Old Town and El Tubo
The best area for doing everything on foot: El Pilar, La Seo, tapas and nightlife. Choose your street carefully if noise bothers you.
Itinerary · Zaragoza
Zaragoza in 3 days: day-by-day itinerary
A 3-day Zaragoza itinerary: Basílica del Pilar, La Seo, the Aljafería, Mudéjar heritage, Goya, the Ebro and the tapas of El Tubo, with practical tips.
- 3days
- 12stops
- 5Areas
This 3-day itinerary is designed for anyone visiting Zaragoza for the first time who wants to see the essentials without rushing. The first day is for the Pilar, La Seo and the river; the second for the Aljafería, the Mudéjar towers and Roman Zaragoza; and the third for a stroll through the centre, Goya and the Expo.
From the airport, line 505 of the Consorcio de Transportes has timetables coordinated with flights and stops at the Delicias Intermodal Station, from where you continue to the centre by bus or tram. There is also a taxi rank outside the terminal, with a journey of about 20 minutes to the centre (leaving the airport carries a surcharge).
Tips
- The historic centre is very compact: it is best done on foot, keeping the bus or tram for the Aljafería and the Expo.
- Book the Aljafería and the Pilar towers in advance, especially at weekends and during festivals.
- Devote one evening to tapas in El Tubo: go from bar to bar, ordering one or two things in each, instead of sitting down to dinner in just one.
- Try Aragonese cuisine: ternasco (young lamb), migas, borage and the typical sweets.
- Lunch is around two o’clock and dinner from nine onwards; many restaurants close between lunch and dinner.
- In summer the heat is strong and in winter the cierzo, the north-westerly wind, makes itself felt. Dress accordingly.
Day 1
El Pilar, La Seo and the Ebro
Basílica del Pilar
Old Town
The great Baroque temple beside the Ebro is the symbol of Zaragoza. Inside are the Holy Chapel and the domes decorated by Goya; if you feel like it, you can also climb one of its towers for a view over the city.
Catedral del Salvador (La Seo)
Old Town
It is just a few steps away, in the same square. It blends Romanesque, Gothic, Mudéjar and Baroque, and its Mudéjar exterior is part of the World Heritage-listed ensemble. The tapestry museum is worth a visit.
La Lonja y plaza del Pilar
Old Town
La Lonja is an elegant Renaissance merchants' exchange, a stone's throw from the square. Use it as a break before crossing to the river.
Puente de Piedra
Ebro riverside
From this historic bridge you get the best-known postcard view of the basilica and its towers reflected in the Ebro. It is a perfect spot at sunset.
Day 2
The Aljafería, Mudéjar art and Rome
Palacio de la Aljafería
Delicias
An 11th-century Islamic palace that later became a residence of the Christian kings and is now the seat of the Cortes of Aragon. Its courtyard of interlaced arches is the most special part. Book ahead and start here, first thing.
Mercado Central
Old Town
A Modernista market of iron and glass. It is a good place to see Aragonese produce and have something light before moving on. You can get here from the Aljafería by bus or on foot through the centre.
Iglesia de San Pablo y barrio de la Magdalena
San Pablo
One of the prettiest Mudéjar towers in the city, in a neighbourhood of bars and shops with character. Nearby is the church of La Magdalena, with another Mudéjar tower.
Foro y termas de Caesaraugusta
Old Town
Zaragoza was the Roman Caesaraugusta. The museums of the Forum and the Public Baths, beneath today's city, show remains that surprise anyone who did not expect them.
Day 3
Paseo de la Independencia, Goya and the Expo
Paseo de la Independencia
Centre
The great avenue of the centre, with 20th-century buildings, café terraces and shops. It starts at Plaza de España and makes a pleasant, flat walk.
Museo Goya Colección Ibercaja
Old Town
Goya was born near Zaragoza, in Fuendetodos, and this museum brings together his work alongside that of other Aragonese artists. It is a relaxed visit for midday.
Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta
Centre
The city's great park, with gardens, fountains and shade. A rest before the afternoon.
Recinto de la Expo 2008
Ebro riverside
Beside the river, Zaha Hadid's Bridge Pavilion, the Water Tower and the Third Millennium Bridge recall the 2008 exposition. You get there by tram or bus from the centre.
Zaragoza
Where to stay in Zaragoza
Paseo de la Independencia and Plaza de España
A central area with good transport and hotels of every kind, ten minutes on foot from the old town.
Delicias
Next to the intermodal station and the airport bus. It is quieter and practical for late arrivals or early-morning departures.
Itinerary · Zaragoza
More Zaragoza itineraries
5 days
Zaragoza in 5 days
- Day 1 El Pilar, La Seo and the Ebro
- Day 2 The Aljafería, Mudéjar art and Rome
- Day 3 Paseo de la Independencia, Goya and the park
- Day 4 Expo 2008, the river and tapas
- + 1 day
7 days
Zaragoza in 7 days
- Day 1 El Pilar, La Seo and the Ebro
- Day 2 The Aljafería, Mudéjar art and Rome
- Day 3 Paseo de la Independencia, Goya and the park
- Day 4 Expo 2008, the river and tapas
- + 3 days
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Zaragoza?
Three days is enough to see the essentials: El Pilar, La Seo, the Aljafería and the Mudéjar heritage. With more time you can add excursions around Aragon.
What do I need to book before travelling?
It is best to book the Aljafería and the visit to the Pilar towers in advance, especially on long weekends and during the Fiestas del Pilar in October.
Can this itinerary be done without a car?
Yes. The old town is covered on foot, and for the Aljafería and the Expo the tram or city bus is enough.
Photo credits
- Basílica del Pilar: David Abián, CC BY-SA 3.0 es, Wikimedia Commons
- Catedral del Salvador (La Seo): FRANCIS RAHER, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Puente de Piedra: CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Palacio de la Aljafería: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons