Weekend in Zaragoza

Once you arrive in Zaragoza, check into the hotel we have selected in the center of the city. Take the opportunity to rest and recharge your batteries or take a walk around the surroundings. Make the most of your first evening by going for a tapas dinner in one of the liveliest areas: Santa Marta, San Miguel, El Tubo, Plaza España... Here you will find typical Aragon dishes, tapas and pinchos. Don't miss their migas, ajoarriero, borage and roast lamb. If you are looking for a more relaxed dinner, a good option is the Meli Melo, a restaurant that mixes tradition and avant-garde and with reasonable prices too. It is very successful so it is always best to make a reservation if you do not want to wait for fora r table. If you fancy a signature tasting menu, the Gamberro restaurant has different closed menus and experiences, prior reservation. is necessary, Nearby, there is a lot of atmosphere and bars.

We start the day in the heart of Zaragoza, specifically in the walls of Caesaraugusta.  These walls, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, were built by the Romans, who gave the name of 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 led to the name we know today: Zaragoza. For this reason, we believe that there is no better way than to start our getaway to Zaragoza by entering in a big way, through the Roman Wall of Caesaraugusta. Just to your left, before entering the Plaza del Pilar, stands a large tower, it is the Torreón de la Zuda, built during the Muslim invasion during the 8th century. You will see this tower several times throughout your stay in the Aragonese capital as it can be seen from the Ebro River, which runs right in front of it. Continuing with the Wall, on the other right, located on the same avenue as Cesar Augusto, is the Central Market, a place full of stalls selling fruit, meat, fish, charcuterie, flowers and other local products. It is not at all touristy, so it is perfect to get to know the products of the area and feel like a true Zaragozan. It's not a very big market so it won't take much of your time. Also, if you feel like it, inside you will find some cafeterias where you can have a drink or eat a pincho. Like everything in this city, it is very lively. This market is open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays until 2:30 p.m. 

Once you pass the wall, you will enter Zaragoza's most important square and the nerve center of the city: Plaza del Pilar. The most important celebrations and events are held here. The best known are the Fiestas del Pilar, in October, which is attended by travelers from all over the world. Without a doubt, it is an essential place for Zaragozans and tourists as it houses the Basilica of Our Lady of 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 worthy of admiration... as We already mentioned, you will not be able to stop taking photos and videos. And if you want to do some shopping, in its surroundings there are also several stores where you can buy souvenirs, religious objects or typical sweets such as cobblestone 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 says that it was the first Marian temple in Christianity. Famous throughout the world, inside, the Holy Chapel, is the Patron Saint of Hispanic Heritage, Zaragoza and the Civil Guard: the Virgen del Pilar. So called because it is located on top of a pillar that is 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 different 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 more 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 the missiles that were launched during the Civil War and that did not explode so they did not manage to destroy the Basilica. If you look closely, you'll also see the hole they left in the ceiling. Once you finish your visit, don't forget to stop by the little shop at the exit. There they sell the famous Ribbons the same length as the Virgin, as a symbol of protection for the sick and travelers. You will hardly see a person from Zaragoza without this ribbon on the car, motorcycle, baby stroller... So if you are thinking of taking home a small souvenir detail, nothing is more significant than this ribbon. If you want to enjoy the panoramic views of the city, you can go up to the Mirador del Pilar Tower. This tower does not have access from inside the Basilica, but the entrance is from one of the sides of the Pillar, specifically in the tower of San Francisco de Borja. 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. 

Once you have seen the Pilarica, you have to discover the Catedral de la Seo (also called Catedral del Salvador), located in the same square. The entrance tickets can be bought there. After your visit, between the Basilica and the Seo, you will find 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 the bronze horse.

If it's time to eat, we recommend that you head to the Santa Marta area, where you'll 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 the steps for the procession of the Virgen del Pilar are kept. The Lanterns and the Crystal Rosary represent each of the parts of praying the rosary: Mysteries, Our Fathers, Hail Marys, Glories and the Litany and are made with more than 300 pieces in the form of floats and illuminated glass banners.

To end the day, There is nothing better than watching the sunset from the Puente de Piedra. This bridge that crosses the Ebro river is the oldest in the city and along its route, there are different viewpoints with spectacular views of the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, just opposite. If you keep walking until the end you will reach the Balcón de San Lázaro, just on the other side of the Ebro river. At night, the views of the illuminated city and the Basilica are spectacular. When you arrive the night, it's time to relax and enjoy the local atmosphere of the El 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. Do not leave without trying the lamb with potatoes, the borage, the cod with garlic or the Aragonese migas. Here people are very lively and like to have, tapas and drinks until late. So take the opportunity to enjoy yourself like another Zaragozan.