Located in the north-east of Spain, only a short drive from the border with France, Zaragoza forms one of an estimable trio of cities all string out in a line stretching coast to coast here, along with Bilbao and Barcelona. While they hug the coast, this city sits inland in Aragon, providing great road access to either the Balearic Sea or Bay of Biscay, while the rest of Spain beckons to the south and south-west.

You’ll find our branch in the terminal when you land, and from the airport to the city itself is just a 15-minute drive east along the N-125. The main thing to remember as you leave the airport with your hire car is that you’ll need to drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left.

Speed limits vary, with Spanish motorways having a top limit of 120 km/h (74mph) and built-up areas 50 km/h (31mph). As ever, follow the signage. Remember that children under the age of 12 can’t sit in the front passenger seat, and that there are numerous toll roads in Spain. If you’re unsure about how to pay, please ask our team when you collect your hire car at Zaragoza Airport, as they’ll be delighted to help.

In Zaragoza itself, there’s an outer ring road that consists of the Z-40 and A-2, a good way to avoid the centre if you’re skirting the city. Two major roads bisect the city – the N-330 from south to north, the N-232 from west to east – using these you’ll be able to access all the major sights of the city.

Zaragoza is a city packed full of exciting sights and things to do. Just a short drive or walk will take you past incredible buildings and architecture from different points in history. It’s all remarkably well-preserved and, contrasted with the new Zaragoza, makes for one of Spain’s most enthralling and fascinating cities.

History’s footprints

Many religions have left their mark on Zaragoza, but the Basilica del Pilar is perhaps the most remarkable of them all. This 17^th century Catholic church was sensitively expanded in the 18^th, and contains stunning sculptures, altarpieces and works by Goya, who was born close to the city.

A tapas tour in El Tubo

To sample local food at its finest, take yourself on a tour of El Tubo, a district packed full of superb tapas restaurants. Grab a small dish and a drink in each one and tick off as many as you can, with many having their own house specialities. Wander the streets of Cuatro de Agosto, Estébanes, Libertad and Mártires and you’ll be surrounded by locals – standing, sitting, leaning, perching, but all of them eating and talking. Make sure you try the anchovy sandwiches of La Ballena Colora, the ‘migas’ in La Republicana and the various croquettes at Taberna Dona Casta.

Beyond Zaragoza

While you can head south-east to Barcelona or north-west to Bilbao from Zaragoza, there are also some interesting off-the-beaten-track places to drive to nearby. An hour away is Huesca, with its medieval palace and Gothic cathedral, while there’s the contrast of Belchite, an eerie ghost town that was almost completely destroyed in the Spanish Civil War – it was never rebuilt.

Art lovers should make a pilgrimage to Fuendetodos, where legendary Spanish artist Francisco de Goya was born. It’s an unassuming place less than an hour from Zaragoza but the museum built in the farmhouse where he was raised is more than worth the journey. Numerous key works are housed here, an essential cultural stop-off.

With car hire at Zaragoza Airport you can discover the very best of this exciting, passionate city, before venturing forth to see more of north-east Spain in all its glory.