A weekend in Tarragona

2022-08-11

To the south of Catalonia, with the Mediterranean Sea lapping its shores, we find what was one of the largest Roman cities outside of Italy. The Roman ruins of Tarraco, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, along with the centre and the neighbourhood of El Serrallo are some of the must visits in the city. In this post we spend a weekend among narrow streets, ruins, and the coast in the city of Tarragona.

Devil's Bridge

The Devil's Bridge is a Roman aqueduct, also called Les Ferres, which supplies water from the Francolí River. It was built at the height of the Roman city of Tarraco, so it is more than 2,000 years old, and is recognized as a UNESCO National Heritage Site.
It can be accessed very easily on your way to the city by highway. In fact, it should be a mandatory stop, since it is one of the most outstanding points of interest in the city.
Its name is due to its legend that says that a shepherd or an old woman needed to cross the abyss and made a pact with the Devil to allow them to cross in exchange for the soul of the first person to cross it.

Tarragona Amphitheatre

Behind the wall and very close to the sea is the spectacular amphitheatre. It was built in the 2nd century AD, and it was the space in which the gladiators fought with beasts or in which public executions were carried out. It has an oval shape and, at the time, it had a capacity for 14,000 spectators.
The visitor’s ticket price is €3.3. We can assure you that this is one of the places that is worth visiting, it will seem that you are in another country and even in another time!

Old Town

The Old Town of Tarragona is made up of short and narrow streets with buildings that will transport you to the past. A city with a lot of history and that, at the time, became the largest provincial capital of the Roman Empire.
Many of the sites on this list with places of interest for a weekend in Tarragona are already in the Old Town, but make sure you don't miss the Balcón del Mediterráneo or the Central Market.

Santa Tecla Cathedral

The Gothic cathedral is located in the Old Town, in the upper part of the city. Its original name is Santa Església Catedral Basilica Metropolitana i Primada de les Espanyes, and it is dedicated to Santa Tecla, which is why it is commonly called Santa Tecla Cathedral.
Considered a National Monument and an Asset of National Cultural Interest, it has a cloister that will make you fall in love and its exterior façade is one of the most recognizable images of Tarragona.
In addition, it is fascinating to know its history that goes back thousands of years, since in this same place, there had previously been a temple dedicated to the Roman Empire, aVisigoth cathedral, and an Arab mosque.
The visitor’s ticket is priced at €5.

Roman Circus

Roman building from the 1st century AD used as an annual meeting place for the representatives of the Citerior province, the East of Spain of today. With a capacity of around 25,000 people, in ancient times it was used for horse racing, circus performances, and theatre.
You can visit the inner turns of the circus and the eastern side. It is curious because these laps enter the Old Town itself.
The entrance fee is €3.3, it is located next to the amphitheatre, so you may be tempted to visit one and skip the other, but we believe that both visits are well worth it.

Rambla Nova

The centre of the city and of Tarragona's social life is located on the Rambla Nova. Between shops, restaurants, and trees, it is the ideal place to take a walk on your weekend visit.
You will find different monuments, one of them to the Castellers, which is really fascinating. It is also very close to other points of interest.

Arrabassada Beach

The Arrabassada beach is a large beach, with fine sand, very welcoming, and with crystal clear water. It is not that close to the city, so it would be perfect to go to disconnect for a few hours, with beach bars, or chiriguitos, as they are called in Spain, where you can eat or have a drink.
You can find it in a half hour walk or ten minutes by car from the Old Town. Yes, we already told you, Tarragona has everything!

Museum of Modern Art of the Provincial Council of Tarragona

If it's warm, and you want to relax, the MAMT is open most days until 8pm with free admission.
The vast majority, if not all, of the museum's artists are Catalan and Spanish painters and sculptors. Among them, we find two works by Joan Miró, a world-renowned Catalan painter, with a tapestry entitled Tapís de Tarragona, very recognizable due to its colours and the author's characteristic shapes.

Mèdol quarry

The best-known Roman quarry in Tarragona is in the Mèdol basin at a depth of 20 metres.
It is the place where the Romans extracted calcareous stone and other precious materials. In the middle, you can find a 16-metre stone needle that marks the height of the stone before exploitation.
It is an open monument, so it is free to enter.

**Port and El Serrallo district**

The port and the fishing district of "El Serrallo" maintain their seafaring essence in every corner. Stroll through its small port with buildings and monuments that will take you back in time.
Due to the gastronomic experience it offers, it has become a must for those who want to enjoy a good meal in front of the sea.

Port Aventura

To finish the list, we went a little out of the typical. For those who have an extra day or like to live strong emotions, just fifteen minutes by car from the city centre is Port Aventura. The largest amusement park in Catalonia suitable for all audiences to enjoy in a big way.

Resa Inn offers economic stays in the historic city of Tarragona with the Resa Sant Jordi and Resa Tarragona Mediterrani accommodations. Both are adjacent to Plaza Imperial Tarraco, in the centre of the city. Within a short walk, you can find the main places of interest that we have already presented to you, such as the Rambla or the Roman amphitheatre... and just over 1 km from the city's port and beach.
Do not miss everything that Tarragona has to offer you!

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