Tarragona is in eastern Spain on the Mediterranean coast. It is about a 100-kilometer drive south from Barcelona to Tarragona.
Tarragona was originally known as Tarraco when occupied by the Romans beginning around 218 B.C. The Romans continued their occupation of the city until the Moors arrived in 714 A.D. Tarragona's Christian heritage dates to the 12th and 13th centuries with the construction of the city's cathedral, which was built on a site that was previously used as a Roman temple to Jupiter and later a mosque used by the Moors.
Tarragona can be accessed by car or bus via the AP-7. Tarragona is also easily accessible by train from major cities, including Barcelona and Valencia. The train ride from Barcelona takes between 50 minutes and an hour and a half. Trains from Valenica take between two and three and a half hours. The main station in Tarragona is in the Plaza Pedrera.
Activities in Tarragona include touring the city's many Roman ruins, spending time at the beach swimming or sunning, and strolling around the city streets.
Among the highlights of the sights in Tarragona is the Tarragona National Archaeological Museum. This museum, located in the Plaza del Rey, was begun in the 19th century. It houses materials excavated from the nearby Palaeo-Christian Necropolis. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday.
Other sights in Tarragona include a Roman amphitheater, forum and circus. Another sight to explore is the medieval Tarragona Cathedral.
