Aragon · Spain

Saragoça

The capital of Aragón on the banks of the Ebro, with the Basílica del Pilar and its Goya frescoes, the Islamic palace of the Aljafería, the mudéjar Seo and the ruins of the Roman Caesaraugusta.

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In the photo: Palacio de la Aljafería, Saragoça

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Saragoça (Zaragoza, in Spanish) is the capital of Aragón in northeastern Spain, on the banks of the Ebro river, roughly halfway between Madrid and Barcelona. It is the fifth-largest city in the country by population and has about two thousand years of layered history: it was the Roman Caesaraugusta, founded in the time of Emperor Augustus; the Muslim Saraqusta, capital of a taifa kingdom; and later the capital of the Kingdom of Aragón.

The city's skyline is dominated by the Basílica del Pilar, with eleven domes covered in colorful tiles and four towers, beside the Ebro. The Virgin of the Pilar, patron saint of the Hispanic world, is venerated there, and Francisco de Goya, born 45 km away, painted frescoes on the domes. In the same square are the cathedral of the Savior, the Seo, and remains of the Roman wall.

Aragón's mudéjar architecture, made by Muslim craftsmen under Christian rule, with brick towers and walls decorated with glazed ceramics, is a UNESCO World Heritage, and Saragoça has examples in the Seo, the Aljafería and the church of San Pablo. The city also preserves the Roman theater, forum, river port and baths, displayed in underground museums.

In October the Fiestas del Pilar usually take place.

This destination brings together 1 city: Saragoça.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Saragoça is

Outlines: IGN/CNIG, unidades administrativas, CC BY 4.0. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Saragoça

✈ Aeropuerto de Zaragoza (ZAZ), in Zaragoza · 16 km to Saragoça

Confirm before booking. The most common route is to fly to Madrid or Barcelona and continue by high-speed train, about 1h20 or 1h30, to Zaragoza-Delicias station. Saragoça airport has few passenger flights.

Aragão · Saragoça Capital

Saragoça

Saragoça is the capital of Aragón, on the banks of the Ebro, between Madrid and Barcelona. The Basílica del Pilar, with colorful domes and Goya frescoes, dominates the city alongside the Seo, a cathedral with a mudéjar wall. The Aljafería is an 11th-century Islamic palace, and the Caesaraugusta museums display the Roman city. The tapas of El Tubo liven up the centre at night.

The local experience

Things to do in Saragoça

Saragoça · Aragon · Church

Basílica del Pilar

Baroque basilica on the banks of the Ebro, with eleven domes covered in coloured tiles and four towers, which houses the jasper column of the Virgem do Pilar and frescoes by Goya.

Saragoça · Aragon · Cathedral

La Seo (Catedral del Salvador)

Cathedral of Saragoça, built over the former mosque, featuring styles from Romanesque to Baroque, the mudéjar ceramic wall of the Parroquieta, and a museum of Flemish tapestries.

Saragoça · Aragon · Palace

Palacio de la Aljafería

11th-century Islamic palace, built by the taifa kings of Saraqusta, with a courtyard of interlaced arches, an oratory and halls of the Reyes Católicos, now the seat of the Cortes de Aragón.

Saragoça · Aragon · Bridge

Puente de Piedra

15th-century bridge over the Ebro, with bronze lions at the ends, from where you get the classic view of the Basílica del Pilar reflected in the river.

See 6 more places in Saragoça

Saragoça · Aragon · Museum

Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta

Museum built over the ruins of a 1st-century Roman theatre, with a capacity of about 6,000 people, covered by a structure that protects the seating and the orchestra.

Saragoça · Aragon · Museum

Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta

Underground museum beneath the Plaza de la Seo, with the remains of the Roman city's forum, shops, the large cloaca and the market, which show what Saragoça was like in the time of Augustus.

Saragoça · Aragon · Market

Mercado Central de Zaragoza

Modernist market dating from 1903, of iron and glass, on the former Plaza del Mercado, with stalls selling fruit, meat, fish and products from Aragón and counters for eating.

Saragoça · Aragon · Museum

Museo Goya Colección Ibercaja

Museum in a Renaissance palace in the centre, with paintings by Goya and his four series of engravings, as well as works by other painters from the 15th to the 20th century.

Saragoça · Aragon · Church

Iglesia de San Pablo

14th-century Gothic and Mudejar church in the San Pablo neighborhood, with an octagonal brick and ceramic tower and an altarpiece by Damián Forment. UNESCO World Heritage.

Saragoça · Aragon · Village

Fuendetodos

Small village 45 km from Zaragoza where Francisco de Goya was born in 1746, with his furnished birthplace and a museum of the painter’s prints.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From April to June and from September to October the weather is usually pleasant. Summer is hot and dry, and winter is cold, with the cierzo, a strong northwesterly wind. In the week of October 12 the Fiestas del Pilar typically pack the city, with the Offering of Flowers to the Virgin.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One day is enough for the Basílica del Pilar, the Seo, the Aljafería and the historic centre. With two days you can add the Roman museums of Caesaraugusta, the Goya Museum, the Mercado Central and the tapas of El Tubo. With a car, a third day allows a trip to Fuendetodos, Goya's birthplace.

Which city to stay in

The historic centre, between the Plaza del Pilar and the Plaza de España, makes the basilica, the Seo and the bars of El Tubo reachable on foot. The Paseo Independencia area, newer, has hotels and shops and is a 10-minute walk from the Pilar, with more restaurant options and parking. Delicias station is about 3 km from the centre, served by bus and tram; there are transit hotels nearby.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Saragoça

Can Saragoça be done as a day trip?

Yes, from Madrid or Barcelona by high-speed train of about 1h20 to 1h30. But staying one night lets you see the basilica illuminated by the Ebro and enjoy the evening tapas scene.

What are the Fiestas del Pilar?

The festival of the patron saint, usually held in the week of October 12, with concerts, parades and the Offering of Flowers, when thousands of people in traditional dress bring flowers to cover the Virgin's mantle on the square.

What is mudéjar?

An architectural style made by Muslim craftsmen for Christian patrons after the conquest, featuring brick and decorated ceramics. Aragón's mudéjar is a UNESCO World Heritage.

What is the cierzo?

A strong, cold northwesterly wind that blows in the Ebro valley, mainly in winter and spring. Bring a coat.

What to eat in Saragoça?

Tapas in El Tubo, ternasco de Aragão, roasted lamb, migas, borrajas (a local green), and fruits from Aragão in chocolate syrup.

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Saragoça

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.