Zaragoza packs more than 2,000 years of history into a walkable city centre. Roman ruins sit alongside Islamic palaces and Baroque basilicas, all connected by the Ebro River and a network of pedestrian streets. Most attractions are within a 20-minute walk of Plaza del Pilar, one of Spain’s largest public squares. Entry to the Basilica del Pilar is free, and several museums offer free admission on Sunday mornings. Here are the best things to do in Zaragoza, organised by category.
Things to Do in Zaragoza: Religious Landmarks
Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
The Basilica del Pilar is Zaragoza’s defining landmark and one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage sites. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint James on this spot in 40 AD, making it the first Marian apparition in history. The current Baroque building dates from 1681 and features 11 domes, four towers, and frescoes by Francisco de Goya inside the Coreto (choir). Entry is free. The basilica opens daily from 6:45am to 8:30pm (until 9:30pm in summer). Take the lift to the top of the northwest tower (Pilar Tower) for the best panoramic view of Zaragoza, the Ebro River, and on clear days the Pyrenees. The tower lift costs 4 euros and operates from 10am to 8pm (until 9pm in summer). On October 12, the Fiestas del Pilar culminate here with a flower offering that builds a 15-metre floral mantle on the Virgin’s statue. Read our best time to visit Zaragoza for seasonal advice.
La Seo Cathedral (Cathedral of the Savior)
La Seo stands just 200 metres from the Basilica del Pilar and represents Zaragoza’s architectural layers better than any other building. It started as a Roman forum, became a Visigothic church, then a mosque under Moorish rule, and finally a cathedral after the Reconquista in 1118. The result is a mix of Romanesque (apse), Gothic (main nave), Mudejar (exterior wall and dome), and Baroque (tower and facade). Entry costs 7 euros (reduced 6 euros), which includes the Tapestry Museum housing 63 Flemish tapestries from the 15th to 18th centuries, one of Europe’s finest collections. Open Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 6:30pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm. Closed Sunday afternoons. Check our Zaragoza events and festivals calendar.
Things to Do in Zaragoza: Historic Sites
Aljaferia Palace
The Aljaferia Palace is the best-preserved Islamic palace outside Andalusia and a UNESCO World Heritage site (Mudejar Architecture of Aragon). Built in the 11th century as the pleasure palace of the Banu Hud dynasty, it later became the residence of the Christian kings of Aragon and is now the seat of the Aragon regional parliament. The Mudejar coffered ceilings in the Throne Room and the intricate carved stucco work in the Golden Hall are the highlights. Entry costs 5 euros (free on Sundays). Open daily from 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 6:30pm (October to March), or 4:30pm to 8pm (April to September). Guided tours run at 10:30am, 12pm, 4:30pm, and 5:30pm in Spanish; audio guides are available in English for 3 euros. The palace is a 15-minute walk west of Plaza del Pilar, or take bus 36 from the city centre. Our Zaragoza neighborhoods guide compares all districts.
Roman Theatre of Caesaraugusta
Zaragoza was founded as Caesaraugusta in 14 BC, and the Roman Theatre is its most impressive surviving monument. Built in the 1st century AD, it held 6,000 spectators and was only rediscovered in 1972 during construction work. The museum (entry 4 euros, free on Sundays) sits above the excavated ruins and explains Roman Zaragoza through models, artefacts, and a glass walkway over the archaeological remains. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm, Sunday and holidays 10am to 2pm. Closed Mondays. The theatre is on Calle San Jorge, a 5-minute walk from La Seo. The same 4-euro ticket also grants entry to the three other Roman museums in the city (Forum, Thermal Baths, and River Port), all within a 10-minute walking radius. Find the best places in our where to stay in Zaragoza guide.
Puente de Piedra (Stone Bridge)
The Stone Bridge has crossed the Ebro River since the 15th century, though the current structure dates largely from the 17th century after a flood destroyed the original. It is the best spot to photograph the Basilica del Pilar reflected in the Ebro, particularly at sunset when the domes turn gold. The bridge is pedestrian-only at its centre, with stone lions (added in 1991) guarding each end. Cross to the north bank for the least-crowded basilica viewpoint and access to the Expo 2008 site and Parque del Agua. For practical advice, read our Zaragoza travel tips.
