Earlier than I visited Tarragona I’ve to be trustworthy and admit I didn’t know a lot about it in any respect, however on my whirlwind practice journey round Spain I found a gorgeous metropolis which might make an outstanding metropolis break free from the crowds – right here you’ll be able to fantastically mix a mixture of laid-back seashore life and spectacular historical historical past.
Blessed with an historical walled outdated city, UNESCO-listed Roman ruins in addition to a set of nice sandy seashores and pure environment, it’s a spot the place I actually would have liked to remain so much longer!
The picturesque small port metropolis is positioned in northeast Spain, on Costa Daurada, and was based earlier than the fifth century BC. I personally thought its most stand-out options was the imposing amphitheatre, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and as soon as held as much as 14,000 spectators.
As soon as the capital of Hispania, I spent hours simply wandering across the late Third-century metropolis partitions, gazing in awe on the necropolis and amphitheatre, and strolling the town’s buzzing important avenue, Rambla Nova, which is lined with fabulous bars and eating places!
A little bit of historical past together with the Roman Ruins
The medieval a part of the town is named La Half Alta de Tarragona, and that is the place I felt like I used to be strolling round a Sport of Thrones set! I actually liked this place!
It’s dwelling to a really spectacular assortment of Roman ruins and artefacts and in addition a gothic cathedral which I actually liked found (it took me a full afternoon to discover each).
In 2000, Tarragona was named a World Heritage Metropolis by UNESCO and with good motive, the Roman ruins of Tarraco are actually inspiring and it’s believed that a part of the Cyclopean partitions pre-date the Romans.
The focus of the Previous City is the Tarragona Amphitheatre which was constructed between the tip of the first century BC and the beginning of the 2nd Century BC.
It used to have the ability to maintain round 13,000 spectators and noticed quite a few gladiator battles and executions. For only a few euros I gained entry and took a couple of good hours exploring the entire web site and in contrast to the Colosseum in Rome, I didn’t have restricted entry.
I assumed the Roman Circus of Tarragona was one other particular place and it’s truly one of many best-preserved websites of the Roman Empire. It was much like Circo Massimo in Rome however held round 20,000 spectators and extremely immediately a number of the unique partitions nonetheless exist immediately. Strolling via it actually did really feel like I used to be stepping again in time and I explored its underground passages, which will need to have as soon as buzzed with exercise from each the distributors and spectators!
I used to be critically blown away by the town’s surrounding partitions, constructed by the Romans means again within the 2nd century BC! It’s unbelievable you could nonetheless stroll alongside 1,100 meters of the unique 3,500-meter wall – these partitions are the oldest Roman buildings nonetheless standing exterior Italy!
The Cathedral
All main cities have a cathedral, however I personally suppose the tour of Tarragona’s Cathedral of Santa Maria presents one thing somewhat bit completely different!
The locals are justifiably very pleased with their lovely cathedral and right here you’ll be able to go on a tour lasting round two and a half hours – the information will present the Cloister, the Treasure, the Diocesan Museum and the Roman temenós in addition to a particular deal with of visiting the bell tower.
I’d advocate to attempt to organize your tour when the bells are rung, though be warned they are often very loud!
The Seashores
The world of Costa Dorada is named the ‘Golden Coast’ attributable to its miles of sandy seashores, and there are roughly ten miles of seashore to select from, so yep, you’re spoilt for alternative!
The native seashore for Tarragona is El Miracle, which is 500 metres lengthy and solely a brief stroll from Rafael de Casanova promenade. I liked this spot—it was a really gorgeous magnificence spot!
A family-friendly seashore not removed from the town centre is L’Arrabassada Seaside, or (and for those who’re feeling somewhat braver) you’ll be able to all the time go for the nudist seashore La Savinosa. The longest seashore within the space, although, is Playa Larga, which is three kilometres lengthy and makes a peaceable spot for sunbathing or swimming.
Seashores apart, I’d additionally advocate a go to to the Balcon del Mediterranean, a balcony on the finish of the Rambla Bova, proper subsequent to the amphitheatre. The views of the ocean are actually fantastic right here, and it’s an excellent place to relax and absorb the great thing about all of it!
Meals and Drink
Being positioned subsequent to the ocean, I feel fish is the most suitable choice for dinner in Tarragona – I’d recommend making an attempt ‘cassola de romesco’, which is a casserole with fish.
Tarragona’s purple prawns are very well-known and intensely tasty – for those who see them on the menu then I feel it’s one thing that needs to be ordered! I’d additionally extremely advocate taking advantage of Spain’s ‘Menu del Dia’ (Menu of the Day) the place you’ll get to style conventional and typically extra fashionable dishes at a good value.
No journey to Tarragona is full with out making an attempt some Vermouth. Though the drink originated in Italy, the locals in Tarragona see it as one in all their very own. I like to recommend heading to Plaza del Rey to take pleasure in a recent vermouth on a terrace and take pleasure in a spot of people-watching! Get pleasure from this extraordinary place and a metropolis that I feel deserves much more recognition!
Travelling Spain by Prepare
I discovered travelling round Spain by practice surprisingly simple and environment friendly. Excessive-speed AVE trains (Alta Velocidad Española) hyperlink main cities at as much as 186mph, and for those who e-book prematurely on-line, you could find nice offers on fares on the official Spanish rail web site, www.renfe.com.
This web page will provide you with all the knowledge you want on journey cheaply round Spain by practice and do the identical form of tour I did!