Zaragoza by train: the essential stopover between Madrid and Barcelona

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published yesterday

When traveling between Madrid and Barcelona, you might naturally want to go straight through. But take a break: Zaragoza is the forgotten city on this route... and that's a shame. Here you'll find a unique blend of ancient history, original museums, landscaped riverbanks along the Ebro, and neighborhoods where you can sample tapas from bar to bar. Everything is easily accessible on foot or by bike, at a more leisurely pace than in Madrid or Barcelona. Here are our top recommendations.

Culture: small format, big ideas

EMOZ, the origami museum

Have you ever visited a museum entirely dedicated to the art of folding? In Zaragoza, you can do just that at EMOZ, Europe's first origami museum. Here you'll find temporary exhibitions, workshops, and fun activities that make the experience accessible to everyone (even if you've never managed to fold a paper airplane). EMOZ is located in the Centro de Historias, right in the heart of the city, making it the perfect cultural stop between two walks.

IAACC Pablo Serrano, between modern art and panoramic terrace

If you want to get a feel for contemporary Aragonese creativity, step inside the IAACC Pablo Serrano. Here you'll find modern collections, temporary exhibitions and, the icing on the cake, a panoramic terrace offering breathtaking views of the city when it's open. The museum is a ten-minute walk from the historic center, ideal for alternating between ancient heritage and modernity.

Mobility City, Zaha Hadid on the Ebro

In Zaragoza, Expo 2008 left behind some spectacular architecture, including the Pabellón Puente designed by Zaha Hadid. This bridge, now a cultural space, is home to Mobility City, a venue entirely dedicated to the mobility of the future. Here you can discover interactive exhibitions and events, and above all admire the audacity of this building suspended over the Ebro River.

Street art: the Asalto Festival and its murals

Every September, the Asalto Festival transforms Zaragoza into an open-air gallery, with monumental murals adorning the facades of 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 track, you'll come across these colorful walls that tell a different story about the city.

Heritage: the great classics

El Pilar and La Seo, two icons side by side

You can't miss the Basilica del Pilar, a Baroque masterpiece overlooking the Ebro River. You can even take an elevator up one of its towers for a panoramic view.

©Elsa Beaudeux

Right next door, the Catedral del Salvador - La Seo - displays a unique blend of styles, with a Mudejar wall listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both monuments can be easily visited one after the other, in the heart of the historic center.

©Elsa Beaudeux

Aljafería Palace: a thousand years of history

The Aljafería Palace is undoubtedly Zaragoza's most surprising monument. Built in the 11th century as a Muslim fortress, it became a royal palace and then the seat of the Aragonese parliament. Between its poly-lobed arches, patios, and coffered ceilings, you can travel through a thousand years of history in just a few rooms. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

©Elsa Beaudeux

Mudejar: a unique style listed by UNESCO

The Mudejar style, born from the dialogue between Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures, is part of Zaragoza's DNA. You can admire its decorated bricks, azulejos, and towers on several buildings in the center, particularly at La Seo. It is one of the city's architectural hallmarks and yet another reason to stop here.

Caesaraugusta: the Roman city beneath your feet

For lovers of Roman antiquities: beneath the Plaza de la Seo, the Forum Museum immerses you in the organization of the Roman colony founded by Augustus. A few streets away, the Theater Museum displays the remains of a 1st-century theater, one of the largest in Roman Hispania!

Nature and the great outdoors: heading for the Ebro

Riberas del Ebro: 20 km of developed riverbanks

The Ebro River flows through Zaragoza for 10 km, offering almost 20 km of pedestrian and bicycle paths. You can explore them on foot or by bike, enjoying superb views of the city. And for the perfect photo, cross the Puente de Piedra bridge and stop at the Balcón de San Lázaro viewpoint, facing the domes of the Pilar!

Luis Buñuel Water Park, a legacy of Expo 2008

Created for Expo 2008, the Luis Buñuel Water Park is now Zaragoza's largest green space, with over 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 the largest river aquarium in Europe.

©Elsa Beaudeux

Flavors and local life: tapas and traditions

El Tubo : le cœur battant des tapas

If you want to experience an evening like the locals do, lose yourself in the narrow streets of El Tubo. Here, each bar has its own specialty, and the idea is simple: you stop, order a drink and a tapa, then move on to the next place. It's friendly, lively, and typically Zaragoza.

Local alternatives: San Miguel, Magdalena, and Santa Marta

For a more local atmosphere, you can also explore 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, often hosting food and music events.

Casa Lac: a historic institution

Among the iconic restaurants, Casa Lac deserves a special mention. Founded in 1825, this establishment is one of the oldest licensed restaurants in Spain. It showcases seasonal vegetables and produce from Aragon in an elegant setting.

For more inspiration, check out our 5-day turnkey tour of Zaragoza!

This article was written in partnership with the Spanish Tourist Office and the Zaragoza Tourist Office. For more information, visit zaragoza.es, a wealth of practical information to help you plan your trip!

Written by Sophie Renassia

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.