Zaragoza
Zaragoza is a warm and inviting city strategically located between Madrid and Barcelona. The city welcomes visitors with its rich culture, shopping, eating and sightseen. Its more than 2000 years of history makes the city one of the greatest historical and artistical legacies in Spain. It is situated in Aragon one of the previous kingdoms of Spain.
Zaragoza is conveniently located midway between Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia. In peoples' haste to see the big cities, this gem is often passed without so much as a second look.
You can get by frequent trains from both of Spain's major international airports in Barcelona and Madrid. Zaragoza is served by a high speed train line called AVE that reaches Madrid in approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (depending on the speediness of the train) and Barcelona in approx. 1 hour 45 minutes. There are up to 19 trains a day in each direction for Madrid and 12 for Barcelona. For more information on schedules and prices, visit the website of RENFE . You can get 60% discount if you book 15 days in advance. Regular rates start at about 50 EUR to Madrid and Barcelona.
A cheaper way to get to Zaragoza from Barcelona is using the "Regional Express" - a slow train going on an ancient track, stopping at every small village and some those post-industrial ghosttowns, and really astonishing landscapes. The ride takes 5 hours, costs 22 eur.
You can reach Zaragoza either from Madrid or Barcelona in 3:45 hours. The coach company is ALSA [2] and the single ticket costs around 13 euros. It is also well communicated with other main capital cities, such as Valencia and Bilbao. There is possibility of getting to Zaragoza from France by bus. The main lines travel from Lourdes, Tarbes, Pau and Oloron.
For bus schedules from Barcelona, also try Barcelona Nord [3].
Zaragoza Airport is located at 10 km far from the city centre. Recently in March 2008 the new terminal building was finished. Passengers can travel from the airport to the city centre via a local bus service, it costs around 1.70Eur. Buses coincide with airplane arrivals, and will take you to the city centre via the football ground and university. Alternatively a taxi will cost around 15-20Eur and take approx 20 mins.
Ryanair is one of the main carriers here, with journes from Brussels, Milan, London and Rome. There are also daily connection flights from Madrid and Barcelona, as well as charter journeys to the city.
More informatin regarding the airport can be found at Zaragoza airport main page [4]. There is also a web blog with more information concerning arrivals and departures, Zaragoza Airport Blog [5].
Car rental facilities are available on the airport, train stations and other main travel sites. Always be sure to have a street map handy or a GPS!
Speedways are free in the journey from Madrid, which takes somethign round 3:30 hours. From Barcelona, however, highways are charged; the cost is around 30 euro.
Signs of the city’s founding, when the city was named after Emperor August, are still visible and can be enjoyed by tourists even today. 2,000 years later, the architectural remains of large public buildings indicate Caesar Augustus’ influence over the city. Today you can still admire the city’s Forum, Thermal Baths, the River Port or the Great Theatre, archeological remains which reflect the splendour of the city as it was during the Roman Empire.
