The Ultimate Guide To The Best Time in Zaragoza Spain

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On our recent journey to Spain, where I embraced the life of a digital nomad, grasping the local time in Zaragoza Spain became crucial. It was a delicate dance of aligning with the USA time zones. A necessity that let us soak in the morning’s beauty as a tourist while dedicating our afternoons and evenings to work. This balance allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of Spanish culture, all while staying connected to my responsibilities across the ocean.

Zaragoza Architecture & Cuisine

Zaragoza, is a captivating blend of history, culture, and culinary excellence. This vibrant city, bisected by the Ebro River, offers an array of stunning sights. From the majestic Basilica del Pilar, a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, to the remnants of the Roman and Moorish eras, such as the Aljafería Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site that whispers tales of centuries past. Zaragoza’s cuisine adds another layer to its allure, with local delicacies like “bacalao al ajoarriero” (salt cod with garlic) and “ternasco” (roast lamb) that tantalize the palate, reflecting the rich agricultural bounty of the region. The city’s beauty is not just in its monumental landmarks but also in its lively streets, charming squares, and the serene beauty of the Ebro’s banks. This makes Zaragoza a must-visit destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in the essence of Spanish splendor.

Zaragoza is part of the autonomous community of Aragon that encompasses the provinces of Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel.

What Time Is It In Zaragoza Spain?

Since Spain is in the Central European Time Zone (CET) during standard time, which is UTC+1. This site is always good to check the time zones across the globe.

To give you a reference if you are living in the United States, the USA spans multiple time zones, from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Pacific Standard Time (PST), including Central Standard Time (CST) and Mountain Standard Time (MST), during standard time. During daylight saving time, these time zones shift to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Central Daylight Time (CDT), Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), respectively.

Given Zaragoza, Spain, is on Central European Time (CET) during standard time (UTC+1) and Central European Summer Time (CEST) during daylight saving time (UTC+2), the time difference to various U.S. time zones during Spain’s standard time would be:

• Eastern Standard Time (EST): UTC-5, making Zaragoza 6 hours ahead.
• Central Standard Time (CST): UTC-6, making Zaragoza 7 hours ahead.
• Mountain Standard Time (MST): UTC-7, making Zaragoza 8 hours ahead.
• Pacific Standard Time (PST): UTC-8, making Zaragoza 9 hours ahead.

Please note that these differences apply when Spain is not in daylight saving time. During daylight saving time, the time difference remains the same because both move their clocks forward by one hour. However, daylight saving time’s start and end dates are not synchronized worldwide, which can affect the time difference for a few weeks in the spring and fall.

Why is Zaragoza Not As Well Known?

Despite its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture, Zaragoza tends to overshadow Spain’s more famous destinations like Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. And it is only on our fourth trip to Spain that we discovered this gem. Zaragoza is the capital city of the Zaragoza province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. After visiting this town, I cannot help but wonder why it took us so long to come to Zaragoza. We had the best time in Zaragoza Spain. What we loved most was that it is small and not overrun by tourists. (Yeah, I know we are tourists too.)

Things To Do In Zaragoza, Spain

Our 65 days in Spain started with 3 full days in Zaragoza. Although Zaragoza is not as well known as other places in Spain, we found 3 full days of activities in the city. I am adding the sights and activities to show how much I enjoyed them.

Walk With No Plan

This is always our first go-to activity in a new city. Find your accommodation, leave your luggage in the room and take to the streets. Walk with no plan. Old town Zaragoza is small and safe, and there is nothing to inspire me in a new city as just walking and feeling the vibes.

Cathedral D’ Zaragoza – La Seo

The Cathedral of the Savior, or La Seo de Zaragoza, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Zaragoza. The outside of the cathedral is unassuming and leaves you unprepared for what is inside. We have traveled the world and have been in many churches, cathedrals, and other places of worship. This is on my top 5 list of most beautiful cathedrals.

La Seo Chapterhouse Tapestry Museum

When visiting the cathedral, pay the extra two euros and visit the tapestry museum. Marvel at the manual labor that went into creating the beautiful tapestries.

Take 15 to 20 minutes to appreciate the tapestry collection. Imagine how long it would have taken to create these masterpieces that are about 8*32 feet in size. Map to Plaza de la Seo, Zaragoza

Nuestra Señora del Pilar Basilic

The outline of the Basilica is probably the most photographed spot in Zaragoza. Read more about this religious and architectural landmark here.

Aljaferia Palace

Aljaferia Palace is a Moorish palace with period architecture. Read more about this Moorish gem in the middle of Zaragoza.

Ebro River Walk and Puente de Piedra

Take an early morning walk along the Ebro River. It is relaxing, and the views of the city are astonishing.

Caesaraugusta Roman Museums

Learn about the Roman history of Zaragoza through artifacts and exhibitions at these four museums. Access the the site is less than Five Euros and worth the money. It was facinating to actually be inside the ruin, vs. just seeing the ruins on the surface.

El Tubo

Are you up for some busy nightlife? Explore the lively El Tubo area, packed with small tapas bars and larger open areas for bigger gatherings. On our trip, we preferred the smaller tapas bars to the noisy bars, but that is a personal preference. Live on the wild side and try tapas that might blow your mind. We tried a tapa with anchovies, tomato jam and chocolate. It sounded horrible but came highly recommended. And it was really good.

Goya Museum

Discover some of the works of the famous Spanish painter Francisco Goya. Keep in mind that paintings often move from one museum to another. When we visited, there were not a lot of Goya paintings on display.

Zaragoza Aquiruim

Visit the largest freshwater aquarium in Zaragoza. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and could not visit the aquarium.

Local Cuisine From Old Favorites To Modern Marvels In Taste

Read more about our other food experiences in Zaragoza, including the Michelin Mentioned Restaurant Garberra where we had our best meal ever. and a pateresie in the Sauce Hotel. Learn about Zaragoza and Aragon’s traditional food.

Kingdom of Aragon

The Kingdom of Aragon, founded in 1035, was not just a realm on a map but a beacon of the Middle Ages, renowned for its contributions to art, law, and politics. This influential family engaged in marriage alliances and conquests that extended its reach to parts of Italy, the Mediterranean islands, and even as far as the New World. Like so many powerful families over the agenda, it had its triumphs and struggles. Their legacy is not just in the monuments and manuscripts they left behind but in the enduring spirit of Aragon. We visited the beautiful Palacio De La Aljaferia, where we saw this high-level family tree, 400 years from 1035 to 1479.

Aragon Name Meaning

In Basque, Aragon is called Aragoa or Aragoi, which may mean ‘high valley‘ and refers to an area in North Western Spain. The name Aragon carries with it a sense of pride and identity and a reminder of a time when kingdoms were forged by sword and sealed by word.

Conclusion

We had the time of our life in this city, and I’ve come to understand that part of why it remains a hidden gem is because it doesn’t get the same international spotlight, even though it’s a UNESCO Heritage site, nor the widespread marketing that other larger cities enjoy. Also, being landlocked might play a role for those seeking beach vacations. Potential visitors are simply unaware of the wonders this city has to offer. I plan to put this city on the maps for your next visit to Spain. I invite you to enjoy your time in Zaragoza, Spain!