As one should really do when in Barcelona - the final base city of my time spent working remotely across Spain this spring - is to go out dancing. So when I booked myself into a hostel for a week (after my AirBnB fell through) and I decided I was in desperate need of some social time, given how quiet and lonely AirBnB's can be, I made a wonderful group of friends hailing from all continents of the globe and we joined a hostel event, dancing to reggaeton until the early hours of the morning at a club in the city.
However, I'd already booked my day trip for the next day and, on three hours of sleep, was determined to still get catch my train and see what I could discover in Tarragona, a beach town just over an hour south of Barcelona. I slept much of the train ride down, so was able to extend my night of sleep with a bit of additional time, and arrived in Tarragona to sunny skies and the ocean within reach.
Tarragona is home to many ancient ruins from the Roman and Medieval times, making this both a walk through time and a walk on the beach. Plenty of long sandy white beaches line its coast, and all are substantially quiter, calmer and prettier than the city beaches to be found in bustling Barcelona. It's great for a day trip from Barcelona, given the proximity of all the places to each other.
For the four main attractions in the city - the amphitheatre, the circus, the forum and the old city walls - you can buy a multi-pass (for sale at each of the venues) which saves almost half the price if you went to them each individually, and makes for a great morning itinerary before spending the afternoon on the beach.
1. Balcó del Mediterrani
As you get off the train and head into town, you'll pass this little viewpoint where you can see down to the beaches of the town and out across the ocean, often serenaded by live music.
2. Circ Romà
This impressive 1st century Roman circus once was the venue for vibrant chariot racing events for the people of Tarragona and continues to undergo excavation work today. Part of the group pass for the four attractions, you can scan a free audio guide that gives a really thorough history of the various people who occupied the area and how the various sections were used.
The view from the Circus' Terrace over the cathedral
3. Amfiteatre de Tarragona
Once home to gruesome gladiator fights against each other and against wild animals, as well as the sight of public executions, this amphitheatre on the coast has had a tumultuous history. After its abandonmnet as a gladiator arena, a monastery and church were both at one point built within its walls, which were most recently in time turned into a prison before the entire structure was abandoned altogether.
4. Parc del Miracle
A tiered park rises above the amphitheatre with ample space for walking and sitting, plus a small restaurant with a panoramic view over the ocean. I brought my lunch with me, so a little stone wall in the shade was the perfect spot to sit a while.
5. Muralles Romanes de Tarragona
A portion of the old city walls has been excavated and renovated, providing a 700-metre walk along the northern perimeter of the central part of the city. Also included in the four-attraction pass, this wall used to provide defense to the city and was reinforced in various phases by various settlers including the Romans and the Italians.
6. Platja Arrabassada
After a long morning of wandering around exploring the city, the pretty beach of Platja Arrabassada is the perfect spot to spend a quiet afternoon in the sun with a book - and the beach is both nicer and way emptier than those of Barcelona!
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
