Zaragoza is one of the most underrated cities in Spain. Despite it being nestled between Madrid and Barcelona, this historic Spanish city doesn’t quite get the attention it deserves. There are numerous things to do in Zaragoza, even if you can only plan a day trip here. From Roman ruins to Mudejar architecture and lively restaurants, Zaragoza is one city that shouldn’t be missed during a trip to northern Spain.
The history of Zaragoza stretches back over 2,000 years. It’s a beautiful historic city that was originally founded by the Romans, under the name Caesaraugusta, and it was later shaped by the Moors and Christians. During the Islamic period, Zaragoza was known for being a centre of learning and architecture, and it became a city where cultures mingled together.
As you make your way through Zaragoza’s old town, you’ll come face to face with what remains of the city’s impressive past, with many Roman ruins still visible today. Zaragoza is one of the best day trips from Madrid or Barcelona you can go on, and there are more than enough things to do in Zaragoza to keep you busy for one or two days.
Best things to do in Zaragoza
Palacio de la Aljaferia
One of the main things to do in Zaragoza is to visit Palacio de la Aljafería. This 11th century Islamic palace was built during the Taifa period as a fortified residence for Muslim rulers. After a period of time, the palace was transformed into a royal residence by the Christian monarchs, and it was later used by the military. Today, the palace still firmly stands as a symbol of Zaragoza’s diverse past, with a unique blend of Islamic, Mudejar, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural styles.
Tickets for Palacio de la Aljafería can be purchased at the ticket booth before entering or online, and they’re very reasonably priced. Inside, you can explore the tranquil courtyard, admire the ornate Islamic arches, and walk through the interior rooms that were once home to the Catholic monarchs. The regional parliament of Aragon is also housed within the palace’s walls. Palacio de la Aljafería is a must-see in Zaragoza, so I’d recommend making it your first stop of the day.
Rosario de Cristal
Unique things to do in Zaragoza don’t come much more interesting than the Rosario de Cristal. These beautiful stained-glass floats are stored in the Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, showcasing one of the most important collections in the city. The church acts like a museum where the glass floats are prominently displayed so visitors can get up close and see the intricate detailed glass work. These floats are used every year during the Fiestas de Cristal.
Entrance to the church is very budget friendly, or if you purchase the city’s combined attraction ticket for €12.00, you’ll find that the church is included in the overall price, along with other key attractions in Zaragoza.
Plaza del Pilar
The very heart of Zaragoza’s old town is Plaza del Pilar. It’s considered to be one of the most impressive squares in the country, and it shouldn’t be missed. Surrounding the plaza are several beautiful examples of architecture, including Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, La Seo Catedral del Salvador, Fuente de la Hispanidad, Sala de Exposiciones La Lonja, and Palacio Episcopal de Zaragoza.
Walking around Plaza del Pilar is one of the top things to do in Zaragoza, and it’s a great spot to catch some street performers and local artists too. As you make your way around the plaza, keep an eye out for several unique bronze statues of different historical figures that are quite fun to snap a few photos with.
La Seo Catedral del Salvador
La Seo Catedral del Salvador (the Cathedral of the Saviour of Zaragoza), often referred to as simply La Seo, was built in the 12th century over the remains of what was once the Roman forum in Caesaraugusta. This forum was later turned into a Visigothic church and then a grand mosque, so there’s a lot of history to explore prior to the cathedral being built.
Over the centuries, the cathedral has been added to, with features such as Mudejar ornamentation, a Baroque tower, and a Baroque main entrance all adding to the layers of architecture that La Seo has to show. There are plenty of beautiful art pieces inside the cathedral as well that shouldn’t be missed, which is why visiting La Seo should be at the top of everyone’s list of things to do in Zaragoza during a day trip.
If you purchase the combination ticket, entry to La Seo will be included, or you can purchase a ticket separately at the ticket desk inside or online.
