Free walking tours in Zaragoza and what to see

Must-sees

The Plaza del Pilar is the centre of any visit. Here stands the basilica of the Pilar, with its towers and glazed-tile domes, one of them with frescoes by Goya. At one end of the square is the cathedral of El Salvador, La Seo, which mixes styles from Romanesque to Baroque and has a much-photographed Mudéjar wall. From the Puente de Piedra you get the best view of the basilica over the Ebro.

The other great monument is the Aljafería, an 11th-century Islamic palace that now houses the Aragonese parliament. Give it a couple of hours. For food or a drink, El Tubo is the classic tapas area, with narrow streets near the Plaza de España. If you have time left, the Caesaraugusta Theatre museum, the Pablo Gargallo Museum and the Parque Grande round off the visit.

Free tours and guided visits

The usual free tour covers the old town on foot: the Plaza del Pilar, La Seo, El Tubo and the remains of the Roman wall. It tells the city’s story from Caesaraugusta to the sieges of the Peninsular War, and at the end you tip what you like. Among the paid visits, the most interesting is the guided tour of the Aljafería, which explains the palace’s different periods well. There are also day trips to the Monasterio de Piedra, to Tarazona and the Veruela monastery, or to the wineries of Cariñena.

How long to spend

With two days you can see Zaragoza at a relaxed pace. Day one, the old town: the Pilar, La Seo, El Tubo and the Ebro riverbank at sunset. Day two, the Aljafería in the morning and a museum in the afternoon, such as the Goya Museum or the sites on the Caesaraugusta route. If you add a third day, use it for the trip to the Monasterio de Piedra, with its waterfalls and park.

Where to stay

The most practical choice is to stay in the old town, between the Plaza del Pilar and the Plaza de España, because almost everything can be done on foot. The Paseo de la Independencia and the Plaza de Aragón are a good alternative, with wide streets, shops and the tram. If you arrive by high-speed train, bear in mind that Delicias station is far from the centre. It pays to stay centrally and do that journey by bus or taxi.