Guide to Zaragoza
Zaragoza is the fifth largest city in Spain and the capital of the autonomous community of Aragon with a population of around 700,000. Zaragoza is located in the northeastern part of the country, halfway between Madrid and Barcelona. Although the city is not one of the well-known tourist destinations, we warmly recommend you to visit it for the number of historical monuments, some of which are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In October, you can go to Zaragoza for the traditional Fiestas del Pilar festival, which is filled with a rich program, interesting parades and concerts.
Accommodation in Zaragoza
In Zaragoza, we have prepared a rich offer of accommodation for you, mainly consisting of hotels, apartments and guesthouses. We will be happy to help you choose accommodation according to your requirements. From the four-star hotels, we would like to recommend Zenit Don Yo, located a few minutes' walk from the Pilar Basilica, Catalonia El Pilar or Hotel Alfonso, offering an outdoor pool with a terrace with beautiful views of the historic center of Zaragoza. Among the hotels belonging to world hotel chains, we can offer NH Gran Hotel. In the middle category, then Sercotel Plaza Feria. You can book cheap accommodation at Hotel Hispania. All the named accommodations have a great location in the very center of the city and offer their clients pleasant accommodation with buffet breakfasts. If you do not like hotels, we offer a wide selection of guest houses, among which we would like to name Hostal Arenal, near which you will find an abundance of restaurants, bars and shops, simply furnished Hostal El Carmen located in a quiet part of the city. Families with children and larger groups will certainly appreciate the wide variety of apartments that you can book online on our website, as well as all other accommodations. Casa Palacio de los Sitios offers self-catering, spacious rooms, a kitchenette with a dining area, and its own sanitary facilities.
History of Zaragoza
More than two thousand years of history make the city one of the greatest historical heritages of Spain. The very roots of Zaragoza go back to the 5th century BC, when the first dwelling was located here on the banks of the Ebro River. The Romans were the first to name the city Caesaraugustus after the first Roman emperor. Later, Germanic tribes settled on the territory, which were driven out by the Arabs in 714. Alfonso I, the Christian king, conquered the city in 1118 and named it Zaragoza. At the same time, he granted it the status of the capital of the Kingdom of Aragon. It can be said that Zaragoza never did badly and the inhabitants always lived in a good standard of living. The city experienced bad times only during the Napoleonic Wars and during the Cold War.
Transportation to Zaragoza
Zaragoza Airport is located 10 km from the city center. The main airlines are Ryanair operating flights to destinations such as Alicante, Brussels, Milan, London, Rome or, for example, Palma de Mallorca. The easiest way to get between the airport and the city is by bus. Services run regularly throughout the day and night. You can use taxi services, but expect relatively high prices. Buses and trams are used for transportation around the city. There are many bike, scooter and car rentals available here.
Gastronomic specialties in Zaragoza
Zaragoza is not only famous for its numerous historical monuments, but also for its gastronomy. Local restaurants offer a variety of delicacies that you should definitely try. The most popular dishes include Bacalao al Ajoarriero – cod with garlic and eggs, Huevos al Salmorejo – eggs served with cold tomato cream. Be sure to try the so-called "tapas", which are various delicacies served in small bowls. For example, seafood, dried ham, manchego cheese or olives. Good food is inherently accompanied by good drink. Spain's traditional alcoholic drink is sangría, which is a fruity wine served with fresh fruit and ice. Food is an eternal and grateful subject.
Sights and attractions in Zaragoza
However, let's point out a number of beautiful monuments and other attractions that you will find in Zaragoza. The most important building is the Cathedral of Our Lady (Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar). On the ceiling of the cathedral are beautiful paintings by the famous painter Francisco Goya. La Seo is another well-known building built in the Gothic style. The preserved Moorish fortress Palacio de la Aljafería, dating from the 11th century, is the pride of the city. Every October, Zaragoza hosts a spectacular Fiestas del Pilar festival full of music, costumes, concerts and parades.