Aragon is a landlocked autonomous community in northeastern Spain stretching from the crest of the Pyrenees in the north to the semi-arid steppes of the Ebro basin in the center and the rugged Iberian System in the south. Its capital Zaragoza holds two-thirds of the regional population and anchors a rich tapestry of Mudéjar Islamic-Gothic architecture recognized by UNESCO. Beyond the city, medieval hilltop villages such as Alquézar and Aínsa overlook river gorges, Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park offers some of Iberia's finest high-altitude scenery, and Cañón del Río Ara draws canyoneers from across Europe.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Aragon.
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1
Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar
This is the church that gives Zaragoza its skyline: a vast Baroque basilica on the Ebro river, built around a pillar where tradition holds the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint James. Its eleven domes and four corner towers were largely shaped by the Churriguera family and later finished with input from Goya, who painted part of the ceiling fresco. Inside, pilgrims queue to kiss a small exposed section of the original pillar behind the altar.
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2
Palacio de la Aljafería
A fortified Islamic palace built in the 11th century for the Banu Hud dynasty, the Aljafería is one of the best-preserved examples of Taifa-era architecture in Spain, comparable in style to parts of the Alhambra though far less visited. It was later reworked by the Catholic Monarchs, who added a Mudéjar-Gothic upper floor, and today it houses the regional parliament of Aragon. The horseshoe arches and carved stucco of the original throne room are the main reason to visit.
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3
Castillo de Loarre
Set on a limestone ridge overlooking the Aragonese plain, Loarre is one of the best-preserved Romanesque castles in Europe, built in the 11th century by Sancho III and Ramiro I as both a military stronghold and a monastery. Its long curtain walls, cylindrical towers, and the crypt-like church of Santa María de la Peña give it a starkly fortified character rather than a decorative one. The site was used as a filming location for scenes in Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven.
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4
Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
A glacial canyon in the central Pyrenees carved by the Arazas river, Ordesa was one of Spain's first national parks, designated in 1918, and its limestone cliffs and beech-fir forests sit beneath Monte Perdido, one of the highest peaks in the range. The main valley trail follows the river past a series of waterfalls, including the Cola de Caballo at the head of the valley. It's a full-day hiking destination rather than a quick stop.
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5
Alquézar
A medieval village in the Sierra de Guara built on a rock outcrop above the Vero river gorge, Alquézar grew up around a Moorish fortress that was later converted into a collegiate church. Its stone streets, arcaded plaza, and the church cloister with faded Gothic frescoes make it one of the more architecturally intact villages in the region. The village is also the main access point for canyoning routes into the Vero gorge below.
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6
Aínsa Historic Quarter
Aínsa's old town sits on a hill at the meeting point of the Cinca and Ara rivers, its cobbled Plaza Mayor ringed by stone arcades and anchored by the Romanesque church of Santa María. The quarter retains its medieval street plan almost intact, with a ruined castle at one end offering views toward the Pyrenean foothills. It functions as a gateway town for the Sobrarbe region and the approach to Ordesa.
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7
Monasterio de Piedra
A 12th-century Cistercian monastery near Nuévalos, Monasterio de Piedra is better known today for the nature park built into its grounds, where the Piedra river drops through a series of waterfalls, caves, and grottoes carved into the rock over centuries. The largest, the Cola de Caballo waterfall, drops into a cave you can walk behind. The monastic buildings themselves, partly ruined, house a wine museum tied to the site's earlier role as a winery.
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8
Museo de Zaragoza
Zaragoza's main general museum, housed in a Regionalist-style building on Plaza de los Sitios, covers archaeology, fine arts, and ceramics across the region's history from prehistoric finds through Roman Caesaraugusta to Goya, who was born in Aragon and is represented here alongside other Aragonese painters. The archaeology wing includes material from the Roman city that once stood beneath modern Zaragoza. It's a dense collection for a free museum, closer in scope to a small national museum than a local one.
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9
Tarazona Cathedral and Old Town
Tarazona's cathedral is a Mudéjar landmark built largely in brick, with a tiered lantern tower and dome that took centuries of restoration to complete after the structure fell into serious disrepair in the 20th century. The old town climbs the hillside around it in narrow lanes, including the former Jewish and Moorish quarters, with the Plaza de Toros Vieja (a round building of stacked balconies once used as a bullring) as its best-known landmark.
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10
Parque Natural de la Sierra y Cañones de Guara
This limestone massif north of Huesca is cut by narrow river canyons carved by the Vero, Alcanadre and Mascún, making it one of the main canyoning areas in Europe. Outside the canyons, the park is quieter walking country of pine and scrub with small stone villages, most visitors come specifically to descend the gorges on foot and by rope rather than to see any single sight.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Items
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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- Main Zaragoza Tourist Office: Plaza del Pilar, s/n — open Mon–Sat 09:00–21:00, Sun 10:00–20:00; Tel: +34 976 201 200, Huesca Tourist Office: Plaza Luis López Allué, s/n, Huesca — Tel: +34 974 292 100, Teruel Tourist Office: Plaza de los Amantes, 6, Teruel — Tel: +34 978 641 461, Most museums offer free or reduced entry on Sunday mornings
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and harsh midday light.
Book tickets online in advance for major attractions to skip long queues and sometimes save money.
Many cities offer multi-attraction passes that include public transport. Calculate whether they save you money based on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aragon suitable for a first-time Spain visitor?
Yes. Zaragoza is a manageable city with world-class sights, excellent gastronomy, and fewer crowds than Madrid or Barcelona. The high-speed AVE train connects it to both cities in 1.5 hours.
Do I need a rental car?
For Zaragoza only, no. For Ordesa, Loarre Castle, Alquézar, and the Pyrenean villages, a rental car is strongly recommended.
When is the worst time to visit?
August in Zaragoza city can reach 40°C (104°F). Mountain areas are ideal in August but crowded. Consider May–June or September–October for the best balance.