Zaragoza: Spain’s Hidden Gem
With two castles, an Islamic palace and a very walkable city centre, Zaragoza is well worth a visit. Despite having many remarkable sites, Zaragoza sees relatively few international visitors making it the perfect spot for those who like to get off the beaten track. English isn’t widely spoken in Zaragoza, so you may want to brush off your Spanish or be ready to consult google translate ahead of your visit.
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Things to do in Zaragoza
Admire the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
This elegant and beautiful cathedral, with amazing architecture is a must visit when in Zaragoza. It is free to enter, but my favourite thing was it colourful cupolas.
You can also go up one of the towers for a stunning view across the city.
Visit the Aljaferia Palace
This UNESCO listed 11th century castle contains a Muslim palace, Christian Palace and modern parliment in one place. With nice architectural detail and full of history it’s worth checking out. The palace is also surrounded by a large park and gardens.
Check out the Fuente de la Hispanidad
Located in the Plaza del Pilar you will find a unique monument/ water feature. With the shape of South America, it embodies the shared culture between Spain and its relatives across the Atlantic.
Visit the Origami Museum
The museum of the art of origami completely surpassed my expectations and was one of my favourite things to do in Zaragoza. The exhibition goes through the history of origami before showcasing an array of folding techniques and designs.
Admire the sunset from Puente de Piedra
For the perfect sunset spot with a view of the Basilica, head to Piedra bridge.
Go chocolate tasting around the city with the Chocopass
A unique way to discover the city is through the Chocopass. The voucher entitles you to 5 different different chocolate treats, with a variety of different options to choose from in the city.
Two of my favourite stops were:
- Espabilate: with a choice of chocolate tea!
- Chocolateria: for great churros with a hot chocolate dip.
Check out the City Park
With an awesome view of the city, magical fountains and nice trails, the Parque Grande Jose Antonio Labordeta is the perfect place for those after a peaceful afternoon. It is a bit far from the city centre but is easily accessible via public transport.
Take a day trip from Zaragoza
Monasterio de Piedra
Set within a natural park along the Piedra River, you will find some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. This magical place has a well maintained trail to follow around and admire the stunning waterfalls, peaceful lakes and great caves.
Check out my ultimate guide to visiting the Monasterio de Piedra.
Where to eat in Zaragoza
- Taberna Doña Casta: Tapas
- Helados Tortosa: Ice cream
- Manolo Bakes: Bakery
Where to stay in Zaragoza
I highly recommend staying in AZ Hotel San Valero and choosing a room with a balcony. Just look at this for a view!
How long to spend in Zaragoza
I would recommend a minimum of two days in Zaragoza, three days if you are planning on taking a day trip.
Where next in Spain?
Zaragoza Looks like a cool place to visit with interesting activities. Although you had me sold with the chocolate tour! I have a hard time saying no to good chocolate!
Trying different chocolate around the city was a great way to see it!
I visited Zaragoza many years ago and loved it. It was so under the radar, yet it’s central and has a decent amount of sights and great connections to Madrid, Barcelona etc. Perfect base for a couple of weeks
It is so underrated! Totally agree, it’s a great place to base yourself for a while.