The 15 things to do in Tarragona

From the Costa Dorada? Discover our selection of incontournables to visit Tarragona, the millennium city with a surprising heritage.

Located between Barcelona and Valencia, south of Catalonia, the city of Tarragona has a millenary history, unique to the Costa Dorada. Its streets, squares, walls and pavers portray a cosmopolitan place full of cultures, marked by Iberian, Roman and Jewish civilizations. A strong heritage to the surprising heritage, which lends to all those who meet it, a certain art of living.

Between medieval vestiges and alleys, Tarragona promises a true journey in time. But it is also and above all, a popular destination for a summer parenthesis, feet in the sand, tapas in the mouth!

A solar adventure, which we invite you to discover in the next lines. Here is our selection of incontournables to visit Tarragona!

1. Old town

First step of your discovery of the medieval town of Tarragona: a walk in the fortified city. Enter the door on Via de l’Imperi Roma and let yourself be carried away by the narrow and colorful narrow streets. And for a well-deserved break, enjoy the terrace of a café or a bar to fully enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful city of Catalonia.

2. The Cathedral of Tarragona

This is undoubtedly the must-see monument to Tarragona. The Cathedral of Tarragona, built in the 12th century, is the largest in all of Catalonia. Located in the upper part of the city, it contains an absolutely sumptuous medieval art set. Audio guides and guided tours are at your disposal. Finish your visit with the cathedral bell tower. Over seventy metres high, you will enjoy a spectacular view of the city’s rooftops.

3. The Roman archaeological ensemble

Tarragona is known all over the world for its many Roman vestiges, classified as the UNESCO world heritage.

Start your visit with the Roman amphitheatre overlooking the sea. Here you will wander through the ruins of the Roman circus and take archaeological tunnel dating from the Roman era. Don't miss the Tour du prétoire that dominates the city either. To finish your visit in apotheosis, take the direction of the old town and the Roman forum. Portic jackets, paved paths, everything is there. A national archaeological museum completes your discovery. A must-see visit to Tarragona!

4. Ancient necropolis

A little away from the city, the ancient necropolis of Tarragona is a visit not to be missed. With its two thousand tombs, it is one of the largest cemeteries of Antiquity discovered to date. Impressive!

5. The medieval market

If you are lucky to visit Tarragona in October, don't miss the medieval market. All around the cathedral is a surprising spectacle. Walking artists, menestrels, jugglers, offer beautiful performances in the middle of the ponds offering antique products.

6. La casa Castellarnau

This 14th century palace allows you to discover the lives of noble families of the time. On the first floor, you will observe the traditional architecture of the 14th and 15th century houses. On the second floor you will find the furniture and decorations typical of the nobility of the 18th and 19th centuries. It should be noted that Charles 5 resided in this house during his stay in the city in 1542.

7. La Rambla Nova

As in Barcelona, Tarragona has its own Rambla. In the middle of the avenue, there is a giant statue representing castelles emblematic of Catalan culture. This great avenue is constantly breaking. A market is organized several times a week. Families and friends find themselves there to enjoy its many shops and restaurants.

8. The balcony of the Mediterranean

If you are looking for a must-see place in Tarragona to take beautiful pictures, take the direction of the Mediterranean balcony! Located on the Rambla Nova, it allows you to enjoy a beautiful view of the seafront.

9. The beach of the miracle

It is the main beach of Tarragona. Easily accessible from the centre of the city, it is very popular with the inhabitants who like to meet there in the late afternoon! It is also the ideal place to refresh after a day’s visit.

10. The boat ride

Visiting Tarragona is also enjoying the beauty of its coastline. To do this, nothing like a boat ride!

Indeed, rent a boat will allow you to explore the beautiful Catalan coast as you like. Thus, you will have the opportunity to discover the landscape in another way, from the waters. A great experience to live with your loved ones to perfect your stay in Tarragona!

11. The little train

For those who don't want to get tired or if you have children, Tarragona's small train is ideal for exploring the city. It serves most of the must-sees of Tarragona. You buy your ticket and you can go up and down for a whole day, as many times as you want.

12. A shopping session

Shopping lovers? You should enjoy Tarragona. As everywhere in Spain, the city has many designer boutiques, department stores and shopping centres offering the largest brands. Many of us enjoy shopping in Spain, we must say that prices are often much cheaper than in France. You should find everything in the famous El Corte Inglès and the mall Central Park .

13. The casino

Located not far from the ruins of the ancient circus, the casino is a must to do in Tarragona for lovers of the genre.

14. Port Aventura

You want to please your children? Less than fifteen minutes from Tarragona, is one of the most beautiful amusement parks in Europe and the most visited in Spain. You will enjoy the amusement park and breathtaking shows, a water park and a space reserved for Ferrari fans. On site, many restaurants and shops are at your disposal. A good time to spend with family near Tarragona.

15. The Roman aqueduct

On the edge of the city of Tarragona, stands a Roman aqueduct, surprisingly well preserved. Dating from the 1st century, it would have been ordered by Emperor Augustus. It allowed to bring water to Tarragona from the Franco river. Many marked hiking trails are available in the area.

How do I get to Tarragona?

By car

The highway AP-7 and the national N-340 allow you to reach Tarragona from Barcelona, Tortosa and Valencia. From Paris, you will first take the highway A 71 or A 75 to reach Spain. Tarragona is about 11 hours' drive from Paris.

Count six hours from Marseille, five hours from Toulouse and a little over four hours from Montpellier. For a more ecological journey, think about carpooling.

By train

Tarragona has two railway stations. One is located in the city centre and offers regional, national and international connections.

10 minutes from the centre of Tarragona you will find a train station. The latter houses trains from Barcelona, Zaragoza, Madrid, Cordoba and Seville.

By plane

If you wish, you can fly the plane to Tarragona. Flights low-cost Reus Airport is 7 kilometres from the city (buses allow you to reach the city centre).

It is also possible to land at Barcelona Airport, 82 kilometres from Tarragona. Many companies offer daily connections to the Catalan capital. Before booking your flight, consider comparing prices on a flight comparison as Ulysses which detects the flights at the best prices.

By bus

The Tarragona motorway station is perfectly served by buses from the main Spanish and European cities. The bus is often a comfortable and economical way to travel, even if the routes can be long.

By boat

Many cruise ships stop at the port of the city. Another way to discover the must-see in Tarragona.

Where to stay in Tarragona?

To fully enjoy your stay, you must choose your accommodation in Tarragona. The city centre is obviously a wise choice to discover the exceptional and exciting heritage of this beautiful city. For those who prefer to make festive and lively evenings, choosing a hotel room or an apartment in the modern part of Tarragona is ideal. You will enjoy the Rambla de Tarragona, its restaurants and lively bars until very late in the evening. To choose where to stay in Tarragona and to benefit from the best rates according to your dates of stay, increase prices and reviews on a Compare hotels .

Tarragona has no secrets for you? Share your must-see in Tarragona as a comment.