now open here.

Museum of Caesar Augustus

The site of the Plaza del Pilar was the center of the city in Roman times; reminds of this Museum of the Forum of Caesar Augusta(Museo del Foro de Caesareaugusta, Plaza de la Seo, Tue-Sat 10.00-14.00, 17.00-20.00, BC 10.00-14.00, closed Mon. Ticket includes entry to Museo Puerto del Fluvial and Museo Termas Publicas). Behind the modern entrance lies a whole underworld: You can walk along the ancient Roman streets, see the remains of the former Roman forum and the water system.

Cathedral of San Salvator

It was on the site of the Roman forum that the Arabs erected a mosque, which the Christians rebuilt into a temple that became the main cathedral of Zaragoza, San Salvador(La Seo de San Salvador, July-Aug. Tue-Fri 10.00-14.00, 16.00-19.00, Sat 10.00-13.00, 16.00-19.00, Sun 10.00-12.00, 16.00-19.00, Sept.-June until 18.00, Mon closed .). Its construction began in the 12th century, but ended only in the 17th century, so all styles were mixed in the architecture of the cathedral - Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, and Baroque. Of particular interest is the northwestern facade, which was built by the Mudéjars (Moors who remained to live under Christian rule): it is lined with bricks, multi-colored tiles and is very elegant. The cathedral is open Tapestry Museum(Museo de Tapices).

Museums in Zaragoza:

From the side of the northern facade of the Cathedral of Zaragoza, on the Plaza de San Bruno (San Bruno Square), near the former pier on the Ebro, the ruins of another monument of the Roman era, the river port, have been preserved; now open here River Port Museum(Museo del Puerto Fluvial).

On the other side of the cathedral, on Calle de San Juan near San Pedro (St. San Juan and San Pedro) are the remains of Roman public baths; there is also a small Museum of the Roman Baths(Museo de las Termas Publicas). You can visit all the "Roman" museums on a single ticket.

Roman theater ruins

If you walk towards Plaza San Pedro Nolasco (sq. San Pedro Nolasco), then on Calle Veronica (st. Veronica) - ruins Roman theater(Teatro Romano) - and the life of the Roman colony of Caesar Augusta will appear before you from all sides.

In addition to Roman and Baroque buildings, traces of the Arab presence have also been preserved in Zaragoza. Although in the XII century. the city came under the rule of Christian rulers, until the end of the 15th century. there was a large Arab community; its masters were considered excellent masons, and their buildings, of course, are dominated by the features of Moorish architecture.

Admire, for example, Church of San Gil (Iglesia de San Gill) not far from the Roman theater, on Plaza Jose Sinues with the Mudéjar bell tower of the XIV-XV centuries; a little to the south, on Calle San Miguel, rises a similar church SanMiguel with the same bell tower.

Walking a little along Paseo La Mina, you can visit Museum of Zaragoza(Museo de Zaragoza, Plaza de los Sitios, 6, Tue-Sat 10.00-14.00, 17.00-20.00, BC 10.00-14.00, closed Mon.), where exhibited and archaeological finds, and the works of F. Goya. His paintings can also be seen in the exhibition hall. Courtyard of the Infanta(Patio de la Infanta, Calle San Ignacio de Loyola, 16, Tue-Sat 9.00-14.00, 18.00-21.00, Sat 11.00-14.00, 18.00-21.00, Sun 11.00-14.00).

Coming out to one of the main transport arteries of the city Avenida de Augusto (Avenida de Augusto) and walking along it towards the river, turn onto Calle de San Pablo, where Church of San Pablo(Iglesia de San Pablo), also decorated with a 14th-century Moorish bell tower. from the retablo of the 16th century. (July-Oct. 10.00-13.00).

Aljaferia Palace

In the same part of the city, on Calle de los Diputados (Diputados Street), the only monument in Zaragoza of the era of Arab rule has been preserved - Aljaferia Palace(Palacio de la Aljaferia, Calle de los Diputados, Apr.-Oct. Sat-Sun 10.00-14.00, 16.30-20.00, Fri 16.30-20.00, Nov.-March Mon-Wed, Sat: 10.00-14.00, 16.30-18.30, Sun 10.00-14.00, Fri 16.30-18.30, Thu closed). It was erected in the 11th century. for the caliph, two centuries later rebuilt for the Christian kings. In 1490 the palace became the residence of Kings Ferdinand and Isabella.

In the XV-XVII centuries. the palace belonged to the Holy Inquisition, later it was given over to a hospital, and since 1987 it has housed the Parliament of Aragon (Cortes de Aragon) and a museum. Aljaferia is a typical Moorish palace, with many courtyards, carved ornaments on the walls of the chapels.

Museums in Zaragoza

Camon Aznar Museum/Collection of Spanish Art (Museo Camon Aznar)

  • Calle de Espoz y Mina, 23,
  • Tue-Sat 9.00-14.15, 18.00-21.00, BC 11.00-14.00, closed Mon.
  • Plaza de San Felipe, 3,
  • Tue-Sat 10.00-14.00, 17.00-21.00, BC 10.00-14.00, Mon closed

Around Zaragoza:

Around Zaragoza you can see the preserved Romanesque buildings and ancient towns:

  • Loarre Castle (Castillo de Loarre)
  • Jaca (Jaca)
  • Huesca
  • Sos del Rey Catolico (Sos del Rey Catolico)
  • Tarazona
  • Calatayud
  • Fuendetodos
  • Daroca (Daroca)

Home > Spain > Aragon > Zaragoza

ZARAGOSA: "Strong land"

Zaragoza and the land of Aragon is where numerous sections of Spanish heroic history are written, with characters such as Agustina de Aragon, the woman who led the Napoleonic troops out of Spain. These past eras, which have nothing to do with the modern, active and adventurous city that we visit today, are still present even in the daily life of the city's inhabitants. The Aragonese people are famous for their honesty, hard work and strength of character.

Zaragoza, being economically very active and organizing important international fairs, is one of the largest monumental cities in Spain. Zaragoza was founded about 2000 years ago and was inhabited by Iberians, Romans, Goths and Moors who left their legacy here. Zaragoza is also notable for its important baroque buildings, which amaze with their splendor.

This land is bathed in the Ebro, the largest river in Spain, which crosses and adorns the capital of the Aragonese region. Its variety of landscapes, always impressive landscapes, with natural places of exceptional beauty, mountains, lakes and picturesque villages, where traditions in gastronomy, both in art and its festivals, are preserved, give the impression of a strong and majestic land. Both the capital and its surroundings offer many opportunities to practice various sports. Its highest peak, Moncayo, at 2313 m, is an important center for excursions and camping.

The best sights in Zaragoza

Zaragoza is the fifth largest city in Spain, located in the province of Aragon, between Madrid and Barcelona. It recently hosted Expo 2008 with the theme of water use. Zaragoza has a lot to offer tourists, there are also many interesting places for visiting. Here are the best attractions of the Spanish city:

  • Basilica of Our Lady of El Pilar

The Basilica of Our Lady of El Pilar is one of the largest and most important churches in Spain. The story is that there is a pillar in the church, and, as they say, the Mother of God came down from heaven on a pillar and was seen by St. Apostle James near the banks of the Ebro River. She gave him her small wooden statue and told him to build a church in her honor. The carving of Our Lady of El Pilar is a Gothic carving on a cedar, only 38 cm high. The stand of this sculpture is a jasper pillar covered with bronze and silver. This column is 2 meters high and 24 cm in diameter. The statue of the Virgin is located in a small chapel at the back of the church. Thousands of pilgrims go to the back of the statue to touch the pillar, for the Virgin is said to have performed many miracles.

