Tarragona Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Tarragona Amphitheatre showing heritage elements and a ruin
Tarragona, the proud heir of the glorious Tarraco, nowadays is a city that offers a range of cultural activities, surrounded by the pretty towns and cities of the Costa Daurada.

Get a cheap holiday deal to Tarragona and explore the city's living history at its archaeological sites: stroll along the old walls, visit the Amphitheatre, the scene of gladiator fights and public executions in times past, and get up close to the Praetorium and Roman circus, which feature among the best conserved in the Western world. Choose one of the many Tarragona holiday deals and envisage the splendour of what was once the capital of the Roman province Hispania Citerior by visiting the model of Tarraco in the Provincial Forum, located in Plaça del Pallol. Take the chance to admire the Cathedral, dedicated to Tarragona's patron saint Santa Tecla and renowned for its impressive entrance and rose window.

The Costa Daurada (literally, the Gold Coast) extends along the coastline of the province of Tarragona, from Calafell to the Ebro river delta. It holds numerous well-guarded secrets: in the charming fishing village of Ametlla de Mar, take a dip on the unspoilt beaches of Santes Creus and Torrent del Pi. Visit the municipality of Sant Carles de la Rapita and stroll along its pleasant promenade if the day is right, head to the viewpoint of La Guardiola to contemplate the views over the River Ebro delta and the coast.

One of the most emblematic cultural activities of the region is the castellers, human towers several storeys high that have been recognised on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Book your flight + hotel to Tarragona and the Costa Daurada and witness the performance by a colla castellera and the rhythm of the gralla for yourself.

Tarragona's unbeatable location is also reflected in its culinary tradition, where both meat and fish take pride of place romesco, the region's typical sauce, usually accompanies all grilled dishes. Another must-see, must-do activity is the calçotades, at which calçots, sweet spring onions typical from the area, are roasted and eaten directly without cutlery.

Take advantage of holiday deals to Tarragona and the Costa Daurada and enjoy a few days packed with art, history, tradition and great food.

Where to stay in Tarragona

Tarragona Cathedral showing a coastal town, landscape views and a city

Old Town Tarragona

5/5(1 area review)

You'll enjoy the museums and monuments in Old Town Tarragona. You might want to make time for a stop at Tarragona Cathedral or National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona.

Old Town Tarragona

La Móra

Travellers to La Móra praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Cala de la Mora and La Mora Beach.

La Móra
Hotel SB Ciutat Tarragona
Hotel SB Ciutat Tarragona
4 out of 5
Plaza Imperial Tarraco 5, Tarragona
The price is £71 per night from 12 May to 13 May
£71
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Tarragona. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions PortAventura World and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (945 reviews)
Great hotel in central location.
"It was a very short trip en route to a further destination, I have visited Tarragona many times before and I know this hotel well so I knew what to expect and it did not disappoint. Excellent service, very comfortable and clean hotel in a great central location. A good breakfast buffet, nothing to ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2024

Hotel SB Ciutat Tarragona
H10 Imperial Tarraco
H10 Imperial Tarraco
4.5 out of 5
Rambla Vella, 2, Tarragona
The price is £109 per night from 5 May to 6 May
£109
per night
5 May - 6 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Tarragona. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (521 reviews)
"Location is perfect for visiting the historic sites. Views are spectacular from private balconies."

Reviewed on 29 Apr 2024

H10 Imperial Tarraco
AC Hotel Tarragona by Marriott
AC Hotel Tarragona by Marriott
4 out of 5
Avinguda de Roma, 8, Tarragona
The price is £83 per night from 17 May to 18 May
£83
per night
17 May - 18 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Tarragona. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (684 reviews)
"Ok hotel for a one night stay walking distance to everything"

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2024

AC Hotel Tarragona by Marriott
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Port Plaza Apartments
Port Plaza Apartments
3.5 out of 5
Plaça dels Carros 12, Tarragona
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Tarragona. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and on-site parking. Popular attractions PortAventura World and Tarragona Port are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (175 reviews)
"Excellent value for money. Ideal location"

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2024

Port Plaza Apartments
3 bedroom apartment in tarragona
3 bedroom apartment in tarragona
Tarragona, Catalonia
Stay at this apartment in Tarragona. Enjoy on-site parking, a TV and 3 bedrooms. Popular attractions PortAventura World and Tarragona Port are located nearby. ...
6/10 (3 reviews)
Horrible Experience
"Afer traveling all day we were given an address that was incorrect... it was a home (hospital) for disabled children. The host give me the phone number of somebody who would let me in, when I called that person not only did they not speak English but they were upset that they had to meet me which ..."

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2019

3 bedroom apartment in tarragona
Reding 22 Apartments
Reding 22 Apartments
4 out of 5
Carrer de Reding 22, Tarragona, Tarragona
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Tarragona. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities and digital TV. Popular attractions PortAventura World and Tarragona Port are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
"Great spot, clean and spacious. The street market on Tuesday and Thursday get set up at 6am, so its a little noisy, otherwise very quiet building."

Reviewed on 8 Dec 2023

Reding 22 Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Tarragona

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
" "5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
8
" "4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
4
" "3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 Nov 2019

I love Tarragona! It’s a very traditional Spanish city... the people are very friendly, lots of culture especially in the old town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Sep 2019

Classy city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
13 Sep 2019

Friendly town with a good beach, great food and Roman remains around almost every corner. Don’t miss the wall paintings.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 Aug 2019

Cathedral in the old town. Must be seen.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Jun 2019

We went for a wedding in Tamarit Castle and it was truly amazing. We did not have time to see much of Tarragona but what we did see has given us thoughts of returning.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
29 May 2019

The old town is beautiful but didn’t like the constant smell of sewage

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