Barcelona is living its greatest crisis tour. With more than 15 million visitors a year and a density that exceeds 200,000 tourists per square kilometer in areas such as Barceloneta or the Sagrada Familia, the city lives a borderline situation. The consequences are already palpable: rents in the clouds, disappearance of local trade, saturated services and neighborhood protests that have become viral, such as water guns thrown against tourists in the middle of the terrace.
Perception has changed, even among the authorities. The Tourism Consortium itself admits that they are worried about the image of excessive tourism of Barcelona and recognizes that there is a perception that the city does not want tourists. Meanwhile, many residents claim to have stopped frequenting the center for agglomeration, and experts warn that tourism growth has no brake.
Zaragoza is recognized for being a cozy city. Photo: Pilar Álvarez
In this context, the British newspaper The Times has published a report where it recommends seven quiet, hospitable and even saturated Spanish destinations, as an alternative to Barcelona overwhelms. And first appears Saragossa, highlighted as “a festive and welcoming city, which at the moment does not complain about excess tourism.”
“My main recommendation to replace Barcelona is Zaragoza”
This is stated by Paul Richardson, author of the report entitled “I have lived in Spain 35 years: these places do receive tourists well. ”In it, he says:“ My main recommendation to replace Barcelona is Zaragoza, capital of Aragon and a festive and cozy city. ”As explained, Zaragoza offers all the ingredients of a large city, but without the stress of mass tourism.
He describes it as a place “on the shores of the Ebro River, with the towers of its great basilica rising proudly on water”, in reference to the Basilica del Pilar, and highlights its local and authentic atmosphere. “Here, for the moment, nobody complains about excess tourism,” he emphasizes.
Tapas, art and architecture: a city that surprises without overwhelming
Richardson also recommends that the reader not miss “the medieval architecture of the old town, the lively tapas and wines scene in the district of El Tube – a labyrinth of streets with about 60 bars – and the curved bridge of Zaha Hadid on the Ebro, built on the occasion of the 2008 Expo”. In addition, he praises the presence of Aragonese genius in the city: “You cannot miss the works of Francisco de Goya, originally from Aragon, in the Goya Museum.”
As a practical suggestion, he proposes to stay at the Hotel Avenida, “a simple but elegant establishment, with rustic -style minimalist rooms and a patio decorated with cactus in baskets.” And he concludes that Zaragoza is one of those cities that surprise the visitor without the need for endless filters or queues.
Six other cities recommended by The Times
Together with Zaragoza, The Times recommends six other cities and regions of Spain where you can enjoy without the agglomerations of the most tourist destinations: Jaén (Andalusia), Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country), Cantabria, La Palma (Canary Islands), Murcia and Guadalajara (Castilla-La Mancha). All of them, according to the report, “welcome the tourist with open arms” and retain their local character against the tourist that affects places such as Barcelona, San Sebastián or Palma de Mallorca.
Without the need for agglomerations or a postal image, the Aragonese capital demonstrates that it is possible to enjoy urban tourism without giving up the quality of life. And if The Times has put it on the map as the ideal alternative to Barcelona, it is not by chance: it is because Zaragoza still retains the best of traveling.