Several chapels and churches were built at the site of the incident, which collapsed over time. The current church was built between 1681 and 1686 by King Carlos II. In 1725, the church commissioned the architect Venturi Rodriguez to transform the structure into a Baroque style. The church now has a size of 130 by 67 meters. It has large corner towers and a central dome flanked by ten brightly clad domes. There are two domes painted with frescoes. On one of them - "Queen of the Martyrs", on the second - "Adoration of the Name of God." The last renovation was completed in 1872.

  • Cathedral of La Seo

La Seo Cathedral is impressive - it is huge, and everything inside is white. The church was built in 1316 and its style is Gothic Mudéjar. The exterior still shows the brickwork and glazed tiles that were used in the Mudéjar design. Many crowns of the king of Aragon were crowned here, and many kings and queens were buried in this church. UNESCO in 2001 declared the church a site world heritage. On the site of the temple there was a Roman temple, then the Vistiginskaya church, and then a Muslim mosque.

The church has three naves with a transept, a cloister and a semicircular apse. The ceiling of the church is the edge of the vault. There is an octagonal dome with a Mudéjar design. There are also additions in baroque and plateresque styles. Home to a high altar of gold carved in alabaster by the German Renaissance sculptors Hans Piet Schwabia and Per Johan, it truly deserves to be among Zaragoza's top attractions.

In the church there is a wonderful chapel of San Miguel called “la parroquieta”. This Mudéjar-style chapel has a kafir ceiling and also houses the tomb of Archbishop López Fernández de Luna. Another chapel is the Chapel of San Valero, which has the skull of Saint Valero, the patron saint of the city. The ball-spired tower was also built in the Baroque style. The facade of the church is neoclassical. The cathedral has a large collection of religious art, as well as a very good museum Tapestry.

  • Alaferia Palace

One of the attractions of Zaragoza in Spain is Alaferia, one of the most beautiful palaces in Zaragoza from the 11th century. The Moorish ruler of the kingdom of Taifa Sarakosta used it as a summer residence. It is a huge palace surrounded by a large moat. Here is a beautiful courtyard built by the Moorish kings. What is striking is the patio - many arches surrounding the garden. The arches are suspended and decorated with very impressive stucco. There is a very high Moorish ceiling. This palace precedes the palaces of the Alhambra in Granada and the Alcazar in Seville. Its originality probably influenced the construction of these other palaces. Today the palace is used as the seat of the Parliament of Aragon.

  • Pablo Gargallo Museum

The Pablo Gargallo Museum is set in a renaissance palace called Argilio Palace. The palace has been beautifully restored and built around a central courtyard. Gargallo was one of the most important Aragonese sculptors of the early 20th century. Gargallo belonged to the avant-garde of that time and worked in Paris. He made a beautiful sculpture that is easy to understand. He sculpted bronze horses, male and female nudes. His beautiful sculpture became an art deco figure called Kiki de Montparnasse, the mask of a beautiful woman. Kiki was a great model who worked for many artists in Paris at the time.

  • Forum Museum in Zaragoza

The Museum of the Forum is located under the square, containing the Cathedral and the Basilica of Our Lady of El Pilar. The square was built on the ruins of the forum. You can see the columns that were used in the forum, a lot of pottery and parts of the sewers were dug up. The museum has very good explanations about the sewerage and flowing water in the city, aqueducts are stretched into the city. During Roman times, lead pipes brought water to every home.

  • Primo de Rivera Park

Primo de Rivera Park is the city's largest park, named after the 1920s politician Primo de Rivera. The park is a landscaped garden, very Italian in design. At the top of the hill is a giant statue of Jaime the Conqueror, one of the kings of the Aragonese land. Below the statue is a very impressive fountain that extends down the hill in beautiful designs, flanked by double staircases. It all lights up at night.

  • Palacio de Sastago in Zaragoza

The Palacio de Sastago is a Renaissance palace in the city center that has been restored and is used for government offices. Inside the patio is an art gallery that constantly changes exhibitions. The Renaissance building has a very impressive design.

  • Patio de las Ifantas

"Patio de las Infantas" is located in the largest bank in Aragon, in Ibercaja, which also has a huge office tower. In one wing on the side, the bank has the Patio de las Infantas, which is the courtyard of a Renaissance building. The patio was dismantled from its original location and brought to France in the 19th century by a very wealthy Frenchman. In the 20th century, Ibercaja bought a patio and brought it back to Zaragoza, put it in a bank, in one wing. So, in the most modern bank, you can see this beautiful Renaissance courtyard. The patio is now used as an art gallery, with a permanent collection of 14 very important works by Goya (Spanish painter and engraver). Goya was a native of Aragon, and one of the paintings is his self-portrait.

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  • Camon Aznar Museum

The Camón Aznar Museum is set in a restored renaissance palace now owned by the Ibercaja bank. Prominent professor Kamon Aznar donated 800 works of art to the museum. All important Spanish artists can be found in the collection, from El Greco to Goya.

  • Central market

The Central Market is located at Avenida Cesar Augusto, s/n. It is open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm On Saturdays it is open from 9 am to 2 pm, closed on Sundays and public holidays. It is located next to the Roman wall. Since the 13th century, there has been an old market on this site.

The architect of the Central Market was Felix Navarro Pérez, who replaced the open-air market with the building of the market, the construction of which began in 1902 and was completed a year later. The sculptor who worked on the building with Navarro was Jaime Lluch. The organization that ordered its construction was the Sociedad Nuevo Mercado. It was one of the first modernist structures in Zaragoza and the building used stone, brick, iron and glass. The central nave is taller and wider. The capitals of the iron columns are decorated with designs of acanthus leaves, palm trees and fruits. The house was declared National historical monument in 1978 and a Place of Cultural Interest in 1982. The building was renovated in 1986 when refrigeration units were installed. In 1999, air conditioning and heating were added to the building.

  • La Longha

La Lonja is a civil building located in Playa del Pilar, overlooking the Basilica of El Pilar. It was built between 1541 and 1551 to centralize the trade in agricultural products. The architect was Juan de Sariñena, and the man who ordered its construction was Hernando de Aragon. The building is the finest Renaissance building in Aragon and has a rectangular plan. Today the building is used for exhibitions.

The building is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm. Sunday opening hours 10-14 hours. It is closed on Monday.

  • Roman walls

The Roman walls are located on Avenida de Cesar Augusto. They were built between the 1st and 3rd centuries by order of Tiberius. They reached 3000 meters and had 120 defensive towers. Two parts were preserved, one near Torreon de la Zuda and the other formed part of the Convention del Santo Sepulcro. The height of the walls was 10 meters, width - 4 meters, the walls were made of limestone. At each interval from 14 to 16 meters there was a semicircular tower. The Roman walls at Saragosi had four gates. The northern gate was called El Angel, the eastern gate was called Valencia, the western gate was called Toledo, and the southern gate was called Synegia. The walls were also used by subsequent conquerors, namely the Visigoths and the Moors. Against the walls is a statue of Emperor Caesar Augustus, a bronze copy of the statue of Augusto Prima Porti, a gift from the Italian government to the city of Zaragoza in the 1940s. The statue is part of a monument to four cultures - Iberian, Roman, Mudéjar and the modern inhabitants of Zaragoza.

