When you’re traveling between Madrid and Barcelona, you might naturally just head straight there. But take a break: Zaragoza is the route’s great overlooked gem… and that’s a real shame. Here, you’ll find a unique blend of millennia-old history, unique museums, scenic riverbanks along the Ebro, and neighborhoods where you can sample tapas as you hop from bar to bar. Everything is easily accessible at on foot or by bike, with a more relaxed pace than in Madrid or Barcelona. Here’s a closer look at the must-see sights during a short layover between train trips.
How long should I plan for a layover in Zaragoza? Half a day to a full day is enough to see the highlights between train trips.
On which Madrid-Barcelona train route is Zaragoza located? On the AVE line, about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Madrid and 1 hour and 45 minutes from Barcelona.
What should you see first during a short layover? The Basilica del Pilar, La Seo, and the El Tubo neighborhood for tapas.
Can you leave your luggage at the Zaragoza-Delicias train station? [To be verified / completed if the information exists]
Do you need to book tickets for the monuments in advance? It's a good idea to make a reservation for the Aljafería Palace, especially on weekends.
Have you ever visited an entire museum dedicated to the art of origami? In Zaragoza, you can, thanks to the EMOZ, Europe’s first origami museum. There, you’ll find temporary exhibits, workshops, and fun, interactive activities that make the experience accessible to everyone (even if you’ve never managed to fold a paper airplane). EMOZ is located in the Story Center, right in the heart of the city, making it the perfect cultural stop between two walks.
If you want to get a feel for contemporary Aragonese art, step inside the IAACC Pablo Serrano. There you'll find modern collections, temporary exhibitions, and—the icing on the cake—a panoramic terrace which offers a breathtaking view of the city when it's open. The museum is a ten-minute walk from the historic center, making it the perfect place to alternate between exploring ancient heritage and modern attractions.
In Zaragoza, Expo 2008 left behind some spectacular architectural landmarks, including the Pabellón Puente designed by Zaha Hadid. This bridge, which has been transformed into a cultural space, now houses Mobility City, a space entirely dedicated to the future of mobility. There, you can explore interactive exhibits and events, and above all, marvel at the bold design of this building perched above the Ebro River.
Every year in September, the Asalto Festival transforms Zaragoza into an open-air gallery, with monumental murals adorning the facades of the city’s neighborhoods. But you don’t have to wait for the festival to enjoy them: some of the works remain on display all year round. As you wander off the beaten path, you'll come across these colorful walls that tell a different story about the city.
But this city is, above all, the city of Francisco de Goya. It was in Zaragoza that the young Goya grew up, observing the world for the first time with the intensity that would characterize his entire body of work. It is no exaggeration to say that it was here—amid the shadows of La Seo, the light of the Ebro, and the faces of his contemporaries—that Goya learned to see.
His early brushstrokes still adorn the vaults of the Basilica del Pilar. Later, he would return to Zaragoza in the form of murals, engravings, portraits, and moments of silence. The spaces dedicated to it, such as the Goya Museum, Ibercaja Collection or the Chartreuse of the Aula Dei, among other things, still bear witness to the painter's genius.
On the occasion of the The 200th anniversary of Goya's death in 2028, Zaragoza is developing an ambitious cultural program that includes the expansion of the Goya Museum—Ibercaja Collection, the complete restoration of the Zaragoza Museum, and the creation of a major Goya Center in the former courthouse on Plaza del Pilar. These initiatives will make the city an international hub for the study and celebration of the Aragonese painter’s legacy.
While the renovations are underway, you can view Goya’s works from the Goya Museums and the Zaragoza Museum at the following locations:
You can't miss the Basilica del Pilar, a Baroque masterpiece that overlooks the Ebro River. You can even take an elevator up one of its towers for a panoramic view.
© Elsa Beaudeux
Right next to it, the Cathedral of the Savior - La Seo - features a unique blend of architectural styles, including a Mudéjar wall listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both monuments are easily visited one after the other, right in the heart of the historic center.
© Elsa Beaudeux
The Aljafería Palace is undoubtedly the most surprising monument in Zaragoza. Built in the 11th century as a Muslim fortress, it later became a royal palace and then the seat of the Aragonese Parliament. Among its poly-lobed arches, courtyards, and coffered ceilings, you’ll journey through a thousand years of history in just a few rooms. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
© Elsa Beaudeux
The Mudejar style, born of the dialogue between Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures, is part of the The DNA of Zaragoza. You can admire the decorated bricks, azulejos, and towers on several buildings in the city center, particularly at La Seo. It’s one of the city’s architectural hallmarks and yet another reason to stop by.
Calling all fans of Roman antiquities: beneath the Plaza de la Seo, the Forum Museum immerses you in the layout of the Roman colony founded by Augustus. A few streets away, the Theater Museum outlines the remains of a 1st-century theater, one of the largest in Roman Hispania!
Roman Theater - © Sitios de España
The Ebro River flows through Zaragoza for 10 km and offers nearly 20 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths. You can browse through them on foot or by bike, while enjoying stunning views of the city. And for the perfect photo, cross the Puente de Piedra and stop at the Balcón de San Lázaro viewpoint, facing the domes of El Pilar!
Ebro Riverbanks - © Esther Casas
Created for Expo 2008, the Luis Buñuel Water Park is now the the largest green space in Zaragoza, with more than 120 hectares of canals, lawns, wetlands, and playgrounds. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing break, a family stroll, or a picnic. Right next door, you can visit the Zaragoza Aquarium, dedicated to the world's great rivers and billed as Europe's largest river aquarium.
© Elsa Beaudeux
If you want to experience an evening like the locals do, lose yourself in the narrow streets of El Tubo. Here, Every bar has its own specialty, and the idea is simple: you stop by, order a drink and a tapa, then head to the next spot. It’s friendly, lively, and quintessentially Zaragoza.
Tapas Night - © Esther Casas
For a more local vibe, you can also explore the Plaza San Miguel, the Magdalena neighborhood, or Plaza Santa Marta. These areas are less frequented by visitors and are full of great places to visit, which often feature culinary and musical events.
Among the iconic restaurants, Casa Lac deserves a special mention. Founded in 1825, this restaurant is one of the oldest licensed dining establishments in Spain. It showcases vegetables and seasonal produce from Aragon in an elegant setting.
For more inspiration, check out our all-inclusive tour of 5 Days in Zaragoza !
This article was written in partnership with the Spanish Tourist Office and the Zaragoza Tourist Office. For more information, visit https://www.zaragozaturismo.es, a treasure trove of practical information to help you plan your stop!
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
