# Three days in Zaragoza > Like every year, we go away for the long weekend of 11 November. Looking for a destination with milder temperatures, we set our hearts on Spain and Zaragoza. Source: https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/blog/three-days-in-zaragoza/ Published on 14 November 2021 Like every year, we go away for the long weekend of 11 November. Looking for a destination with milder temperatures, we set our hearts on Spain and **Zaragoza**. We booked the plane tickets with the airline [Vueling](https://www.vueling.com/fr) which now offers direct flights between Paris Orly and Zaragoza. The return trip cost us **100€ per person**, taking the cabin baggage option. When you arrive at the airport, you can take a taxi at the exit. The journey costs between 20 and 25€ to get to the city centre. It is the most practical and above all the fastest way. ## What to see in Zaragoza ### The cathedrals of Zaragoza We began our discovery of Zaragoza with a visit to the two main monuments that made the city famous: [the cathedrals of Zaragoza](https://catedraldezaragoza.es/). There is a pass at only **8€** which combines the **visits to the Cathedral of the Saviour of Zaragoza, the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pilar of Zaragoza, the viewing tower of the Basilica, the Rosario de Cristal museum and the Tapestry museum**. You should set aside about half a day for these visits. > **Good to know** > > photos are strictly forbidden in the two religious monuments. ![Bell tower of La Seo and fountain in front of a glass pyramid](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-02-a5bdde92.webp) ![Mirror pool in front of the domes of the Basilica of El Pilar](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-03-df1e0e21.webp) ![Chequered paving at the foot of the bell tower of La Seo](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-04-f10a9499.webp) ![Mudéjar wall of brick and polychrome ceramics](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-05-ee287241.webp) ![Towers of the Basilica of El Pilar seen from below](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-06-84035d06.webp) ![Blue glass processional float lit up in the nave](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-07-f8764699.webp) ![Main portal of the basilica beneath its stone towers](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-08-6f921615.webp) ![Colourful processional floats beneath the Gothic vaults](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-09-f44f1640.webp) We have to admit that the **Cathedral of the Saviour** is one of the most beautiful monuments we have seen! The inside is breathtakingly rich, each chapel having its own singular architecture. An absolute must-see! Also do not miss the mudejar wall, which recalls the mix of styles of the cathedral. The other highlight of the visit remains the climb up the **tower of the basilica del Pilar**: the view over the roofs is stunning. ![Glazed tile domes and the Ebro seen from the bell tower](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-10-4d1da555.webp) ![Panorama of the city rooftops and the river from the tower](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-11-8eb2c4ea.webp) ### Puente de Piedra One of the emblems of Zaragoza is its **Stone Bridge** which spans the Ebro. It is from this bridge and from the bank ([Balcón De San Lázaro](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Balc%C3%B3n+De+San+L%C3%A1zaro/@41.6575222,-0.874497,18.34z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0xd5914af89489395:0x984e0960f885f026!2sPalacio+de+Congresos+de+Zaragoza!8m2!3d41.6687812!4d-0.9064033!3m4!1s0xd59148ccb270f7b:0x88e5f2bee13218f8!8m2!3d41.6579899!4d-0.8743789)) that you can admire the Basilica del Pilar. The view is all the more magnificent at sunset and at night when the monuments are lit up. Plenty to take lovely photos, especially with the colours of the autumn leaves! ![Stone Bridge and its arches reflected at dusk](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-12-b3e21287.webp) ![Basilica framed by an arch of the Stone Bridge](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-13-9f7a6ec0.webp) ![Woman in a red jacket beside the Ebro in autumn](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-14-7eb84878.webp) ![Illuminated basilica reflected in the river at night](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-15-d8501177.webp) ![Maple leaf in front of the bridge and the basilica at dusk](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-16-dc5214a8.webp) ![Basilica overlooking the Ebro seen from the bridge](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-17-88c3bf00.webp) ![Man leaning on the bridge parapet in front of the basilica](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-18-61e7dd02.webp) ![Stone arch against the light above the water](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-19-378480e6.webp) ### Casco Antiguo The **historic centre of Zaragoza** is the district where the great majority of the monuments to see in the city are concentrated. It is not huge, so plan a day and a half. Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of the must-sees in our opinion: - **Mercado Central de Zaragoza**: famous covered market like in all Spanish cities where you can do your shopping or eat at a table - **Plaza de San Felipe**, where the Pablo Gargallo Museum (sculptures) is located - **El Tubo**: a typical, lively district of Zaragoza where all the tapas bars are concentrated. To do in the evening! - **Museo del Teatro de Caesaraugusta**: open-air ruins of a former Roman theatre - **Pasaje del Ciclón**: covered passage with restaurants and shops - **Calle de Alfonso I**: the city’s main artery, to see by day and by night - **La Lonja**: an exhibition hall today, with incredible architecture (photos forbidden) ![Street lamps and garlands above a yellow facade](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-20-20bb8d02.webp) ![Metal hall of the covered market and its colourful stalls](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-21-279c1f80.webp) ![Bronze statue of Augustus in front of the Roman walls](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-22-770b9a55.webp) ![Shopping street lit by a canopy of garlands](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-23-bc505068.webp) ![Empty square in the early morning at the foot of a bell tower](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-24-079b4ae8.webp) ![Tiers of the Roman theatre protected by a glass roof](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-25-a58d7c34.webp) ![Equestrian statue in front of pink and ochre facades](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-26-3083c22a.webp) ![Garlands strung above a street towards the domes of El Pilar](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-27-b96ba2d6.webp) ### Palacio de la Aljafería You cannot leave Zaragoza without having visited the **Aljafería Palace**, which today houses the Parliament of Aragon. The palace is set apart in the west of the city: allow 25 minutes’ walk from the historic centre. To visit it, you absolutely have to book a visiting slot [online](https://reservasonline.aljaferia.com/). Entry costs only **5€** for adults. Built in the 11th century as a pleasure palace for the Muslim kings, the **Aljafería Palace** became over the centuries a residence for the kings of Aragon. It is also one of the most representative monuments of the **mudéjar** style in Spain and the symbol of Aragonese architecture. Its fortified wall is really impressive: you do not expect to find that in the city centre! ![Crenellated walls of the Aljafería above the hedges](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-28-cd928935.webp) ![Towers of the Aljafería bordered by lawn and moat](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-29-f4361fce.webp) ![Row of round towers of the Aljafería palace](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-30-8fda8d7d.webp) ![Flag of Aragon flying on the keep of the palace](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-31-f87b05c6.webp) ![Woman on the walkway leading to the palace gate](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-32-e4240ddb.webp) ![Man in a dark jacket in front of the golden ramparts](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-33-32c41313.webp) ![Woman leaning on a low wall facing the fortified palace](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-34-e67600c7.webp) The Palace tour lasts about 2 hours and lets you discover both the tree-lined inner courtyard and the different rooms. The **patio** is remarkable with its porticoes and its arcades: it reminded us a lot of the Real Alcazar in Seville! The interiors are magnificent too, in particular the **painted ceilings** which are worth a look. ![Patio planted with orange trees and palms at the heart of the palace](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-35-af5a0dcf.webp) ![Row of finely carved Mudéjar arcades](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-36-f9d71ce0.webp) ![Gilded coffered ceiling of a room with pink walls](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-37-3d25ecb7.webp) ![Columned portico opening onto the sunlit patio](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-38-cf937bda.webp) ![Blue and gold dome with star patterns in close-up](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-39-f3a3142e.webp) ![Carved wooden gallery overlooking the arcades of the patio](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-40-dd5294f2.webp) ### From the Aljafería Palace to the city centre We took advantage of being in the west of the city to discover other districts and unmissable monuments such as: - Plaza de Toros - IAACC Pablo Serrano (modern art museum with unusual architecture) - Basílica Menor Parroquia de Santa Engracia - Plaza de los Sitios de Zaragoza ![Brick bullring and