Zaragoza Holidays: Basilica, Aljafería and City Guide
Provincia de Zaragoza · Aragon · Spain · 686,986 residents
Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
Aljafería
Cathedral of the Savior in his Epiphany of Zaragoza
Basilica of Saint Engratia
Saragossa MuseumZaragoza is no seaside resort. It is the capital of Aragon, an inland city of almost 687,000 people sitting about 700 feet above sea level, and its appeal is culture first. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar anchors the centre, with the Cathedral of the Savior and the Goya Museum a short stroll away, while the Aljafería sits about a mile out. For British travellers the practical draw is access: Zaragoza airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 9 miles from town. Late spring and early autumn bring the most comfortable weather, while July and August run well into the mid-thirties.
Why go
- The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and the Cathedral of the Savior stand barely a street apart.
- Zaragoza airport has direct UK flights and lies about 12 minutes' drive from the city.
- May, June, September and October bring warm, mostly dry days between 23°C and 31°C.
Top sights in Zaragoza
Basilicas, Museums and the Aljafería
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, a co-cathedral and minor basilica, is the city's defining sight and stands right at the centre. The Aljafería, listed as cultural property, is about a mile away and makes a natural second stop. Back near the basilica, within a few hundred yards, you will find the Cathedral of the Savior in his Epiphany, the Goya Museum (Ibercaja Collection, Camón Aznar Museum), the diocesan Alma Mater Museum and the Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta, almost on the basilica's doorstep.
A little further out, around half a mile from the centre, the Basilica of Saint Engratia, the Saragossa Museum and the Abbey of Santa Engracia, a monastery established no later than the 6th century, sit close together. The bullring lies about three-quarters of a mile away, and the Monastery of Comendadoras Canonesas del Santo Sepulcro, the Dominican Convent and the Monastery of Santa Lucía, roughly 2.4 miles out, round off a city thick with religious heritage.
Tours and tickets for Zaragoza can be booked directly on this page, with around 59 activities listed.
- 1Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
- 2Aljafería
- 3Cathedral of the Savior in his Epiphany of Zaragoza
- 4Basilica of Saint Engratia
- 5Saragossa Museum
- 6bullring of Zaragoza
- 7Goya Museum - Ibercaja Collection - Camón Aznar Museum
- 8Abbey of Santa Engracia
- 9Alma Mater Museum
- 10Monastery of Comendadoras Canonesas del Santo Sepulcro
- 11Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta
- 12Dominican Convent, Zaragoza
1cathedralBasilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
In the centre · Photo
Co-cathedral and minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church in Zaragoza, Spain
- 2castle
- 3cathedral
Cathedral of the Savior in his Epiphany of Zaragoza
In the centre · Photo
cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church in Zaragoza, Spain. cultural property in Zaragoza, Spain
- 4basilica
- 5museum
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6amphitheatre.jpg/500px-El_sue%C3%B1o_de_la_raz%C3%B3n_produce_monstruos_(Museo_Ibercaja_Cam%C3%B3n_Aznar).jpg)
7museum.jpg/500px-1806-1820%2C_Voyage_pittoresque_et_historique_de_l'Espagne%2C_tomo_II%2C_Vista_exterior_del_convento_de_Santa_Engracia_(cropped).jpg)
8monasteryAbbey of Santa Engracia
In the centre · Photo
Hieronymiten monastery in Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain, established no later than the 6th century
9museum
10monasteryMonastery of Comendadoras Canonesas del Santo Sepulcro
In the centre · Photo
cultural property in Zaragoza, Spain
11museum
12monastery
Tours & tickets in Zaragoza
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Zaragoza can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Zaragoza
Staying Central or Further Out
Most of Zaragoza's major sights cluster within a few hundred yards of the Basilica of the Pillar, so staying in the old centre puts the cathedrals and several museums on foot. This is a large city rather than a quiet retreat, so expect city life around the centre.
There is no coast here, so the choice is between the historic core and the wider city; the Aljafería and the bullring, both around a mile out, suit those happy to walk or take a short ride in. The page shows live hotel prices for Zaragoza.
