The Top Things To Do And See In Tarragona Spain

The Tarragona province sits within the southern part of Catalonia and is filled with historic towns and cities, beautiful beaches, and soaring mountains. Its capital is the city of Tarragona, lying along the coast approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Barcelona. Here, remains of an old Roman city mix with a lively port, stunning beaches, fascinating museums, and a charming medieval center.

1. Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona

Museum

Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona

This excellent museum is the place to go if you want to learn more about the city’s Roman past. It features displays of mosaics, including the near-complete Mosaic de Peixos de la Pineda, featuring fish and other marine life. Plaques are only in Catalan and Spanish, but an audio guide is available and included in your entrance fee.
Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona, Plaça del Rei, Tarragona, Spain, +34 977 23 62 11

Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona | © Enfo/WikiCommons

2. Tarragona Cathedral and Museu Diocesà

Cathedral, Museum

Tarragona Cathedral | ©Zarateman / Wikimedia Commons

Tarragona Cathedral and Museu Diocesà

Built on the highest point in the city, on the same spot as an ancient Roman temple, construction on the cathedral began in the 12th century and was in the Romanesque style, with Gothic elements added at a later date. One of its most striking features is its façade with a large rose window – also worth a look are the beautiful cloisters and gardens. Head up to the bell tower to see one of the best views over the city, and then stop to take a look at the Museu Diocesà inside – a museum filled with Roman objects and religious woodcarvings.
Catedral de Tarragona, Plaça Pla de la Seu, Tarragona, Spain, +34 977 22 69 35

Tarragona Cathedral | © Zarateman/WikiCommons

3. Fòrum de la Colònia

Ruins

Fòrum de la Colònia

The city’s old Roman forum – the religious and social center of the old Roman city – used to cover most of Tarragona’s old town, and many of its vestiges can still be seen today. Old arches and mighty columns juxtapose against the city’s more modern structures. Built around the year 30 BC, excavations and ruins of old Roman streets, shops, and even temples remain.
Fòrum Romà, Carrer de Lleida,Tarragona, Spain, +34 977 25 07 95

Fòrum de la Colònia, Tarragona | © Zarateman/WikiCommons

5. Museu i Necròpolis Paleocristians

Museum

Museu i Necròpolis Paleocristians

Just south of Tarragona, archaeologists discovered a Roman burial site consisting of over 2,000 tombs. Some are thought to be the remains of a bishop and his deacons who were killed in the city’s amphitheater around 259 AD. The construction of a basilica and important burial site, built in honor of these martyrs, gives a good insight into Roman burial traditions and culture. The museum acts as an interpretation center and also displays many of the tombs and sarcophagi found there.
Necròpolis Paleocristians de Tarragona, Avinguda de Ramón y Cajal, 84, Tarragona, Spain, +34 977 21 11 75

Museu i Necròpolis Paleocristians | © Fernando Fernández Baliña/WikiCommons

6. Platja del Miracle

Platja del Miracle

Stretching 500 meters along the edge of the city, this beautiful beach has fine sand and is ideal for swimming in the warmer months of the year. As well as beachside cafés and restaurants, it has facilities such as showers and changing rooms.
Platja del Miracle, Passeig Maritim Rafael Casanova, Tarragona, Spain

Miracle Beach, Tarragona | © makamuki0/Pixabay

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.