Known for its incredible Roman ruins, coastal Mediterranean scenery, and incredible food and wine scene, Tarragona is definitely an underrated place to visit in Spain. Situated just down the coast from Barcelona, it’s a much cheaper, calmer, and less touristy alternative, with bags of history and walkable charm.
Even though Tarragona is cheaper than Barcelona, there are still plenty of tips and tricks you can use to keep prices down even further. So, based on my experience, here’s how to visit Tarragona on a budget.
Flights
Given its proximity to Barcelona, you might be tempted to fly into Barcelona El Prat (BCN). Unless you’re flying on a long-haul option, there’s a better and cheaper airport to fly into for Tarragona.
Formerly known as Barcelona Reus, Reus Airport is just 13km away from Tarragona. Reus is actually the birthplace of Gaudí, so well worth a day trip before or after your flight. It’s also one of the main low-cost airlines, with Ryanair having frequent budget-friendly flights here from all across Europe.
You can get return flights from UK regional airports for as low as £30. When Reus was being marketed as a budget Barcelona airport, everyone started to kick off, as it’s over 100km from Barcelona city centre. Since then, the marketing has switched solely to Reus as a more cultural Catalan city break, hence why it’s cheaper.
Getting Around
You can get a direct bus from Reus Airport to Tarragona, or if you miss the direct one that runs every couple of hours, there’s a more frequent connection from Reus bus station to Tarragona. Either way, it costs between €2 and €4 each way, depending on whether you have a connection.
The airport bus takes just 20 minutes if you go directly, or takes 50 minutes if you have to change at Reus bus station. All in all, it’s a speedy airport transfer on public transport.
If you’re coming from Barcelona, there’s a direct train. Be aware that there are two Tarragona stations: Tarragona and Camp de Tarragona. You’ll be tempted to book a train to the Camp de Tarragona because it’s a shorter duration, but this is miles outside of Tarragona on the high-speed line towards Madrid. You want the slower line to Tarragona. This brings you out right between Old Town and the beach. The correct train is usually one hour and 10 minutes and costs around £6 one-way.
While I was in Tarragona, I walked pretty much everywhere. It’s not a huge city, but it can be quite hilly, especially on the way up to the Old Town or down to the harbour and the beach. There are local bus lines across the city and down towards Salou, if you need the extra lift.
Where to Stay
When I stayed in Tarragona on a budget, I stayed in the B&B Hotel Tarragona Centro Urbis. This is a no-frills 3-star hotel, which is already fancier than I usually go for on a solo trip. However, a double room with a private bathroom and a takeaway breakfast bag costs just £50-60 per night.
While there are a couple of hostels in Tarragona, they start from around £35 per night for a dorm room in shoulder season, and privates start from £50 and up. This is the rare time when staying in a hotel is actually worth it over a hostel, especially if you’re sharing the double room.
Location-wise, the B&B Hotel Tarragona Centro Urbis was fantastic. It’s situated right on the plaza in front of the Mercado, so you can stock up on snacks. There are plenty of cafes to get coffee and pastries in the morning or an alfresco wine in the evening. It’s more on the new side of the city, but it’s only a 10-15 minute walk to Old Town and around a 10-minute walk to the bus station.
Where to Eat
One thing that you’re not going to be short of in Tarragona is great places to eat on a budget. Food quality is fantastic, as is the local Priorat wine. Seafood is reasonably priced, regardless of whether you have it in Old Town or down on the harbour.
Even at the “fanciest” place I ate, El Llagut in Old Town, a huge casserole dish of rice and fresh seafood came to just €19. This could’ve easily fed two people. You also got complimentary cold herb-filled soup and bread as part of the experience, so it felt like an extravagance for lunch.
For a wine and cheeseboard option (a favourite light dinner of mine, after a big lunch), wind down the Old Town alleyways to El Tamboret. Sit in a historic side street, have local cheeses and breads, and get recommended local wines for a fraction of the cost in Barcelona or Madrid.
Things to Do In Tarragona On A Budget
Tarragona is full of either free or cheap things to do. Even just wandering around Old Town is a fantastic way to spend half a day, admiring the historic architecture.
Some of the biggest attractions are the Roman Forum and the Roman Amphitheatre of Tarraco (sometimes called Tarragona’s Colosseum). Usually, the Forum costs around 3-4 and the Amphitheatre costs 5, but you can get a group ticket with other historical sites for 15. There are also plenty of student discounts.
However, when I went, I accidentally stumbled upon one of the free entry days at both places. These sites are free on the last Tuesday of every month outside of peak summer, and on International Museum Day in May. It’s also free entry on public holidays.
Another great thing to do in Tarragona on a budget is to visit the Balcó del Mediterrani, which is a stunning viewpoint out across the Mediterranean Sea. It’s located close to the Amphitheatre and is a great place to start your wander down to the beach.
The beaches in Tarragona are free and beautiful. You’ll find a promenade that runs alongside and some seaside food and drink stands. The bay provides calm waters for swimming, and there are plenty of coves to set up your towels and bags.