  • Torreon de la Zuda

Torreon de la Zuda is a tower that was built on top of the Roman wall by the Moors. The Moors occupied Zaragoza between 714 and 1118. The Christian king Alfonso the Warrior conquered the city from the Moors on December 18, 1118, and his troops occupied the Zudu Tower. It symbolized the occupation of the city. Since then, it became the residence of the Aragonese kings until the 13th century, after which they began to use the Palace of Alyaferia. The tower was restored in the second half of the 16th century.

  • Stone bridge in Zaragoza

Puente de Piedra (Stone Bridge) is located in Paseo Echegaray y Caballero. The bridge is the oldest bridge that crosses the Ebro river. The bridge was built between 1401 and 1440 by Guillem de Menrestra in the Gothic style. In 1643, a flood took place, which destroyed the two central spans of the bridge, and in 1659 the architect Felipe de Busignac restored them. In 1789, the architect Agustin Sanz fortified the banks of the Ebro River to protect the bridges from further floods. The bridge is also called the Lion Bridge because there are four lions on the left side of the bridge. The lion is the symbol of the city.

  • Museum of Zaragoza

The Zaragoza Museum is located at Plaza de los Sitios, 6. The building was built in 1908 at the Hispano-Francesa exhibition as an art pavilion, the architects were Ricardo Magdalena and Julio Bravo. The façade shows Allegories dedicated to the arts, commerce and industry. The museum has an archaeological section which has exhibits from prehistoric times to Moorish times. The fine arts section houses collections of paintings and sculptures, ceramics and stamps. There is also a salon dedicated exclusively to Goya.

  • Church of San Pablo

The Church of San Pablo is located at 42 San Pablo Street. The church is located on a site that was occupied by the Romanesque castle of San Blas. It was built in the 14th century in the Mudéjar style. It has only one nave, which is covered with a trunk and a polygonal top. Two side aisles were added in the 15th century and there were chapels open to these canopies built in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

The high altar was made by Demian Formenti in 1515 and has polychrome wood that has been gilded. In the vaulted niche is an image of San Pablo, which depicts scenes from the life of the saint. In the middle there is a painting by Geronimo cozid (16th century) on the subject of the Immaculate Concepción, Patriarchs of the Old Testament.

  • Basilica of Santa Engracia

The Basilica of Santa Engrazia is located in Piazza Santa Engrazia. It was built in the XV-XVI centuries and has a Renaissance style. The facade is the only part preserved by the ancient monastery of Santa Engracia. The founder of the church was King Juan II of Aragon, who was grateful that his cataract was cured. His son Fernando el Catolico continued the construction and it was completed by Emperor Carlos. The façade was damaged during the War of Independence against the French in 1808 but was restored by the architect Carlos Palao. The façade was one of the first Renaissance façades, and was the work of Gil Morlanes el Viejo and his son and carved from alabaster. The church has two paleo-Christian sarcophagi made of marble. One of the sarcophagi is called Receptio Animae and dates back to 330-350 BC. AD The second is called Trilogia Petrina and dates back to 340-350 BC. AD

  • Church of Santa Isabel

The Church of Santa Isabel is located at 1 Plaza de Justice. The church dates from 1681.

The monumental façade is exceptional in beauty and pleasure, using alabaster in white and dark colors, with marble and stucco. The designers were Jaime Ayer and Francisco Perez. At the main entrances is the coat of arms of Aragon. There are statues to commemorate San Andres Avelino and San Cayetano de Tien. The towers are luxuriously decorated. Above the main projection is a statue of Santa Isabel. She is shown with roses, which traditionally represented her. The main plan of the church is a Greek cross. There is one central dome and four minor ones. The ceiling is very decorated with gold. The church is one of the main attractions of Zaragoza in Spain.

The hallmark of the little-known Aragon, which, by the way, has no access to the sea, is its incendiary capital Zaragoza (Zaragoza) in the north-east of Spain, overflowing with passion and noise. I have visited many Spanish cities, but once here, I realized that this is one of the most amazing regions where a real old woman lives.

When I first came to Zaragoza, I was most struck by the beauty of nature: the breathtaking Pyrenees, deep valleys, forests, the mighty Ebro River (río Ebro), stone white villages (pueblos). I was also very surprised by the cheerful and tireless, full of energy indigenous people, leading a very hectic lifestyle and spending all their nights in tapas bars. In addition, here I felt a connection with the past, because Zaragoza is simply teeming with cultural monuments Islamic, Roman and Christian heritage.

Here, after many civilizations that left a big mark on the culture of Spain, a great many historical sights have been preserved, but more on that later.

A bit of history

The city of Zaragoza was founded by the Romans in 24 BC. e. and was called Caesaraugusta, by the way, this is where its current name comes from.

In 472, the city, which had flourished for several centuries, was captured by the Visigoths. And in 1118 it was subjugated to King Alfonso I the Warrior, who would make it the capital, and in the following centuries Zaragoza would become one of the most important cultural cities in Spain.

How to get there

The most popular and convenient way to get to Zaragoza from Moscow and St. Petersburg is by plane. But if you prefer to travel by land, because you are afraid of flying, then you can use land routes: by train or car. However, due to the lack of railway and bus service from Spain to Russia, it is necessary to think over the entire route in great detail, since many transfers will have to be made along the way. I, in turn, do not recommend such methods of transportation, because they are not always convenient, they will take you a lot of time, and it will be much more expensive than by plane.

By plane

From Moscow and St. Petersburg with transfers

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Zaragoza from Moscow and St. Petersburg. But it is quite possible to get to the city with more or less optimal transfers in other cities: through, Vienna and, Palma de Mallorca,.

The cost of a ticket from Moscow to Zaragoza will be from 470 EUR (29,300 RUB) for a one-way trip. It is quite possible to buy a ticket cheaper, just book it earlier and then you will get an impressive discount. I recommend buying the most optimal tickets here on this.

Direct flights from London, Paris, Brussels, Rome, Bologna, Milan, Malaga and airlines Ryanair, Air Europa and Iberia. But among our airlines that will take you from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Barcelona, ​​Madrid or Malaga are Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, Rossiya, Air Europa. And the cost of a ticket for their flights, if booked several months in advance, can range from 240 EUR (15,000 RUB). Without reservation, the price will be much more expensive - from 1,218 EUR (76,000 RUB).

The total duration of the journey by plane from Moscow, taking into account transfers along the fastest transit routes, is at least 10–11 hours. From St. Petersburg, the flight is much longer - about 22 hours.

How to get from the airport to the center

international Airport Zaragoza (ZAZ) is located 12 km from the city center.

I want to note that I was struck by the modern interior of the new terminal, which was opened in 2008 on the occasion of the world exhibition "Expo-2008".

By bus

Every half an hour there are regular flights from the airport to the city. bus routes No. 34 or No. 51. The journey takes about half an hour. The cost of a one-way ticket will be 1.85 EUR. Bus stop Ctra. Aeropuerto Km. 4,200 located near the airport, 10 minutes walk. In the city, the bus arrives at the stop Av. Navarra, 54 (C. Civico). From it it is easy to get to the center on foot, you can see the approximate route on the map:

By taxi

You can also use taxi services, the fare to the city will be about 25 EUR. Travel time will be no more than 10 minutes.

