Upon arriving at your vacation villa in Spain, you may be curious to travel a little further outside Barcelona as the surrounding towns and cities are just as picturesque and eventful. Consider taking a journey by train to the fascinating city of Zaragoza. The AVE high speed train operates out of Barcelona Sants Station each hour and can have you sipping a café con leche in Zaragoza in just over 2 hours and 15 minutes. If you do fancy making the journey, here are a few of the wonderful sights you can expect to see in this historic and charming city.

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Zaragoza has more 2,000 years of history and is one of Spain’s most loved cities. Located on the banks of the Ebro River, it is also the capital of the Aragon region of Spain and has one of the greatest artistic and historical legacies in the country. However, due to its geographical location it is often overlooked.

Here you will find Baroque gems such as the Goya designed Pilar Basilica, which sits on the banks of the Ebro river, the Circus Roman ruins, Mudejar style churches, and the Aljaferia Palace, to name but a few. There are remnants of the Roman era, and many buildings of significance that reference the ancient Moors, Jewish, and Christian communities. If art, architecture, and history are high up on your holiday itinerary, this is the city for you.

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In addition to the city’s superb historical references, it also has a modern feel to it. Zaragoza has fabulous shopping with many bustling street markets and contemporary shopping malls. The regional dishes of the Aragonese can be found in the form of tapas and should be sampled in one of the many bars throughout the city. The local specialty is called longaniza, an herb-infused pork sausage that is traditional to the region. Alternatively try the locally caught trout stuffed with bacon and peppers or pan fried with lemon juice.

Zaragoza is a warm, inspiring, and inviting city that can be easily reached by train from Barcelona. Explore the ancient city walls, the museums, the cathedral, and the many tapas bars and terrace restaurants.

If you are thinking of booking your vacation rental in Spain, make sure a day trip to Zaragoza is on your itinerary.

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