Best day trips from Zaragoza
If you’ve already done the best things to do in the city of Zaragoza and feel like going on a day trip, check out one (or more) of the following locations nearby and enjoy some peace and quiet. I’m confident that none of these day trips will let you down.
Depending on how much time you want to spend on the road, or even whether you can stay overnight at the destination, you will choose one place or another. Therefore, I have organized the list by distance from Zaragoza, from shortest to longest:
- Belchite Viejo (50 km).
- Aguarales de Valpalmas (68 km).
- Monastery of Veruela (80 km).
- Tarazona (86 km).
- Aguallueve de Anento (87 km).
- Calatayud (87,5 km).
- Monegros Desert (93 km).
- Monasterio de Piedra (112 km).
- Loarre Castle (103 km).
- Uncastillo (106 km).
- Sos del Rey Católico (120 km).
- Alquézar (123 km).
- Panticosa (153 km).
- Albarracín (184 km).
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1. Belchite Viejo, one of the best day trips from Zaragoza
One of the best places to visit near Zaragoza that you cannot miss is Belchite, scene of one of the many battles of the Spanish Civil War. It is located 50 kilometers south of the capital and takes about 40 minutes by car. If you only have two days in Zaragoza, it is a good option, as it does not take that long to get there.
The village was totally destroyed during the Battle of Belchite. After the war, instead of rebuilding the village, a new one was built right next to it, leaving its remains abandoned. Remains that make you travel back in time, feel the wounds of war and remember what should never happen again.
Visits to Belchite are guided and cost 8€ (day visit), 12€ (night visit), or 14€ (combination of day and night visit). You can book your visit to Belchite here. If you want to stay in Belchite, check out these hotels in Belchite.
2. Aguarales de Valpalmas
If you want to get to know a very different natural site, I recommend you visit Aguarales de Valpalmas, located in Valpalmas, a municipality located less than an hour north of Zaragoza. This place stands out for its curious geological formations, caused by water erosion in clay soil.
You can access the Aguarales de Valpalmas through a trail located between town and Piedratajada. Once you arrive, you can walk along a path while observing the different shapes. You will love it!
3. Monastery of Veruela
Very close to Moncayo, the highest peak in the province of Zaragoza, lies the Monastery of Veruela. Built in the 12th century, it was the first Cistercian monastery in Aragon. In addition to exploring a building rich in history, the surrounding natural landscape makes this excursion even more interesting, as the monastery is nestled in a small valley formed by the Huecha River.
While the entire monastery is worth visiting, the abbey church and the cloister are the highlights. You can explore them any day from Tuesday to Sunday. From April 1st to September 30th, it is open from 10:30h to 20:00h, and from October 1 to March 31st, it is open from 10:30h to 18:00h. Guided tours are also available.
4. Tarazona, another amazing place to visit from Zaragoza
The town of Tarazona concludes this list of day trips from Zaragoza. It is a town located an hour’s drive west of the capital. Tarazona is very close to the Moncayo Natural Park, which you can also visit. This Aragonese town stands out for its cultural heritage and for having a history of more than 2,000 years.
The Cathedral of Nuestra Seora de la Huerta is a must-see when in this town; it is stunning! Don’t forget to visit the Town Hall, Episcopal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and Church of Maria Magdalena. You’ll enjoy taking a stroll through the Jewish neighborhood.
If you want to spend the night in the area, check out all the hotels in Tarazona that are still available.
5. Aguallueve de Anento, one of the best getaways from Zaragoza
If you like charming villages and nature, one of the best day trips from Zaragoza is visiting Anento.
Here you will find one of the most beautiful villages in Zaragoza (do not miss the Church of San Blas and the Castle of Anento) and also a charming natural area known as Aguallueve de Anento. It is a set of springs that have created an incredible karst relief.
You can discover it on a 2.5-kilometer circular path that starts at the tourist office. The route is well signposted and simple.
6. Calatayud
I am from Zaragoza, but I have lived in Madrid since I was 11 years old, and I don’t know how many times I’ve already made the trip between the two cities by car. If this is also the case for you, one of the most interesting places to visit along the route is Calatayud. It is the fourth largest city in Aragon and has a fascinating historical heritage.
