Tarragona, Spain cruises
Tarragona port guide
Visions of Roman ruins sit alongside a bustling beach front, complete with enticing bars and restaurants. Museums displaying mosaics demonstrate ancient creativity, while urban art in Pilon’s Street and beyond offer a window into more current local expression. In the medieval old quarter, find manor houses and Gothic architecture, all overseen by the imposing 12-th century cathedral. Ponder the different worlds that today sit side by side in this sun-drenched Mediterranean city, that’s home to UNESCO World Heritage site, The Archaeological Ensemble of Tarraco.
Top landmarks and sights in Tarragona
As an integral city in the Roman Empire, remnants of Tarragona’s past help to illustrate the city’s fascinating story. Explore at your own pace, maybe wandering around the interiors of its landmarks, or perhaps just passing by, admiring the ornate architecture as you do.
Amfiteatre de Tarragona
Dating back to the 2nd century, Tarragona’s Roman amphitheatre is in an idyllic location, adjacent to a popular white sand beach – Playa El Miracle. Explore the ruins and think of up to 15,000 spectators, perhaps watching as wild beasts or gladiators fought, or even the public executions. Saint Fructuosus of Tarragona and two deacons are thought to have been executed here during Christian persecutions in the mid-3rd century, and the remains of two churches built to commemorate these martyrs are also located here.
Tarragona Cathedral
The old quarter, Parta Alta, is located on the highest ground in Tarragona, with the cathedral towering above the city. It’s on the site of an ancient Roman temple and a Moorish Mosque, with the cathedral itself being erected in around the 12th century. Witness the merging of Gothic and Romanesque stylings as you wander around this incredible building, inside and out.
The Ferreres Aqueduct
Roughly two and a half miles outside of Tarragona is the Ferreres Aqueduct, also known as Pont del Diable (Devil’s Bridge). This ancient structure once formed part of the system of Roman aqueducts that supplied water to the city. You can get to this interesting site by bus, or you could even opt to take the scenic route – a wonderful riverside walk that takes 90 minutes to two hours.
Things to do in Tarragona
There are all kinds of other ways to get to know this beautiful Catalonian city. When you’ve had your fill of monuments, or if indeed, you’re looking for something a little different, choose anything from an informative few hours in a museum to adrenaline-pumping adventure.
Walk the archaeological promenade
Eons of history. A gentle Mediterranean breeze. Vistas of golden architecture being kissed by the sun. Take it all in at your own speed with a wander around the old city walls, or the ‘Passeig Arqueològic Muralles’. There are two sets of walls - the inner being Roman, dating back to around the third century BC, and the outer set British, built in in the early 18th century.
Brace yourself at Port Aventura
Just over six miles out of Tarragona is PortAventura, a renowned adventure park that lures in fun-seekers of all ages. With a waterpark boasting exhilarating slides, and rollercoasters to suit the young, old, and fearless, a few hours spent here is sure to leave with you some exciting, treasured memories to look back on. PortAventura is also home to Ferrari Land, where you’ll find Red Force - Europe’s fastest and highest rollercoaster.
Appreciate mosaic art
A visit to the Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona brings you that bit closer to ancient Tarragona – or Tarraco as it was known then. Within the museum explore a collection of mosaics that help illuminate the artistic trends of the Roman era, with simple black and white designs as well as more elaborate, colourful mosaics dating back to the 3rd century, with depictions like Medusa and an underwater scene.
Eating and drinking near Tarragona
Tarragona offers up bountiful ingredients hailing from land and sea. The Prades Mountains not only serve as the city’s impressive backdrop, but also a source of flavorsome produce. One of the region’s most famous delicacies is calçots with Romesco sauce. Similar to spring onions, for this dish calçots are roasted over a fire and served with a sauce made from olive oil, nuts, paprika, and other herbs. It’s a delicious starter or a side dish to look out for on many menus.
Another, very local, favorite is the cloxta – a kind of sandwich made using hollowed out crusty bread. Originally created as a convenient lunch for those working in the fields and mountains, today the cloxta is enjoyed by all. Some popular fillings include herring, tomatoes, onions, and sardines.
For a taste of something sweet, the neighboring town of Reus can be thanked for introducing the wider region to Menjar blanc. This creamy dessert is made with milk, sugar, almonds, lemon, and cinnamon, and provides a light and delicious way to end your lunch or dinner.
Shopping in Tarragona
Should you wish to indulge in a little retail therapy, Tarragona’s main street – Rambla Nova – offers plenty to capture your interest. Running from the main square - Plaça Imperial Tàrraco – to the pretty ‘Mediterranean Balcony’ look out point, on this strip you’ll find all manner of quaint boutiques and designer shops, as well as cafes, bars, and restaurants. Be sure to wander down some of the side streets too and look out for ancient ruins inside the shops themselves, which can be seen behind displays of art, jewellery, and antiques.
Getting around: Tarragona transport
The cruise port in Tarragona is around a 15-minute drive from the city center, and shuttle buses and taxis are available to transport you. When you’re in the center, most of the highlights are within walking distance from each other, meaning you won’t need public transport. Should you wish to travel further out, there is a bus network that’s frequent and reliable, as well as plenty of taxis.
Tarragona port facilities
Opening in June 2024, the Tarragona cruise port features a cafe, gift shop, and tourist information center, as well as basic amenities like waiting areas, toilets, and free Wi-Fi.
Top tips for Tarragona
Currency
As with the rest of Spain, the currency used in Tarragona is the Euro. There are plenty of ATMs throughout the city, from which you can draw out cash if you wish, or you could also purchase Euros on board your ship. While most establishments do accept card payments, some cash might be useful for tipping or smaller purchases.
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory in Tarragona, or indeed Spain, however it is greatly appreciated as a reward for good service. In this case, it’s customary to leave roughly 10% of your bill, or round it up to the nearest 10.
Weather
The warmest months in Tarragona are June to September, when daytime temperatures are between 27 and 30° degrees Celsius. The cooler, winter months are November to February, when the temperature is a mild 15° degrees Celsius or so. The coldest month is usually January, when lows can get to 5° degrees Celsius. The region does see some rainfall, mostly in October.