The ancient pearl of Tarragona in Spain: a guide to the city and its monuments

If you are looking for a place to in a relatively small area, countless historical monuments are mixed with a number of possibilities for entertainment, the city of Tarragona will be right for you.

Tarragona will give you a huge portion of history during your vacation, but also the sea and other activities

Z Barcelona it's not far from here, monuments referring to its rich past have earned an entry on the UNESCO world cultural heritage list, and the nearby area is home to, for example, one of the best amusement parks in Europe. All this is Tarragona, Spain.

Content of the article: Location of Tarragona, Map, Weather in Tarragona, Brief history, What to do in Tarragona?, Other sights and attractions, Beach in Tarragona, Interesting point: Human towers, Holidays and festivals, Transportation to Tarragona from Barcelona, Video

Where is Tarragona located?

The city of Tarragona, the administrative center of the province of the same name, is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. At the same time, it is the heart of the recreation area Costa Dorada, which – true to its name – boasts long beaches with golden sand.

Tarragona is only about 100 kilometers southwest of Barcelona, ideally just right for a day trip. Several rivers flow through the surrounding flat landscape (Francoli, Gaiy) and the Prades mountain range rises up to 15 kilometers from the coast. It reaches a height of 1 meters and may remind you a bit of a landscape from western movies.

Ancient amphitheater - you have historical monuments right next to the sea

Tarragona on the map of Spain

More about the location of the city, or the following map shows the region of Tarragona. 

Map: Tarragona, Spain

Weather in Tarragona throughout the year

If you want to go to Tarragona, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the average temperatures during the year to get a better idea of ​​what clothes to pack for your trip. 

• Spring (March - May): Spring in Tarragona is pleasant and mild. Temperatures range from 12°C in March to 18°C ​​in May. It's a great time for a vacation because the weather is perfect for walking and exploring the city. Some days will be rainy, but mostly the weather is sunny and clear.
• Summer (June - August): Summer in Tarragona is warm and sunny. Temperatures range from 22°C in June to 25°C in July and August. It is the perfect time to visit the beaches and enjoy the sunny weather. August can be a bit wetter, but it's usually a drier season.
• Autumn (September - November): Autumn in Tarragona is still warm, but temperatures are starting to drop. In September, the average temperature is 21°C, but in November it drops to 12°C. You can expect more rainy days, especially in October, which is generally the month with the most precipitation.
• Winter (December - February): Winter in Tarragona is colder but still mild compared to many other places. Average temperatures range from 9°C in December to 10.3°C in January. You can expect some rainy days, but snow is very rare.

Overall, the weather in Tarragona is pleasant all year round, with warm summers perfect for frolicking on the beach and swimming, and mild winters.

Moon	Average temperature (°C)	Minimum temperature (°C)	Maximum temperature (°C)
Members	10.3	5.3	15.3
February	9	4	14
March	12	7	17
Duben	14	10	18
May	18	14	22
June	22	18	26
July	25	21	28
August	24	20	28
September	21	17	25
October	18	13	22
November	12	8	16
December	9	4	13

Weather in Tarragona: average, minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the year

History: Romans and Barbarians in Tarragona

During the expansion of the Roman Empire, Tarragona (Latin Tarraco) function as the center of the province of Hispania Tarraconensis, which occupied a large part of the Iberian Peninsula. Gradually, it even became its largest and most developed city. The Romans themselves aptly called Tarragona "the city of eternal spring", which is still true today.

Demonstration of Roman troops in Tarragona

During the height of the Roman era, Tarragona boasted a number of magnificent buildings and up to a quarter of a million people lived behind the extensive fortification system! Raids by barbarian tribes, led by the Visigoths and later the Arabs, unfortunately destroyed a significant part of the city.

To date, you would count over 130 thousand inhabitants in Tarragona.

