Being one of the most important historical and cultural cities in Catalonia, there are many things to do in Tarragona. Despite not being well known as a tourist destination, Tarragona is a city that charms everyone who takes the time to get to know it.
With incredible history, culture and an extensive Roman heritage recognised by UNESCO, in Tarragona you can delve into its history and Roman origins. Moreover, being a coastal city, it has some of the most beautiful and clean beaches on the Costa Brava. If you are on a trip to Catalonia, don’t hesitate to come and discover this very interesting city!
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Things to see in Tarragona
Balcón del Mediterráneo
The Balcón del Mediterráneo is, without a doubt, the most beautiful and popular place in Tarragona Spain. This large balcony is an impressive viewpoint where you can admire Miracle Beach and the grandeur of the Mediterranean Sea.
Moreover, you can also enjoy views over the port to the right and, to the left, views of Tarragona’s amphitheatre. This balcony is more than 40 metres above sea level, showing a landscape straight out of a film. The locals call this place “anar a tocar ferro” (go and touch iron), referring to touching the metal railing that decorates this balcony that dates back to 1889. Don’t forget to take your camera!
Rambla Nova
Walking down the Rambla Nova is probably the most iconic thing to do in Tarragona Spain. It is a promenade over a kilometre long. It crosses the whole city from the famous Plaça Imperial Tarraco roundabout, the lower part of the city, to the Balcony of the Mediterranean, in the highest part of the city.
As you stroll along the Rambla, you’ll come across some sculptures symbolic of Catalan culture, such as the famous Monument als Castellers. It’s also the perfect place to take a pleasant stroll as the sun goes down, as well as the ideal place to stop for lunch or dinner thanks to the wide range of restaurants and bars on both sides of the Rambla. From this avenue you can get to some of the most beautiful parts of Tarragona, including the fishing district and the old town. Come and discover the Rambla Nova!
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Plaça de la Font
Plaça de la Font is one of the most famous and popular squares in Tarragona. Ideally located between the old town and the Rambla Nova, this place is particularly known for its great atmosphere, nightlife and hospitality.
This square was built on a large part of what was once the Roman circus, so it is an area that shrouded in history. It is also crowned by the Tarragona City Hall, a splendid building that is one of the most famous images of the city. Here you can enjoy a great lunch or dinner in one of its bars or restaurants, or simply stroll around the old part of Tarragona, Spain.
Tarragona Cathedral
Tarragona Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and impressive monuments to see in Tarragona, Spain. This structure from the mid-12th century is located in the historic centre of the city, specifically in the highest part, and is dedicated to Santa Tecla.
The cathedral was built on the site of an ancient Roman temple of which some ruins still remain. It is characterised by its mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles due to the transition of artistic trends. It is a mandatory visit for all those who are in Tarragona, especially for lovers of architecture and art history. You can go inside and admire its chapel, the High Altar and its impressive decoration. Then, you can stop for a drink in one of the bars in the square where it is located.
Circo Romano
The Roman Circus, together with the Roman Amphitheatre, are the two most important constructions in Tarragona from the Roman Empire. With a capacity of more than 25,000 people, this circus is considered one of the best preserved in Europe.
Today you can visit the remains of the stands and walk around its three interior vaults. One of them takes you to the famous Torre del Pretorio, an ancient Roman tower that led to the Provincial Forum. You can climb up to the lookout point at the top, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the whole of Tarragona Spain. It is without a doubt one of the most interesting places to visit in the city.
Walls of Tarragona, Spain
The Walls of Tarragona cover a distance of just over one kilometre, making it the perfect route to cross the Paseo Arqueológico (Archaeological Walkway) and learn more about the ancient constructions and ruins of the city.
It the oldest Roman wall outside Italy, once reaching a length of 3,500 metres in the 16th and 17th centuries. Its function was, like that of any wall, to protect the city from attacks coming from the coast. You can follow the route of the Archaeological Walk for only €3 per ticket, and you can access it through the Portal del Roser. Along this route you’ll see different exhibitions, cannons, sculptures, medieval towers and beautiful gardens that will make your walk a very pleasant one. It’s definitely worth it!
See the Roman Amphitheatre in Tarragona
The Roman Amphitheatre, also known as the Amphitheatre of Tarraco, is an structure of Roman origin dating back to the end of the 2nd century AD. With an idyllic location by the sea, you can’t miss a visit to this Roman marvel.
This archaeological site has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once held up to 14,000 people. It used to host shows and impressive gladiator fights. Nowadays you can enjoy a guided tour, where you will visit the vaults, the remains of the church of Santa Maria del Miracle, and end the tour in the stands enjoying an exhibition on screen about the history of Tarragona and its amphitheatre. You’ll love it!
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Best beaches to see in Tarragona, Spain
Savinosa Beach
Savinosa Beach is considered one of the most beautiful and cleanest beaches in Tarragona. In addition to its spectacular location, this beach stands out for the high quality of its sand and waters, as well as its tranquil surroundings.
Although it is not excessively long, you can enjoy a pleasant morning or afternoon in the sun while you take a dip in its transparent waters, play paddle tennis or stroll from one end to the other. In addition, it has a small path through nature that connects to the small Playa dels Capellans, which is easily accessible if you feel like walking. This beach is divided into two parts, one of which is a nudist area.
Cala Waikiki
Cala Waikiki, also known as Cala Fonda, is one of the most beloved beaches to see in Tarragona Spain. It is considered one of the most unspoilt coves in the area, especially due to its intimate atmosphere and small size.
Nudism is common in this cove, and it is important to bear in mind that it is only accessible on foot. You can reach it from Playa Larga, walking for a while through the Bosc de la Marquesa. If you want to enjoy pure tranquillity and blue waters, this is the beach for you!
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See Playa Larga in Tarragona
Although it is considered an urban beach, Playa Larga is a bit far from the centre, but it is really worth a visit. At an amazing 3 kilometres long, it is the ideal place for those who like to walk along the sand from end to end.
As well as being one of the best serviced beaches, it enjoys great beauty. This beach is easy to access, as you can reach it via three entrances with their respective car parks. But make sure you arrive early so as not to run out of parking spaces!
Capellans Beach
Playa dels Capellans is, in fact, a small hidden cove which, despite not offering many amenities such as bars or toilets, is an idyllic place to spend a quiet morning or afternoon away from the crowds.
It is very easy to get there by car, but the parking area fills up quickly, so we recommend arriving fairly early to get a space. It is practically unspoilt with crystal-clear warm waters. Without a doubt one of the most beautiful spots on the coast of Tarragona Spain.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Tarragona, Spain
A normal ticket to the Roman Amphitheatre costs €3.30, while a combined ticket offering access to 4 archaeological sites costs €7.40.
Parking in Tarragona is not particularly easy, and most places are blue zone, so we recommend parking in the Saavedra public car park in the city centre. The daily rate is €5.50.
As it is a fairly small city, it is not very useful to use public transport as all the landmarks are close to each other. However, if you want to visit sites such as the Ferreres Aqueduct, you can take lines 5 and 85 to get there.
With its Mediterranean climate, any time of year is a good time to travel to Tarragona. However, if you want to enjoy its coastline and beaches, we recommend travelling between June and September, when temperatures are higher. However, you should bear in mind that the influx of travellers also increases.
How to plan your itinerary of the places to see in Tarragona?
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