By rented car

In addition, the airport also offers car rental services. The options offered by numerous airport rental companies can be viewed, for example,.

By train

From Moscow and St. Petersburg

There is no direct train from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Zaragoza, due to the lack of a railway connection between Russia and Spain. But for lovers of such a journey, I can offer the following route: from Moscow to Paris from where you can get a direct train to Madrid or Barcelona, and then transfer to the next train to Zaragoza, as I noted above. How to get to Paris can be found in the appropriate section.

From Paris, I advise you to take a direct train from the Spanish company Renfe to Barcelona. To do this, you need to get to Lyon Station / Gare de Lyon in Paris:

A ticket for such a train to Barcelona from Paris will cost about 130.9 EUR, with early booking the price will be significantly reduced. Travel time will be 6 hours 27 minutes. The train from Paris from the Gare de Lyon departs at 07:20 and 15:20 and arrives at railway station Barcelona Sants:

And already from this station trains leave for Zaragoza (to ZARAGOZA-DELICIAS).

Travel time - 1 hour 40 minutes, ticket price - 37.10 EUR. So be prepared that such a trip can not only drag on for several days, but also turn out to be more expensive than a plane. Although it has its own plus: you can have time to get acquainted with different European cities.

From Madrid and Barcelona

In general, there are several ways to get to Zaragoza from Madrid and Barcelona: by bus, car, train. I traveled to this city by plane from Moscow to Madrid, from where I reached my destination on the high-speed AVE train, because it seemed to me that this was a more convenient and faster way. In Barcelona, ​​the train starts from the Barcelona-Sants station (cat. Estació de Barcelona-Sants), and in Madrid from the Madrid Atocha Railway Station.

Travel time from Madrid is 1h30 and from Barcelona 1h45. The ticket price is about 58 and 64 EUR, respectively. And if you want to save money, then book in advance (two weeks in advance), then the discount will be about 60%.

How to get from the railway station to the center

Long-distance trains arrive at the railway station Estación de Zaragoza-Delicias (Delicias) . It is not so far from the center of Zaragoza: 2.6 km.

By the way, commuter trains also come here. And here is a map of the station:

There is also a bus stop, to which you would arrive if you chose a plane (I wrote about it above, so you can peep the route to the center in the section above).

Train schedule and cost railway tickets in Zaragoza I advise you to look.

By bus

From Moscow

Despite the fact that the distance between Moscow and Madrid is approximately 4,000 km, this does not mean that the Spanish capital cannot be reached by bus. Of course. But it is unlikely that the trip will be comfortable and bring pleasure. After all, the approximate travel time is 73 hours.

Buses leave Moscow from the Airport Terminal, which is located on Leningradsky Prospekt, 2 times a week in the morning: on Tuesdays at 06:00 and on Fridays at 08:00.

The Intercars Europe flight makes stops in the following cities: , Salzgitter, . Ticket price - 23 250 RUB one way.

From Madrid and Barcelona

Near the railway station of Zaragoza is Central Bus Station, from where dozens of buses depart throughout Spain. The transport company Alsa operates daily flights from Madrid and Barcelona.

The departure point for buses in Barcelona is the large bus station located at Barcelona Sants Station.

From Madrid, buses depart from the airport bus stop, not far from the fourth terminal, as well as from the bus stop Avda de America.

The ticket price from Madrid will be 14.5 EUR, from Barcelona - 13.7 EUR. Travel time is about 4 hours. Schedule intercity buses to Zaragoza see on this site.

How to get from the station to the center

You can get to the city center by buses number 34 or number 51, which run every half hour. I wrote about them in the "Airplane" section. Ticket price - 1.85 EUR.

By car

I would definitely not choose this kind of travel option in sunny Spain. But nothing is impossible, and if you still decide on such an adventurous adventure, then I advise you to study the entire route in detail.

From Moscow

The distance between Zaragoza and Moscow is about 3,882 km. Traveling by private car, you will spend about 56 hours and cross several countries: Belarus, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Austria, Italy.

Gasoline consumption will be about 434 liters. But on the other hand, you can manage your time yourself and choose stops for making interesting excursions.

But the main highways when traveling from Moscow: MKAD, E30, M-1, P2, P99, DK65, DK8, S8, E67, E77, A2, A1, A8, A4, A72, A9, A6, A5, A36, E60 , A7, E-15, AP-7, AP-2, A-2. And one more thing: be sure to make stops (about 8 stops will need to be made), because the path is very long. In addition, you will meet toll highways. And some of the countries that I noted above will turn your trip into a real tour of Europe.

From St. Petersburg

The distance between Zaragoza and Saint Petersburg is about 3,825 km. Below is the route from St. Petersburg to Zaragoza:

Travel time - 1 day 13 hours. You will spend about 307 liters of fuel on such a trip.

From Barcelona or Madrid

If you are already in Spain, it is best to get to Zaragoza from Barcelona via the AP-2 motorway, which will take you about 3 hours, or from Madrid via the A-2 motorway, which will take a little longer - from 3.5 hours. In addition to the cost of gasoline, parking, a car traveler in Spain can still expect paid sections of the tracks.

Prompt:

Zaragoza - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Yekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season. When is the best time to go

I love Spain so much that there is no specific time for me to visit it. It is beautiful in any season, however, I want to note that since Zaragoza is located in the basin of the mighty Ebro River, the climate here is sharply continental. Summer is very hot and dry (sometimes the temperature reaches +40 °C), but the winter is quite cool, and it even snows (low temperatures from 0 to +10 °C), there are fogs, but in spring and autumn it is more humid, and it falls a lot of precipitation.

It seems to me that the most best months to visit Zaragoza are April, May, June, September and October. I do not advise visiting the city in August, because the weather is very hot, and many residents leave at this time for the sea, and restaurants, cafes, shops and others public places may be closed.

And also in November and December, in my opinion, it’s not worth going, because the traveler during this period can be overtaken by strong northern winds, fog and even frost. Although I don’t think that this can stop the Russians :). But if you are going to Zaragoza in May or October, then I recommend taking an umbrella, as there may be light rains.

By the way, there are not so many tourists in the off-season, and the prices will please you during this period of time. Although if you buy tickets in advance and book hotel rooms, then in the high season you can save a considerable amount of money.

Zaragoza in summer

Summer, as I mentioned above, is very hot in Zaragoza: the average temperature in July reaches +24.5 °C, and sometimes rises above +30 °C and even +40 °C. The air temperature during the day reaches +31.5 °C, and at night - +19.7 °C. At the same time, there is no rain, it is very dry and stuffy. But despite this, the flow of tourists is not decreasing, but rather increasing: many people come here to spend an unforgettable vacation and vacation, enjoy old Spain.

I advise you to drink plenty of fluids during long walks under the hot sun to avoid dehydration and protect yourself from sunstroke.

Starting from mid-June, you can go hiking in the Aragonese Pyrenees:

Once here, I felt that I was in a completely different world. They amaze with their beauty!

Zaragoza in autumn

The beginning of autumn (September, beginning of October) is a very comfortable time to visit Zaragoza, but there are not as many tourists as in summer.

