30 Reasons to Visit Zaragoza – The Best Travel Guide

What to see in ZARAGOZA in one day? Discover the 30 best places in the city: Basílica del Pilar, Catedral de El Salvador, Museo Goya and others.

What to see in zaragoza in one day?

Throughout the post I will tell you about the different activities you can do in the Aragonese capital, as well as the main monuments and museums to visit. Also at the end I will include a bonus with elements that I could not discover for lack of time but that are of great interest. No more I list you to see and do in Zaragoza for a day.

1.- Photograph the Basilica del Pilar from the Stone Bridge.

Possibly the most repeated photo of the city, but is that the beauty of the temple from this beautiful bridge (especially at night) is spectacular.

2.- Visit the Basilica del Pilar.

I must say that this baroque temple is equally spectacular inside and out. Inside you can not take pictures, even without using the flash (yes, I know I have a photo but it was necessary for the post). Special mention deserves the roof of the basilica, as well as the symmetry in the decoration of its columns. It has great decorative elements.

3.- Go up to the Tower of the Basilica del Pilar.

You go up a section in an elevator, and then another flight of stairs. I must indicate that the dome is very small, and does not have capacity for too many people, so if you are overwhelmed by narrow sites, this activity is obvious. The views will conquer your goal. Inside the basilica you will see an arrow that tells you where the elevator is taken, you have to exit through a door and enter through another.

4.- Discover the Cathedral of El Salvador de Zaragoza (La Seo de Zaragoza).

As in the basilica, in this temple that combines different styles (Romanesque, Neoclassical, etc.) you can not take photos. Once again, the camera was shot at me on some occasions but it should not happen. One of the elements that most caught my attention was an organ located on one of its sides. Although its Gothic-style Main Altarpiece is fantastic.

5.- The Roman Forum in the Forum Museum of Caesaraugusta.

In this museum we can find archaeological remains of Tiberio’s own urban forum, as well as the market of another emperor, Augustus. Informative panels and an audiovisual projection will make the visit very pleasant.

6.- Museum of the Public Baths of Caesaraugusta.

In my opinion, the least attractive of the 4 Roman archaeological museums of Zaragoza. The main element of the museum (apart from the information panels) is a large swimming pool.

7.- History in the Museum of the Theater of Caesaraugusta.

The one that I liked the most about all the Roman museums. Apart from a sample and an audiovisual projection of great quality, abroad we can contemplate one of the largest theaters of Roman Hispania (impressive as the Roman Amphitheater of Tarragona), with seating for approximately 6000 spectators. Highlight the huge dome that covers it.

8.- Discover the Aljafería Palace.

One of the monuments that most fell in love with the city. The facade will amaze you on arrival at the Hispano-Muslim palace. But its interior is equally extraordinary, with a beautiful decoration of arches and columns, with a small garden of great beauty, and rooms with ceilings that will capture your camera, not to mention its doors and windows.

9.- Facade of the Palace of the Counts of Morata or of Luna.

Simple but very beautiful, it is a Renaissance palace from the 16th century. Currently the building is the seat of the High Court of Justice of Aragon.

10.- Sastago Palace.

At the moment this building of the Provincial Delegation of Saragossa uses it like room of artistic exhibitions. It was closed until June, therefore I could not visit it.

11.- Pablo Gargallo Museum.

I could not visit this museum for lack of time, although it is worth taking a walk to photograph this Argillo Palace, declared a National Monument in 1943.

12.- Buy food from the city in the Central Market.

The iron and glass structure of 1903 is on the original market site of the 13th century.

13.- Greet Cesar Augusto, the first Roman emperor.

We can not leave the city without greeting the Emperor Cesar Augusto, founder of the city of Zaragoza, next to the Roman wall.

14.- Discover the remains of the Caesaraugusta Walls.

More historical than spectacular, these 80 meters of wall of the third century are located between the Central Market and the Tower of Zuda.

15.- See a panoramic view of Zaragoza from the Torreón de la Zuda.

The Torreón de la Zuda, which acts as a tourist office, allows the visitor to climb up to its 5th floor to see a panoramic view of the city. This tower belongs to the ancient palace of the Zuda, a Muslim fortress.

16.- Organized routes offered by Turismo Zaragoza.