Things to Do in Zaragoza: Museums and Culture
Goya Museum (Museo de Zaragoza)
Francisco de Goya, Spain’s greatest painter after Velazquez, was born in 1746 in Fuendetodos, a village 44km south of Zaragoza. The Goya Museum in Zaragoza holds the largest public collection of his work in the world, including 15 paintings and his complete print series (Los Caprichos, The Disasters of War, Los Disparates). The museum occupies a Renaissance palace on Plaza de los Sitios. Entry is free for EU citizens, 3 euros for non-EU visitors. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm, Sunday 10am to 2pm. Closed Mondays. Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours for the full collection, which also includes Roman and medieval art. Check our Zaragoza travel guide for more.
CaixaForum Zaragoza
CaixaForum Zaragoza occupies a striking modern building on Avenida de Anselmo Clave, near the Delicias train station. It hosts rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, photography, and science, typically changing every 3 to 4 months. Entry costs 6 euros (free for CaixaBank customers, under-16s always free). Open Monday to Sunday 10am to 8pm. The building itself, designed by Carme Pinos, features a dramatic sloped facade and rooftop terrace with city views. Check the current exhibitions online before visiting; past shows have included works by Dali, Miro, and contemporary photographers.
Things to Do in Zaragoza: Outdoor and Parks
Parque Grande Jose Antonio Labordeta
Parque Grande is Zaragoza’s largest green space at 40 hectares, located 2km south of the Old Town. It features wide boulevards, fountains, botanical gardens, a monumental staircase modelled on Rome’s Spanish Steps, and the Batallador equestrian statue. The park was built in the 1920s and retains its original design. Free entry, open daily from 6am to midnight (summer) or 7am to 10pm (winter). Take bus 22 or 35 from the city centre (10 minutes), or walk 25 minutes from Plaza del Pilar. The park is popular with joggers and cyclists, and there are several cafes near the main entrance on Paseo de la Constitución.
Ebro River Walk and Expo 2008 Site
The Ebro riverbank path runs for 8km through Zaragoza, from the Almozara district in the west to the Actur neighbourhood in the east. The most scenic stretch is the 2km between Puente de Santiago and Puente de la Union, which passes the Basilica del Pilar and the La Seo Cathedral. On the north bank, the Expo 2008 site features the Water Tower (Torre del Agua, 76 metres), the Bridge Pavilion designed by Zaha Hadid, and the River Aquarium (Acuario Fluvial, entry 16 euros, open daily 10am to 8pm). The Expo site is connected to the Old Town by the Third Millennium Bridge and the Pavilion Bridge, both pedestrian-friendly.
Things to Do in Zaragoza: Food and Markets
El Tubo Tapas District
El Tubo is Zaragoza’s legendary tapas district, a warren of narrow streets just north of Plaza del Pilar. The name means “the tube,” referring to the tight alleyways connecting Calle Estebanes, Calle Cuatro de Agosto, and Calle Libertad. The tradition here is tapeo: order a small beer (cana) or wine for 2 to 3 euros, and it comes with a free small tapa. Move from bar to bar, trying one at each. Key stops include Bodegas Almau (Calle Estebanes, 6), operating since 1870 and famous for anchovies and vermouth; Casa Lac (Calle de los Martires, 12), Zaragoza’s oldest restaurant (opened 1825); and El Champi (Calle Cuatro de Agosto, 16) which only serves grilled mushrooms with garlic and parsley. El Tubo is busiest Thursday to Saturday from 8pm to midnight. Most bars close by 12:30am. For the full tapeo experience, arrive by 7:30pm to beat the crowd.
Mercado Central (Central Market)
The Mercado Central, housed in a 1903 iron-and-glass building on Avenida de Cesar Augusto, is Zaragoza’s main food market. You will find 160 stalls selling fresh produce, seafood from the Cantabrian Sea, Aragon lamb, and local specialities like longaniza de Aragon (cured sausage) and ternasco (roast suckling lamb). The market also has several tapas bars inside where you can eat standing at the counter. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm. Closed Sundays and Saturday afternoons. The best time to visit is Friday or Saturday morning when all stalls are open and the atmosphere is liveliest. For climate data, see our Zaragoza weather by month.
