Majestically sited on a rocky hill, sheer above the sea, TARRAGONA is an ancient place. Settled originally by Iberians and then Carthaginians, it was later used as the base for the Roman conquest of the peninsula, which began in 218 BC with Scipio's march south against Hannibal. The fortified city became an imperial resort and, under Augustus, Tarraco became capital of Rome's eastern Iberian province - the most elegant and cultured city of Roman Spain, boasting at its peak a quarter of a million inhabitants. Time spent in the handsome upper town quickly shows what attracted the emperors to the city: strategically and beautifully placed, it's a fine setting for some splendid Roman remains and a few excellent museums. There's an attractive medieval part, too, while the rocky coastline below conceals a couple of reasonable beaches. You can be here in an hour and a half from Barcelona, by bus or train, which makes it a reasonably lengthy day-trip. If you want to stay the night instead, book accommodation in advance, especially in July and August.

The City

Heart of the upper town is the sweeping Rambla Nova , a sturdy provincial rival to Barcelona's, lined with fashionable cafés and restaurants. Parallel, and to the east, lies the Rambla Vella , marking - as its name suggests - the start of the old town. To either side of the ramblas are scattered a profusion of relics from Tarragona's Roman past, including various temples, and parts of the forum, theatre and amphitheatre.



It's worth noting that almost all Tarragona's sights and museums are closed on Mondays .

There are trains every thirty minutes between Sants Estació and Tarragona and the journey takes ninety minutes. The train station (information on 977 240 202) is in the lower town: turn right and climb the steps ahead of you and you'll emerge at the top of the Rambla Nova, from where everything is a short walk away. The bus terminal (information on 977 229 126) is at the other end of the Rambla Nova, at Plaça Imperial Tarraco; buses from Barcelona's Estácio del Nord run at least eighteen times daily and, again, the journey takes ninety minutes. There are taxi ranks on Rambla Nova (at the Moto Club ), in Plaça de la font, and at the bus and train stations. The Turisme is at Calle Major 39 in the old town ( July-Sept Mon-Fri 9.30am-8.30pm, Sat 9.30am-2pm & 4-8pm, Sun 10am-2pm; Oct-June Mon-Fri 10am-2pm & 4.30-7.30pm, Sat & Sun 10am-2pm; Tlf 977 245 203 ); and there are also seasonal information booths ( July-Sept ) at Plaça Imperial and at the beginning of Via Augusta. Many banks have offices along Rambla Nova. Outside banking hours you can exchange money and travellers' cheques at Viajes Eurojet, Rambla Nova 40 ( Mon-Fri 9am-1.30pm & 4.30-8.30pm, Sat 9am-1pm ). This agency also handles American Express matters, and will exchange cheques and hold mail. The post office is at Plaça de Corsini ( Mon-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat 9am-2pm ); telephone office at Rambla Nova 74 at the junction with Calle Fortuny ( Mon-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 11am-2pm & 5-9pm ).