Zaragoza in two days

There are many must-see sights, but two are unmissable: the two cathedrals of Zaragoza: the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and the Cathedral of San Salvador.In the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, pay attention to the details of the 16th-century main altarpiece, the works of Goya, the tower-viewpoint of San Francisco de Borja, and, of course, the beautiful carving of Our Lady of the Pillar.

Near the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, there are other iconic city landmarks: the main Zaragoza City Hall building, the Lonja (Merchants' Exchange), Goya’s cenotaph, the Archbishop’s Palace (home to the Alma Mater Museum), and the Museum of the Caesaraugusta Forum.The second must-see site is the Cathedral of San Salvador (also known as La Seo), the city’s main church and a jewel of Aragonese Mudéjar art, which houses the magnificent Museum of Flemish Tapestries.

In Zaragoza, you can choose from a multitude of restaurants, taverns and bars to enjoy the local cuisine, ranging from the most traditional tapas to highly innovative culinary creations. You can also choose between a traditional sit-down meal or a tapas crawl through the city’s most popular areas: El Tubo, Plaza San Miguel, the La Magdalena district, Plaza Santa Marta, the Central Market, Plaza San Francisco and many others. Zaragoza is a vibrant city, full of social activity and a constant, lively atmosphere. Its bustling streets invite you to sit on a terrace and enjoy the delicious flavours of the local tapas.

Without leaving the old town, you can continue exploring Zaragoza’s past by visiting the Roman remains of ancient Caesaraugusta at the museums dedicated to the river port, the theatre, the forum, or the thermal baths. Alternatively, you can explore other artistic styles through museums dedicated to specific masters: the brilliance of Francisco de Goya at the Goya Museum; the avant-garde work of Pablo Gargallo at the Pablo Gargallo Museum - housed in the Renaissance-era palace of the Counts of Argillo - or the genius of Pablo Serrano at the Aragonese Institute of Contemporary Art and Culture (IAACC Pablo Serrano).We can also choose from the numerous cultural venues, exhibition halls and historic sites turned into museums available in the city to satisfy our cultural curiosity: the Zaragoza Museum (featuring archaeological artifacts from the province of Zaragoza and a significant collection of works by Goya, among other items), the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Patio de la Infanta (a room from the former Zaporta palace-residence), CaixaForum, and the Real Maestranza de Caballería, among others.  Now take a tram or go for a pleasant stroll away from the city centre, until you reach the Grande Jose Antonio Labordeta park, Zaragoza's main park. It is a space that stands out for its diverse, meticulously designed settings, as well as its fountains, terraces and viewpoints. Its paths and gardens showcase events, live music, temporary exhibitions and even festivals such as "Zaragoza Florece".

In Zaragoza, there are various areas to choose from for a delicious dinner of tapas. Whether in the charming Plaza San Francisco, along Calle Bretón, in the Delicias or La Bombarda neighbourhoods, in San José, in Torrero, or even back in the old town - in areas like El Tubo, La Magdalena, or San Miguel - you can enjoy the evening atmosphere on the outdoor terraces and a culinary fusion that blends tradition with the avant-garde.  

From the top of the Torreón de la Zuda - at the "Viewpoint of the Four Cultures" - one can take in the grandeur of the Roman structures, the majesty of the Plaza del Pilar, the Modernist beauty of the Central Market, and the wide expanse of the Ebro River as it flows through Zaragoza.Strolling along the banks of the Ebro, we arrive at another essential gem of Zaragoza: the Moorish palace known as the Aljafería. This 11th-century building is one of the northernmost Islamic constructions in Europe. Its fortified exterior contrasts with the dazzling beauty of its interior craftsmanship: its Mudéjar art - declared a UNESCO World Heritage site - the awe-inspiring mirhab, the intricate honeycomb-style arches, the Courtyard of the Orange Trees, the Golden Hall and the solemnity of the chamber of the Parliament of Aragon, which is housed within this 'Palace of Joy'.  

Leaving the palace, we head towards the Ebro River, crossing to the opposite bank to reach Zaragoza’s largest natural space: the Luis Buñuel Metropolitan Water Park. Following its development for the 2008 Zaragoza Expo, this natural meander of the Ebro as it flows through the city has been transformed into a wild, green space located just minutes from the city centre.Within the former Expo grounds, one can still appreciate the striking contrast between the modern structures built for the Universal Exposition - such as the Water Tower, Zaha Hadid’s beautiful Pavilion Bridge, and the River Aquarium - and the lush, untamed riverside vegetation of the Ebro.To take a break and recharge, you can enjoy a relaxing meal with a view of the natural surroundings at one of the establishments with a terrace, scattered throughout the park, or even on the rooftop of the Aquarium. In the afternoon, you can explore the wildlife at the River Aquarium, which houses animals from major rivers across five continents: the Nile, the Mekong, the Amazon, the Murray-Darling and, of course, the Ebro.To end the day with a truly memorable sight, head back toward the Basilica along the left bank of the Ebro. As you walk along the riverbank, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the buildings near the riverbed. From the bridges over the Ebro (Puente de Piedra and the natural viewing point of San Lázaro, Puente de Santiago and Puente de la Almozara), you can capture the best farewell images of Zaragoza, with the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the town hall and La Lonja reflected in the river.