Historic alternative to Spain's Barcelona Explore Zaragoza

If you're looking for a Spanish city rich in history and culture but without the overwhelming crowds of more popular destinations like Barcelona, Zaragoza might be the perfect alternative.

If you're a traveler, you might have heard that Barcelona isn’t thrilled to have you, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The city, a top tourist hotspot, welcomed 15.6 million visitors last year—far more than it can comfortably handle. This surge in tourism has led to overcrowded public spaces, rising living costs, and environmental harm. This overwhelming influx, known as overtourism, has pushed many locals to their breaking point.

This summer, Barcelona residents expressed their frustration by protesting against tourists. They marched with signs, taped off hotel entrances, and even used water guns to make it clear that visitors aren't welcome.

For those planning a European getaway, this situation might be disappointing, or perhaps it’s a reason to reconsider contributing to the mass tourism problem. However, there's another city in Spain that offers just as enriching an experience without the crowds. According to Claire Sturzaker, a full-time solo traveler who has visited over 40 countries and runs two blogs about solo backpacking and exploring Spain, Zaragoza is an excellent alternative to Barcelona.

Swap out Barcelona for Zaragoza

During her train trip through Spain in May, Claire Sturzaker spent four nights in Zaragoza and suggests dedicating at least a weekend to the city as part of a broader Northern Spain itinerary. Zaragoza, located in Spain's Aragon region, boasts over 2,000 years of rich and diverse cultural history. Initially established as a Roman colony, it was later ruled by Muslims for a few centuries before being taken over by Christians under the Crown of Aragon in 1118.

As Sturzaker explored the historic old town, she encountered architecture and cultural influences from all these eras. She wandered through Roman ruins, including public baths and the Roman Theatre, and admired Islamic Mudéjar architecture, such as the Aljafería Palace. On her blog, she advises staying in a hotel near Plaza del Pilar, a square surrounded by historic buildings from the Christian period.

She particularly highlighted La Seo Cathedral, which features a blend of Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, Mudéjar, and Baroque styles. Additionally, she mentioned another impressive cathedral in the area, the Basilica del Pilar, which offers a bell tower with stunning views of the city. For a picturesque sunset, she recommends visiting the nearby Stone Bridge.

For those seeking local cuisine, Sturzaker suggests a food-and-bar crawl through the El Tubo neighborhood, known for its abundance of tapas bars and Basque-style pintxos. Some of her favorite spots include La Gerencia del Tubo, La Tasca del Tubo, El Meli del Tubo, and Bula del Tubo.

After her first visit to Zaragoza earlier this year, Sturzaker found herself wondering, "Why haven't I been here before?" And you might find yourself asking the same question.