Best time to visit Zaragoza
When to Visit Zaragoza
- 12°CJan33 mm
- 14°CFeb27 mm
- 17°CMar43 mm
- 21°CApr47 mm
- 26°CMay32 mm
- 31°CJun33 mm
- 35°CJul12 mm
- 34°CAug12 mm
- 28°CSept30 mm
- 23°COct46 mm
- 16°CNov50 mm
- 13°CDec25 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are May, June, September and October. May averages highs of 26°C, June 31°C, September 28°C and October 23°C, with only four to seven rainy days a month.
July and August are the hottest months, with highs of 35°C and 34°C and nights around 20°C, though they are also the driest, with roughly 12 mm of rain each. November is the wettest month at about 50 mm over eight days, and winter is cool, with January highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. As an inland city, there is no sea temperature to consider.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 12°C | 4°C | 33 mm | 7 h |
| Feb | 14°C | 5°C | 27 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 7°C | 43 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 21°C | 9°C | 47 mm | 11 h |
| May | 26°C | 13°C | 32 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 31°C | 17°C | 33 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 35°C | 20°C | 12 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 34°C | 20°C | 12 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 28°C | 16°C | 30 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 23°C | 13°C | 46 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 16°C | 8°C | 50 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 13°C | 5°C | 25 mm | 7 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Drive Times and Driving Down
Zaragoza airport (ZAZ) is the obvious choice: it has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies about 9 miles from the city, roughly a 12-minute drive.
Reus (REU), also served by direct UK flights, is about 112 miles away, around 2 hours 40 minutes by car. Valencia (VLC), again with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 151 miles away, about 3 hours 35 minutes by road.
There are no ferry ports in the facts for this route, but driving from Calais takes around 15 hours 15 minutes, so most people split it over two days.
By air
- Zaragoza (ZAZ)9 miles, about 12 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Reus (REU)112 miles, about 2 h 39 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Valencia (VLC)151 miles, about 3 h 35 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 15 h 14 min without stops.
Zaragoza is good for
Around Zaragoza
Day Trips Across Aragon and Navarre
Borja is the closest, about 36 miles away, a small town of around 4,400 people. Huesca, a city of nearly 54,000, is about 41 miles north.
Daroca, with roughly 2,200 residents, and Tudela in Navarre, home to about 34,700, are both around 47 miles away. Arguedas, another small Navarre town of around 2,400 people, lies about 52 miles from Zaragoza.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Zaragoza
Treat high summer seriously: with July highs around 35°C, plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings and keep the middle of the day for museums.
Zaragoza is a city of almost 687,000 people and sits inland, so this is a cultural city break rather than a beach holiday. The main sights are close together, so a compact central base keeps walking short, and with the airport so near, even a long weekend is realistic.
Questions people ask
Are there direct flights from the UK to Zaragoza?
Yes. Zaragoza airport (ZAZ) has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies about 9 miles from the city, around 12 minutes by car. Reus and Valencia also have direct UK flights but are roughly 2 hours 40 minutes and 3 hours 35 minutes away by road.
What is the best month to visit Zaragoza?
May, June, September and October offer the most pleasant conditions, with average highs from 23°C in October to 31°C in June and relatively few rainy days. July and August are hotter, at around 34°C to 35°C, while November is the wettest month.
Does Zaragoza have a beach?
No. Zaragoza is an inland city at about 700 feet above sea level, so there is no beach or sea swimming. Its appeal lies in its cathedrals, basilicas, museums and the Aljafería, most of them within easy walking distance of the centre.
What are the main sights in Zaragoza?
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar is the headline sight, followed by the Aljafería about a mile out and the Cathedral of the Savior nearby. The Goya Museum, the Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta and the Saragossa Museum are also close to the centre.
How long does it take to drive from Calais to Zaragoza?
The drive from Calais takes roughly 15 hours 15 minutes, so most British drivers break the journey with an overnight stop. Flying is far quicker, as Zaragoza airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom and is only about 12 minutes from the city.
What day trips can I take from Zaragoza?
Borja is about 36 miles away and Huesca about 41 miles. Daroca and Tudela, in Navarre, are each around 47 miles from the city, and the small Navarre town of Arguedas is about 52 miles away.