Earlier than I visited Tarragona I’ve to be trustworthy and admit I didn’t know a lot about it in any respect, however on my whirlwind prepare journey round Spain I found a phenomenal however but nonetheless under-the-radar journey vacation spot which might really make an excellent metropolis break free from the crowds – right here you possibly can superbly mix a mixture of laid-back seashore life and spectacular historic historical past.
Blessed with an historic walled outdated city, UNESCO-listed Roman ruins in addition to a set of positive sandy seashores and pure environment, it’s a spot the place I actually would have beloved to remain lots longer!
I discovered the picturesque small port metropolis is situated in northeast Spain, on Costa Daurada, and was based earlier than the fifth century BC. I personally thought its most stand-out options was the imposing amphitheatre, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and as soon as held as much as 14,000 spectators.
As soon as the capital of Hispania, I spent hours simply wandering across the late Third-century metropolis partitions, gazing in awe on the necropolis and amphitheatre, and strolling town’s buzzing primary road, Rambla Nova, which was lined with fabulous bars and eating places!
Seeing the Unimaginable Roman Ruins
The medieval a part of town is called La Half Alta de Tarragona, and that is the place I felt like I used to be strolling round a Sport of Thrones set! I actually beloved this place!
It was dwelling to a really spectacular assortment of Roman ruins and artefacts and likewise a gothic cathedral which I actually loved discovering (it took me a full afternoon to discover each).
In 2000, Tarragona was named a World Heritage Metropolis by UNESCO and with good motive, the Roman ruins of Tarraco had been really inspiring and it’s believed that a part of the Cyclopean partitions pre-date the Romans which was fascinating to me!
The point of interest of the Previous City was the Tarragona Amphitheatre which was constructed between the tip of the first century BC and the beginning of the 2nd Century BC.
It used to have the ability to maintain round 13,000 spectators and noticed many grotesque gladiator battles and executions. For just some euros I gained entry and took just a few good hours exploring the entire web site and in contrast to the Colosseum in Rome, I didn’t have restricted entry.
I believed the Roman Circus of Tarragona was one other particular place and it’s really one of many best-preserved websites of the Roman Empire. It was much like Circo Massimo in Rome however held round 20,000 spectators and extremely right this moment among the unique partitions nonetheless exist right this moment.
As I strolled round, it actually did really feel like I used to be stepping again in time and I explored its underground passages, which will need to have as soon as buzzed with exercise from each the distributors and spectators!
I used to be severely blown away by town’s surrounding partitions, constructed by the Romans approach again within the 2nd century BC! I beloved having the ability to stroll alongthe 1,100 meters of the unique 3,500-meter wall – and I came upon that the partitions had been the oldest Roman constructions nonetheless standing exterior Italy!
The Cathedral
All main cities have a cathedral, however I actually appreciated how the tour of Tarragona’s Cathedral of Santa Maria provided one thing a bit bit totally different!
The locals had been justifiably very happy with their stunning cathedral and I went on a tour lasting round two and a half hours – the information confirmed me the Cloister, the Treasure, the Diocesan Museum and the Roman temenós in addition to a particular deal with of visiting the bell tower.
I organized my tour for when the bells had been rung which was a really loud however particular expertise!
The Seashores
The realm of Costa Dorada is called the ‘Golden Coast’ attributable to its miles of sandy seashores, and there are roughly ten miles of seashore to select from, so I used to be spoilt for selection!
The native seashore for Tarragona was El Miracle which was solely 500 metres lengthy and solely a brief stroll from Rafael de Casanova promenade. This was my favourite seashore – it was a really gorgeous magnificence spot!
I discovered {that a} family-friendly seashore not removed from town centre was L’Arrabassada Seaside, and I additionally occurred to stumble throughout La Savinosa which was a nudist seashore.
The longest seashore within the space, although, was Playa Larga, which was three kilometres lengthy and I discovered was a peaceable spot for sunbathing and swimming.
Once I grew bored of the seashores I gazed at domestically iconic sea views from the Balcon del Mediterranean, a balcony on the finish of the Rambla Bova, which was situated proper subsequent to the amphitheatre.
Meals and Drink
Being situated subsequent to the ocean, there was seafood galore and my favorite dish ended up being ‘Cassola de Romesco’, a standard native Catalan seafood stew particularly related to the fishing city of Cambrils.
I featured a mixture of recent fish and shellfish and was cooked in a wealthy and flavourful romesco sauce – a traditional Catalan sauce constituted of toasted almonds, dried pink peppers, garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes. It was divine!
Tarragona’s pink prawns had been additionally extraordinarily tasty and I additionally actually loved benefiting from Spain’s ‘Menu del Dia’ (Menu of the Day) the place I might style conventional and typically extra fashionable and artistic native dishes at a really affordable worth.
I additionally needed to strive their native Vermouth. Though the drink originated in Italy, the locals in Tarragona noticed it as their particular drink. So I headed to Plaza del Rey to take pleasure in a recent vermouth on a terrace and indulged in a spot of people-watching on the similar time!
My Ultimate Ideas on Tarragona
Tarragona fully received me over with its mixture of historic Roman ruins, sun-kissed golden seashores, and laid-back Mediterranean attraction.
Whether or not I used to be wandering the cobbled lanes of the outdated city, gazing out over the ocean from the Roman amphitheatre, or gorging on a cassola de romesco at a seaside restaurant, it felt like a spot the place historical past, tradition, tasty delicacies and coastal magnificence mixed with not a lot effort in any respect!
It’s a surprisingly under-the-radar vacation spot that to me felt genuine, easygoing, and filled with hidden gems – and I left already planning my return!
Travelling Spain by Prepare
I discovered travelling round Spain by prepare surprisingly simple and environment friendly. Excessive-speed AVE trains (Alta Velocidad Española) linked me to main cities at a pace of 186mph. I booked prematurely on-line, so I discovered some nice offers on fares on the official Spanish rail web site, www.renfe.com.