Climb the tower of the basilica
One of my favourite things to do in Zaragoza is to climb the tower of Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar. It’s the best way to view the city from above, with panoramic views of Zaragoza and the incredibly detailed tiled domes of the basilica. Unlike a lot of towers, there’s an elevator inside Torre de San Francisco de Borja that takes you all the way to the top, with only a few steps left to climb if you want to go even higher.
The entry price for the tower is included in the city’s combination ticket, and your visit to the top is timed so the platform doesn’t get overcrowded. The entrance is located on the north side of the cathedral, where the main road is, and it’s open for most of the day so you can enjoy the views whenever it suits you. Make sure you add the basilica to your itinerary too!
Catedral-Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
After you’ve gone up Torre de San Francisco de Borja, your next stop should be the interior of Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar. This basilica is one of the most important religious landmarks in Spain, making it a must-visit while in Zaragoza. It was built on the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in 40 AD, and it was completed in the early 18th century. The basilica completely dominates Plaza del Pilar, with its four towers, multiple domes, and beautiful Baroque architecture.
Inside the basilica, you’ll find an abundance of artwork from artists like Francisco de Goya, as well as a famous statue of the Virgin Mary. What’s great about visiting Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is that entry is free, as is entry to the Museo Pilarista located inside the basilica. Visiting the basilica is very easy to fit into your itinerary too, as it’s open throughout the day.
Stone Bridge
The Stone Bridge (Puente de Piedra) is an iconic medieval bridge that crosses the Ebro River. It was built in the 15th century to replace medieval wooden structures, and it sits on the same site as even earlier Roman bridges. In 1991, the city added four bronze lions to the bridge to symbolize the strength of the city. From the bridge, you’ll get an unbeatable view of the basilica across the water, and on the far side you can explore the Arrabal neighbourhood if you have some spare time on your hands.
Walk around the Central Market
Zaragoza’s Central Market is located behind Plaza del Pilar, and it features more than 70 stalls selling all types of local produce. It was opened in 1903 with architectural inspiration drawn from Paris, so it’s a very interesting modernist structure to admire. There are many decorative details to find as you walk around the market, such as mythological motifs and animals that reflect the goods being sold here. Even if you don’t intend to buy anything at the market, it’s still worth visiting for at least a few minutes during your day trip to Zaragoza.
Admire the Caesar statue
Sitting just outside of the Central Market is a statue of Caesar Augustus. It may seem like an odd statue to have in a Spanish city, but it was erected as a way to connect with Zaragoza’s ancient Roman past. The statue was actually gifted by Mussolini’s Italy in 1940 to honour Emperor Augustus who founded the city in 14 BC under the name Caesaraugusta.
As you can see from his stance and military attire, the statue is meant to echo imperial authority. Many people may not consider this one of the best things to do in Zaragoza, but its location among some of the city’s main attractions means you can easily add it to your itinerary without wasting precious time.
Visit some museums in Zaragoza
If you want to learn more about the different time periods in Zaragoza’s history, it’s a good idea to spend some time inside the city’s many museums. Museums such as the Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta and the Museo de las Termas Públicas de Caesaraugusta allow you to immerse yourself in Roman life and uncover what lies beneath the city.
The Museo de Zaragoza is the city’s oldest museum, featuring various exhibitions from prehistory to the modern era, though it was closed for renovations when I visited in April 2025. One of the most visited museums in Zaragoza though, is the Museo Goya. This museum is located inside a 16th century palace and it displays several paintings and drawings from Goya, as well as approximately 500 other artworks.
Whichever museum you decide to visit, please make sure you check the opening hours as they tend to close during the lunch period.
Find the remains of Roman walls
There are a lot of attractions in Zaragoza that relate to its Roman past. If you’re looking for free things to do in Zaragoza, you might be interested in hunting for the remains of Roman walls as you walk around the city. These walls date back to the 3rd century AD and once stretched for 3,000m with around 120 towers. There are now just two larger sections of the city walls remaining, near the Central Market and next to the Torreon de la Zuda.
