Earlier than I visited Tarragona I’ve to be sincere and admit I didn’t know a lot about it in any respect, however on my whirlwind practice journey round Spain I found an attractive 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 historical historical past.
Blessed with an historical walled outdated city, UNESCO-listed Roman ruins in addition to a set of superb sandy seashores and pure environment, it’s a spot the place I actually would have cherished to remain loads longer!
I discovered the picturesque small port metropolis is positioned 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 important avenue, Rambla Nova, which was lined with fabulous bars and eating places!
Seeing the Unbelievable 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 Recreation of Thrones set! I actually cherished this place!
It was dwelling to a really spectacular assortment of Roman ruins and artefacts and in addition 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 purpose, the Roman ruins of Tarraco have been really inspiring and it’s believed that a part of the Cyclopean partitions pre-date the Romans which was fascinating to me!
The focus of the Outdated City was the Tarragona Amphitheatre which was constructed between the top of the first century BC and the beginning of the 2nd Century BC.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 a number of 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 immediately among the unique partitions nonetheless exist immediately.
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 critically blown away by town’s surrounding partitions, constructed by the Romans approach again within the 2nd century BC! I cherished with the ability to stroll alongthe 1,100 meters of the unique 3,500-meter wall – and I came upon that the partitions have been the oldest Roman buildings nonetheless standing exterior Italy!
The Cathedral
All main cities have a cathedral, however I actually favored how the tour of Tarragona’s Cathedral of Santa Maria supplied one thing just a little bit totally different!
The locals have been justifiably very pleased with their lovely 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 have been rung which was a really loud however particular expertise!
The Seashores
The realm of Costa Dorada is called the ‘Golden Coast’ because of its miles of sandy seashores, and there are roughly ten miles of seashore to select from, so I used to be spoilt for alternative!
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 beautiful magnificence spot!
I discovered {that a} family-friendly seashore not removed from town centre was L’Arrabassada Seashore, 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 regionally iconic sea views from the Balcon del Mediterranean, a balcony on the finish of the Rambla Bova, which was positioned proper subsequent to the amphitheatre.
Meals and Drink
Being positioned subsequent to the ocean, there was seafood galore and my favorite dish ended up being ‘Cassola de Romesco’, a conventional native Catalan seafood stew particularly related to the fishing city of Cambrils.
I featured a mixture of contemporary fish and shellfish and was cooked in a wealthy and flavourful romesco sauce – a basic Catalan sauce made out of toasted almonds, dried pink peppers, garlic, olive oil, and tomatoes. It was divine!
Tarragona’s pink prawns have been additionally extraordinarily tasty and I additionally actually loved profiting from Spain’s ‘Menu del Dia’ (Menu of the Day) the place I might style conventional and generally extra fashionable and artistic native dishes at a really affordable value.
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 contemporary vermouth on a terrace and indulged in a spot of people-watching on the similar time!
My Last Ideas on Tarragona
Tarragona utterly gained me over with its mixture of historical Roman ruins, sun-kissed golden seashores, and laid-back Mediterranean allure.
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 practice surprisingly straightforward 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.
