Car Hire Tarragona - Mini guide to Tarragona

Tarragona, sitting on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean, is an important cultural and wine centre. The main feature of the coastal area is its calm, blue water, whereas inland the scenery is enhanced by the intense brightness of the sunlight.

The Passeig Arqueólogic is a pleasant, cypress lined half-mile walk running alongside the old city walls past grottoes and gardens, and the viewpoints known as the Seo and El Balcón del Mediterráneo offer some fine panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding countryside.

The city itself stands on a rocky hill which gradually slopes down towards the sea. Walking in the old town gives tourists an opportunity to see some of the most impressive Roman remains on the Iberian Peninsula. See the Cyclopean Walls that extend for over 1,000 yards and date back to the 6th century B.C.; the Cathedral that demonstrates both Romanesque and Gothic architecture and the ancient Roman Amphitheatre that seated over 12,000.

Muelle Costa, about half a mile from the city centre, has a shopping market area along the Rambla Nova. Old town Tarragona has numerous antique shops for those who like to browse.

Venture inland to experience the history and tradition of Catalonia. Mont Blanc, a former residence of kings and knights, has a medieval atmosphere and a walking tour gives visitors the opportunity to see the village. The Poblet Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was abandoned in the 19th century but restored during the 1940s. The designation as a World Heritage Site confirms its status as one of the most impressive monuments in Spain.

Tarragona Airport is located about 12 km from the city.