Location

The Top 5 essential visits in Tarragona

1. Roman Tarraco. The amphitheatre, praetorium, circus, city walls, provincial forum, local forum, aqueduct… All of these are Roman monuments were left as the heritage of this ancient civilisation in the capital of Hispania Citerior.

2. Mediterranean Balcony. At the end of Rambla Nova and 130 ft. above the sea, enjoy the best view of Mare Nostrum, the port and the Roman amphitheatre. When locals visit the balcony they say they are going to “touch steel”, since touching the rail is believed to bring you good luck.

3. Cathedral and Diocesan Museum. The construction of the cathedral, dedicated to St. Tecla, began in the Eleventh century although it lasted for many centuries, resulting in a combination of architectonic styles.

4. El Serrallo. Traditional fishing district with narrow streets and mid-Nineteenth century buildings which preserve the image of typical seafront neighbourhoods. With plenty of character and soul, the district also offers the best and freshest fish and seafood restaurants.

5. Port Aventura World. A whole world of fun located on the outskirts of Tarragona. Two theme parks for all ages and the new Ferrari Land for motor racing lovers.

Culture

Tarragona isn’t just a historical city. Today, it is still very much alive remembering its past by organising different festivals dedicated to telling its history. It pays tribute to its roots with Tarraco Viva, an international festival which commemorates the everyday and military life of Roman times: the legions, the theatre, the homes, the cuisine, the engineering… By discovering the past, we can understand the present a lot better.

The city is also known for its castells or human towers, a stunning event which originated in the area, also declared Intangible Heritage by UNESCO. Other traditional festivals of note are Sant Jordi in April, the International Fireworks Competition in July, Sant Magí in August and the local city festival of Santa Tecla in September.

In order to enrich your knowledge and learn more, Tarragona has many museums which are worth visiting, such as the National Museum of Archaeology, the Paleochristian Museum and Necropolis, the Museum of Modern Art, the Castellarnau House Museum…

Shopping

Tarragona is an ideal city for shopping. In the old town, you can find traditional stores, delicatessen shops and pedestrian streets that allow you to comfortably discover all of the city’s surprises on foot.

One of the main shopping areas is the streets that surround Rambla Nova and Carrer Unió. You can also find large department stores or shopping centres such as El Corte Inglés, just a 2-minute walk from the hotel; and Parc Central.

Les Gavarres is a shopping and leisure area situated just 10 minutes away by car from the centre of Tarragona.

Beaches

Discover 9 miles of coastline with coves and beaches of crystal clear waters, all of them easy to get to. Tarragona’s beaches are characterised by their fine golden sand, a feature that gives its name to the area: Costa Daurada (Golden Coast).

Among all of the excellent beaches, two of the best are El Miracle, which occupies the city’s maritime seafront; and L’Arrabassada, 3 miles north of the city.

More information

Music

All music genres have their place in the city. In the Tarragona Congress Centre or in Camp de Mart, where the Tarragona International Music Festival is held, you can enjoy a wide range of musical performances, from great classical symphonies to the latest musical shows. Also, don’t miss out on the International Dixieland Festival.