It’s not so hot anymore: in September the temperature reaches +29.6 °C, at night +18.6 °C, but it’s not so cool yet. Unless frequent rains can spoil the rest a little, but I advise you to always take an umbrella with you and go for a walk in a cheerful and cheerful mood. But the locals, as I noticed, during this period of time are very fond of spending their time in street cafes:

And in October, Zaragoza hosts a fair-festival dedicated to the Virgin Pilar.

It combines spirituality with the locals' famous love for lavish festivities. But more on that later.

By mid-October, the approach of cold weather is increasingly felt: the average temperature does not exceed +15.5 °C.

Zaragoza in spring

Early spring in Zaragoza is not very warm: the average temperature in March is about +10.9 °C, in April - +13 °C, but in May the air warms up to +17.2 °C.

I came here in the middle of May: the weather was wonderful, it was sunny, warm, but not hot - just the perfect time for long hiking through the medieval and antique places of Zaragoza!

Yes, and nature pleases the eye: everything turns green, blooms and wakes up after winter. The number of tourists who want to catch the city at this beautiful time of the year begins to increase. But still, do not forget about the umbrella: rains in spring are quite common.

Zaragoza in winter

The coldest winter month in Zaragoza is January, the average temperature at this time is about +6.4 °C, in December - +7.1 °C, in February it is slightly warmer - + 8.4 °C. The warmest month is November with an average temperature of +10 °C. Most of the winter is foggy and windy. As I already mentioned, there are frosts and snow falls, so winter holidays here are not so comfortable and pleasant.

There are practically no tourists at this time, since winter is considered the "dead" season. But those daredevils who are not afraid to freeze again arrive in this wonderful city for Christmas markets to taste a pig on a spit and not only:

And, true, at this time, Zaragoza, decorated with New Year's decorations, is undoubtedly beautiful and amazing.

Zaragoza - monthly weather

Prompt:

Zaragoza - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

There are a lot of places in Zaragoza where tourists can stay: from the most expensive hotels in the city center to simple boarding houses located outside the city or on its outskirts.

I usually compare hotel prices and book them on or. And you can compare prices for an already found option from different booking services, for example,.

The main areas where it is best for a tourist to stay, I will show below on the map:

Here, the main areas of Zaragoza are highlighted in red:

  • 1 - City Center of Zaragoza;
  • 2 - area Delicias (Delicias);
  • 3 - El Gancho area (El Gancho);
  • 4 - La Almozara area (La Almozara);
  • 5 - Torres area (Las Torres).

Center of Zaragoza

This, of course, is the best place to stay in Zaragoza, because all the most interesting sights of the city are concentrated here: Nuestra Señora del Pilar Square and the Basilica, La Seo Cathedral, stone bridge and others.

But what is most interesting: here in the heart of the city you can rent a room both in the chic Nastasi Basic hotel located on Pilar Square for 75 EUR per night, and for 40 EUR in an upscale hotel called San Valero on Calle de la Manifestacion . In addition, to save some money, I recommend staying in a hostel, such as Hostal el Descanso, which is located on Calle de San Lorenzo. A room in such a place costs from 20 to 30 EUR per day.

Delicias District

This area is an excellent choice if the traveler is interested in city walks, hospitable people, which are the Spaniards, and Old city. And in view of the fact that the quarter is a little removed from the center, here you can find a hotel room from 33 to 39 EUR, and in a hostel or boarding house from 20 EUR per day. I advise those tourists who want to visit the Aljaferia Palace dating back to the 11th century of construction, as well as the city's bullring, to stay here.

Also nearby are the railway and bus station Zaragoza Delicias.

El Gancho area

This area is suitable for those who love solitude, silence and nature. Here you can walk to the Ebro River and enjoy beautiful scenery. El Gancho is also notable for the fact that it is not so far from the city center, but still it is located at a certain distance from it, so the prices are quite reasonable. I advise you to stay here in a cozy hostel called HOSTAL AISA OCHOA. The room costs from 24 EUR per day.

District of La Almosara

If you prefer designer hotels, rooms decorated in a modern style, then I advise you to choose the Tryp Zaragoza hotel. In addition, if you are traveling with a family and young children, this is an ideal option, because there is a water park nearby, and the aforementioned Aljaferia Palace is a 7-minute walk from the hotel:

The cost of a room in such a hotel will be about 57 EUR. Zaragoza Airport is about 20 minutes by car from the hotel.

Torres area

This area is located near the Old City of Zaragoza. In addition, it is worth visiting the Pabellon Principe Felipe Stadium and the Zaragoza Congress Center. A room per day in a hotel in this quarter will cost you 47 EUR.

About the prices and expenses that a tourist can expect in Zaragoza, I will discuss below.

What are the prices for holidays

Housing

So, as I noted above, hotel prices range from the highest to the lowest: a room in a luxury hotel in the city center, close to all the attractions, will cost you 75 EUR per day, but a hostel in the same place is only 20 EUR .

And, it seems to me that for those who want to save money, this is one of the best options and you don’t have to settle somewhere on the outskirts of the city. And my advice to you: book your accommodation in advance, because, firstly, it will protect you from the tedious search for where to stay, and, secondly, in many places there is a good discount.

Nutrition

Average score in good restaurant will be 30–35 EUR. And if you want to have a bite to eat at the famous tapas eateries, then a check for one person here will come out from 15–25 EUR.

Their prices are:

  • a bottle of wine and six tapas for 23 EUR is a great way to satisfy all your gastronomic needs at a reasonable price;
  • migas (cracker dishes) will cost from 5–10 EUR;
  • original tapas - from 3 EUR;
  • tostadas and other delicacies - from 4.50 EUR;
  • hot rice dishes - from 15–20 EUR;
  • hot salads - from 14.50 EUR;
  • the price for Basque tapas (pintxos) will be at least 2.50 EUR.

If you want to taste fresh churros (long deep-fried donuts) and enjoy delicious hot chocolate or invigorating coffee, then it will cost you from 2.50 EUR. A cup of cappuccino costs from 1.75 EUR. In addition, it is customary to leave a tip of 5% if the service suits you. 10% is considered a very generous tip.

Cultural program

Here the prices are varied, depending on the type of excursion or museum:


Taxi

The rates in the city are 1.61 EUR per 1 km. And, as I noted above, a taxi from the airport to the city center will cost from 20 EUR. By the way, porters can be given 1 EUR.

***

Thus, the minimum amount that you need per day for living and relaxing in Zaragoza without any frills will be 80–90 EUR.

Prompt:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub

Main attractions. What to watch

Zaragoza captivated me at first sight. All significant eras of the colorful history of the city - Christian, Roman, Islamic - have left many monuments and sights. And you can get around them all on foot - so I did. However, be prepared that you will have to walk a lot, but I assure you, you will get real pleasure contemplating this crazy (in a good way) and very beautiful city. By the way, when the season is not yet in full swing, visiting some attractions may be limited in time.

Top 5

The main attractions of the city, which should not be missed when coming here, I would include the following:


Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Cathedral of Our Lady of Pilar

This is the most majestic place in the city for all Catholics, as well as a center of pilgrimage. It is made in the architectural style of the Baroque. After all, it is here that the parishioners prepare for the solemn events.

According to legend, in this place in 40 AD. e. The Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle Saint James, descending from the top of a marble pillar (Pilar). A chapel was built around the surviving pillar, which was rebuilt many times until the huge basilica that exists today arose.

