Zaragoza: Europe's Warm City Break
Zaragoza, Spain is emerging as an accessible European city break destination, currently five degrees warmer than London with direct flights available for just £17. The Spanish city features Michelin-starred dining and rich historical attractions, making it an appealing choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking both value and cultural experiences this season.
- The city is home to two cathedrals, the famous Baroque Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar and the Cathedral of the Savior (La Seo), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon. - Zaragoza's Aljafería Palace is an 11th-century fortified Islamic palace that now serves as the seat of the regional parliament of Aragon. It is considered a gem of Spanish heritage and was the setting for Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Il trovatore". - The average flight time for a direct flight from London to Zaragoza is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. - The local cuisine, known as Aragonese cuisine, features dishes such as "ternasco" (roast lamb), and utilizes local ingredients like borage, cardoon, and Empeltre and Arbequina olives. - While the card mentions Michelin-starred dining, specific restaurants include La Prensa, which earned its star in 2012, and Cancook. - The city's Roman past is evident in attractions such as the Roman Theatre and the Roman Wall, with the original city being named after Emperor Augustus. - Zaragoza experiences a semi-arid climate, making it one of the driest regions in Spain, with average temperatures in February hovering around 8°C (46°F). - The River Ebro runs through the city, and its banks are home to the Zaragoza Aquarium, which features aquatic life from five major world rivers: the Nile, Mekong, Amazon, Darling Murray, and the Ebro itself.
