Ancient Tarragona by the Balearic Sea

Exploring the oldest Roman settlement on the Iberian Peninsula

Amphitheater in Tarragona: Photo by Liana Buriak

Tarragona is nestled along the coast of the Balearic Sea, where Roman ruins and excavations bear witness to the history of the oldest Roman settlement on the Iberian Peninsula, known in antiquity as Tarraco.

The old amphitheater catches the eye, giving you a beautiful view of the sea. The construction is in fairly good condition. When I looked at it, I thought about how the sea is a timeless aesthetic, no matter what’s in style today. People might have different ideas about beauty, depending on the time, but everyone, even the Romans a long time ago, could appreciate the sea.

Sea view in Tarragona: Photos by Liana Buriak

The presence of a charming port enhances the atmosphere, and on the horizon, the far silhouettes of ships contribute a romantic touch.

Nevertheless, the city may sometimes seem unfriendly and off-putting, especially for motorists. The urban landscape is complete chaos with road signs and intersections, and the city’s outskirts are overgrown with weeds.

We arrived in Tarragona during the pre-Christmas period and had the opportunity to witness what the city looks like during the holidays. We felt a bit let down because it didn’t quite align with our tastes, to say the least. Perhaps, beauty is subjective. But our idea of beautiful Christmas decorations differs from the one of the authorities in Tarragona (or whoever is responsible for decorating the streets).

The quality of the multitude of garlands and lights leaves much to be desired, with a chaotic mix of multicolored hues alternating between cold and warm tones, and occasionally showcasing the entire spectrum of the rainbow.

Various Christmas-themed decorations, such as gifts, snowflakes, and other motifs, are scattered throughout, adding to the overall disorderly appearance. We had an opportunity to compare this festive outrage with the more refined ambiance of stylish in that sense Girona. And Tarragona fails that battle.

Square in Tarragona: Photo by Liana Buriak

Nonetheless, during the day, the city is charming. Even though Tarragona is technically part of Catalonia, visually it’s got more of a Valencia feel to it, despite being way farther from Valencia than from Barcelona.

The houses here just reminded me of the ones in Valencia, giving off a bit of a mixed-up and southern vibe.

Streets of Tarragona: Photos by Liana Buriak

Tarragona has a stunning old cathedral. On Sundays, the area around it comes alive with a bustling flea market where you can stumble upon just about anything. The atmosphere there is irresistible, especially on lazy Sundays. It draws you in with an eclectic mix of things they sell and the lively noise of people moving around. You subconsciously find joy in the unexpected treasures on the stalls of street vendors.

Tarragona Cathedral and the atmosphere around it: Photos by Liana Buriak

In Tarragona, daytime brings out the best, with a vivant Sunday mood — such a rare in Spain. Don’t expect to see the perfect picture here (unless perfect means authentic to you). After all, the beauty in Tarragona is a bit like the sea view — timeless, no matter what.