An attractive city to the south-west of Barcelona, Tarragona’s claim to UNESCO recognition revolves around its Roman past, as evidenced by a significant number of architectural remains in and around the city. Its long history means that the medieval, Renaissance, and modern architecture coexist with the remnants of Roman glory. Find yourself in the Plaça del Forum for the best example of that: a standalone fragment of the erstwhile Forum walls surrounded by much later architecture.

On my visit to town in the summer of 2016, I stopped by a number of locations named in the UNESCO description. A walk along city walls is both pleasant and educational, with a lot of information about the city history displayed on stands along the path (in several languages, English included). The walls were built up from different types of materials in different eras, fascinating in their own right.

I also explored the Circus, with ruins on the ground level and several impressive spaces underground. Amphitheater can be seen from a number of points above it, and I decided to limit myself to the exterior observation.

Less than 10 minutes away from the town center is, for me, the most impressive of the surviving Roman monuments, an aqueduct that bears the name of Ponte del Diablo. Walking across it was among the highlights of my trip. The aqueduct sits in a natural park that practically knocked me out with the smells of pine needles and flowers. Nature lovers will find several miles of trails all around the ancient waterway.

Tarragona Cathedral is also named in the UNESCO inscription, largely because it dates back to a Visigoth basilica at the same site. Both Gothic and Renaissance elements are prominent in its architecture, which makes for a reservedly decorated and comparatively bright and airy interior, supplemented by colorful window mosaics. The cloister is another highlight, with access to its garden.

Beyond World Heritage attractions, Tarragona is a pleasant destination that offers many colorful and picturesque perspectives. One of the most well-known is the incredible mural on the side of a 4-story building on Plaça dels Sedassos, but smaller murals and occasional exuberant decorations are found on many corners and streets.

From Barcelona, it is less than an hour of driving to get to Tarragona. Half a day to a full day should be enough to get acquainted with most of Tarragona’s sights, but it is a big enough and lively enough town to support longer stays.