The very first project was developed in 1681 by the architect Philip Sanchez i Herrera. Then, in the 18th century, the grandiose church was modified by the architect Ventura Rodriguez. And until the beginning of the 20th century, its towers were not even completed yet. But most of all I was struck by the appearance of the cathedral. Small yellow, blue, white and green tiles on the domes undoubtedly look very beautiful. The domes, vault, frescoes in the basilica were painted by the immortal genius Francisco Goya.

In addition, you can not pass by the main altar, a real work of art.

But most of all, I was surprised at the number of believers who arrive here and line up in a long line to touch their lips to the statue of the Virgin Mary.

And here is cathedral address:

Opening hours and visiting: the church is open from 07:00 to 20:30 every day, admission is free.

Cathedral of La Seo (Catedral de San Salvador o la Seo)

The Cathedral of San Salvador, better known as La Seo, was built between the 12th and 17th centuries. When I saw it, I was fascinated by the incredible variety of architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance in some parts, Mudéjar in others, and the tower was generally built in the Baroque style.

La Seo was built on the site of the main Islamic mosque of Zaragoza, which, in turn, was built on the site of the Roman forum. My attention was drawn to the north-western façade of classic dark brick with ceramic decorations in the form of geometric patterns. Undoubtedly, this is a masterpiece of Mudéjar architecture. All chapels are framed by beautiful stonework that pleases the eye.

And here is address of this cathedral:

Opening hours and visiting: La Seo is open from 10:00 to 18:00, Tuesday to Sunday. Ticket price - 4 EUR. By the way, this price includes a visit to the Tapestry Museum, which is located in the cathedral itself. It is open from 10:00 to 20:30, from Tuesday to Sunday. I recommend visiting it, as it has an impressive collection of French and Flemish tapestries from the 14th-17th centuries.

Church of the Apostle Paul (Iglesia de San Pablo)

A very beautiful church is located 200 meters west of Cesar Augusto Avenue. Be sure to visit her. It has a thin Mudéjar tower dating back to the 14th century.

But the altar was created by Damian Forment himself at the beginning of the 16th century. The map below shows address of this church:

Opening hours and visiting: masses are held daily from 09:30 to 19:00, admission is free.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

The city has a lot of museums that are dedicated to the past of Zaragoza. Some of them are ancient Roman, I highly recommend visiting them in the first place.

Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta

In this museum, you can walk around the ancient city: the exposition presents the remains of shops, galleries, a large collection of artifacts from 14-15 BC. e.

Sewers and pipes, through which the city was supplied with water, prove how advanced the engineering thought of the ancient Romans was. Here you can watch audiovisual shows in Spanish. In addition, there are audio guides, they cost 2 EUR.

Here address of this museum:

Opening hours and visiting:

Museum of the Roman Theater of the Caesaraugusta Forum (Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta)

If you want to see the remains of the largest theater in all of Roman Spain, then by all means look here. The ruins of the Roman theater of Zaragoza were discovered during excavations in 1972.

This once monumental building could accommodate up to 6,000 spectators! Its construction took place during the reigns of Tiberius and Claudius. By the way, the theater is already visible from the surrounding streets. Below is shown address of this museum:

Opening hours and visiting:

River Port Museum (Museo del Puerto Fluvial de Caesaraugusta)

This impressive museum, located in the Plaza de San Bruno, showcases a reconstructed River port built by the ancient Romans. Every half an hour there are interesting audiovisual programs.

Here address of this museum:

Opening hours and visiting: from Tuesday to Saturday - from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00, on Sunday - from 10:00 to 14:30. Ticket price - 2.50 EUR.

Museum of Public Baths (Museo de las Termas Públicas de Caesaraugusta)

Here you can see the remains of unique public ancient Roman baths, which were found during excavations in 1982-1983. It is noteworthy that the baths were located between the Theater and the Forum, in the center of the Roman city of Caesaraugusta.

Here address of this museum:

Opening hours and visiting: from Tuesday to Saturday - from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00, on Sunday - from 10:00 to 14:30. Ticket price - 2.50 EUR.

By the way, I advise you to purchase a combined ticket to all these museums at once, which I have listed above, for only 7 EUR. This can be done either at one of the ticket offices of these museums, or.

Islamic Palace Aljaferia (Aljafería Palace)

This palace is considered the best monument of Islamic art and Moorish architecture of the XI century, located outside Andalusia. It was used by the rulers of Zaragoza for pleasure and enjoyment.

But after the city passed into the hands of Christians, especially during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand, the building underwent many changes. I advise you to take a walk through the beautiful gardens and the courtyard of St. Isabella (Patio de Santa Isabel):

The thin interlocking arches, typical of Islamic architecture, immediately catch the eye:

In the prayer room, my attention was drawn to the doors leading to the mihrab, the arches of which are made in the form of a horseshoe. In addition, the Arabic quotes from the Koran present in the interior design, perfectly traced flowers and the dome also amaze with their beauty.


After I climbed up the stairs, I immediately found myself in the chambers of the Mudejar Palace (Palacio Mudejar), which were attached to the Aljaferia by Christian rulers in the 12th-14th centuries.

But the highest manifestation of Islamic splendor, it seemed to me, is the palace of the Catholic Monarch and its Throne Room (Salon del Trono) with exquisite Mudéjar ceilings.

Today, most of the buildings of the palace are occupied by the Parliament of Aragon.

Here address of this museum:

Opening hours and visiting: Monday to Saturday - from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:30, Sunday - from 10:00 to 14:00. Ticket price - 3 EUR, children under 12 years old - free of charge, on Sunday - free entry for everyone.

In addition, there are guided tours (50 minutes):

Their visit is included in the price of the entrance ticket.

The building of the La Lonja Trade Exchange (La Lonja)

This Renaissance building, built in the 16th century by the architect Juan de Sariñenaa, is now converted into an exhibition hall, and previously served as a trading square - the stock exchange. Interestingly, the colored medallions on it depict the kings of Aragon.

The outstanding features of this building are the ribbon columns rising to a starry and arched vault, as well as the interior decoration and early Renaissance ornamentation.

It is located on the Plaza del Pilar opposite the Basilica of La Basílica del Pilar. And here is Address of the La Lonya Trading Exchange:

Opening hours and visiting: from Tuesday to Saturday - from 10:00 to 13:30 and from 17:00 to 20:30, on Sunday - from 10:00 to 13:30. The entrance is free.

Museum of Zaragoza

This is a city museum that is dedicated to fine arts and archeology. It is located in Plaza de los Sitios:

For those who are interested in the mosaics of the ancient Roman Caesar Augusta, as well as artifacts from prehistoric times (to the Islamic era), then you definitely need to go here, especially since admission is free.

I was indescribably delighted with the whole hall reserved for the work of the famous Aragonese artist Goya: on the top floor there are 15 of his paintings.

Opening hours and visiting: from Tuesday to Saturday - from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00, on Sunday - from 10:00 to 14:00. The entrance is free.

Camón Aznar Museum (Museo Ibercaja Camón Aznar)

The exposition of this museum is of great interest to connoisseurs of Spanish art. Here you will see works by artists of the 15th-20th centuries, as well as works by Goya (on the top floor) and El Greco.

The museum is located in the Palcio de los Pardo mansion, which was built in the Renaissance style according to this address:

Opening hours and visiting: from Monday to Saturday - from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00, on Sunday - from 10:00 to 14:00. The entrance is free.

