Day Trip to Tarragona, Spain

Known for its preserved Roman ruins and scenic coastal views, Tarragona is an inviting town with plenty to explore. While it may not be the most popular destination in Spain, it is still an excellent day trip for travelers or students coming from Barcelona.

Located in the southern corner of Catalonia, Tarragona is a city that is often overlooked due to its close proximity to Barcelona and other larger cities in its region. Even though it may fall in the shadows of other Spanish destinations, that doesn’t mean this town deserves to be completely neglected. Surprisingly to many, Tarragona was actually one of the richest and most vital cities to the Roman Empire back in 26 B.C.

Even though the empire has fallen, its lasting effects are still present to this day.

Why should you visit Tarragona?

This city effortlessly combines stoic historical ruins, a welcoming Spanish food scene, and an oceanfront view that just can’t be beat. Whether you go there for the ancient architecture or its local beaches, there are endless things to do, making this city an exceptional day trip from Barcelona.

Also if you are studying abroad in Barcelona, Tarragona is the perfect way to go on a little adventure without having to hop on a plane. Located just an hour outside of Barcelona by train, you can take an early ride in the morning, spend a few hours exploring, and still be back for your afternoon siesta.

How to get to Tarragona from Barcelona

Whenever I’m traveling locally throughout Spain, I like to use GoEuro for booking my train tickets. For under 10 euros each way, you can book both your tickets online, or you can wait and get them at the train station. I always like to book my tickets ahead of time to ensure my reservation has gone through well before my departure.

Trains traveling to Tarragona from Barcelona take off from the Barcelona Sants train station and arrive near the city center. From there, you can easily explore the rest of the city by foot, or visit the tourist information center for maps and recommendations.

What to do in Tarragona, Spain

As previously stated, the ancient ruins are what attracts most of Tarragona’s visitors today. Once you arrive, make sure to follow along the Archeological Walk to find all of the city’s hidden treasures. This walk will highlight some of the most well-preserved ruins that are scattered throughout the city.

Spots to check out while visiting Tarragona include:

Tarragona Cathedral
Roman Circus
Roman Amphitheatre
Wall of Tarragona
Balcon del Mediterraneo
Archaeological Museum of Tarragona
Roman Forum

The majority of the Roman ruins cost 3.30 euros to enter. However, you can buy a pass for 7.40 (3.65 for students) euros that allows you to enter a list of major ruins.

Where to Eat in Tarragona

Needing an afternoon pick me up? Tarragona has plenty of outdoor bars and eateries to find some satisfying tapas. Wander through the historic old town and stumble upon a selection of different cuisines. While most of the restaurants are traditionally Spanish, we did find a vegan restaurant called El Vergel Restaurant Vega that was to die for good!

What I loved about Tarragona was that it didn’t feel like it was a city that had been exposed to major tourism. It still had a local charm, which is something I highly value while traveling. Aside from that, it is also a gorgeous city. It even boasts 9 UNESCO world heritage sites because of its exceptionally preserved architecture.

Even if you don’t feel comfortable exploring on your own in an unfamiliar city, I would still recommend traveling to Tarragona. Not only is the transportation to get here a breeze, but it’s also fairly easy to navigate throughout the main city attractions.

If you’re looking for a city escape from Barcelona but don’t want to venture too far, take a quick trip to Tarragona. With its ancient stoned-structures and its scenic ocean backdrop, this city offers so much more than just a coastal Catalan town. For me, this city was the perfect masterpiece of historic landmarks with natural beauty that just can’t be found anywhere else.

For me, this city was the perfect masterpiece of historical landmarks with natural beauty interwoven together to create something completely beautiful.

Have you been to Tarragona? If so, what was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments below!