What to do in Tarragona? Here is a list of my top 9 things:

1. Tarragona Cathedral (Cathedral of Tarragona): This cathedral combines elements of the Romanesque and Gothic styles. Also visit the courtyard with beautiful flowers.
2. National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona (Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona): This museum presents the cultural and material wealth of the Roman Tarraco of that time. The mosaic collection follows changing trends from simple black and white motifs to complex color patterns.
3. Romà Amphitheater: A short walk from the local town beach is a well-preserved Roman amphitheater from the 2nd century AD, where gladiators fought against each other or wild animals. Today, there are often various historical performances and tours. 
4. History Museum (Museu d'Història de Tarragona): This museum consists of various Roman UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as some other historical buildings in the city.
5. PortAventura: A huge amusement park PortAventura lies 10 km west of Tarragona. It is divided into themed worlds and is full of exciting attractions. Great fun for young and old! It's not quite in the city, but it's still worth it. 
6. Ferreres Aqueduct (Aqüeducte de les Ferreres or also Pont del Diable): This beautiful aqueduct is located approx. 4 km north of the center of Tarragona. It will get you with its length of 217 meters and height of 25 meters. 
7. Praetorium and Roman Circus (Pretori i Circ Romà): This vast complex includes part of the vault of a well-preserved Roman arena (circus) from the late 1st century, where chariot races and other jousts took place.
8. A walk along the historic walls (Passeig Arqueològic Muralles): A leisurely walk takes you around the inner part of the old town between the two lines of city walls. The inner walls are mainly Roman and date back to ancient times.
9. Museum and Cemetery of Early Christianity (Museu i Necròpolis Paleocristians): This vast Romano-Christian city of the dead on the western edge of Tarragona consists of more than 2000 tombs dating back more than 1500 years, recalling the ancient history of the city of Tarraca. 

My tip: Heading to Tarragona with children? Take advantage of the sightseeing train, which will take you through the city in 45 minutes and stop at all the main sights. A great alternative to the classic hop on hop off bus! More about the train + reservation.

Tourist map of Tarragona

You will find the city center and all the main streets marked on the clear tourist map, which you can download. 

Tourist map - click to enlarge and download

An indelible mark: ancient Roman ruins

The ancient monuments of Tarragona are mainly concentrated in the Old Town (Old Helmet). However, the 2nd century AD amphitheater for 15 spectators, their most famous part, lies a bit out of the way and is only separated from the beach by a railway line and a road. Instead of cruel gladiator fights and public executions, theater performances and other cultural events are held there today.

Roman soldiers performing

Further from the Roman era the remains of the race track, circus, theater and forum have been preserved. Only about a third of the majestic city fortifications remain, yet the 1 meters of walls create an impregnable impression even after many centuries. You can see a lot of exhibits and interesting things from the ancient Roman era in the National Archaeological Museum (MNAT).

If you still can't get enough of antiquities, you can also visit a couple of monuments near Tarragona. The monumental aqueduct Acueducto de les Ferreres it has a length of 215 meters, 2 floors and 25 arches. It is also called Pont del Diable, a bit spooky, it is located in the forest north of the city near the intersection of the AP-7 and A-27 highways and you can reach it by bus from the center. El Médol Limestone Quarry with an area of ​​several hectares and the Torre dels Escipions burial tower can be found approximately 6 km east of Tarragona.

The popular Ferreres aqueduct near Tarragona

What else must you see in and around Tarragona? 

But Tarragona offers much more. Here are some tips for other places, sights and landmarks that you must not miss during your vacation. 

• Plaça De La Font – historic square with town hall in an eclectic style
• Rambla Nova – the city's main boulevard with shops, cafes and restaurants, lined with stately homes
• Balcó del Mediterrani – the symbolic end of the Rambla Nova boulevard and the vantage point on the 23-meter-high cliff near the amphitheater, allowing a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea
• Portal de Sant Antoni – baroque city gate in the walls from 1737
• The Central Market – the city market in the modernist style in which he created, for example Antoni Gaudí
• Museu d'Art Modern de Tarragona – a museum of modern art in a historic building Casa Marti
• Coastal forts Fortí de Sant Jordi and Fortí de la Reina

An important part of Tarragona is the vast port for cargo transport, yachts and giant tourist ships. To the southwest of the city, near the well-known resort of Salou, a trio of amusement parks beckons to visit: PortAventura, Ferrari land and Caribe Aquatic Park. Literally "a stone's throw" from Tarragona is another impressive one the city of Reus, where there is also an international airport.

