Tarragona

Day 1: Roman Tarraco and the Part Alta

Start where Tarragona’s story begins: on the hill of the ancient provincial capital. Today is about orienting yourself among Roman grandeur layered with medieval streets and sea views. Wear good walking shoes; much of the old town is cobbled and hilly.

• Morning: Pick up the Passi Monumental at the Praetorium, climb the tower for a city overview, then descend into the Roman circus vaults. Continue along the Passeig Arqueològic beside the Roman walls to see Iberian foundations under Roman ashlar; go early for shade and quieter paths.
• Midday: Visit the Cathedral of Santa Tecla and its cloister (transitional Romanesque-Gothic, built over the Temple of Augustus), then take a leisurely vermut and light lunch around Plaça del Fòrum. If you’re here in May, look out for Tarraco Viva pop-up reenactments in nearby squares.
• Afternoon: Walk to the amphitheatre above Platja del Miracle; check the MHT website for current access during restoration—if closed, the best view is from Parc del Miracle or the Balcó del Mediterrani. Stroll the Rambla Nova for gelato and sea breezes.
• Evening: Dine in a restaurant tucked into the circus’ stone vaults near Plaça de la Font. On a weekday, drop into a castellers rehearsal (Xiquets de Tarragona or Colla Jove) to watch towers take shape; otherwise stroll the beach for a night swim in summer.

Day 2: Aqueducts, quarries, and the port

Step outside the walls to see the infrastructure that powered Tarraco, then return to the waterfront for museums and fresh fish. Today mixes light hiking with easy urban exploring.

• Morning: Bus L5 or drive to the Pont del Diable (Les Ferreres Aqueduct) and walk its top channel (no rail—avoid if you have vertigo); allow 60–90 minutes for the park. If you have a car, add El Mèdol Roman quarry to see the 16 m needle and learn where Tarraco’s golden stone came from.
• Midday: Head to El Serrallo, the traditional fishing district, for a seafood lunch; book ahead at weekends. Time your walk by the docks to coincide with the late-afternoon fish auction (check local times as they vary with season).
• Afternoon: Visit MNAT’s collection at Tinglado 4 on the Moll de Costa (the main museum is being refurbished), then see the nearby Roman theatre site and the Colonial Forum in the lower town to connect artefacts with place. Easy, flat walking along the waterfront makes this a relaxed cultural loop.
• Evening: Sunset along the Moll de Costa promenade, then dinner back in El Serrallo. If you’re here in May, Tarraco Viva often programmes evening talks or performances; in cooler months, cosy up with a glass of local vermouth on the Rambla.

Day 3: Costa Daurada coves and Tamarit

Finish with Tarragona’s other soul: its golden coast. Choose between easy-access family beaches or a short hike to wild coves; bring water, sun protection, and trainers for the paths.

• Morning: For a wilder day, take bus 16 or drive to Platja Llarga and follow the Camí de Ronda through the Bosc de la Marquesa to Cala Fonda (Waikiki) in 15–20 minutes (naturist etiquette: photos are a no-go; keep it discreet). Prefer easy access? Opt for L’Arrabassada’s Blue Flag bay with ramps and amenities.
• Midday: Picnic under pines behind Platja Llarga or eat at a xiringuito (summer only; prices higher than in town). Midday heat is strong June–August—swim, rest, shade.
• Afternoon: Continue the path to Cala Jovera for the postcard view beneath Tamarit Castle, then on to Platja de Tamarit; return by bus/taxi if you’ve gone one-way. History lovers can add the Roman villa of Els Munts (near Altafulla) for mosaics and sea views.
• Evening: Back in town, time your plans to the season: in late September, Santa Tecla’s Seguici Popular, castells in Plaça de les Cols, and the correfoc (wear cotton, cover up); mid-August brings Sant Magí’s water-centred events; winter features Carnival parades and Holy Week processions. Otherwise, graze tapas around Plaça del Rei and Carrer Merceria and toast the trip with local Chartreuse and lemon granissat.

By Air

• Reus (REU) – approx. 12 km. 15–20 min by taxi. Seasonal flights (mainly low-cost/charters). Limited bus links to Tarragona bus station (around 20–30 min; check Autocares Plana schedules).
• Barcelona–El Prat (BCN) – approx. 85 km. 55–75 min by car. Direct buses to Tarragona (about 1h15–1h35; Autocares Plana from T1/T2). By train: Rodalies R2 Nord from T2 to Barcelona Sants (≈20 min), then Regional (R14/R15/R16) to Tarragona city (≈1h10–1h30). Fastest: high-speed from Barcelona Sants to Camp de Tarragona (≈30–40 min) + 15–20 min bus/taxi to the centre.
• Valencia (VLC) – approx. 250 km. 2.5–3 h by car. Rail options to Camp de Tarragona/Tarragona (≈2h15–3h, Euromed/Intercity/Regional); some long-distance buses (≈3.5–4 h).
• Girona–Costa Brava (GRO) – approx. 200 km. 2–2.5 h by car. Rail via Barcelona (change at Sants).

By Train

• Stations:
  • Tarragona (city centre): Regional/Media Distancia services (R14, R15, R16) and some long‑distance.
  • Camp de Tarragona (high‑speed, ≈15 km from centre): AVE/Avlo/Ouigo; connected by local bus and taxis (≈15–25 min).
• From Barcelona:
  • Regional to Tarragona city: ≈1h10–1h30, every 30–60 min from Sants/Estació de França via Vilanova or via Sant Vicenç.
  • High‑speed to Camp de Tarragona: ≈30–40 min, frequent daily.
• From Madrid (Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes): AVE/Avlo/Ouigo to Camp de Tarragona ≈2h15–2h45.
• From Valencia/Castelló: Euromed/Intercity/Regional to Camp de Tarragona or Tarragona city ≈2h15–3h.
• From Zaragoza/Delicias: AVE to Camp de Tarragona ≈1 h.

By Bus

• Main terminal: Estació d’Autobusos (Carrer Pere Martell, near Plaça Imperial Tàrraco).
• Barcelona Airport (T1/T2) and Barcelona city: frequent direct services by Autocares Plana to Tarragona (≈1h15–1h45).
• Costa Daurada links: very frequent local buses (Plana) to Salou, Cambrils, La Pineda and Reus.
• Southbound/Valencian Community: Hife (and other operators) towards Terres de l’Ebre, Castelló and València (check timetables).

By Car

• Main routes: AP‑7 (coast, toll‑free), A‑7 (local dual carriageway), AP‑2/A‑2 from Zaragoza/Lleida, N‑340 (coast road).
• Approximate drive times: Barcelona ≈1–1h15 (≈100 km); Zaragoza ≈2h15 (≈230 km); Valencia ≈2.5–3 h (≈250 km); Reus ≈20 min (≈14 km).
• Parking: restricted access in the Part Alta (Old Town). Use central car parks around Rambla Nova/Avinguda Catalunya or edge‑of‑centre parking and walk.