Visiting Zaragoza: culture, history, and tapas

Want to discover Spain by train and visit Zaragoza? Capital of Aragón and the fifth largest city in Spain, it combines a rich historical heritage with a friendly atmosphere along the Ebro River. Highlights include the Basilica del Pilar, La Seo Cathedral, and the Aljafería Palace, a Hispano-Muslim jewel listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Add the Roman remains of Caesaraugusta, and you’ve got a perfect snapshot of Aragonese history.

On the modern side, Zaragoza will surprise you with the striking architecture of Expo 2008 (Zaha Hadid’s Bridge Pavilion, the Water Tower, and the River Aquarium). If you’re into tapas, head straight to the El Tubo district! And to slow down between visits, stroll through José Antonio Labordeta Park or take a day trip to the Monasterio de Piedra, famous for its waterfalls.

Exploring Zaragoza without a car: train is the perfect option

If you want to travel without flying or driving, good news: you can reach Zaragoza easily by train! From France, several routes are available:

• Via Marseille (the most direct option):
  Great news: the AVE Marseille–Madrid line stops directly in Zaragoza, with no train change needed!
  The journey takes about 6.5 hours and serves several French cities along the way: Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Nîmes, Montpellier, Béziers, Narbonne and Perpignan.
  It’s the simplest and most convenient option if you’re coming from southern France.
• Via Barcelona:
  From Paris, you can take a direct TGV to Barcelona, then hop on an AVE to Zaragoza (just 1h30 away).
  A fast and comfortable option to explore two Spanish cities in one trip!
• Via Lyon:
  Another possibility: take a direct Renfe train from Lyon to Barcelona, then continue on to Zaragoza the same day.
  ⚠️ For the return trip, note that the connection from Zaragoza cannot be made the same day, as the Lyon–Barcelona train departs early in the morning.
• Via the Pyrenees:
  For the more adventurous, there’s also a scenic route via the famous Canfranero line: Toulouse, Pau, Bedous and Canfranc, followed by a regional Renfe train to Zaragoza-Delicias.

💡 Good to know: when booking on the Renfe website, make sure to type the Spanish name of the city (Zaragoza, not Saragosse). The perfect destination for a 4–5 day city trip in Spain, 100% accessible by train.