its stacked arcades](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-41-ea590539.webp) ![Contemporary building with blue and black facets](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-42-14ea0f2d.webp) ![Baroque church in front of a bed of red flowers](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-43-32d2b9d4.webp) ![Carved monument in the middle of a flowering garden](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-44-99c58cb2.webp) ### Goya Museum We learned that the famous Spanish painter **Francisco Goya** comes from the province of Aragon and from Zaragoza, so a [museum](https://museogoya.ibercaja.es/) is dedicated to him in the historic centre of the city. The museum exhibits paintings and drawings by Goya but also works by his contemporaries of the Enlightenment. Until January 2022, a temporary exhibition about Picasso is held on the ground floor of the museum. We highly recommend the museum if you want to (re)discover Goya! > **Good to know** > > the museum is free on the second Sunday of every month, so we took advantage of that on the last day of our stay. ### District of the 2008 World Expo In the north-west of the city, on the banks of the Ebro, is the district of the **2008 World Expo**. Allow between 30 and 40 minutes’ walk from the centre of Zaragoza. This visit is not essential but it lets you discover another face of the city with more modern buildings. Among them, the **Congress Centre** and the impressive sculpture by Jaume Plensa, _Alma del Ebro_. ![White openwork sculpture and passer-by in a red coat](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-45-6d54702a.webp) ![Banks of the Ebro with trees golden in autumn](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-46-470f1eaa.webp) ![Openwork silhouette standing in front of the Expo pavilions](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-47-8ad605e9.webp) ## Our accommodation in Zaragoza As usual, we booked a place via [Airbnb](https://www.airbnb.fr/rooms/38777328?source_impression_id=p3_1638010107_dh6tA0RYhzkmJt3H&guests=1&adults=1) (**280€ for the 3 nights**)! Our entire flat was ideally located in the historic centre of Zaragoza, a few steps from the cathedral square, close to everything. And on top of that, the owners were accommodating and lovely. We highly recommend it! ## Our favourite places to eat in Zaragoza - [Cibus en tu Mesa](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cibus+en+tu+Mesa/@41.6536455,-0.8805429,17.11z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x93bfa4cac9e821e7!8m2!3d41.654897!4d-0.880714): a very good “French style” bakery and patisserie (prices a bit high for the pastries but reasonable for the desserts – 3/4€). - **[La Flor de Lis](https://www.google.com/maps/place/La+Flor+de+Lis/@41.6536455,-0.8805429,17.11z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xa7d38d216c91f8e3!8m2!3d41.6539551!4d-0.8776892)**: excellent bistronomic restaurant which offers Aragonese specialities revisited and modernised (58€ for two, 4 dishes to share and 1 dessert) - **[Montal Alimentación](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Montal+Alimentaci%C3%B3n/@41.6545177,-0.8812314,16.54z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x5c6dc6648ffb4607!8m2!3d41.6547857!4d-0.8816682)**: good restaurant located inside a large grocery store (40€ for two for croquettes, ham and cheese boards) - **[Meli del Tubo](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Meli+Del+Tubo/@41.6536904,-0.8799293,17.73z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x2708db7af26a0d3d!8m2!3d41.6533681!4d-0.8802537)**: chic, modern tapas bar in the El Tubo district (44€ for two) - **[Maite](https://www.google.com/maps/place/MAITE/@41.6536904,-0.8799293,17.73z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0xd5915a294cbcc71:0x6849dee468a8b8fb!8m2!3d41.6530084!4d-0.8767438)**: excellent fine dining restaurant listed in the Michelin guide (96€ for two for 2 tasting menus) ![Burgundy banquette and pink walls of a restaurant dining room](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-48-6e082a31.webp) ## What we thought of Zaragoza We were won over by Zaragoza! The city lends itself well to a weekend of discovery, to be combined with exploring the surroundings, in particular [the Bardenas Reales desert](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/blog/bardenas-reales-desert/). Two days can be enough to visit the city: a third is necessary if you want to discover all the museums. **We highly recommend this beautiful Spanish city, easily reachable by plane or by train from the south of France!** **It is perfect for a getaway between culture and gastronomy.** In love with Spain? Read [our articles about this magnificent country](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/destinations/spain/)! ![Woman in a red coat looking at the bridge in the evening](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/trois-jours-a-saragosse-63-64f4f128.webp)