Where to stay in Tarragona, Spain

City
Tarragona
Population
140323
City size
#66 largest city in Spain
Country
Spain
Travel score
# 1 visited country in Europe
Hotel (avg. price)
€ 123.82
AirBnB (avg. price)
€ 125
From Int. Airport
12,9 km
Taxi (Start + per km)
€ 3.50 + € 1.10
Quality of Life Index
Very High (172.54)
Cost of Living Index
Low (46.27)
Safety Index
High (64.74)
Health Care Index
High (78.02)
English Proficiency
Poor (25'th out of 33 in EU)
Income Level / month
€ 1,670.32
Tipping
5 - 10%
Power Outlet
Type F (230 V, 50 Hz)
Drinkable tap water
Yes
Meal, Inexp. Resta.
€ 12.00
3-Course Meal Mid-Range Resta.
€ 25.00
Beer (0,5 L)
€ 0.91
Milk (1 L)
€ 0.81
Water (1,5 L)
€ 0.64

Situated on the Mediterranean Sea’s shores and south of Catalonia’s Autonomous community is the historical city of Tarragona, one of the most beautiful spots in Costa Daurada. Here you can enjoy beautiful beaches, views of the sea,  and the city’s living history on the archaeological site of the former Roman city of Tarraco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site worth discovering. Have a great time in one of the most beautiful cities in the region with plenty of activities to do, natural areas, and over 2000 years of history to discover on its streets. Enjoy the gastronomy of this coastal city, a reflection of its historical identity linked to the Mediterranean sea, and have a taste of the local culture in this excellent spot.

Our recommendations on which areas to stay in

  • Enjoy a luxury stay in Tarragona, within a short distance to interest points. We recommend you look for accommodation in Carrer Major, the city’s historical center, where you can enjoy historical landmarks and excellent gastronomy. 
  • Experience the proximity to the most important cultural landmarks of the city and immerse yourself in the region’s culture by staying between the Catedral de Tarragona and the Casa Canals Museum.
  • Have a great time with your family in Tarragona by staying between Parc de la Ciutat and the main road of Rambla Nova. From here, you will have easy access to several areas of the city, including the historical center and the beaches, while enjoying a family-friendly neighborhood.
  • Are you looking for budget-friendly accommodation in Tarragona? The city offers great budget options for travelers in the whole town and is close to the major attractions in the historic center.

These are our recommendations on accommodations in Tarragona, Spain, in 5 categories:

  • Luxury interior:
  • Cultural accommodation:
  • Family accommodation:
  • Budget stay

The living history of Tarragona. – What to know before visiting.

To discover the history of Tarragona is to realize its early roots in Roman history. The city evolved from the ancient city of Tarraco, founded in the III century BCE, which became one of the major cities of the Hispania province due to its strategic location on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Discover the ancient remnants of this historical city by visiting the Roman Wall of Tarragona. These defensive walls date back to the II century BCE and are now part of Camp de Mart’s urban park and close to the Columna Romana. Visit the remains of the Colonial forum of Tàrraco and the religious center of Temple romà de la tríada capitolina and learn about Roman life in this area.  

Enjoy the views of the sea from the Amfiteatre de Tarragona, where the leisure time of the Romans who lived in the area era took place, or visit the Circ Romà. In this Roman circus, the chariots compete to entertain the audience. Take a trip to the outskirts of the city to discover The Ferreres Aqueduct and enjoy scenic views and natural areas from the Jardins romàntics and the observation deck of Mirador Pont del Diable.

Tarragona holds many areas related to the roman past of the city. You can learn from them in the different museums of the city, such as the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona, which hold collections of mosaics and sculptures. Visit the Centre d’Interpretació de Les Fortifications de Tarragona and learn about the city’s defense systems during the Roman era. Discover the long maritime history of this city in the Museu del Port de Tarragona or the modern arts at the Museo de Arte Moderno de Tarragona and explore not only the history of the town but also the contemporary contributions of different artists to the city. We recommend you enjoy the Nit dels Museums. This initiative allows visitors to enjoy free entry to the city museums for one night, usually in mid-May, accompanied by cultural activities and walking routes. 

