3 days in Zaragoza

Once you arrive at the hotel, it's time to get into the center of Zaragoza. A city full of history, culture, gastronomy and good atmosphere, it has it all! To get to the center you have several options, walking, by streetcar or by bus. Generally, we recommend walking as you can explore the city and even discover new places. But, if you are tired of traveling or walking all day, do not hesitate and use public transport. Undoubtedly, to move around the center, the streetcar is the best option as it is fast, cheap and has a regular schedule and frequency. If you take it, we recommend that you stop at the Plaza del Pilar-Murallas stop, since this is where today's route starts. These walls declared of Cultural Interest, were built by the Romans, who gave the name Caesaragusta to the city, in honor of its founder Caesar Augustus. After the passing of the centuries and after years of conquests by Visigoths, Muslims and Christians, this name derived into the name we know today: Zaragoza. For this reason, we believe that there is no better way to start our visit to Zaragoza than by entering in style via the Roman Wall of Caesaraugusta. Also, just to the left of it, before entering the Plaza del Pilar, stands a large tower, the Torreón de la Zuda, built during the Muslim invasion during the eighth century. You will see this tower several times during your stay in the Aragonese capital as it can be seen from the Ebro River, which passes right in front of it. 

Continuing along the wall, at the other end of the wall, located on the same Cesar Augusto Avenue, is the Central Market, a place full of fruit, meat, fish, deli, flowers and other local products. It is not at all touristy so it is perfect to get to know the local products and feel like a real Zaragozan. It is not a very big market so it will not take up much of your time. Also, if you feel like it, inside you will find some cafes where you can have a drink or a snack. Like everything in this city, it is very lively. This market is open from Monday to Friday from 9h to 14h and from 17:30h to 20h, and on Saturdays until 14:30h, so you can take the opportunity to visit it when you are free or want to eat something. Once past the wall, you will enter the most important square of Zaragoza and the nerve center of the city: the Plaza del Pilar. This is where the most important celebrations and events take place. The best known are the Fiestas del Pilar, in October, which attracts travelers from all over the world. Undoubtedly, it is an essential place for Zaragozans and tourists as it houses the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pilar and the Cathedral (Seo). In addition, in this rectangular square, there are several terraces and cafes where you can sit and contemplate the imposing Basilica del Pilar and the Cathedral. A view to be admired... You will not be able to stop taking pictures and videos. And if you want to do some shopping, in the surrounding area there are also several stores where you can buy souvenirs, religious objects or typical sweets such as cobblestones or chocolate fruits. We continue our route by visiting the interior of the Basilica del Pilar, one of the largest cathedrals in the world and whose tradition tells us that it was the first Marian temple of Christianity. Famous all over the world, inside, the Holy Chapel, is the Patron Saint of Hispanidad, of Zaragoza and the Civil Guard: the Virgin of Pilar. So-called because it is on top of a pillar that is actually made of jasper. In addition to the Virgin, this cathedral is beautiful both on the outside, with its towers that can be seen from afar, and inside where you can find various works of art by Goya and paintings by the painter Antonio González Velázquez, an altarpiece made of alabaster, as well as other sacristies and several other chapels dedicated to Santa Ana, San José, San Antonio de Padua, San Braulio, San Agustín, Santa Rosario, San Pedro Arbués, San Lorenzo, San Joaquín and the apostle Santiago. As a historical note, on the walls, you can find hanging the missiles that were launched during the Civil War and did not explode so they did not manage to destroy the Basilica, probably protected by the Virgin of Pilar. If you look closely, you will also see on the ceiling, the hole they left. Once you finish your visit, don't forget to stop by the little shop at the exit. There they sell the famous ribbons the size of the Virgin, as a symbol of protection for the sick and travelers. You will hardly see a Zaragozan without this ribbon in the car, motorcycle, baby stroller... So if you are thinking of taking a souvenir, nothing more meaningful than this ribbon.

Once you have seen the Pilarica, it's time to discover the Cathedral of La Seo (also called the Cathedral of the Savior), located in the same square. At the entrance, you will be offered an audio guide so you can learn all about this temple at your own pace. If it's time for lunch, our recommendation is to go to the Santa Marta area, where you will find different restaurants, bars and cafes. Ideal to try some of the tapas and typical dishes of Zaragoza. During the afternoon, you can go to the Museum of the Lanterns and the Rosary of Zaragoza, inside the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here are kept the steps for the procession of the Virgen del Pilar. The Lanterns and the Crystal Rosary represent each of the parts of the prayer of the rosary: Mysteries, Our Fathers, Hail Marys, Glorias and the Litany and are made with more than 300 pieces in the form of floats and illuminated crystal banners.

