Tarragona

City · Catalonia, 🇪🇸 Spain

Tarragona is a port city on the Mediterranean coast of Catalonia, about 90 km southwest of Barcelona. It was a major Roman capital, and its Roman ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city has a hill-top old town, a seaside amphitheatre and sandy beaches close to the center. It suits one or two days of history, with time for the beach.

Printable tourist map

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When to visit

Late spring and early autumn are the best seasons, with warm days and a sea that is good for swimming. Summer is hot. Winter is mild and mostly dry.

The biggest event is the Santa Tecla festival around 23 September. It has human towers (castells), giant figures and street parties.

Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, September, October

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Fair

13° (feels like 9°) · extremes 1°–17°
5° at night
6 rainy days
10 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in February

Good

14° (feels like 10°) · extremes 1°–19°
5° at night
5 rainy days
13 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
13°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Good

17° (feels like 13°) · extremes 4°–22°
8° at night
7 rainy days
16 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Great

19° (feels like 16°) · extremes 6°–23°
10° at night
8 rainy days
15 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Great

22° (feels like 21°) · extremes 9°–27°
13° at night
7 rainy days
18 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
18°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

27° (feels like 26°) · extremes 14°–31°
17° at night
5 rainy days
20 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
22°C · cool for a dip
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

29° (feels like 30°) · extremes 17°–33°
20° at night
4 rainy days
24 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in August

Good

29° (feels like 30°) · extremes 17°–34°
21° at night
7 rainy days
21 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
26°C · warm for swimming
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in September

Great

25° (feels like 26°) · extremes 14°–29°
18° at night
10 rainy days
16 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Great

22° (feels like 21°) · extremes 10°–27°
14° at night
9 rainy days
13 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
22°C · cool for a dip
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Good

16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 4°–21°
9° at night
6 rainy days
11 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
18°C · cool for a dip
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Good

13° (feels like 10°) · extremes 1°–17°
6° at night
6 rainy days
9 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

Tarragona CathedralBuilt in the 12th century on the site of a 10th-century mosque, the cathedral is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

Ferreres AqueductThe Ferreres Aqueduct, also known as the Pont del Diable, is an ancient bridge, part of one of the Roman aqueducts that supplied water to…

Roman AmphitheaterTarragona Amphitheatre is a Roman amphitheatre in the city of Tarraco, now Tarragona, in the Catalonia region of north-east Spain.

Archaeological Ensemble of TarracoTarragona was once a famous Roman town and its remains can be found in the city today.

Tarragona National Archaeological MuseumThe National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona is a public museum located in the city of Tarragona focusing on its rich historical…

Scipio TowerTorre dels Escipions is a funerary tower built by the Romans on the outskirts of Tarraco, an ancient Roman city that corresponds to the…

Amfiteatre Romà stands beside the sea and was used for gladiator fights in Roman times. It is the city's best-known sight.
Tárraco is the Roman city. Walls, a circus and a forum are spread across the center.
Museu Arqueològic de Tarragona shows mosaics and objects from Roman Tarraco.
Catedral de Tarragona is a large church on the highest point of the old town. It mixes Romanesque and Gothic styles and has a cloister.
Ferreres Aqueduct is a Roman aqueduct bridge a few km north of the city, called the Devil's Bridge.
Scipio Tower is a Roman tomb tower beside an old road outside the city.
The Balcó del Mediterrani is a viewpoint at the end of the Rambla Nova, high above the sea.

Featured Lists

Mark.thurman92 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tarragona Essentials

Explore the former capital of the Roman province of Hispania Citerior through its UNESCO-listed monuments. This collection highlights the 1st-century chariot racing circus, the seaside amphitheater, and the ancient city walls. Beyond its Roman heritage, the list includes the transitional Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, the 19th-century Rambla Nova boulevard, and the Modernist central market, all set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean coast.

11 places

Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0

Roman Heritage of Tarraco

Tarragona, once the Roman capital of Hispania Citerior known as Tárraco, holds some of the most significant archaeological remains in the Mediterranean. This UNESCO World Heritage list features the 2nd-century amphitheater built overlooking the sea, the remarkably preserved 1st-century circus used for chariot racing, and the Roman theater. These sites illustrate the city's historical importance as a provincial administrative center, showcasing monumental architecture including the Praetorium Tower and the remains of the Provincial Forum.

7 places

CC-BY-SA-3.0

Cultural Highlights of Tarragona

Tarragona’s cultural landscape bridges its ancient Roman origins with Catalan Modernism and local traditions. This collection features the National Archaeological Museum and the Roman Torre del Pretori alongside Josep Maria Jujol’s modernist Teatre Metropol. It also highlights the city's living heritage, including the Monument als Castellers and the Casa de la Festa, which houses the elements of the Santa Tecla festival. Historic noble residences like Casa Castellarnau and Casa Canals offer insight into the city's aristocratic past.

14 places

What to experience

Watch a castells display during the Santa Tecla festival. Teams build human towers several levels high in the city squares.
Eat seafood at the Serrallo, the old fishermen's quarter by the port.

Tours & Activities

Tarragona — Map

Tarragona — Printable Tourist Map Open the interactive map

Day trips

Salou (about 12 km, 20 minutes by bus or car): a beach resort. The PortAventura theme park is nearby.
Cambrils (about 20 km, 25 minutes by car): a fishing port known for seafood.
Poblet Monastery (about 45 km, 50 minutes by car): a large Cistercian monastery in the hills.
Barcelona (about 1 hour by train): the regional capital.

Where to explore

Other places nearby:

Coast: Salou and Cambrils for beaches.
Big city: Barcelona is the nearest large city.

Getting there

By air: Reus airport (REU) is about 12 km away. Barcelona airport (BCN) is about 90 km away.
By train: Regional trains from Barcelona take about 1 hour 10 minutes to Tarragona station, near the sea. High-speed trains stop at Camp de Tarragona, about 10 km outside the city, so check which station your ticket uses. Book on Renfe.
By bus: Buses link Tarragona with Barcelona and the coast.

Getting around

On foot: The old town and the Roman sights are compact, but the old town is on a hill.
Cycling: Cycling is possible along the sea, but the old town is steep.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Not for the center. A car helps for the aqueduct and for trips along the coast.
Parking: Use a car park near the Rambla Nova or the port.
Restrictions: Streets in the old town are narrow, and some are closed to normal traffic.

Food & drink

Tarragona is the home of romesco, a sauce of peppers, nuts and garlic served with fish and vegetables. Seafood is very fresh, and rice dishes are common.

Go to the Serrallo district near the port for fish restaurants. The Rambla Nova and the streets of the old town have many bars for tapas.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Tarragona is a safe city. Keep your bag closed on the beach and in crowded streets in summer. In hot weather the Roman sites have little shade, so carry water.

History

The Romans founded Tarraco in the 3rd century BC, and it became the capital of a large province. The Amfiteatre Romà dates from the 2nd century AD.

After Rome, the city declined and later grew again in the Middle Ages. Catedral de Tarragona was built from the 12th century on the site of a Roman temple area. Today the Roman monuments and the medieval center sit side by side.