[Spain] A Day Trip Near Barcelona: Walking Through Roman Times, A Train Journey to Tarragona (Cathedral & Harbor Walk)

Just when the bustle of Barcelona started to feel a bit overwhelming, I packed my bags again. This time, I headed not to a faraway place, but to , a city near Barcelona reachable in just one hour by train.

For a “ Timid Traveler” like me, Tarragona was the perfect refuge. It is a place where ancient Roman ruins and the sound of Mediterranean waves coexist. I am writing down the record of my day there, which was incredibly peaceful and safe even for a woman traveling alone.

# A Strange Excitement Met at the Train Station (Renfe Train)

I took a Renfe train from Barcelona Sants Station and began to run along the coastline. As I stared blankly at the unfolding sea outside the window, an announcement suddenly played.

“TARRAGONA”

The silver sign I encountered upon getting off at the station. Is there any moment as heart-fluttering as when you photograph a sign with the name of an unfamiliar city? An atmosphere different from Barcelona brushed past my nose. This place, called ‘ Tarraco’ in Roman times, was once the capital of the Iberian Peninsula. I was immediately captivated by the antique atmosphere felt as soon as I stepped out of the station.

# The Twist of an Ancient City, Alleyway Graffiti

While climbing the hill in search of historic sites, I encountered an unexpected scene. It was massive graffiti art filling the exterior wall of an old building.

The mural featuring a bizarre robot face with colorful hues pleasantly shattered my stereotype of this being a “ City of Roman Ruins.” It is not a city frozen in past time, but a place where vibrant contemporary art coexists. The fun of finding these witty paintings hidden in every alley was quite delightful.

# The Essence of Majestic Gothic, Tarragona Cathedral (Catedral de Tarragona)

As I continued up the narrow alleys of the old town, ‘ Part Alta,’ the **Tarragona Cathedral**, located at the highest point of the city, finally revealed itself.

The large Rose Window filling the facade and the delicate sculptures were so magnificent that it was hard to capture them all in the camera lens at once. I stepped closer to look at the details beyond the rusty iron bars and the stone walls stained with time. Unlike the sleek and ornate architecture of Gaudí, I felt a rough yet overwhelming medieval power.

In the show window of a souvenir shop near the cathedral, books and postcards capturing the scenery of Catalonia were displayed. The Tarragona under a clear sky in the postcards was pretty, but I moved on, thinking that the calm, cloudy Tarragona of today was also quite atmospheric.

# The Mediterranean on a Cloudy Day, A Quiet Harbor Walk

After finishing the tour of the ruins, I followed the scent of the sea down the hill. Another charm of Tarragona is that it touches the sea.

Walking towards the harbor ( El Serrallo), a marina where countless yachts and boats were docked appeared. Although the weather was a bit overcast, the scenery of palm trees and white yachts blending under the gray clouds was like a watercolor painting.

Unlike the beaches of Barcelona crowded with tourists, this was a quiet shelter where I could feel the lives of the locals. Sitting on a bench watching the swaying boats, it was the perfect time to immerse myself in solitary contemplation.

💡 [Info] How to Get to Tarragona from Barcelona & Travel Tips

1. Using the Train (Renfe)

• Departure: Barcelona Sants Station (Sants Estació) or Passeig de Gràcia Station.
• Duration: About 1 hour ~ 1 hour 10 minutes (based on Regional Express).
• Tickets: Available for purchase on-site, approximately 16~20 Euros round trip.
• Tip: Sit on the left side in the direction of travel. You can enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean coastline as you pass through Sitges and other areas.

2. Walking Course

• Tarragona is largely divided into the Old Town (Part Alta, ruins on the hill) and the Harbor/New Town (Part Baixa, lower area).
• I recommend a course where you get off at the train station, go up the hill (using the road or escalator/elevator) to the Old Town to see the Roman Amphitheatre -> Cathedral, and then visit the Harbor on your way down.

3. Places in the Photos

• Tarragona Cathedral: Located at the highest point of the Old Town. (Entrance fee applies)
• Harbor Marina: A 10–15 minute walk towards the sea from the train station.

Originally published at https://timidtravelers.blogspot.com on December 26, 2025.