Spain’s fifth biggest city, famous for its fiestas and floral festivals . . .
ZARAGOZA is one of Spain’s major cities located on the banks of the Ebro River, halfway between Madrid and Barcelona.
With almost 700,000 inhabitants and capital of the Autonomous Community of Aragon, Zaragoza is a vibrant and welcoming city.
The hospitality of its people is well known and Zaragoza has many other attractions: its extensive historical-artistic heritage, leisure and cultural activities, the liveliness of its street, its avant-garde restaurants and, of course, the Fiestas del Pilar.
In fact, the city, with 2000 years of history, has something from everyone with a stunning legacy of monuments from the Roman, Moorish, Jewish and the Christian communities.
It’s great for shopping, night-time entertainment, mouth-watering gastronomy and is a city always ready to let its hair down in the many fiestas, particularly during Easter week.
The city is heiress of the ancient Roman Casearagusta and it is ruled by the Basílica del Pilar. The Pilarica or Virgen del Pilar (Pilar Virgin) is the patroness of Spain and the Guardia Civil, being also honoured with the Spanish national holiday which take place on the 12th of October.
On that day there are several celebrations in the city including the ofrenda floral (floral tribute) to the Virgin. The Basilica-Cathedral Nuestra Señora del Pilar is the biggest Baroque temple in Spain.
Among the great heritage of the city we found many Mudejar art buildings such as San Pablo church and San Salvador Cathedral. The Aljaferia palace is the remarkable, being the most important of the Muslim palaces built in the Western world in the 11th century. It was later used by the Catholic Kings and currently houses the Aragon Parliament.
The city is a mix of cultures and we can find archaeological remains from the Romans, medieval times, Renaissance and Baroque.
Regarding contemporary architecture, the city organised the International Exposition (EXPO) in 2008 with the theme of water. The Torre del agua (Water tower) offers the observer a different view depending on where you position yourself to look at it. Also the Puente del tercer milenio (Third Millennium Bridge) its design and structure is a flagship for the new millennium.
If you want to enjoy the best food in town you definitely need to visit Taberna La Piedra, try the best meat on the hot stone and market kitchen. The Uasabi, located in 4th of August Street offers the best Sushi selection. Also restaurant La Matilde, with its own celery, offers the best comfort food for those harsh winter days. For outstanding seafood we recommend Marisquería Nora.
And if you want to treat yourself to first-class accommodation one of the most exclusive hotels in town is the Palafox, a five star establishment with a wide range of beautiful suites and a gourmet restaurant.
Or there’s The Reina Petronila, located near the University, which is ideal for business visits or conferences. Zroom suites, in the heart of Calle Santiago, are also the perfect choice if you are after a great location and accommodation.