Zaragoza is the fifth largest city in Spain, and it is home to many monuments, museums, historic places, houses, and many churches. Zaragoza is the capital of Aragon in Spain. Below we will list the top things to see in Zaragoza in our opinion. Zaragoza is known in the entire world as the home of the magnificent Roman Catholic Basilica Catedral of our Lady of the Pillar. Overlooking the Ebro River in the center of the city is the baroque Nuestra Senora del Pilar basilica.
9 Best Things to See and Do in Zaragoza Spain
- Aragonese Institute of Art and Contemporary Culture Pablo Serrano
- Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador Zaragoza
- Baroque church of the Virgin del Pilar
- Aljaferia Palace Zaragoza
- Aquarium of Zaragoza
- Santa Engracia Church
- Lonja de Zaragoza
- Goya Museum
- Ibercaja Patio de la Infanta
Museo Pablo Serrano Zaragoza
This museum promotes a new modern art based on sculptures, as a contemporary creativity. All the works here are created by Aragonese artist Pablo Serrano, there are 140 sculptures and drawings of widely varying sizes. All the visitors can see these interesting sculptures but even can enjoy the evolution of Serrano’s creativity and why not understand his massage. The message of all this is man and roots.
Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador Zaragoza
The Catedral of San Salvador or La Seo de Zaragoza, is a roman catholic cathedral in Zaragoza, Spain. It is part of the World Heritage Site Mudejar Architecture of Aragon. Catedral of San Salvador is first built in the 12th century when the first Christian church was built here. Many changes are made in this Catedral of San Salvador, but remained elements of Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. During your visit to the cathedral, you can see its treasures.
Baroque church of the Virgin del Pilar Zaragoza
This is a baroque church and was considered a jewel of baroque art. According to an ancient tradition, the basilica was built in the same place where the Virgin appeared to the apostle Santiago. Around the column or “Pillar” on which the Virgin leaned the first chapel was erected in her honor. If you want to see one of the most beautiful views of Zaragoza, you have to go up to the viewpoint of the Torre del Pilar. It is a glass elevator that will lift you 62 meters high in twenty seconds and you will enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the Ebro River. For many reasons, we suggest visiting the Baroque church of the Virgin del Pilar because is one of the top things to see in Zaragoza.
Aljaferia Palace
This impressive fortress with wide walls and solid towers, hides a fantastic history. It is considered one of the peaks of Hispano Muslim art, and it is the most northern Islamic palace in Europe, as well as being the most luxurious from the Taifa period. His Mudejar art is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. It is accessed through a door with a horseshoe arch, inspired by the Mezquita of Cordoba.
Aquarium of Zaragoza
The Aquarium of Zaragoza is considered one of the largest aquariums in Europe. You can explore the underwater worlds of the Nile, the Amazon, the Ebro, and the Murray Darling Rivers. It offers more than 500 animals from 350 species, including Amazon-dwelling arapaimas and endangered iridescent sharks. The purpose of the aquarium is to educate, and investigate by taking a journey through the natural aquatic wonders of the planet. There are many educational activities for children or young children, dramatized visits, and educational workshops. It also gives you the opportunity to spend a night or celebrate your birthday surrounded by fish. The Aquarium of Zaragoza is one of the top things to see in Zaragoza and you have to try this experience.
Basilica of Santa Engracia Church of Zaragoza
Next to Paseo Independencia, at the back of the Neo-Mudejar post office building is the façade of the Church of Santa Engracia. The most beautiful thing is its exterior, it is a Renaissance facade that was preserved from the old monastery and integrated into the current temple. It is also worth seeing it with the night lighting, in addition to being in such a central place. It is very likely that you can pass there when the sun has already fallen. In conclusion, Santa Engracia Church is one of the top things to see in Zaragoza.
La Lonja of Zaragoza
The Lonja de Zaragoza monument is located in Plaza del Pilar, between Zaragoza City Hall and Plaza la Seo. The Lonja de Zaragoza was the first Renaissance construction to be made in the city and one of the most important of the civil architecture of the Spanish Renaissance. Its facades are inspired by Italian palaces, the Lonja de Zaragoza has a certain resemblance to the Medici Riccardi Palace in Florence. The exterior structure of the Lonja de Zaragoza is made up of three false floors, highlighting the gallery of arches on the last level and wooden eaves. The original project for the Lonja de Zaragoza included a central tower, an idea that was finally rejected due to the technical problems posed by its structure.
Zaragoza Goya Museum
Goya Museum of Zaragoza, opened its doors in 2015, although its origins date back to 1979 when the Aragonese Jose Camon Aznar inaugurated the museum that bore his name. The museum Camon Aznar had works from his private collection and even works including paintings by Goya. It is the only Goya Museum in the world that has in its permanent collection the complete series of the painter. All these are considered a jewel that he has left us, considered the creator of contemporary paintings and a forerunner of the avant-garde.
Ibercaja Patio de la Infanta
The Patio de la Infanta, I one of the most beautiful and interesting things to see about the Aragonese Renaissance. It is located inside the Ibercaja headquarters in Plaza Paraiso, next to the Old Paraninfo of the University, in the financial center of Zaragoza. Access to the site of the monument is through the entrance on Calle Ignacio de Loyola 16. The Patio de la Infanta enclosure is made up of two spaces, one that corresponds to the monument itself and the other to a room for temporary exhibitions.