Cruises From Tarragona, Spain

Tarragona is located along the coast of Spain’s Catalonia region, about an hour south of Barcelona. The city is known for its fascinating history, particularly during the Ancient Roman Empire. Tarragona was the capital of the Ancient Roman Empire in Spain, and many artefacts from that period in history can still be seen today. Walking through Tarragona, you may feel as if you have taken a step back in time due to the ancient architecture and Roman ruins dotted around the city. In addition to its history, Tarragona has a fascinating culture that helps to make it one of Catalonia’s top places to visit. The city is located on the Mediterranean, offering up some gorgeous beaches. Since much of Tarragona is elevated on a hill, you can enjoy Mediterranean views from almost every corner of the city. Tarragona is also known as a foodie hub, where visitors can try Spanish specialties, including paella, tapas, sangria, and churros. Cruises out of Tarragona are the perfect way to start an adventure around the Mediterranean.

 

Need to Know About Tarragona Port

Puerto de Tarragona is located a short distance from the city centre and is a popular port for cruises through the western Mediterranean. Shuttles run between the port and the centre of town, reaching central Tarragona in about 10 minutes. While there isn’t parking available directly at the port, there are several parking garages located in the city centre close by. Cruise passengers can park their car before catching the shuttle to the cruise terminal. Public parking garages are available on Carrer de Pompeu Fabra and Carrer de Fortuny.

For convenience before boarding your cruise, you could plan to stay at a hotel the night before. There aren’t any hotels right beside the port, but hotels in central Tarragona have easy access to the cruise terminal shuttle. Some budget-friendly hotels to consider are Tarragona Suites 29, Hotel Lauria, and Hotel Urbis Centre.

 

Things to do in Tarragona Before You Embark

Tarragona Amphitheatre

All throughout Tarragona, you’ll see reminders of its Ancient Roman history. On the edge of the old town, you can see the ruins of the city’s Ancient Roman amphitheatre. The amphitheatre was built around 100 BC and could seat up to 15,000 people. During the peak of the Roman Empire, the amphitheatre was used for a range of gruesome entertainment, including gladiator fights, animal fights, and public executions. As Christianity became the dominant religion of the region, the amphitheatre slowly fell out of use. Today, visitors can walk through the amphitheatre’s remains and imagine what life might have been like in Ancient Tarragona.

Part Alta

Part Alta is both the highest and oldest neighbourhood within Tarragona. Up until the end of the Middle Ages, the entire population of Tarragona lived here. The neighbourhood was once surrounded by a Roman wall that stretched for 4 kilometres (2.5 miles). Today, only about a quarter of the original wall is still standing, but it can be viewed along the western edge of Part Alta. The architecture throughout Part Alta is uniquely Mediterranean, and Ancient Roman touches can still be spotted throughout. Visitors to Part Alta can wander through the narrow streets, enjoy food and drinks in the pedestrian squares, and visit some of Tarragona’s popular museums.

Les Ferreres Aqueduct

Tarragona’s aqueduct (also known as Pont del Diable) is another reminder of the region’s Roman history. It is located 3 kilometres (1.8 miles) north of Tarragona and is a 250 metre long portion of an ancient aqueduct. While it was in use, the aqueduct transported fresh water from the Francolí River into the city. This portion of the aqueduct consists of 36 arches and rises 27 metres off the ground. For an exciting experience, visitors can walk along the top of the aqueduct where the water once flowed, receiving a beautiful view over the surrounding area.


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