Aerial panoramic view of Cathedral of Tarragona, Spain

Things to do in  Tarragona

The road to ruins

Not your average port city, historic Tarragona is one of the most well-rounded and popular destinations in Catalonia. Exploring the city’s ancient Roman ruins is one of the most popular things to do in Tarragona, but this city is not a one-hit wonder. You can effortlessly bounce around from brilliant sand beaches to the city’s colorful historic center, up to comprehensive viewpoints, and down to the port’s museums and seafood restaurants.

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Top 12 attractions in Tarragona

#1

Tarragona Amphitheatre (Amfiteatre de Tarragona)

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If there’s one sight that will successfully peel you away from Tarragona’s beach, it will be the neighboring Tarragona Amphitheatre (Amfiteatre de Tarragona). This ancient seaside stadium, constructed in the 2nd century AD, once fit up to 15,000 spectators to cheer on everything from gladiatorial battles to public executions.More
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#2

PortAventura Park

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The original of three theme parks on Spain’s Costa Dorada, PortAventura Park features more than 40 rides and attractions. It’s part of the larger PortAventura World—a resort complex that also includes Caribe Aquatic Park and Ferrari Land, the resort’s newest addition and home to one of Europe’s highest and fastest roller coasters.More
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#3

Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Pont del Diable)

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Rising above the Tarragona countryside, the 2-tiered Les Ferreres Aqueduct (Pont del Diable) is one of the area’s most remarkable Roman ruins. Once used to transport water to the ancient city of Tarraco (now Tarragona), today the aqueduct is surrounded by wooded trails, and the walkway along the top offers sweeping views.More
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#4

Ferrari Land

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Go full throttle at Ferrari Land, the only theme park in Europe devoted to all things Ferrari. Located next to PortAventura theme park outside Barcelona and itself part of PortAventura World, Ferrari Land offers high-speed thrills—including Europe’s highest and fastest vertical accelerator—cutting-edge racing simulators, test tracks, and more.More
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#5

House of Illusion

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Once the sun goes down on the beaches of Salou, head to the House of Illusion to catch its popular magic show. This fan favorite offers evening performances with theatrical magicians, family-friendly comedy, and light-hearted mind-reading acts. Opt for the earlier dinner show or the late evening slot for drinks and entertainment.More
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#6

El Roc de Sant Gaietà

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While it looks like yet another classic Mediterranean fishing village, El Roc de Sant Gaietà is a recent addition to the coast up from the city of Tarragona. This scenic village on the Costa Dorada incorporates a mix of Romanesque, Arabic, and Gothic architecture to give its 20th-century waterfront a sense of history.More
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#7

Freixenet Winery (Celler Freixenet)

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Cava is one of Catalonia’s greatest exports, so take the time to sample some at Freixenet Winery in Altes Penedes. This almost century-old vineyard—which makes for an easy day trip from Barcelona—is perhaps the country’s best-known cava producer. Here you can learn about the history and production of cava, and ride an underground train through the cellars to the tasting room.More
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#8

PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park

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Find a family-friendly place to play at this Costa Dorada water park. With its 16 pools and attractions, the PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park features lush, Caribbean-inspired pools and greenery. Visitors of all ages can explore the indoor-outdoor campus, with options that range from a laid-back lazy river to adventurous slides and waves.More
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#9

Bodegas Torres

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A trip to Barcelona isn’t complete without sampling some of Catalonia’s renowned wines, and Bodegas Torres—Spain’s largest winery—is the perfect place to start. A sprawling vineyard that reaches across the Penedès region, the winery is owned by the Torres family, whose winemaking legacy dates back more than 140 years.More
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#10

MonNatura Delta de l'Ebre

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At the MónNatura Delta de l’Ebre Nature Reserve—one of Western Europe’s largest wetlands—you can see the restored La Tancada salt works, try your hand at traditional fishing, and, with luck, spot flamingos and other wetland birds. Plus, the observatory offers 360-degree views of the salt pans.More
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#11

Sant Sadurni d'Anoia

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The municipality of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia is the center of production for cava, Spain’s version of Champagne. The area is home to some 100 wineries specializing in the production and export of the sparkling wine, and travelers can visit vineyards, tour production facilities, and taste some of Spain’s best cavas at their source.More
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#12
Aquópolis Costa Dorada

Aquópolis Costa Dorada

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The Aquópolis Costa Dorada is a water park and dolphinarium in Tarragona, Spain. The park features high excitement water rides for adults like the Splash, Kamikaze, Hurricane, Surf Waimea, Boomerang and Black Hole, as well as more moderate rides like the Vulcano River, Wave Beach, Magic Oval and Blue Lagoon. For kids under 10, there is a Mini Park in the center of Children's Lake featuring a shallow pool, waterfalls, water jets and water pistols. The Funny Jungle gives slightly older kids the chance to test their agility and user their imagination.The park’s dolphinarium has six pools, including one for young sea lions and one for exhibitions. The exhibition pool has a long glass screen that allows visitors to watch the dolphins and sea lions from under the water. The Dolphin Encounter experience gives guests a guided visit that includes an education talk and the opportunity to interact with dolphins in the water.More

