Things to Do in Tarragona
If you want to discover Tarragona in a different way and unearth fascinating stories and hidden secrets of this city with more than 2,000 years of history, this tour is for you.
In a fun walk through the old town, we will explore Roman and medieval spaces, lively squares, and ancient paths where the past has not only left its mark but still forms part of the city's present. All this with views of the Mediterranean and a miraculous beach.
Throughout the walk, we will discover some of the most emblematic places in Tarragona while I share curious stories, surprising anecdotes, and local legends that are part of the soul of the city.
For example: did you know that once a year the arm of the city's patron saint, Santa Tecla, comes out of the cathedral to greet people during one of the most vibrant popular festivals in Europe? I will tell you about the mysteries and traditions surrounding this very special celebration, which is a true source of pride for Tarragona.
This is not a tour focused on facts and dates: it is a walk to understand Tarragona through its traditions and the characters who have shaped its local history.
By the end of the walk, you will understand why Tarragona was able to seduce even a Roman emperor more than 2,000 years ago… and why it still retains a special energy in every corner today.
Main places we will see (from the outside) during the walk
- Corners with remnants of the Roman past that are part of local life (Walls, Forum, Circus, and Amphitheater)
- Historic houses, such as Ca l'Agapito and Casa Castellarnau
- Medieval streets
- Plaça de la Font
- Plaça dels Sedassos
- Tarragona Cathedral (exterior)
- Portal del Carro and the story of Sant Magí
- Balcón del Mediterráneo
*** DO YOU SPEAK PORTUGUESE?***
Hey, do you speak Portuguese and want to see Tarragona through the eyes of a Brazilian? I don't have fixed schedules available in Portuguese, but I would be delighted to show you the city in our language. Send me a message and let's arrange it! 🙂
If you like Tarragona because of its history, you will love to immerse yourself in its legends. Labyrinthine alleys where the secrets, the mystery and the less known face of the Roman city await you. Discover a different Tarragona, discover Mysterious Tarraco. The visit will start at the Portal del Roser, through which we will enter the Upper Part of the city, and sheltered from its walls we will discover corners full of history ... hidden. Being a street tour, we will not enter the places we visit, but equally the mystery will be palpated in the environment. The exteriors of the Castellarnau haunted house, the Cathedral of Santa Tecla or the dwelling of an evil tenant, will be some of the stops we will make, among others, during the route. And with luck we will be accompanied by a very peculiar being all the time. So you have to keep your eyes and mind wide open. The route will end at the Balcón del Mediterráneo. Go ahead and discover the Mysterious Tarraco with me in a fun and entertaining way.
Discover the magic of Tarragona on our exciting Free Tour! Join us on an unforgettable journey through the history and beauty of this charming city as we explore its most iconic corners. Are you ready to be amazed? Let's go!
We will meet at the Portal del Roser to begin our adventure alongside the iconic Tarragona wall, the oldest construction of Roman Tarraco and one of its symbols.
We will stroll through the picturesque streets of Cavallers and Major, where you can admire the medieval-style architecture and feel the vibrant atmosphere of the city. Our route will lead us to the staircase that ends at the Pla de la Seu, in the Part Alta of Tarragona, where the majestic Cathedral of Santa Tecla will welcome us. Built on Roman, Visigoth, and Arab sites, its Gothic rose window will impress you. Nearby awaits the historic Plaza del Foro, the ancient center of Roman social and political life, where we can see magnificent vestiges.
But there's much more, as we will approach the National Archaeological Museum and stop before the imposing Pretorio Tower or King's Castle, a fortress where we will find the statue of a mythical character. Do you want to meet Augustus? The first Roman emperor will greet us looking out to sea to tell us about the splendor of this magnificent city's past.
Can you imagine how thrilling the chariot races were? We will head to the Roman Circus, an architectural complex that ended up embedded in the urban center of Tarragona, making it one of the best-preserved in the world.
From here, our steps will lead us to the UNESCO Square, located at a point that connects the upper part and the maritime district. This place commemorates the declaration of the Tarraco archaeological ensemble as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2000, which includes a total of fourteen protected sites!
The time to end the visit is approaching, so we will have to do it in style. We will access the Parque del Miracle, a terraced Roman garden with native Mediterranean plants that acts as a prelude to the Amphitheater, an impressive venue built near the sea where all kinds of shows, such as gladiator fights, were held.
Finally, we will say goodbye from the Balcón del Mediterráneo, a very special viewpoint for the people of Tarragona located at the end of the Rambla Nova, from which you can enjoy a privileged panoramic view of the Mare Nostrum, the port, and the amphitheater. The perfect spot to recommend the best places to taste the city's rich gastronomy, a mix of fresh fish with local agricultural products, to be paired with excellent wines or the typical vermouth as an appetizer.
Have we whetted your appetite? Don't think twice and join our fascinating Free Tour of Tarragona! We guarantee you a unique experience, full of history, beauty, and fun.