Palacio Episcopal de Zaragoza
Located next to La Seo is the Palacio Episcopal de Zaragoza. This attraction is often overlooked by visitors, but it’s an interesting building that now houses the Alma Mater Museum where visitors can admire different rooms of the palace while viewing religious art. The palace itself was originally built on the site of a former mosque, and it’s served as the bishop’s residence since the 12th century. It was remodelled in the neoclassical style in the 18th century, so it’s certainly worth visiting for history enthusiasts.
Teatro Romano
A short walk from Plaza del Pilar will bring you to the Teatro Romano. Visiting it is one of the best things to do in Zaragoza, but if you don’t want to pay to go inside the museum, you can still get a very nice view of it from the patio of the museum’s cafe for free. This Roman theatre was built in the 1st century AD and it could hold up to 6,000 people. It was modelled after the Theatre of Marcellus in Rome and it was active for around 200 years.
The Teatro Romano remained buried until 1972, and the site was opened to the public in 2003. It’s an incredible archaeological site to see in person, so don’t miss out.
Stroll along Calle Alfonso I
After a day of exploring all of the historic attractions in Zaragoza, you might want to take some time for yourself and do a bit of shopping or grab a drink. I’d recommend walking along Calle Alfonso I, which is one of the most charming streets in Zaragoza. This pedestrianized shopping street stretches all the way up to the basilica in Plaza del Pilar and it’s lined with boutique shops and cafes. The 19th century architecture makes it a very elegant street to stroll down, and you may come across a couple of street performers here if you’re lucky as well.
Where to eat in Zaragoza
Extrem Gastro & Bakery
A great spot to go for breakfast or brunch in Zaragoza is Extrem Gastro & Bakery. This modern cafe has some very creative options on their menu as well as traditional breakfast dishes. I’d recommend ordering their Turkish eggs alongside a glass of fresh orange juice. The only downside was that the pita was almost burnt so it was rock hard, but the dish itself was very nice. There are only a few seats inside, so if you come on the weekend you may need to queue before you can enjoy the food at Extrem Gastro & Bakery.
Matisse Rivera
While we were visiting the Stone Bridge, we decided to look for a nearby cafe to grab a snack and something to drink. Matisse Rivera is a nice cafe that’s located along the Ebro River, and it’s known for its selection of sweet treats such as pies and cheesecakes. It’s a nice spot to stop in the afternoon for a coffee or an iced drink before continuing with your list of things to do in Zaragoza. We found the prices to be very reasonable as well.
Madison Smashburgers
If smash burgers are your thing, then you need to try Madison Smashburgers. We found their stall at The Champions Burger competition that was taking place in Zaragoza, but they also have a physical store very close to Palacio de la Aljafería. This was one of the best smash burgers I’ve tried, and you can pair your burger with a side of loaded fries or a tasty milkshake for the full experience. It’s a great place to eat in Zaragoza on a budget, or if you want something quick to take on the go.
Budget friendly accommodation in Zaragoza
Zaragoza is a fairly budget friendly city in Spain to visit, and there are some nice hotel options around the old town to choose from. We stayed at VTZ Hotel San Valero which turned out to be a nice, no-fuss boutique hotel with very clean rooms and modern amenities. There didn’t seem to be any air conditioning in the room though, which will be a problem in the summertime. I’d recommend checking out all the options on booking.com so you can pick a hotel in Zaragoza that’s right for you.
Is Zaragoza worth visiting for a day?
Spending a day in Zaragoza is definitely worth your time. The quickest way to get from either Madrid or Barcelona to Zaragoza is by train, and if you’re driving it will take around 3 hours each way. There are a lot of unique things to do in Zaragoza, especially around the old town. It’s still a very underrated city in Spain, but it’s worth visiting for at least a day so you can learn about the mixture of cultures that have helped to form this beautiful historic city. I wouldn’t recommend spending more than two days in Zaragoza though, unless you’re planning to drive to other towns or attractions outside of the city.
If you have any questions about things to do in Zaragoza, or you want some advice about what attractions in Zaragoza to prioritize, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can get in touch via email or by using the contact form on my website. Alternatively, you can also message me on Instagram or TikTok where I regularly post content about my travels as well.
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