Tarraco: Roman times

 

 It's hard to imagine what awaits you when you step off the train at Alt Camp de Tarragona station, surrounded by forests. Just a few kilometres away, Roman remains lie in a privileged Mediterranean enclave.   

Tarraco: Roman imprint

A stroll through the city is like travelling back in time to the Romans, who left their mark on this "little Rome". This is why the city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.   

The adventure begins at the wall. From the picturesque narrow streets to the monumental staircase leading up to the cathedral, the Roman remains of Tarraco will never cease to impress you.  
 

Tarragona Wall

You can also admire the spectacular amphitheatre by the sea. Its tiers, cut directly into the rock, could hold nearly 14,000 spectators who came at the time to cheer on the gladiators.  

There's more! On the outskirts of the city, you can admire the Roman aqueduct, known here as the Devil's Bridge. Built in the 1st century AD, it supplied the town with water from the Francolí River. ​

The Romans also built one of their iconic triumphal arches, the Arch of Berà, in honour of the emperor Augustus. Located 20 kilometres from the town, it is one of the region's distinctive symbols.     

Having immersed yourself in the age of Augustus and its monuments, you can now enjoy the sea, which opens the door to a new itinerary: walkways. It begins at La Móra beach and ends at Tamarit beach. This excursion is highly recommended with guides and archaeologists specialising in historical-cultural and archaeo-botanical landscapes. 

Tarragone enjoys a very pleasant climate all year round, and at any time of year it's a good idea to take a break and escape into its Mediterranean colours and light. Renfe will take you there every day by high-speed train from Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Nîmes, Montpellier, Narbonne and Perpignan. Go ahead and book a few days to escape to the time of the Romans. 
 

Travel to Tarragona by train

Eager to hop on the train to Tarragona? Now you can do just that on AVE France, our international high-speed trains between France and Spain. The most comfortable, fastest and sustainable way to travel is by train! You can also take advantage of our discounts and get the best price. 

Did you like our suggestions? Well, there is a lot more where that came from! Discover more original tips on what to do in Tarragona with Renfe.