I am very reluctant to the organized routes of the tourist offices but I must admit that when Turismo Zaragoza proposed me to do one of them I accepted. I chose the «route through the historic center» and I have to say that thanks to our guide, Alba, the experience was great. We toured the historic center of the city for more than 90 minutes and with great sympathy and knowledge did not show a lot of corners of Zaragoza impossible to discover and understand otherwise. I have regained faith in the guided tours.

17.- Church of San Juan de los Panetes.

This huge baroque Catholic church is attached to the tower of the Zuda. It is of Cultural Interest and National Monument.

18.- Pilar Square of Zaragoza.

During the walk you can enjoy the also known as the Plaza de las Catedrales of two of the most beautiful elements of the city: the Basilica del Pilar and the Cathedral of Zaragoza. It also houses the Town Hall, the Lonja, the monument to Goya, the Fountain of Humanity and the Ball of the World.

19.- Use the Tourist Bus of Zaragoza.

The tour allows you to discover the whole city for about 90 minutes. It is a way to get an idea of the different elements of Zaragoza. I must indicate that as a negative aspect, the audio did not synchronize very well with the route, explaining elements when we had left them behind, or cutting the explanations of an element of blow without finishing the sentence.

20.- Expo Zaragoza Area 2008.

I could not visit the area on foot due to lack of time but I could get an idea of the size and spectacularity from the tourist bus. In addition to the pavilions, there are surprising architectural elements: Water Tower, Bridge Pavilion, Aragon Pavilion, Third Millennium Bridge, Spain Pavilion, and even a beach.

21.- Palace of the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Zaragoza.

During the visit to the palace of 1912, we learned the stories, customs and some anecdote about this institution. We toured the courtyard, the main room, the chapel and the stable.

22.- Slice of Zaragoza.

During my trip to Zaragoza I had the opportunity to hallucinate with the beauty of the roof of La Lonja, a building that was previously used as a Merchants Market, to enjoy an exhibition of an artist, Natalio Bayo. His works of color and a very personal style captivated me.

23.- Museum of the Fluvial Port of Caesaraugusta.

Like its predecessors, the combination of elements, information panels and audiovisual projection make the visit to the museum very pleasant. We can discover the importance of the communication of the city with the river port.

24.- Arch of the Dean.

The legend says that whoever crosses this arch, the demon absorbs the soul. A Gothic arch of 1293 that wanted to connect the House of Dean with the Cathedral of Zaragoza.

25.- Fire Museum and firefighters.

Something far from the historic center I found this museum with a courtyard with many fire vehicles, as well as exhibits and models. It is attached to a small fire station. To say that previously, this building was the Convent of the Victory, belonging to the order of Minimos of San Francisco de Paula of 1576.

26.- Goya Museum.

I have to admit that along the 3 floors of the museum (plus an underground one) the quality of the exposed works captivated me, especially the Goya prints on bullfighting.

27.- Say hello to Goya.

We can not forget in the Plaza del Pilar to stop and say hello to his most illustrious person, Francisco Goya.

28.- The Caballito of the Slice.

Behind the Slice, we find this bronze statue that reproduces a cardboard horse in which it photographed Ángel Cordero Gracia to whom he posed mounted on it.

29.- Take some cañas and some pinchos in the bars in the area of the Tube.

We can not leave Zaragoza without enjoying their pinchos in some of the best tapas bars in Zaragoza such as La Republicana, Doña Casta, El Champi, Texas Bar, Vinos Nicolás, La Ballena Colora or La Ternasca.

30.- Eat a lot of chocolate with the Chocopass de Zaragoza.

I had the opportunity to know the Chocopass de Zaragoza Card that allows you to obtain / enjoy 5 chocolate experiences to choose from a long list plus another extra at the Monasterio de Piedra. In my case I chose: the Alacena de Aragón, Tupinamba, Fantoba Hermanos, Bombonera Oro y Capricho.

Bonus Other recommended sites.

There are more places to enjoy in the city but I could not for lack of time in addition to the 30 monuments and activities that see in Zaragoza in two days are: Church of San Pablo, IAACC Pablo Serrano, Church of San Felipe and Santiago El Menor , Church of the Magdalena, Patio de la Infanta, Church of Santa Isabel, Parish Church of San Gil Abad, Church of San Miguel de los Navarros, Palace of Congresses, Church Basilica of Santa Engracia, Museum of Zaragoza, Alma Mater Museum, Church of San Pablo …