Courtyard of the Infanta (Patio de la Infanta)

This is an art gallery that houses the collection of paintings of the Ibercaja bank. The exhibition is held in a very beautiful courtyard, made in the Spanish baroque style of the XV-XVI centuries - plateresco.

I advise you to look here, even if you are not interested in painting, at least in order to admire it.

The Infanta Courtyard is located near Plaza de España (Plaza de España):

Opening hours and visiting: from Monday to Saturday - from 09:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00, on Sunday - from 11:00 to 14:00. The entrance is free.

Pablo Gargallo Museum (Museo de Pablo Gargallo)

This art gallery is housed inside the remarkable 17th century Palacio Argillo.

It is dedicated to another gifted Aragonese Pablo Gargallo, here you can see his sculpture.

The museum is located in the Plaza de San Felipe:

Opening hours and visiting: from Tuesday to Saturday - from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00, on Sunday - from 10:00 to 14:30. Ticket price - 3.50 EUR.

parks

Stone monastery (Monasterio de Piedra)

This picturesque corner includes a monastery, a park and a hotel in one complex.

I was very surprised by the amazing natural park. Just imagine that in arid Spain there is a place full of waterfalls, caves, greenery and a lake with crystal clear water and fish.

Beauty is simply indescribable:

The infrastructure is well developed here with restaurants, cafes, you can come here with the whole family and relax. but public transport there is no walk to this place, so get here by taxi or car. Here monastery address:

Opening hours and visiting: from April to September - from 9:00 to 19:00, from October to March - from 9:00 to 18:00. The cost of a ticket to the park and the monastery for adults is 15.50 EUR; children from 4 to 11 years old - 11.00 EUR.

tourist streets

In Zaragoza, there are many remarkable streets, avenues, squares, where the accumulation of tourists is especially noticeable. People come here to eat, walk, have fun, shop, and also see interesting sights. These places I would include the following:

  • Calle el Temple street attracts tourists all year round because there are many bars, cafes, nightclubs, etc. The map below shows its location:
  • street San Ignacio de Loyola notable for the fact that there are many branded stores;
  • on Francisco de Vitoria street there are also a lot of restaurants, eateries, as well as shops and souvenir shops;
  • street Isaac Peral also lures travelers with window displays of inexpensive shops and tapas eateries;
  • on the San Brun square you can buy inexpensive souvenirs;
  • on the piazza Basilio Paraiso you can also visit various souvenir shops and shops;
  • plaza del Pilar attracts tourists with the main city attractions, between which there are many souvenir shops, inexpensive cafes and restaurants. You definitely won’t pass by them!

What to see in 1 day

Zaragoza, like any other Spanish city, immediately falls in love with itself, and, of course, here, in this beautiful place, you want to spend as much time as possible. But what to do if you have only one day at your disposal. Below I suggest a route to have time to see the most interesting and famous sights around the world:



What to see in the surroundings

In the vicinity of Zaragoza, there are a lot of interesting sights worth visiting. Here are some of them:

Loarre Castle (Castillo de Loarre) - 35 km

This is one of the most beautiful castles of Aragon and is located on a ledge of a rock. It was erected by order of the King of Navarre, Sancho III in the 11th century, from here they watched the Arab troops.

Here you can freely walk through the numerous dungeons, tunnels, labyrinths, as I did.

Also with viewing platforms the towers offer beautiful views of the village of Loarre.

How to get there : You can only get here by car. Here is the address of the castle:

Opening and visiting hours e : from 11:00 to 17:30. Ticket price - 4.50 EUR.

Wine Museum (Museo del Vino) - 47 km

If you want to try rare varieties of Spanish wines, then I advise you to come here. And by the way, take a look at the bodegas (wine cellars) on the way. The wine museum is located in Cariñena on the Camino de la Platera.

How to get there: it can be reached both by car and by bus from the Estación intermodal de Zaragoza-Delicias station.

Opening hours and visiting: from Tuesday to Saturday - from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00, on Sunday - from 11:00 to 14:00. Ticket price - 2 EUR.

Fuendetodos - 45 km

Arriving in Zaragoza, be sure to visit the village of Fuendetodos, where the great Spanish artist Francisco Goya was born in 1746. If you are a connoisseur of his work, then I advise you to visit the Goya House Museum (Casa Natal de Goya).

The house belonged to the Goya family until the beginning of the 20th century. And then it was bought by the famous artist Ignacio Zuloaga.

Opening hours and visiting: from Tuesday to Sunday - from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00. Ticket price - 3 EUR. By the way, the entrance includes a visit to the Goya Engravings Museum (Museo del Grabado de Goya). A huge collection of engravings by this Spanish painter is exhibited here. And it is located further down the road, not far from the Goya House Museum (Casa Natal Goya):

How to get there : The village of Fuendetodos can be reached by the Autocares Samar Buil bus, which leaves daily from the bus station in Zaragoza. The fare is 5.90 EUR. The duration of the trip is about an hour.

Belchite - 48 km

This place is a silent memorial to the victims of the Spanish Civil War. Therefore, Belchite is also called a ghost town or the Brest Fortress of Spain.

Near the ruins of old cities, which are eloquent reminders of the destruction, there are now new villages.

How to get there : Buses arrive here from Zaragoza three times a day. The fare is 4.75 EUR. The duration of the trip is 45 minutes.

The Belchite address is shown on the map below:

Tarazona - 87 km

The winding streets of the old part of Tarasona reminded me of a medieval Spanish city. There are a lot of various sights and monuments here, so I advise you to stay longer.

Be sure to walk along the tangled cobbled streets of Tarasona - they are the whole highlight of the city. First of all, pay attention to the facade of the municipal building of Ayuntamiento de Tarazona, located on address:

The facade seemed very extravagant to me:

Since Tarazona was under the rule of the Arabs for a long time, she retained obvious Moorish features in her appearance. The local Catedral Santa María de la Huerta is a mixture of Gothic, Romanesque, Mudéjar and Renaissance styles.

Indeed, Gothic spiers and lancet arches are located next to Arabic ornaments and decorative towers. And next to the cathedral is the Plaza de Torros Vieja / Bullring, which used to be a bullring:

Well, you can not pass by the palace of the bishop Palacio Episcopal. By the way, it used to be an Islamic palace. Next to it is the church Iglesia de Santa Maria Magdalena in the original Mudéjar architectural style. And Juderia, the medieval Jewish quarter, simply staggers the imagination of tourists.

How to get there : you can come to this city by bus running along the route: Solape San Sebastián - Pamplona - Zaragoza from the station Estacion Central de Autobuses. It will take 3.5 hours to get there.

Food. What to try

The harsh Aragonese climate could not but affect the culinary habits of the indigenous people. The cuisine here is considered the most unpretentious in Spain. The tables are bursting with meat dishes, which are still prepared according to traditional recipes. Although this does not mean that you will not find seafood and fresh fish in Zaragoza.

Among the meat dishes, I recommend trying the following:


Depending on how hungry you are, there are a variety of tapas bars in Zaragoza that serve small bites with wine and beer. The tangled streets are located north of the Plaza de España, and this is where many of the mentioned bars are located. In addition, they can still be found at Plaza de Santa Marta and at the end of Calle Heroismo.

But elite restaurants are located in the Old Town. Pay attention to visitors: if there are many locals in a restaurant, then this indicates that it is inexpensive and tasty here.