During your visit to Calatayud, don’t miss sites like the Castle of Ayub, the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor, the Church of San Pedro de los Francos, the Parish of San Andrés, the Parish of San Juan el Real, the Gate of Terrer, and the Gate of Zaragoza. Be sure to take a stroll through the Jewish quarter and try the city’s tapas. Paseo Cortés de Aragón is a great place to do so.
7. Monegros Desert
The province of Zaragoza is one of the driest in Spain, and proof of this is Los Monegros, a natural region that spans more than 275,000 hectares and consists of 31 municipalities. Within it, you can find several villages, viewpoints, and routes for walking or cycling.
One of the best-known areas of this desert is Jubierre, a network of ravines where all kinds of reliefs and fascinating geological formations have been created. To explore this area, you can take a linear route by road, which includes several stops with parking. Don’t miss the Tozal de la Cobeta.
8. Monasterio de Piedra, one of the best day trips from Zaragoza
If you want to escape from the city and enjoy a natural environment, I recommend you visit the Monasterio de Piedra, a place where every person from Zaragoza goes at least once in his life.
The Monasterio de Piedra is divided into two areas: on the one hand, the monastery, and on the other hand, the park. In the park area, you can walk along paths and trails while crossing waterfalls, lakes, streams and caves.
Some of the most incredible places to see in the Monasterio de Piedra park are the Baño de Diana, La Caprichosa Waterfall, the Gruta y Cascada Iris, the Cola de Caballo, the Peña del Diablo and the Lago del Espejo. Touring the 13th-century monastery while learning about its history is another must.
Inside the Monasterio de Piedra you will find the hotel Monasterio de Piedra and two restaurants. Other options to stay are Nuévalos, just 5 minutes away, or Calatayud, half an hour by car.
The entrance fee is 18,5€ for adults (12–64 years old) or 13€ for children (4–11 years old) and seniors (+65 years old). You can buy tickets to the Monastery of Rueda here. If you buy them online, they are cheaper.
From Zaragoza, it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes by car.
9. Loarre castle, a trip to the past
This castle is located in the municipality of Huesca, just over 100 kilometers north of Zaragoza. By car, it takes about an hour and a half to get there. Loarre Castle is a Romanesque-style castle built in the 11th century. It is in a very good state of preservation. In fact, it is considered the best-preserved Romanesque fortress in Europe.
The castle is enclosed by an 11-tower wall and rests on limestone rocks used as foundations. You can explore the interior passageways and stop at locations like the Santa Quiteria Crypt, the Church of San Pedro, the Torre de la Reina, and the Torre del Homenaje. The stunning views that can be enjoyed from the castle are another one of its advantages.
Admission is 6€ (8€ if purchased with a guided tour); 5,50€ for those under 26 with a student card or youth card; groups of more than 20 people; and senior citizens (7€ if purchased with a guided tour); 4,5€ for children from 6 to 16 years (6€ if purchased with a guided tour); and free for children under 6 years.
If you want to take advantage of your visit to Loarre Castle to learn more about the province of Huesca, do not miss these 13 essential things to see and do in Huesca (coming soon). If you want to spend the night near the castle, you can stay in one of the hotels in Loarre.
10. Uncastillo
We continue with Uncastillo, one of the most beautiful villages near Zaragoza. This small village stands out for its incredible Romanesque architecture and is dominated by the imposing fortress that marked its beginnings. Uncastillo also houses a valuable artistic heritage, a testament to the town’s historical importance.
During your walk through Uncastillo, be sure to visit the Fortress of Uncastillo, the Tower Museum, the Jewish quarter, and the Romanesque churches of San Martín, Santa María, San Juan, San Lorenzo, and San Felices. On the outskirts, you can visit the Roman site of Los Bañales.
Both Uncastillo and Sos del Rey Católico, the town we will visit next, are part of the Cinco Villas region of Zaragoza. I wanted to highlight these two towns because I believe they are the most interesting, but if you travel to this area, you can also visit the other towns: Tauste, Ejea de los Caballeros, and Sádaba.
