Spanish Cities and Towns

Once you have selected your preferred region of Spain read up on some of the towns and cities to narrow your choice for a property purchase. The most popular of these are described in the following pages.

Alicante, Almeria, Altea, Andalusia, Aspe, Barcelona, Baza, Benalmadena, Benidorm, Benitachell, Blanes, Calpe, Cartegena, Castilla la Macha, Catalonia, Crevillent, Denia, Elche, Estepona, Fuengirola, Granada, Guadix, La Romana, La Vega Baja, Lorca, Malaga, Mar Menor, Marbella, Mazarron, Mijas, Murcia, Nerja, Orihuela, Puerto Banus, Quesada, Salinas, Salou, Sitges, Sotogrande, Spanish regions, Tabarca, Taberno, Tarragona, Torremolinos, Torrevieja, Tossa del Mar, Valencia, Valencian Community, Zurgena

Tarragona

The Romans saw the importance of the location of Tarragona in the 3rd centtury B.C when they set up military and political headquarters there. The strategic location, mild climate and the local wine were an ideal combination. Known as Tarraco, it became the capital of the Roman's biggest Spanish province. It grew to a population of around 30,000 and had it's own money mint. So much was built here by the Romans and so much remains here it's like stepping back in time.
Tarragona is 98km from Barcelona, within Catalonia.

All over Tarragona you will see remnants of the Roman Empire, from simple columns to a full size amphitheatre along the beach edge. During excavations here in 1953, an early Christian church was discovered. Above this site is what's called the Balco de Maditerrani, a cliffside promenade that offers unbeatable views over the sea.

Close to the central market lie the excavated remains of the Roman Forum where you can wander and wonder on what the shops and amenities looked like in Roman times.

On the edge of the city, over-looking the River Francoli is an extraordinary museum, quite unique. The Necropoli i Museu Paleocristia is a cemetery for Tarragona's early Christians. The museum which is about the size of three football pitches has observation platforms looking over hundreds of graves, left as they were discovered.

The Cathedral is a 'must-see'. Built in 1171 on the site of a Roman temple to Jupiter, it has 19 chapels in all. Inside you will also find the museum with a wealth of important artefacts.

If history is your scene then this is the place to be and just for good measure is a wonderful beach. There are ample hotels, bars, restaurants and shops.