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Top activities in Tarragona

House of Illusion Magic Show with Drinks

House of Illusion Magic Show with Drinks

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$45.72
Tour 2 hours Quad Safari Salou

Tour 2 hours Quad Safari Salou

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$158.04
per group
Tarragona Highlights Private Tour

Tarragona Highlights Private Tour

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$136.24
Private Wine and Oil Tour in the Priorat Wine Region

Private Wine and Oil Tour in the Priorat Wine Region

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$283.38
Priorat Wine Tasting Tour from Salou

Priorat Wine Tasting Tour from Salou

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$47.90
Amidst the Vineyards: Wineries & Lunch!
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Amidst the Vineyards: Wineries & Lunch!

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$150.00
Tour 1 hour QUAD Safari

Tour 1 hour QUAD Safari

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$98.09
per group
Guided Tour of Roman Tarragona

Guided Tour of Roman Tarragona

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$13.08
Tour monastery Poblet

Tour monastery Poblet

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$47.90
Siurana medieval tour Village

Siurana medieval tour Village

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$43.54
Tarragona Cathedral Skip the Line Entrance Ticket

Tarragona Cathedral Skip the Line Entrance Ticket

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$11.99
Scuba Diving For Beginners

Scuba Diving For Beginners

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$92.64
Broadway Musicals! West End Extravaganza

Broadway Musicals! West End Extravaganza

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$43.54
Caves prehistory of Esplugues Francolí

Caves prehistory of Esplugues Francolí

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$46.81
Skip the Line: MónNatura Delta de l'Ebre Entrance Ticket

Skip the Line: MónNatura Delta de l'Ebre Entrance Ticket

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$10.90
Visit winery and wine tasting

Visit winery and wine tasting

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$13.08
Private Transfer from Tarragona Cruise Terminal to Barcelona

Private Transfer from Tarragona Cruise Terminal to Barcelona

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$281.20
per group
paragliding Salou

paragliding Salou

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$163.43
Montserrat, Sagrada Familia & Barcelona Private Tour - From Salou/Tarragona

Montserrat, Sagrada Familia & Barcelona Private Tour - From Salou/Tarragona

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$359.67
Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Salou - ROUND TRIP

Transfer from Barcelona Airport to Salou - ROUND TRIP

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$906.81
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All about Tarragona

When to visit

Following the heat and crowds of summer, you’d think that Tarragona would get quieter come September. But fall brings with it the city’s largest festival—Santa Tecla. This festival dedicated to Tarragona’s patron saint is full of food, pyrotechnics, and its signature activity, human towers (similar to human pyramids). Another appealingly lively festival in Tarragona to see is Carnival with its parades and concerts.

Getting around

Visitors focused on the historical center of Tarragona and the neighboring Eixample area will find walking the simplest way to get about. If you’re traveling farther or don’t fancy tackling the steeper streets in the city center, your options are either to use one of the city’s few bus lines, get a taxi, or drive yourself. The Nos. 11 and 12 buses are the most useful for reaching the different beaches along Tarragona’s coast.

Traveler tips

Rambla Nova is a beautiful boulevard through the heart of Tarragona that on Fridays hosts the Sant Quadrat Market, where you can find antiques, books, and more. The park within this long street also welcomes the DO Tarragona Wine Fair in May and June, so it’s always a good idea to stop by the street and see what’s happening.

Attractions
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Tours
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Reviews
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People Also Ask

Is it worth visiting Tarragona?

Yes, the city of Tarragona is worth visiting for tourists traveling in this part of Spain. As a destination, Tarragona appeals to many interests, from food and history to culture and leisure, meaning you can pick the parts of the city that appeal to you to tailor your visit.

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How do you spend a day in Tarragona?

There are a variety of ways to spend a day in Tarragona. You could focus on Tarragona’s many historical sites around Part Alta; you could explore the city’s culture at the selection of museums around the port; or you could take it easy at a beach or two.

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What is Tarragona best known for?

Tarragona is best known for being an ancient port city that still has several preserved ancient ruins, including its Roman amphitheater and Roman circus. The city has an important port today, and it is one of the main cruise ports on Spain’s Costa Daurada, making it recognizable to many cruise-goers.

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How many days do I need in Tarragona?

It’s best to allow at least two days in Tarragona for your visit. You can comfortably experience the main highlights in central Tarragona and still have time to visit outer attractions such as the Ferreres Aqueduct and PortAventura Park or beaches farther from the city.

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Can you walk around Tarragona?

Yes, walking in Tarragona is a good way to get around, particularly when sightseeing in the historical center as this part of the city has quite a few pedestrian streets. It’s also possible to walk out to Tarragona’s port and beaches; however, it can take some time to reach them.

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Does Tarragona have an old town?

Yes, Tarragona has an old town, which is the Part Alta neighborhood of the city. This historic part of the city is between the ancient ruins of the Roman Wall and Circ Romà. It’s centered on the Pla de la Seu square and is home to some quiet narrow streets.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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