A Day Trip to Tarragona: Guide to Top Sights, Shopping Spots and Restaurants august 21, 2024 – Posted in: Spain, Travel – Tags: Attractions, Food, History, Holiday, Restaurants, Shopping, Spain, Tarragona, Vacation

Exploring Tarragona in a Day

Many people take a day trip to Tarragona during a holiday in Barcelona, but what do you actually have time to see in just one day in this beautiful city? And what should you definitely see, experience, and eat while you’re visiting Tarragona?

Tarragona is about an hour’s train ride south of Barcelona. This charming coastal city was once the Romans’ capital in Spain, known as Tarraco. Thus, the area is filled with well-preserved Roman ruins, stunning beaches, and delightful culinary experiences. Here are our top tips for a day in Tarragona!

If you’re looking for more inspiration for attractions in Tarragona, we’ve gathered some of the best sights here: Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Tarragona: A Comprehensive Guide

History and Culture in Tarragona

Tarragona was founded by the Romans as Tarraco in the 5th century BC, and as the capital of Hispania Citerior, the city boasted grand structures like an impressive amphitheater, circus, and aqueducts. Tarraco, the magnificent city, covered an area comparable to 20th-century Tarragona in size. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city shrank before beginning to grow again in modern times and extend beyond its ancient boundaries.

The capture of Tarraco by the Visigoths in 475 AD and later under Moorish rule from 714-1118 added another layer of intriguing architecture to the city. In the Middle Ages, Tarragona was shaped by a mosaic of cultures and religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Today, Tarragona is a vibrant and modern city that attracts visitors with its rich history, beautiful beaches, and cultural events. The city hosts a number of annual festivals, including the famous Concurs de Castells, where human towers, castells, rise to the sound of drums and horns.

Sights in Tarragona

Most people likely visit Tarragona because of the city’s Roman past. The archaeological sites are a huge attraction, even for those who have seen many Roman ruins. But Tarragona is truly something special.

For a truly impressive experience, buy a single ticket to the amphitheater. Located right by the water, the amphitheater still impresses with its stunning views over the Mediterranean and the church whose ruins remain within the amphitheater’s walls.

If you want to see more of Tarragona’s history, you can also buy a combined ticket for €15 (2024), which grants access to the Roman Circus, Forum, and other attractions. It is well worth buying the combined ticket, as even on a day trip to Tarragona, there is ample time to visit them all. We took our time and spent 5-6 hours at five out of the six sites – Casa Castellarnau was unfortunately closed for renovation.

You can also explore the old town, Part Alta, where the Cathedral of Tarragona dominates the small cobblestone streets. Be sure to visit Pilon’s Street, the street with hand-painted poles. Note that Pilon’s Street is located on Carrer de Comte. The iconic street mural on Plaça dels Sedassos is also worth seeing. The old Jewish quarter, El Call, now consists only of a labyrinth of narrow streets and several pointed arches along Carrer Talavera and on Plaça dels Àngels.

Natural Experiences in Tarragona

If you have some spare time, a visit to the old Roman aqueduct, Les Ferreres or Pont del Diable, as it is also known, is a great option. It is about 5 km from the amphitheater to the aqueduct. You can choose to take the bus there (see link) or go for a walk along the river. The aqueduct is located in a splendid nature park that covers a vast area, so remember to bring a picnic and hiking stick!

If you prefer sunbathing on the beach, Tarragona has some of the best bathing beaches on the coast, very close to the city. The beaches in Tarragona are renowned for their exceptionally fine and golden sand, hence the name Costa Daurada, which means “Golden Coast” in Catalan.

Shopping in Tarragona

If you’re looking forward to a good shopping trip in Tarragona, it’s good to know that there are plenty of opportunities to make great finds in this Catalan coastal city. There are cozy pedestrian streets with many shops, local food markets, and modern shopping centers.

The old town, Part Alta, is filled with small shops offering everything from crafts to local goods like ceramics and jewelry. Rambla Nova and the adjacent side streets are a popular spot with trendy shops and cafes. Visit the market hall at Mercado de Tarragona and grab a snack before heading outside to the many stalls with inexpensive clothes and shoes. Parc Central is the largest shopping center with a wide range of stores and entertainment.

Good Restaurants in Tarragona

With all these wonderful experiences, it’s probably time to get something to eat. But where should you eat in Tarragona? For lunch, you might enjoy a meal at A Tocar Ferro on the pedestrian street, where they serve tortillas and sandwiches. If you prefer Andalusian tapas, try to get a table at Bocois on Rambla Nova.

In the afternoon, you might want to indulge in a delicious ice cream at Sirvent right by the Balcó del Mediterrani, the beautiful viewpoint. The last train to Barcelona departs late in the evening, so you can easily have dinner at the lively and cheerful Restaurante Racó de l’abat. End your day with a festive atmosphere and a cocktail at the city’s main square, Plaça de la Font.

More Tips for Your Vacation in Tarragona

How to Get to Tarragona?

It’s easy to travel from Barcelona to Tarragona. If you land at Barcelona Airport, you can take a direct bus down the coast. The bus company Plana runs about once an hour to Tarragona from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Be aware of which terminal you land in, as there is a 15-minute difference between departure times. It costs €17 and takes about an hour and a half. You can buy tickets on the bus with cash or on Omio. Click here to see the latest schedule!

If you are already in Barcelona, you can take the train from Passeig De Gràcia Station, which takes about an hour and fifteen minutes and costs €9.

Where to Stay in Tarragona?

If you really want to pamper yourself during your vacation in Tarragona, we highly recommend Hotel H10 Imperial Tarraco. We stayed here with a splendid view over the amphitheater and Torre de les Monges. The room is spacious and bright with several sections. Additionally, there is a huge bathroom with two sinks and so much closet space that there is easily room for all the belongings of a family of four.

Hotel H10 Imperial Tarraco also offered a truly excellent breakfast. The selection was exquisite, with just the right ham, fluffy pancakes, crispy croissants, sliced fruit, etc. From the restaurant, you can access one of the pools, and the other pool can be found on the top of the hotel at the rooftop bar.

Hotel H10 Imperial Tarraco is located at Balcó del Mediterrani, the city’s best viewpoint and right where everything happens. It is quite peaceful in the evenings, precisely because Tarragona has many day-trippers who only use the city during the day. Tarragona’s city center is small enough that you can stay at a slightly cheaper place and still be within walking distance of all the sights. See the wide selection of good hotels in Tarragona or conduct your own search right here:

Booking.com