A day plan on foot
Zaragoza: Palacio de la Aljafería and the Pilar
- From and to
- 10:00 to 19:30
- Duration
- Full day, ~8 hours
- Distance
- 6 km
- Steps
- 9
A day in “Zaragoza”, capital of the Andalusi Upper March: the Palacio de la Aljafería of the Banu Hud, then the Basílica del Pilar and the Puente de Piedra over the Ebro. Suits families and lovers of al-Andalus; avoid parliamentary session days. Full day, ~8 hours.
Drawn by Dr. Abdulmajeed Al-Mudarra
- Start
- Aljafería Palace — Palacio de la Aljafería
- Finish
- Ebro riverbank — Puente de Piedra
The Aljafería closes fully or partly during the parliament’s general sessions and on public holidays — check the Cortes de Aragón website; the “Cierzo” wind is strong and cold in winter; summer is very hot.
- 10:00
Visit
Palacio de la Aljafería
Banu Hud palace from the 11th century: its own prayer room with its mihrab, the Santa Isabel courtyard, and rare interlaced arches. An hour and a half. Hours: April–October daily ~10:00–18:30; November–March morning and afternoon (Sunday mornings only). Seat of the Aragon parliament: visits are restricted on general session days (usually Thursday afternoon and Friday morning) — check before you go.
Bus 32 / 33 — or a 20-minute walk from Plaza del PortilloOfficial website - 11:45
Walk
Avenida de César Augusto
Avenida de César Augusto
Walk to the center through the renovated Mercado Central (Lanuza). 30 minutes.
Tram: César Augusto - 12:30
Visit
Basílica del Pilar
Huge baroque church with Goya paintings and colorful domes; a tower with an elevator for the view. An hour. Open daily from early morning.
Tram: Plaza España / César Augusto - 13:45
Meal
Syriana restaurant (Syrian)
Syriana
Family Syrian lunch at Calle Mayor 43, 5 minutes from the Pilar.
Tram: Plaza España - 13:30
Prayer
Mezquita Al-Quds (Zaragoza)
On Friday: Friday prayer at Mezquita Al-Quds — in that case, make the Aljafería a Thursday-morning or Saturday visit.
- 15:30
Visit
Catedral del Salvador (La Seo)
Cathedral built over the Great Mosque of Zaragoza, with its outer Mudéjar wall (UNESCO). 45 minutes.
Tram: Plaza España - 16:30
Visit
Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta
Museo del Foro de Caesaraugusta
Ruins of the Roman city under Plaza de la Seo. 30 minutes. Closed Mondays.
- 17:15
Walk
Puente de Piedra
Puente de Piedra
Cross the bridge to the opposite bank for the most beautiful photo of the Pilar at sunset. 45 minutes.
- 19:30
Meal
Los Xarmientos (grill house)
Los Xarmientos
Family dinner of Aragonese grills at C. de Espoz y Mina 25.
Tram: Plaza España