Tarragona was the last place I visited during my Spain college girlfriends trip. We spent great four days drinking sangria, eating paella and exploring Barcelona, Girona and surroundings. I was trying to convince the girls to do a day trip to Tarragona, but they have no interest whatsoever. So, I decided to spend One day in Tarragona by myself. I booked tickets the night before and hoped on the 6 am train to Tarragona from Barcelona Franca.
Is one day enough in Tarragona?
It depends on your travel style and desire to move fast. I was determined to get the most out of my day in Tarragona to make it memorable and I succeeded.
I saw one of the most beautiful sunrises in my life on Mediterranean Balcony. Then, I visited Tarragona Amphitheater, strolled around city center, saw Tarragona Cathedral. I had breakfast at small local place, walked by Roman walls at Passeig Arqueològic. Later, I learned the roman history of Tarragona visited Roman Cirqus and Torre de Pretori, walked Pilons street, stopped by Monument als Castellers, ate delicious lunch at Mercat De Tarragona and had super tasty apple pastries on my way back to the train station.
Sounds pretty good, right? I was not in a hurry, but I planned the entire day, plus I usually walk fast. Yes, I was not able to see the aqueducts at Pont del Diable , which was a big disappointment, but other that that I had a great day in Tarragona.
Read More:
Travel in Europe by Train
3 Days in Barcelona
What to see and do in Tarragona in One day
Sunrise at Mediterranean Balcony
It was dark and the rain was pouring when I got off the train. I was a bit disappointed with the weather and hoping for a miracle warm sunny day, but it supposed to be raining the entire day based on weather.com forecast. So, I got my umbrella up, my hopes for a sunny weather down and started walking toward Medeterranian balcony. Just by the time I got to the balcony , the miracle did happen. The rain stopped and I saw a fabulous sunrise, one of the best sunrises in my life. I spent some time on the balcony enjoying the view and headed to the Passeig Arqueològic. On my way there I stopped by the amphitheater to take couple of pictures when the place was still empty and closed
Coffee and breakfast
On my way to Passeig Arqueològic I stopped by super small coffee shop to have breakfast and hopefully charge my phone phone because I forgot to take both a charger and a power block with me. The owner of the shop was super helpful. He didn’t have a charger, but he called his daughter and she brought the charger from home. I ordered coffee, croissant and fresh orange juice and had a great “conversation” with the coffee shop owner using 5 Spanish words I knew and my hands(yes, I know, shame! Still panning on learning Spanish)
Passeig Arqueològic
I got to the Passeig Arqueològic promptly by the opening time, 9.30 am planning to spend couple of hours there. I got the combine ticket that included Passeig Arqueològic, Torre del Pretorio, and Tarragona Amphitheatre(7 euros) and started my walk. It was raining on and off and the area was completely empty. I was walking by the walls in complete solitude.
The original walls, or so called “first phase of the Roman Walls” built before II BC and were partially destroyed during Iberian Peninsula conquest. The new walls that were 6 meters high and four meters thick were built in the place of original walls.
Tarragona Cathedral
On my way to the Roman Circus I stopped by Tarragona Cathedral, another beautiful Gothic Cathedral. Similar to many other building in Tarragona, the cathedral was built on the top of Roman walls. AI really likes the stone mosaic on the ground near the cathedral. I walked around the cathedral, took couple of pictures and headed to Roman Circus, but got to Torre del Pretorio instead. It is amazing to see how the city was built on the top of the Roman ruins. You can see the roman stones incorporated in the structures of many buildings around the Roman walls area.
Torre del Pretorio
While it was not on my list, I decided to stop by as Pretorio was included in my combine ticket. Pretorio connected to Roman Circus, so you either enter it through the Circus entrance and head over to Pretorio after the circus or vise versa, like I did. The Roman tower that was part of Roman walls seas building was a medieval castle and then a prison after the civil war. Take a narrow steps to get to the top of the tower and enjoy the panoramic view of the city. I couldn’t get enough of it, so I returned back to the tower after visiting the Circus to see this view again.
Roman Circus
After visiting Pretorio I headed to see Roman Circus, another impressive Roman ruins in Tarragona. The Circus and the Tower are the parts of the original Roman walls built during the 1st century AD. There is variety of tunnels and vaults that were used to bring visitors into the racing track during the Roman times. I walked the tunnel and learned more about the impressive Roman Circus architecture and headed back to the tower to see the view of the city again.
Tarragona Amphitheater
Located just across The Roman Circus, Tarragona Amphitheater is one the most popular Roman sites in Tarragona. All the signs are in English, so You can easily navigate through the Amphitheater and get a lot of information via self-guided tour.
The area was at roman times for bloody gladiator performances and public executions. Bishop Fructuosus and his two deacons were buried alive in the amphitheater after the decrees against Christinity was signed by emperor Valeriean. Four centuries later, in the beginning of the VI century Visigothic basilica was built there that was replaced by the church of Santa Maria Del Miracle.
Stroll down the city streets
By the time I got out of Tarragona Amphitheater I had Roman history overload. As I was walking toward the Monument als Castellers, I was still thinking about the history. of those buildings that survived 2 centuries. I stopped by couple of stores to get some souvenirs and sweets and headed to the market.
Late lunch at Mercat de Tarragona.
Unlike La Bouqueria and even Santa Catarina in Barcelona, Tarragona market is not touristy at all. I really enjoyed walking the market, trying jamon and just looking at all kinds of seafood they sell there. A lot of stands have 2-3 people stands and small stove and cook fish or seafood to order. I stopped by one of those, picked small squid and a part of octopus and had the most delicious lunch there.
Final thoughts.
Rich in history, Tarragona is a beautiful city that worth visiting during your Spain visit. I spent a fabulous busy day in Tarragona exploring Roman ruins and walking the city streets.
