What you can see on the Tarragona webcam
The view is from high ground inland, looking towards the coast. Pine trees and the roofs of the newer districts fill the foreground, a road winds up through them, and in the middle distance rises the walled old town, crowned by the bell tower of the cathedral. Behind it the sea stretches to the horizon, often with ships waiting off the port. It is a still photo with the current temperature and humidity: open it to see whether the sky is clear over the coast, how hazy the air is and how the evening light falls on the old stone.
Tarragona's old town and cathedral from the hills
This weather camera of 3Cat, Catalonia's public broadcaster, looks from high ground inland towards the coast. Pine trees and the roofs of the newer districts fill the foreground, with a road and its traffic signs bottom right. In the middle rises the old town on its hill, the octagonal bell tower of the cathedral standing above the stone buildings, and to the right a white canopy roof stands out among the blocks. Behind everything the sea runs to the horizon, often with a ship or two waiting off the port.
It is a still photo rather than video, shown with the temperature and humidity at the camera; the reload button brings the latest one. Late in the day the sun comes from behind the camera and the old town glows.
Roman Tarraco and the castells
The remains of Tarraco were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000: the amphitheatre beside the beach, the circus, the forum and stretches of the Roman walls, all within walking distance of each other. The cathedral, begun in the 12th century on the site of a Roman temple, stands at the top of the old town. Tarragona is also a capital of castells, the Catalan human towers: every other year, in early October, the best teams compete in the city's former bullring, the Tarraco Arena Plaça, and in late September the Santa Tecla festival fills the streets.
When to watch Tarragona
Tarragona is one hour ahead of the UK and Ireland. The camera looks towards the south-east, so in the late afternoon the sun comes from behind it and lights the old town in warm colours. Winters are mild and sunny, and the clearest days often come after a dry north-westerly wind.
Around Tarragona
From the Balcó del Mediterrani, the clifftop promenade at the end of the Rambla Nova, you look down on the amphitheatre and Miracle beach. The resorts of La Pineda, Salou and Cambrils lie a few miles south-west, while north of the city the beaches of L'Arrabassada, La Savinosa, La Móra and Tamarit are backed by pines and small coves.
Visiting Tarragona
Reus airport is about 5 miles (7 km) to the west, and high-speed trains from Madrid and Barcelona stop at Camp de Tarragona station, a few miles outside the city. The old town is steep and cobbled in places, so comfortable shoes help.
