Located in the northeast of Spain and roughly equidistant from Barcelona and Madrid, Zaragoza serves as the capital of the Aragon region and is the country’s fifth-largest metropolis. Despite being often overlooked, the city boasts an array of impressive historical landmarks and museums, including Roman theaters and Moorish fortresses. To help plan your trip, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 must-see attractions in Zaragoza.
Museum of the Caesaraugusta Forum
The Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta delves into the history of the ancient Roman city of Caesaraugusta, which once occupied the site of modern-day Zaragoza. Founded in 14 BC, it was the only Roman city to bear the full name of Emperor Caesar Augustus. The museum is part of the Caesaraugusta Route, which also includes the Public Baths Museum and the Caesaraugusta Theatre Museum.
Palace of the Aljafería
The Aljafería Palace is a renowned landmark in Zaragoza, boasting a fortified Islamic design and considered one of the finest examples of Hispano-Muslim architecture in Spain. Built in the 11th century, it features exquisite Arabic arches and intricate carvings, with some of the best Mudéjar elements found outside of Andalusia. Over the years, it served as the palace of the Catholic Monarchs and later as a military barracks. Today, it houses the parliament of the autonomous region of Aragón and offers guided tours to visitors.
Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
The grand baroque-style Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar stands on the spot where it is believed that Santiago, a disciple of Jesus, saw the Virgin Mary ascend to the top of a marble pillar. Step inside to admire the splendid interior, then take the elevator to the top for breathtaking views of the city. Designed by architect Felipe Sánchez y Herrera in 1681, the basilica was significantly modified by Ventura Rodríguez in the 18th century, who added the Santa Capilla and ten mini-domes around the larger one.
Pablo Serrano Museum of Contemporary Art and Culture
The cutting-edge Aragonese Institute of Contemporary Art and Culture (IAACC) is dedicated to modern and contemporary art and boasts a vast collection of works by Aragonese sculptor Pablo Serrano (1908–1985). The building, originally designed by Julio Bravo in the early 20th century, has undergone several renovations. The current museum was opened in 2005 and also features works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, and Andy Warhol.
Caesaraugusta Theater Museum
The Caesaraugusta Theater was a prominent structure in the ancient Roman city of the same name, with a seating capacity of 6,000 people. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of the theater, which were excavated in 1972. The ground floor offers panoramic views of the excavation process, while the basement features audiovisual presentations and 3D models that depict what the theater would have looked like during the Roman period. On the top floor, visitors can learn about the various cultures that lived around the theater throughout its existence through another audiovisual presentation.
Zaragoza Museum
Housed in a grand neo-Renaissance building constructed for the Hispano-French Exposition of 1908, the Zaragoza City Museum is one of the oldest museums in Aragón. The museum features collections on archaeology, fine arts, ethnology, and ceramics. The fine arts section contains works by Spanish painters like Pradilla and Goya.
Museo Pablo Gargallo
The Museum of Pablo Gargallo showcases the works of the renowned Aragonese sculptor, Pablo Gargallo, who lived from 1881 to 1934. The museum is located inside an elegant 16th-century building and displays the artist’s sculptures, as well as his drawings, sketches, and engravings. One of the museum’s highlights is the brass sculpture of Kiki de Montparnasse, titled “The Great Prophet.”
Goya Museum
The Museo de Goya in Zaragoza is one of the best places to learn about the life and works of one of Spain’s most celebrated artists, Francisco de Goya, who was born not far from the city. The museum features a collection of 15 of his most prominent paintings, ranging from his early years in Zaragoza (1762–1774) to his later years in Bordeaux, where he passed away in 1828. The other part of the collection showcases 48 works by other famous artists.
The Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza
The Cathedral of the Savior of Zaragoza, commonly known as La Seo, was constructed on the site of a Roman forum temple, a Visigothic church, and a Muslim mosque. It features a combination of various styles such as Mudéjar, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical. The baroque tower and classical doorway were added during the 16th and 17th centuries, completing the structure. Inside, visitors can admire the beautiful altarpieces, including the main altarpiece from the 15th century.
Museum of the Public Baths of Caesaraugusta
The Museum of the Public Baths of Caesaraugusta is situated between the Forum Museum and the Caesaraugusta Theatre Museum, and was part of the ancient Roman city. The public baths are believed to have been constructed in the 1st century BC, and visitors can still see remains of structures such as latrines and pools. Inside the museum, visitors can go on an audiovisual tour of the baths to see what they used to look like and learn about the hot and cold pools, steam room, sauna, massage room, and gymnasium. The museum also showcases original old marble tiles that were once used around the pools.
Zaragoza Central Market
Zaragoza’s Mercado Central is the city’s main public market, a grand space filled with columns, archways, and cavernous areas. It was inaugurated in 1903 and has since been declared a National Historic Monument, making it a must-visit spot even if you don’t plan to buy anything. The market has a variety of stalls selling seafood, meat, vegetables, cheeses, and baked goods. It’s the perfect place to purchase ingredients for a picnic in the city’s Parque Grande.
Zaragoza Origami School Museum
One might expect to find an origami museum in Japan or elsewhere in Asia, but in Spain? The Museo Origami is, in fact, the first of its kind in all of Europe. It comprises six galleries showcasing the art of paper-folding through permanent and temporary exhibits. The work here is of a remarkably high standard and is recognized worldwide by origami enthusiasts. Additionally, the museum offers origami workshops and classes.
Alma Mater Museum
The former episcopal palace in Zaragoza is now home to the Alma Mater Museum, which was inaugurated in 2011. It was once the residence of saints, popes, bishops, and kings of Aragón, but now serves as a religious museum. The museum showcases the history of the Aragonese church through a range of modern multimedia exhibits.
Puente de Piedra
One of the most iconic landmarks in Zaragoza is the Puente de Piedra, or ‘stone bridge’. It spans the River Ebro, connecting the old town to the newer part of the city and offering stunning views of the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar. The bridge has been rebuilt multiple times throughout history, including a wooden bridge dating back to Roman times. The current gothic-style bridge was constructed in the 15th century and has undergone several renovations. In 1991, bronze lions were added to the bridge by sculptor Francisco Rallo.
Sala de Exposiciones La Lonja
Built between 1541 and 1551, La Lonja served as Zaragoza’s center for commercial exchange and is an exemplary representation of Renaissance-style architecture influenced by both Florentine and Mudéjar styles. Since the early 20th century, it has been the city’s most important exhibition space, showcasing the finest art exhibitions from around the world.
