Things to Do at Plaza del Pilar

Plaza del Pilar is one of those rare European squares that actually lives up to its reputation as the heart of a city. Stretching along the banks of the Ebro River in Zaragoza's old town, it's dominated by the magnificent Basilica del Pilar - a baroque masterpiece that's been drawing pilgrims for centuries. The square itself is surprisingly vast, giving you plenty of room to appreciate the basilica's eleven colorful domes without craning your neck, and it tends to have this lovely golden glow in the late afternoon light that makes even casual snapshots look like postcards. What makes Plaza del Pilar particularly appealing is how it manages to feel both grand and lived-in. Sure, you'll find tourists admiring the architecture, but you'll also see locals cutting through on their way to work, kids playing around the fountains, and street musicians setting up in the evenings. The square connects smoothly with Plaza de la Seo, creating this wonderful pedestrian area where you can wander between two of Spain's most important religious buildings without dodging traffic.

Plaza del Pilar anchors Zaragoza's historic center. Most central hotels put you within easy walking distance of this massive square. Train travelers face a simple 10-minute walk from Zaragoza-Delicias station, though tram line 1 stops right at Plaza del Pilar. Airport arrivals work differently. Bus line 501 handles the city center run, then you'll walk the final stretch. Drivers get the tough deal-parking in the old town is brutal. Your best move? Underground garages like the one at Plaza de San Bruno handle the car storage problem.