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11. Sos del Rey Catolico, the most beautiful town near Zaragoza
If you feel like going on a rural day trip, I recommend you visit Sos del Rey Católico, the most charming village in Zaragoza and one of the most beautiful in Aragon. It has a total population of less than 600 inhabitants and is located about 125 km northwest of the provincial capital. It takes about an hour and a half by car from Zaragoza.
Enjoy getting lost in the steep cobblestone streets within the walled area. Be sure to visit the castle, the parador, the Ermita de Santa Lucia, the Parroquia de San Esteban, the Monasterio De Nuestra Señora De Valentuñana, the Plaza de la Villa, the Palacio del Niño or the Palacio de Sada (the house where Fernando el Católico was born).
If you want to spend the night in this beautiful town, don’t miss all the hotels in Sos del Rey Católico still available. This way, you will also have time to visit Uncastillo, another beautiful village in the area.
12. Alquezar and its walkways
Alquezar is another of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Like Loarre Castle, it is located in the province of Huesca, 131 kilometers northeast of Zaragoza. By car, it takes approximately 2 hours to get there from the Aragonese capital. Alquézar is a small village of about 300 inhabitants whose houses are stacked and built with materials such as brick, ashlar, and rammed earth.
Get lost strolling through its streets. You will find the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria la Mayor, the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves and the Church of San Miguel. To enjoy beautiful views of Alquézar, you can go to the viewpoint of Sonrisa del Viento.
One of the most popular activities to do in Alquezar is to walk along the footbridges. These walkways are located on the cliffs of the Vero River and will make you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the canyon of the Sierra de Guara.
If you want to spend the night in Alquezar, take a look at the hotels in Alquezar still available.
13. Panticosa, the perfect place to engage in adventure sports
One of the day trips from Zaragoza that is very worthwhile is Panticosa, a small town located in the north of Huesca, from which you can do endless outdoor activities and enjoy the Tena Valley. It is located 153 kilometers from Zaragoza and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there.
From Panticosa, there are numerous hiking trails, a good way to get to know the fauna and flora of this beautiful area of the Aragonese Pyrenees. Some of the most recommended routes are Camino de la Acequia, La Cucuraza, La Ripera, or Las Palizas.
There are also mountain hiking routes: Garmo Negro, Ibon de Brazato, Ibon de Bachimaña, Ibón de Ordicuso, or Picos del Infierno (expert level). On the other hand, you can also go rock climbing or mountain biking.
If you feel like having a much more peaceful plan, you can spend the day (or several days) at the Panticosa spa and enjoy its facilities. If you want to spend the night, check out all the hotels in Panticosa still available.
14. Albarracin
Albarracin is not only the most beautiful town in Teruel but also one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. It is not exactly close to Zaragoza, since it is 2 hours away by car, but if you have the opportunity to visit this beautiful town, I would not hesitate to do so.
When you arrive in Albarracin, you will find a medieval village with steep streets and a beautiful natural environment. If you do not want to miss any detail of the town, you can take a guided tour of Albarracin. Another option is to let yourself get lost in its streets and discover all its surprises at your own pace.
Some of the places you cannot miss are the Alcazar of Albarracin, the wall, the Cathedral of Salvador de Albarracin and Casa de la Julianeta.
Check out the hotels in Albarracin still available if you want to spend the night there.
💳 To get cash in the local currency of your destination or pay by card, I recommend getting the N26 card. With the free version you can withdraw cash from ATMs with a very low commission and pay in another currency with the best exchange rate and no commissions.
Map of places to visit near Zaragoza
In the following map, I have marked all the places near Zaragoza mentioned in this article, so you can quickly see the distance between the capital and each of the destinations.
If you still don’t have a place to stay for your trip, don’t miss my post on where to stay in Zaragoza.
I hope this article about the best day trips from Zaragoza has been very useful for you when planning your trip to the Aragonese capital. If you have any other questions, I encourage you to leave a comment or email me. See you next time!