To end the day, there is nothing better than watching the sunset from the Stone Bridge. This bridge, which crosses the Ebro River, is the oldest in the city and along the bridge, there are several viewpoints with spectacular views of the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, just opposite. A unique sunset and the most popular photo of Zaragoza. At nightfall, it's time to relax and enjoy the local atmosphere of the Tubo area. In this neighborhood, you will find taverns, bars and restaurants where you can have tapas or try some of the traditional dishes of Zaragoza. Don't leave without trying the ternasco con patatas, borrajas, bacalao ajoarriero or migas aragonesas. Here people are very lively and you can have tapas and drinks until late. So take the opportunity to enjoy yourself like a local.

Today you can start by visiting the Mirador del Pilar Tower. This tower does not have access from inside the Basilica, but the entrance is made from one of the sides of the Pilar, specifically in the tower of San Francisco de Borgia. From there, a panoramic glass elevator will take you up 62 meters in about 20 seconds. That yes, later you will have to do the rest of the ascent (18 meters) by the spiral stairs. Don't worry because there are two sections where you can stop to rest before reaching the large glass-enclosed viewpoint, located 80 meters high and with spectacular 360º views of the city, with the Ebro river on one side and the domes of the Basilica, to the other. 

Leaving the Torre del Pilar, just between the Basilica and La Seo, is the La Lonja Museum. Access is free and its interior houses temporary exhibitions. This building, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, is of great importance and beauty since it is considered one of the most important civil buildings of the 16th century in Spain, where commercial and mercantile relations were carried out. In 1983, this building hosted the constitutive session of the First Legislature, after the first regional elections in Aragon. With a Renaissance architecture based on the Lonjas de Mallorca and Valencia, the interior design of La Lonja de Zaragoza is made up of a large hall with ribbed vaults and three floors where the different temporary exhibitions are organized. In addition, you cannot miss the little horse of the Lonja, a bronze statue that pays homage to the old papier-mâché horse that the photographer Ángel Cordero Gracia used to photograph the children of the city. He was in that square, in that same place, bringing smiles from 1925 to 1978. Beloved by all Zaragozans, now, children and families from all over the world continue to take photos and smile on top of La Lonja's bronze horse.

Once you have taken the mythical photo galloping, it is time to visit the Museum of Natural Sciences of the University of Zaragoza.  To get there, you can do it by tram, by bus or on foot. The time is the same, about 20 minutes. If you do it on foot, you can take the opportunity to see the Cesagusta Theater Museum, Roman archaeological ruins located in the middle of the city. You have several options: enter the museum (admission is affordable) or see it from outside. The visit to its interior is always more complete but if you don't want to waste too much time on it, as you pass you will see the amphitheater from the sidewalk itself. That will depend on your interest and the time you have. However, the Museum of Natural Sciences seems to us very interesting and a more than recommended visit for its Paleontological Collection. More than one hundred thousand fossils of vertebrate and invertebrate plants and animals illustrate the history and evolution of the Earth from the beginning of life. The most incredible thing is that, although it has specimens from all over the world, a high percentage come from the excavations that are still being carried out in the Aragonese region. To give you an idea of the relevance of this museum, its exhibits include, among others, dinosaur skeletons, narwhal and mammoth horns, and a permanent exhibition of human skulls that show the biological evolution of the human being. 

After reviewing the history of life on Earth and Humanity, nothing better than making a stop to eat. We recommend, near the museum, the area from San Miguel. A lively and commercial neighborhood that extends to the Plaza de los Sitios and has a wide variety of restaurants and bars where you can taste some of the city's emblematic dishes. Right next to the Plaza de los Sitios, is the Zaragoza Museumwith different collections that include archaeological, ethnological, ceramics, and pictorial and sculptural works, including those by Goya, artist who spent his youth in this city. Admission is free and can be purchased at the museum itself. 

In the afternoon, nothing better than relaxing and strolling through the Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta. You can get there by tram, bus or walking along the Paseo de Sagasta, the shopping street par excellence, if your intention is to do some shopping. This pretty park is famous for its fountains that are lit up at dusk. When you get to the park, you can walk around it or, if you've walked long enough, take the little train that goes around the park. The ticket is bought in the same place where it is taken and the price is more than reasonable. A fast and relaxed way for those who prefer to recharge their batteries.