Garrapinillos, the Zaragoza neighborhood with the charming town that is next to an airport
Just 16 kilometers from the center of Saragossa, Ticks has become an increasingly desired place by those who seek the tranquility of a people, nature and good connection with the city. Here, family urbanizations, cultivation fields and stately farms, in an environment that invites calm, without giving up the services of the Great Urbe. In addition, it is one of the points closest to Zaragoza airport, which gives you a privileged connection.
Ticks It is one of the rural neighborhoods of Zaragoza for more than a century, although it maintains a marked rural identity. With about 5,700 inhabitants and managed by its own neighborhood board, this population nucleus has managed to balance tradition with residential growth. Garrapinillos parties, hiking routes and closeness to the Imperial Canal also make it ideal for family free time.
Ticks in Zaragoza: History and evolution of the rural neighborhood
How many inhabitants does ticks have?
What to see in ticks
Ticks in Zaragoza: History and evolution of the rural neighborhood
Garrapinillos was officially incorporated into the municipality of Zaragoza in 1879. Since then, it has maintained its rural neighborhood, linked to agricultural activities. Despite its administrative integration, it continues to be governed through a neighborhood board that allows management close to the needs of the neighborhood.
The growth of the Rural neighborhood of Zaragoza came especially from the 70s and 80s, when urbanizations and residential farms began to be built. Many Zaragoza families opted for this environment to escape the bustle of the center without getting too far away, and with it the neighborhood won in infrastructure, shops and educational offer.
A key part of its evolution is linked to the development of the Zaragoza airport and, subsequently, of the Zaragoza Logistics Platform (Plaza). These infrastructure next to the neighborhood have been an important change in their physiognomy, attracting employment, investments and improving their communications.
How many inhabitants does ticks have?
According to the document “Reports of Districts of Zaragoza 2023” prepared by Ebropolis, ticks has 5,671 inhabitants, a figure that places it as the second most populous rural neighborhood of the municipality of Zaragoza. This demographic growth has been constant during the last decades, driven by the demand for housing in quiet but well connected areas.
Of the total tick, just over 9 % are people of foreign origin, which contributes an increasingly present cultural diversity in the life of the neighborhood. The ages are varied, although young families with children and older people who have lived all their lives there predominate.
What to see in ticks
Parish Church of San Lorenzo Mártir
One of the most prominent points of the heritage of ticks is its parish church dedicated to San Lorenzo Mártir. It was the first major project of the architect Ricardo Magdalena and was built between 1874 and 1892. The building presents a neo-Roma-Bizantine style that stands out throughout the rural term.
The temple gets up in brick and has a single six -sections ship, covered by cannon vault with lunetos and bowls. At the foot of the building is its slender square tower, topped by an octagonal chapitel restored in 2001. Rehabilitation recovered its original splendor, becoming a visual reference in the neighborhood.
The Garrapinillos Church is not only a place of worship, but also the epicenter of the employer celebrations. Here the masses, processions and religious acts linked to the Virgen del Carmen and the Virgen del Rosario, patrons of the neighborhood are developed.
Hiking routes
The natural tick environment offers several ideal hiking trails for outdoor lovers. One of the most popular is the one that connects the urban nucleus with the raft of Larralde, a natural lagoon that is part of the lagoon set of the friar’s eye, ideal for bird observation.
Another highly recommended option is the itinerary that travels part of the imperial channel of Aragon, a hydraulic work of the 18th century that water the nearby orchards. This route is very frequented by cyclists and walkers.
It also highlights the circular route ticks – Torre Anchetas – booths, perfect to enjoy the agrarian landscape and rural roads that still retain the original essence of the neighborhood. All routes are accessible and marked.
Tick parties
Garrapinillos parties are a central element of their social and neighborhood life. They are held on two key dates: on July 16, in honor of the Virgen del Carmen, and on September 8, in honor of the Virgen del Rosario, Patroness of the neighborhood. Both celebrations are moments of reunion, emotion and mass participation.
During the holidays processions, verbenas, contests, popular meals and activities for all ages are organized. It is common for the streets to be filled with color, music and tradition, in a few days that reinforce the feeling of community among the ticks.
These festivities also attract neighbors from other nearby neighborhoods such as booths or utebo, and even Zaragoza Ciudad, who take the opportunity to enjoy the rural and cozy coastal atmosphere.
Plaza Linear Park
The Plaza Linear Park is one of the largest green areas of Todo Zaragoza, even above the José Antonio Labordeta Park. It extends over 62 hectares and is located next to the Garrapinillos neighborhood and the logistics platform.
This large natural space has a lake of 36,000 m², large landscaped areas, roads to walk or ride a bike, and sculptural elements such as a zigurat and an obelisk. It is usual to see families, cyclists or people walking with their pets any day of the year.
In addition, its proximity to the neighborhood turns this park into an added value for the tick inhabitants, who find here a perfect natural lung to disconnect without leaving the municipality.
Zaragoza airport
The Zaragoza airport is located on land in the Garrapinillos neighborhood. It is a mixed (civil and military) airport and has one of the longest tracks in Europe, with more than 3,700 meters long. This makes it a strategic point for both passenger flights and logistics operations.
The origin of the airport dates back to 1937, when the Military Garrapinillos airfield was built during the Civil War. As of 1947, it also began to be used for commercial purposes, and its current terminal was inaugurated in 2008. It has six boarding doors and capacity for more than one million passengers a year.
In addition, within the same enclosure is the Valenzuela Air Base, 23 km², which came to house US military presence for decades. Today it remains a fundamental enclave in air defense and in the coordination of international operations.
Location and map of ticks
Garrapinillos is Barrio de Zaragoza that is located 16 kilometers from the urban center, located west of the city and very close to booths, utebo and monzalbarba. Its strategic location facilitates access by road, public transport and bike lane.
The neighborhood connects with Zaragoza through the N-125 road, which also gives access to the airport. From there, you can take the path of barboles and continue through the horseshoe’s career. In addition, the 604 bus line joins ticks with the center, being a comfortable option for those who do not have a vehicle.
Living in the Rural Barrio Garrapinillos in Zaragoza is to do it in an environment that combines the best of the rural world with the proximity to the Aragonese capital. Its urbanizations, its farms and its great quality of life make this neighborhood an increasingly valued option. With its natural routes, the Garrapinillos church, its traditional parties and its location next to the airport, the neighborhood offers its own identity within the Great Map of Zaragoza. Ideal to visit it, discover it or, why not, stay to live.
