Things to do in Tarragona

“It’s like a dream to come to Spain and stay for a couple of years and get somebody to teach me Spanish music.” – Lenny Kravitz

Tarragona is a provincial capital in southern Catalonia and is known to be a place that encapsulates everything that makes people fall in love with Spain’s Mediterranean coast. It is one of the best destinations in the country for ancient culture and has an ensemble of Roman archaeological sites which are UNESCO-listed. These sites date back to when this city was considered the most important in Iberia.

Now let us explore the 6 Best Things to do in Tarragona

Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Pont del diable)

Les Ferreres Aqueduct is a 250-meter section of an aqueduct that used to channel water from the Francolí River to Ancient Tarraco. It is based five minutes north of Tarragona and is known to bridge a pine-wooded valley.

The monument rises to 27 meters from the floor of the valley and has 36 arches. If you don’t mind walking along the species (where the water flowed) and are okay with heights, you should definitely visit this place.

It’s better to be aware, even though the structure walls don’t reach far above thigh height on most of the people. Because of the creation of a micro-climate with high humidity, the quarry bursts with plant-life.

National Archaeological Museum

This city realized what it had in the mid-19th century. That is exactly when excavations took place at all the sites around Part Alta. All the items which happened to be uncovered at these digs were displayed here.

What you’ll see here is a rich assortment of ceramics, Roman sculpture, coins, clothing, and regular household items. The National Archaeological Museum has even managed to preserve a fresco of a peacock which is about 2000 years old. It was found at the amphitheater.

The museum will also showcase the Roman Praetorian Tower. It will also give you entry to the circus and necropolis next door.

Tarragona Cathedral

One of the great things about Tarragona is the way its gothic and Romanesque cathedral sneaks up on you. Here you will find compact streets around like Carrer Major and Carrer de la Merceria. These are a kind of compact alleys which have antique shops, traditional local amenities, and restaurants.

Everything opens up on the Plaça de Santiago Rossinyol and you can see the regal gothic façade there. Since the Roman times, there has been some sort of temple here through the Moorish and Visigothic periods to when the cathedral was constructed in the 12th century.

Make sure to head into the Diocesan museum to see the unique Roman artifacts and Renaissance tapestries.

Tarragona Amphitheatre

Tarraco’s amphitheater is carved into a steep slope between the Mediterranean and Roman walls and has an exquisite setting. This elliptical arena is what you’ll find laid out in front of you as you leave the Part, Alta.

It is framed by the azure sea. This structure could hold about 15,000 spectators and was built in the late-100s. The audiences mainly came here to see some pretty grisly exhibitions. As the burning of the city’s early Christian bishop Fructose.

Tarragona_Amphitheatre — Tarragona Amphitheatre

This is used to occur during the 3rd-century rule of Emperor Valeriano. You can also make out the lower basement of the amphitheater. From which wild animals and gladiators were hoisted up to the arena floor.

Roman Walls

On Part Alta’s west side, you can take a tour of the ramparts which has a captivating melange of history by getting up onto the original Roman walls.

The 18th-century gun positions and the medieval coats of arms appear next to the stones with 2,000-year-old inscriptions and the original Roman towers. These defenses have been in place since the time of 3rd Century BC.

During this time, the Tarraco became a base for Roman forces during the Second Punic War. It is really interesting to see the rugged lower sections of the walls which are clearly much older.

Part Alta

Tarragona’s highest part is also its oldest. It is considered the site of Tarraco’s ancient provincial forum. Separated from El Serrallo , this is where the city’s entire population lived for hundreds of years.

There are little streets which run beneath houses that sometimes incorporate the Roman stonework and walls. This is the place where you should definitely come for a walk. Casa Castellarnau is among some of the preserved museums here.

It is a 15th-century Catalan gothic manor house which has a lovely patio. It is a must-see tourist spot here.

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Enjoy the beauty of Tarragona, Spain!