Tarragona

Tarragona is a historic beach city in the Spanish region of Catalonia. It is known for ruins left over the last two millennia from the Roman occupancy of the area. Look for museums and remnants, including a recovered amphitheater. Then, soak up the beauty of this area on the Costa Dorada as you sunbathe on the warm sand at L’Arrabassada Beach and take a cool dip in the Mediterranean Sea. Relax in the sun with a picnic on the beach.

Visit the National Archeological Museum to see remnants left from the Roman rule of the country. Browse intriguing sculptures, mosaics and ceramics as well as everyday items left by the Romans, such as clothes and coins. Make a trip to the Tarragona Roman Wall, built in the third century B.C. Its towers and wall sections have survived after many centuries. See the Portal de Sant Antoni, a gate on the old city barricade. Built in 1737, the baroque arch is the sole surviving entrance of the walls.

Head to the Tarragona Amphitheatre, a second-century Roman arena that had a capacity of about 15,000 spectators. Learn about the rich and, at times, brutal history surrounding the landmark, including the persecution and execution of citizens.

Make your way to the Tarragona Cathedral. Admire its remarkable façade with engraved arches, intricate window decorations and large portal doors. It was first built in the 12th century, although it has been renovated and rebuilt many times since then. The Figures of the Apostles built into a column by the entrance and an Adam and Eve impression in the gate are particularly elegant.

Explore the first-century Tarragona Circus where horse-drawn carriage races took place. It houses around 20,000 spectators. Take a tour of the arena and imagine the exciting sports and enthusiastic fans from almost 2,000 years ago.

Transportation to the Tarragona area is easy via many links from Barcelona. Tarragona is an ideal retreat for spending an afternoon at the beach or browsing museums to see Roman artifacts.