We look forward to seeing you!
Tarragona es una ciudad llena de fantasmas, misterios y horrores. Acompáñanos a mirar fijamente al abismo y, como decía el afamado escritor Stephen King, puede "que el abismo también mire hacia tí".
Atrévete a pasear con nosotros por las calles de Tarragona y descubrir los secretos macabros que en ella se esconden. Daremos inicio a nuestro viaje en el Portal del Roser donde nos espera el espíritu de Agnes Sibil·la para contarnos su trágica historia.
A continuación, visitaremos a Agapito en la Plaza del Pallol, pero hay que ser buenos, sino se enfadará y nos reprendera. En el Arc d'En Tonda conoceremos los peligros de los callejones de la ciudad, pero nada comparable al gran incendio que sacudió Tarragona en el 2006, del que sabremos más en el Carrer Comte.
Una dulce niña y su piano nos darán la bienvenida en la Casa Castellarnau, una casa modernista preciosa que guarda un triste secreto. Pero si de secretos hablamos nada puede hacerle sombra a la Calle Mayor y su inconfundible olor a chocolate.
En este punto del recorrido llega el momento de conocer el horror que se vivió en el Barrio Judío y los espíritus malignos de los lémures que habitan el Foro Romano. El horror de las matanzas no acaba aquí, puesto que en la Casa Corderet y la Calle Merceria llegará la Guerra de Independencia.
Para finalizar, y más estando en Tarragona, hablaremos de su patrona Santa Tecla y su martirio.
Ahora la pregunta es, ¿podrás soportar tanto horror?
Want to see the best of Tarragona without getting lost during boring times? Join me on this journey from the blue sea to the ancient walls, discovering the secrets of old Tarraco.
We'll start at the iconic Balcó del Mediterrani. They say that "tocar ferro" (touching its railing) brings good luck, but what's certain is that its sea views will give you the best welcome to the city. From there, we'll head up to the Old Town to discover:
• The Amphitheater facing the sea : Where the history of the gladiators still echoes with the waves.
• The Roman Circus : We will walk through the circus where the chariots raced, and admire the vaulted stands – one of the best-preserved circuses in the world!
• Santa Tecla Cathedral : We will admire the majesty of its facade at the highest point in the city.
• Alleyways with soul : I will take you through photogenic corners that guidebooks forget, ending at the imposing Portal del Roser , guarded by walls over 2,000 years old.
We cannot understand this city without its cuisine. During the walk, I will awaken your senses with:
• The Sacred Hour of Vermouth : I will show you the squares where vermouth is a religion and why life here is lived "at a slow pace".
• Kitchen secrets : We'll talk about the authentic Romesco sauce, the Espineta amb caragolins and the secret of the Mamadeta (the drink that drives the locals crazy during parties).
Want to experience the essence of Tarraco? Book your spot and get ready to fall in love with the Mediterranean! ☀️
IMPORTANT! ESSENTIAL TOUR WHERE THE MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ARE EXPLAINED IN 1:30 HOURS! If you have never been to Tarragona, are traveling with children, or simply want to get straight to the main information, join me as I explain the basics and essentials of this beautiful city with my one and a half hour tour.
We will start our route through the ancient Roman capital, meeting at the Mediterranean Balcony, the most important balcony for the people of Tarragona with views of the MARENOSTRUM, located at the end of the Rambla Nova.
Once we have all met and introduced what the tour will consist of, we will leave aside one of the best views of the city and head towards the Amphitheater where we will explain one of the most important places in the city and formerly in the country. It is one of the best-preserved in the WORLD!
We will continue walking until we come across the gates to the Roman Circus where I will explain some of its curiosities.
By the way, have you ever wondered who was the first Roman emperor of the city of Tarraco? Well, you can discover it next to the Pretorium Tower where you can get an idea of who he was and what intentions he had in this wonderful city.
Walking towards the Cathedral of Santa Tecla, we will come across the Forum Square, where the old center of social and political life was located. Upon reaching the Cathedral of Santa Tecla, built on Roman and Arab sites, you will be able to observe its beauty and learn more about it.
We will end the tour at the Walls, located in front of the Rambla Vella, where I will explain what happened to part of them and how the ancient Tarraconensis ended, which we know today as TARRAGONA.
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Enjoy Tarragona on a free tour that will tell you the history of the city, accompanied by anecdotes, curiosities, traditions, and gastronomy. We will meet in front of the Portal del Roser and from there we will begin our visit through the old town of Tarragona. We will visit essential places such as the model of Tarraco, the ancient Provincial Forum, the imperial cult site where the Tarragona Cathedral is located today, the Circus, and the Roman Amphitheater, ending at the Mediterranean Balcony to enjoy the best view over the Mare Nostrum. Discover this Mediterranean city with us in an easy and fun way.
With radio guide included!