It is quite useful map on the official website of the Tarragona tourist office, which contains all the places you might need as a tourist: attractions, sights, restaurants, shopping centers, accommodation,... 

The local Cathedral is one of the most visited monuments

You can find more about the Tarragona region, all the monuments, attractions and events at the official website of the local tourist office.

Need to cool down? Visit the beach in Tarragona

Thanks to its location by the sea, Tarragona can also offer you a swim in the sea: less than a kilometer from the city center is the main city beach called Platja del Miracle. 

The beach is easily accessible, both on foot and by public transport. 

If you want to enjoy the sun, swimming, fine sand or some beach activities, I definitely recommend not to miss this beach during your trip or vacation when visiting Tarragona. 

The city's main beach, Platja del Miracle, is within walking distance of the center

The beach is about 500 meters long and a minor disadvantage is that during warm days there are relatively many locals and tourists. You will find fewer people on other beaches, but they are a few kilometers away from the center (try Cala Romana, Platja de la Savinosa or Platja de l'Arrabassada, for example). 

Castells, human towers as part of the UNESCO cultural heritage

Tarragona has also been included in the UNESCO list due to its unique cultural tradition - it is, simply put, o building human towers (castells). A bit of nonsense? Well, when hundreds of enthusiasts connect cleverly, they can build a human tower up to ten stories high, which would be the envy of even a top circus. Every two years in October, the world's largest competition in this wonderful discipline is even held here. However, even during the year there are plenty of competitions and shows that you can come and see for free (list of events). 

Human towers have a long tradition in Tarragona

Once you visit Tarragona, you will discover that young and old alike live by this activity, and there are many associations and clubs in the city that make a living from this non-traditional sport. 

Castells, castles or also human towers are built throughout Catalonia

More about human towers (castells) this video will also tell you

Holidays and celebrations in Tarragona that you must not miss during the year

Do you want more celebrations and festivities? We also recommend the carnival in mid-February culminating in a colorful parade in Plaça De La Font, the fireworks competition in Punta del Miracle bay in July, the pompous parade of the local Sant Magí culture in August (with masks with big heads) or the spectacular celebrations of the feast of Santa Tecla (September 23).

Sant Magí Festival in Tarragona

How to get from Barcelona to Tarragona?

If you want to see Tarragona while staying in Barcelona, ​​you have several options to get there. 

By train: Tarragona is accessible directly from center of Barcelona. The ride from Sants station takes just over 1 hour, the AVE and OUIGO high-speed trains can do it in 56 minutes.

By bus: There are several bus companies that go to Tarragona from Barcelona. The company is among the cheapest ALSA (from the stop Barcelona Nord / Estació d'Autobusos Nord), with which you will drive for a straight hour and a half.

Car: From Barcelona, ​​take the regional highway C-32 towards el Vendrell. Here the road connects to the main AP-7 highway, which will take you all the way to Tarragona.

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Transport from Reus Airport to Tarragona

Although it is located near Tarragona Reus International Airport (REU), but few airlines fly there from Europe. Most lines go here from England or Ireland (e.g. Ryanair). Check out my article about the airport to find out which one airlines fly there. If you do not have a direct connection from where you are, it is more convenient to visit Tarragona by flying to and from Barcelona airport or center to get here, for example, by bus. 

If you need transport from Reus Airport to Tarragona, I recommend:

• taxi for €33
• Monbus bus for €3 (time tables)

You can board both in front of the airport building in Reus.

Video: Holidays in Tarragona

A video is worth a thousand words - if you want to get an even better picture of Tarragona, I recommend watching the following two videos from this amazing historical city. In it you will find all the sights, attractions, famous streets, shopping centers, shops and, of course, the sea, the promenade and the beach. Perfect for soaking up the right atmosphere, even before you go there on vacation!