Tarragona, Spain - Gateway to Montblanc and the Poblet Monastery

Mediterranean Port of Call Is Near Barcelona

Tarragona can trace its history back to Roman times. No, Tarragona is not in Italy, it's about 60 miles southwest of Barcelona, Spain. But many of the shore excursions and options for touring the city will give you a taste of ancient Rome. Julius Caesar is responsible for most of the development of Tarragona, and Pontius Pilate was born there. Today Tarragona sits on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean, and it is a cultural center and important in the wine trade. Tarragona is also a favorite city of archaeologists who continue to find ancient Roman artifacts wherever they choose to dig. I visited Tarragona on the Silversea Silver Whisper and thought the city and the famous Poblet Monastery were charming. I also loved seeing the medieval village of Montblanc. Here are some of the shore excursion and touring options for those visiting Tarragona.

Tarragona City Tour
Like most cruise lines, Silversea has a city tour at each port of call. In Tarragona, the tour involves a lot of walking in the old town, which gives tourists an opportunity to see some of the most impressive Roman remains on the Iberian peninsula. This shore excursion tour includes visits to the (1) Cyclopean Walls that extend for over 1,000 yards and dates back to the 6th century B.C.; (2) Cathedral that demonstrates both Romanesque and Gothic architecture and a rose window; (3) ancient Roman Amphitheater that seated over 12,000; and (4) Balcón del Mediterráneo, a terrace overlooking Milagro Beach and the magnificent Mediterranean coastline.

Montblanc & Poblet Monastery
This shore excursion takes tourists inland to experience the history and tradition of Catalonia. The bus first takes you to Montblanc, a former residence of kings and knights. Montblanc has a medieval atmosphere and a walking tour gives visitors the opportunity to see the village. Montblanc's "claim to fame" is that St. George reportedly slayed the dragon in the village, and there is a marker commemorating the deed. Leaving Montblanc, the bus continues to the Poblet Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although this monastery was abandoned in the 19th century, it was restored during the 1940s. The designation as a World Heritage Site confirms its status as one of the most impressive monuments in Spain.

Going Ashore in Tarragona on Your Own
Small cruise ships like the Silver Whisper dock at Muelle Costa, which is about half a mile from the city center. There is a shopping market area along the Rambla Nova and the pedestrian streets in the city center (the Carre Major and Carre Mendez Nunez). Old town Tarragona has numerous antique shops for those who like to browse. For visitors who don't wish to take a shore excursion, shop or just aimlessly wander the city, there is a pleasant half-mile walk called the Passeig Arqueologic. This trail follows the ancient city walls past grottos and gardens and is lined with cypresses.

After an afternoon and early evening in Tarragona, the Silver Whisper left the Iberian peninsula and sailed to the Balearic island of Mallorca (also spelled Majorca).