Hotels in Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain

Also known as Saragossa in certain English speaking circles, Zaragoza is the capital city of the province that shares its name, in the autonomous community of Aragon in Spain. Lying on the Ebro river, the city is roughly at the centre of both Aragon and the Ebro basin, marking it a unique location in the country.

With a population of over 700,000, Zaragoza is the 32nd most populated municipality in the European Union and its attractions make it a magnet for domestic and international tourism all year round.

Something that helps to maintain these levels of tourism are the cheap and affordable hotel accommodation options that can be found in and around the city.

Neighbourhoods of Zaragoza

The name Zaragoza was developed from the Roman settlement of Caesaraugusta. Today’s it’s most attractive areas for visitors are:

• Old Town: The central district of the city is where you will find lots of its biggest treasures in what is the second largest “old town” in Spain. From Roman remains to amazing multi era architecture to the UNESCO World Heritage Muslim Mudejar buildings, the architecture is awe-inspiring.
• City Centre: Home to the main street Paseo de la Independencia and the Plaza de Espana, the newer city centre is a hub of commercial activity and an ideal base for a shopping trip.
• Delicias: A busy area of stores, bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops, this district is home to the railway station so is popular with tourists.
• Puente de Piedra: This is the area that features the historic bridge that crosses the Ebro river to connect the two separate sides of the city. There has been a semblance of a bridge in the location as far back as 1401.
• La Romerada: A cultural hub, home to the university, this area has a buzzy vibe. It’s popular for its green spaces and great nightlife.
• Arrabel: Another old part of the city and also known as El Rabal, it differs from other old areas because of its unique mix of antique and modern and natural attractions

What to see and do in Zaragoza

Some of the best and most popular sights and attractions include the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar which is an amazing 18th century riverside cathedral, that stands in thePlaza of Our Lady of The Pillar which is the vibrant city square that contains many of Zaragoza’s most iconic buildings and architecture. The Aljaferia Palace is a medieval Islamic structure considered second only to the Alhambra Palace in Granada in importance, and the Fuente de la Hispanidad a modern fountain is worth a visit as are the city’s excellent museums.

What to eat in Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a city that is well known for its rich culinary traditions. Some of the dishes that should try include chicken chilindron which is a spicy, saucy chicken dish, bacalao ajoarriero which is a salted cod and potato meal, and guirlache nougat which is a kind of candied almond bar sweet treat.

Typical events and festivals in Zaragoza

There is always something going on in Zaragoza, with some of the most popular annual events being the Fiestas del Pilar that takes place over 12 days in October, the elaborate and traditional Holy Week celebrations that are held over Easter, and the Ofrenda de Frutos every October in which typical regional dishes are donated to local soup kitchens.

How to move around in Zaragoza

There is a large bus network that covers several lines to and from prominent points in the area, with the addition of weekend night buses for partiers known as buhos. There are also overground trains and trams. The city boasts many kilometres of bike lanes and renting a bike is easy and fun. Taxis are plentiful.

The climate in Zaragoza

Zaragoza maintains a pleasant Mediterranean climate all year round. The coldest period of the year is between October and December where days and mild and nights are cool, with average temperatures of around 11 degrees. The summer period gets very hot, dry, and sunny, with very high temperatures of 29 to 32 degrees from June to August.