So, in tapas bars, the average bill will be from 15–25 EUR, as, for example, in Casa Pascualillo, which simply bursts from a variety of snacks with meat and seafood. Here, try el bocadillo, a stuffed roll of jamon, onions and mushrooms.

And if you want to dine with the elite of Zaragoza society, then I recommend visiting the restaurant Casa Lac with its feudal decor and impeccable service. Only now the bill will be from 30–35 EUR. But you can try lamb carpaccio with foie gras. Below I will outline a list of the budget and most expensive places to visit in Zaragoza.

Security. What to watch out for

In all of Spain, you can feel completely safe, but you still need to be on your guard and be wary of petty theft and cheating, which can turn out to be far from petty if your passport is stolen, credit cards, cash, camera, etc. Be attentive and careful.


In the city at night, avoid empty and unlit streets, as well as places where you can not feel safe.

Shopping and shops

Despite the fact that Zaragoza is a provincial city, this does not mean that there is no shopping here. On the contrary, there are many boutiques, shopping centers and luxury stores of various price categories. Check out the department store El Corte Ingles and you will see for yourself.

Most of the good shops are concentrated on the streets San Ignacio de Layola,Cadiz,Francisco de Vitoria,Isaac Peral. Therefore, if you are looking for real perfumes, branded clothes, then be sure to walk along these shopping streets. But keep in mind that the prices here are appropriate!

But on the streets Don Jaime And Alfonso there are already more democratic stores. Below on the map you can see all these streets:

Zaragoza also has Central market entitled central market, which will also please budget buyers. Above on the map, I also marked its location. This is a daily market that is open from 09:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00, on Sunday there is a day off. Here you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, etc.

Sales

A few words about sales: there are two seasons - summer and winter. The first discounts in Zaragoza stores begin in the summer, somewhere in early July, and end in early September. And the second - from January 7 to the beginning of March.

Bars. Where to go

As I mentioned, Zaragoza is a place where people like to live a good, fun life: go to bars, listen to live music and just have fun. By the way, Temple Street (Calle del Temple)- this is a real haven of stormy nightlife in this city. A large number of people come here to drink, eat, hang out. This is probably the largest number of bars not only in Zaragoza, but in all of Aragon.

At 23:00 on this street, the festivities do not even begin yet, but as soon as midnight strikes, everyone seems to wake up and run here. I recommend visiting the following establishments:




  • Churrasco club- one of the most popular bars. Here you can drink a couple of not cheap, but branded cocktails and enjoy original entertainment programs. It is located at: Opening hours: on Saturdays - from 10:00 to 01:00.

    How to move around the city

    Of course, you can get around the whole of Zaragoza on foot, it's quite real. But, it seems to me that such walks are more suitable for tourists who are staying in the city center. But the rest, in any case, will have to travel by bus and tram. By the way, there is also cable car and pleasure boats.

    As for the first type of transport, it works according to an incomprehensible schedule.

    Taxi. What features exist

    There are many taxis in Zaragoza. However, I do not advise you to see the sights in this way: it is expensive and inconvenient. In extreme cases, you can use this service if you need to urgently go from the hotel to the airport or vice versa. Such a trip will cost you 20 EUR.

    Trams

    Zaragoza has one tram line that connects Pilar Square with Goya Park.

    The trams themselves are very beautiful and modern. By the way, they can carry bicycles, and, as I noticed, the locals do just that.

    The cost of a one-way ticket is 1.35 EUR. But children under 4 travel free. You can buy a ticket in a special machine near each stop.

    Buses

    Buses that run on a variety of routes day and night are probably the most popular transport in Zaragoza. Buses number 34 and number 51 run between the city center and the train station "Delicias".

    One-way fare - 1.35 EUR, as on a tram. I would like to note that for the repeated use of this transport, it is more profitable to buy a Card Bus bus card for 7 EUR. And in this case, one trip will cost 0.74 EUR. But first you need to put 5 EUR on the card, when this amount is exhausted, you can replenish it again. And one more thing: after using the card for an hour, you can transfer from one route to another for free. You can buy tickets and Card Bus at Urban Zaragosa points, kiosks and shopping centers. The above points are open seven days a week from 07:00 to 22:45. And if you do not damage the card and keep its original form, then it, already empty, can be returned to the same points at the end of the trip, and 2 EUR will be returned to you. And by the way, there is another great card called the Zaragoza Card, which gives the tourist many benefits:

    • free travel on buses;
    • free access to all attractions;
    • travel by tourist bus;
    • discounts on restaurants, hotels, car rentals.

    Depending on its validity period, the cost of this card is different:

    • 15 EUR for 24 hours,
    • 20 EUR for 48 hours,
    • 24 EUR for 72 hours.

    Transport rental

    In Zaragoza, you can rent a bike, which is a popular transport in the city: they are ridden by locals and active tourists. There are many bike paths here. By the way, for guests of the city they even arrange interesting excursions on bicycles. BiziZaragoza provides public bike rental throughout the city. The rental price will be from 6 EUR.

    Zaragoza - holidays with children

    If you come to Zaragoza with children, I advise you to visit the following interesting places:



    Escuela Española de Esquí de Formigal, in Panticos, in Astuna Escuela oficial de esquil de Astun and in Candanchu Candanchu ski & mountain school SL. In these schools you can learn to ride skiing, snowboard, freeride and freestyle will be taught at will. The instructors teach in English, Spanish and French. And for children there are special snow parks. So they won't get bored either!

    Ski passes

    Spain has about 1,000 kilometers of ski slopes and 36 resorts. And, basically, these are resorts with simple trails that are perfect for relaxing with the family, as well as beginner skiers.

    For a ski holiday, you must purchase a ski pass - an electronic pass for the ski lifts in the form of a plastic card with the personal data of the skier. You can buy it at the box office near the lower stations of any lift, at ski equipment rentals, as well as at sales offices and even at the reception of your hotel. Below I will talk in more detail about the cost of ski passes in resorts near Zaragoza, which I wrote about above:

    • Kandanchu
      The length of the slopes is about 50.5 km, the height difference is 900 m. Prices for ski passes in the high season will be about 45 EUR per day, and in the low season - about 33 EUR per day.
    • Astun
      The cost of ski passes for an adult will be 36.9 EUR per day, for children and pensioners - 29.7 EUR per day.
    • Panticosa
      The length of the slopes is about 35 km, the height difference is 700 m. Ski passes in the high season will cost about 36 EUR per day, and in the low season - 31 EUR per day. About 37 ski lifts provide skiing with a capacity of 50 people per hour.
    • Formigal
      The length of the slopes is about 137 km, the height difference is 750 m. The price of ski passes in the high season is about 51 EUR per day, and in the low season - about 46 EUR per day. If you buy a ski pass for a week, then its cost will be about 279.5 EUR. There are 22 lifts here.

    In addition, all these resorts have a very developed infrastructure: bars, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs. And for beginners there is a ski school with instructors. On the territory of the resort you can relax in SPA centers, sports complexes. I advise, in addition to skiing, to ride a sleigh and snowbikes. Well, it should be noted that friendly and very sociable Spaniards will try to make your vacation unforgettable.

    Friends, you often ask, so we remind you! 😉

    Flights- you can compare prices from all airlines and agencies!

    Hotels- do not forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

    Rent a Car- also aggregation of prices from all distributors, all in one place, let's go!

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