But if you want to experience one of the most important celebrations of the city, stay in Tarragona during the last days of September for the Santa Tecla Festival, a set of festivities that bring back to life the past of the city, its cultural heritage, and a joyful time in Tarragona. Celebrated since the XIV century, this 10-day celebration brings together people from the whole town and country through dances, symbolic representations, popular music, and human castles or famously known as Castells. On the last day, a spectacular show of fireworks marks the end of the celebration and the wait for the following year’s festival.

Tarragona is a city to discover, learn and enjoy. You will always crave more when you visit the town, and Tarragona never disappoints.

Luxury stays in the heart of Tarragona.

Tarragona is a city that has a great offer of historical places to discover and excellent gastronomy to enjoy. We recommend you look for accommodation in Carrer Major close to the medieval building of Antic Ajuntament. Here you will be at a short walking distance from several important city buildings and surrounded by the medieval architecture of the city. Walk through Plaça de Santiago Rossinyol and start discovering the town’s medieval history. Wander around the small streets and come upon the Catedral Basílica Metropolitana i Primada de Santa Tecla de Tarragona (known as Catedral de Tarragona) in Pla de la Seu, one of the foremost cathedrals of the city built between the XI and the XIII century.

You will have the beaches of Platja del Miracle from your stay at a short 16-minute walk and the observation deck of  Balcó del Mediterrani just 650m away from Carrer Major, where you can enjoy scenic views of the Mediterranean Sea. You will be close to the Casa Museu Castellarnau, a museum of furniture and decorative objects from the XVIII and XIX situated on an aristocratic residence where you can travel back in time and discover the life of this era, just 200m away from your stay. Discover the city’s religious past in the Museu Bíblic Tarraconense in Carrer de les Coques. Here you will find a great collection of archaeological materials, books, and art, among other documents of the Christian tradition of the region. 

Discover the tremendous Tarragonese gastronomy Racó de l’abat in Carrer de l’Abat, where you can enjoy a tasting menu among other tasty local dishes 49m away from your accommodation. Visit Arcs Restaurant in Carrer de Misser Sitges and enjoy a delicious Mediterranean menu. Alternatively, enjoy a cocktail and tapas with the locals in the piano bar Barrio Sur in Carrer de les Cuirateries, at a 4-minute walk from your stay in Carrer Major.

Enjoy the luxury spot in Tarragona by staying in Carrer Major in the city’s historical center. 

Stay where history comes alive.

Plan a cultural experience in Tarragona, and stay close to the most important cultural landmarks of the city. The areas between the Catedral de Tarragona and the Casa Canals Museum will allow you to stay close to many of the city’s great attractions. Visit the Catedral de Tarragona, a religious and cultural spot in the city and home of many celebrations, such as the Santa Tecla Festival. In this area, you will find the medieval hospital of Antic Hospital de Santa Tecla from the year 1465 in Carrer de les Coques.

In Carrer de Santa Anna, located at a short distance from the cathedral, the Museo de Arte Moderno de Tarragona is located just around the Jewish Quarter of Tarragona in Plaça dels Àngels. Here you will find the arches of Arcs medievals del Call jueu and the remains of the still unknown Jewish constructions of Ca la Garsa, where you will discover how the Jewish community lived in this city during medieval times and before their expulsion in 1492. You will be close to the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona and the roman castle of Castell del Rei in Plaça del Rei and visit the museum Casa Canals in Carrer d’En Granada to learn about the XIX-century history of Tarragona.

This area, close to the Catedral de Tarragona, allows you to be within a short distance of these monuments and other historical spots in Tarragona. We recommend you stay between the Catedral de Tarragona  Casa Canals Museum to take advantage of the terrific location and discover the history of this great city.

Stay and have fun with your family in Tarragona.

Tarragona is a great spot to have fun with your family and enjoy one of the relaxing areas of the city center. We recommend you stay between Parc de la Ciutat and the main road of Rambla Nova. You and your family will enjoy different amenities to make the most of your stay in this area.

Have a great time with your family in Tarragona by staying between Parc de la Ciutat and the main road of Rambla Nova.

Budget-friendly accommodation in Tarragona.

Find great deals for accommodations in Tarragona. The whole city has stay options at an affordable price for you to enjoy this cultural city and keep your budget. We recommend you look close to the city’s historical areas to make the most out of your stay and walk easily everywhere in the city. Also, take advantage of the local festivities to get to know firsthand the local identity and have fun in this cultural spot on the shores of the Mediterranean sea.

Our recommendations for having a great stay in Tarragona are