Saragossa

Spring and autumn are the best seasons. Summers are hot and dry. Winters are cold. A strong northwest wind called the cierzo can blow at any time of year and feels cold in winter.

The biggest event is the Fiestas del Pilar in the second week of October. They include parades, concerts and a large offering of flowers to the Virgin of the Pilar.

• Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar is the city's best-known landmark, with eleven domes and four towers beside the Ebro. Inside are paintings by Goya.
• Palacio de la Aljafería is an Islamic palace from the 11th century. Christian kings added to it later, and today it houses the regional parliament.
• Catedral del Salvador is the city's cathedral, known as La Seo. It mixes Romanesque, Gothic, Mudéjar and Baroque styles.
• Puente de Piedra is the old stone bridge over the Ebro. It gives a good view of the Pilar and La Seo.
• Murallas de Zaragoza are the remains of the Roman walls of the city.
• Mercado Central is a market hall from the early 20th century with an iron and glass structure.
• El Tubo is the old network of narrow streets known for tapas bars.

• Join the tapas route in El Tubo. Order a small plate and a drink in one bar, then move on to the next.
• Walk along the Ebro at sunset for views of the Pilar and the Stone Bridge.

• Belchite (about 50 km, 45 minutes by car): the ruins of a village destroyed in the civil war.
• Huesca (about 70 km, 1 hour by train or bus): a small city at the foot of the Pyrenees.
• Tarazona (about 85 km, 1 hour by car or bus): a town known for its Mudéjar buildings.
• Monasterio de Piedra (about 120 km, 1.5 hours by car): a park with waterfalls around a monastery.

Other places in Aragon:

• Huesca and Tarazona are nearby historic towns.
• Benasque is a mountain village in the Pyrenees for hiking and skiing.

• By air: Zaragoza airport (ZAZ) has limited service. Most visitors arrive by train.
• By train: High-speed trains reach Zaragoza-Delicias from Madrid in about 1.5 hours, and from Barcelona in about 1.5 hours. Book on Renfe.
• By bus: Buses link Zaragoza with Madrid, Barcelona and other cities.
• Delicias station is about 3 km from the old town. Use a city bus or taxi.

• On foot: The old town is flat, and most main sights are close together.
• Tram: A tram line crosses the city and stops near the Plaza del Pilar.
• Cycling: The city is flat, and there is a public bike-share system called Bizi.

• Is a car worth it?: Not for the city. A car helps for day trips outside the city.
• Parking: Use a car park near the edge of the old town.
• Restrictions: Parts of the old town are closed to normal traffic.

Aragon is known for ternasco, roast young lamb, and for borrajas, a green vegetable. Local sweets include frutas de Aragón, candied fruit covered in chocolate. Red wine from nearby Cariñena is common.

For tapas, go to El Tubo, the narrow streets near the Plaza del Pilar. The Mercado Central is good for a quick lunch.

Zaragoza is a safe city. Keep your bag closed in crowded streets such as El Tubo at night.

In summer, the heat is strong. Drink water and avoid the hottest hours.

The Romans founded the city as Caesaraugusta around 14 BC. Parts of the Murallas de Zaragoza still stand.

The Moors held the city from the 8th century. In the 11th century they built Palacio de la Aljafería. King Alfonso I of Aragon took the city in 1118 and made it his capital. The Pilar basilica, Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, was built much later, from the 17th century.

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