Tarragona holidays

Holidays to Tarragona line up a winning combination of ancient sites, sandy sweeps and top-rated restaurants.

A bit of everything

Tarragona’s nestled on the Costa Dorada, around an hour’s drive southwest of Barcelona. It’s the smallest of Catalonia’s province capitals, but it packs in just as much culture and history as any big city. Roman ruins and a top-notch archaeological museum are two of the big draws, along with a stand-out food scene and a collection of honey-hued beaches.

Roman ruins

With 13 UNESCO-stamped relics in its locker, Tarragona’s the second most important Roman site in Spain. The seafront amphitheatre steals a lot of the limelight – it was carved into the hillside leading up from the beach, and was used to stage gladiator contests in the second century AD. The Roman Circus is another highlight. While most of it lies beneath the old town, you can still see sections of the walls and tunnels.

Golden beaches

Costa Dorada literally translates to ‘golden coast’, so it’s easy to imagine what the beaches around here look like. There are several scattered along Tarragona’s 15-kilometre stretch of coastline, a few of which are within walking distance of the city centre. The sand’s flour-soft, and the water’s glass-clear. While you’re at the seafront, the marina’s worth a visit, too – it’s usually packed with sailing boats and small yachts.

Stand-out seafood

Tarragona’s cuisine reflects its history, and thanks to its fishing port, the city is known for its top-quality seafood. Fresh shellfish features on many a restaurant menu, and ingredients change depending on the catch of the day. Seafood paella and grilled fish are two of the most popular picks, and cassola de romesco is a must-try – it’s a shellfish casserole made with a rich, nutty sauce.