What To Do in Tortosa (on a budget)

What To Do In Tortosa (on a budget)

I haven’t found this in too many cities so it was a nice change to be able to have this card to facilitate access of Tortosa. Tortosa Tourism has created a card that for one price gives you access to 5 different locations of the city! Honestly, it’s a steal and I definitely recommend it if you’re going to be visiting this city. I’ll go over where you can purchase it, the cost, and all the places it gives you access to along with the attractions normal entrance fee. It’s enough to keep you busy for a day or a week and simply solves your ‘what to do in Tortosa’ dilema, especially if you’re on a budget!😉

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If you prefer doing a tour around the city instead of on your own, check this out. It’s a private walking tour of Tortosa, which isn’t too budget friendly but can you give you a more insight on the city by a guide who speaks English.

Purchasing the Tortosa Card

There are a couple places you can go to purchase this 7 euro card. The first being at the Tourist Office, which is where I purchased mine. The Tourist Office is right next to the Museum of Tortosa and also one of the places you can enter with the card. I definitely recommend it as a first stop to get to know a bit about the history of the city before hitting up the other spots. This office is about a 15 minute walk from the train station which passes through the city center. The card is also available at City Hall which is located in Plaza España and only 6 minutes from the train station. City Hall hours are weekdays 9am to 2pm. There are information points throughout the city that also sell the card as well. I will add them here when I find where more of them are.

Attention: the card can only be purchased with cash! So make sure you have some on hand for this. Also, good to note, the card is valid for 3 days from the date of purchase. So if you’re planning a weekend trip, you’ll be able to get the most of your card during your stay.

Tourist Office hours: Monday through Saturday 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm, Sundays 9:30am to 1:30pm

Address: Tarragona 3, Rambla Felip Pedrell, 43500 Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain

City Hall hours: Weekdays 9am to 2pm

Address: Plaza de España, 1, 43500 Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain

Places you can access

     1. Museum of Tortosa

As mentioned previously, if you buy the Tortosa Card at the Tourist Office, then I’d recommend your first stop be the Museum of Tortosa. The building itself is already beautiful with it’s light blue colored walls and trees lining the front of the building. The museum consists of two floors with history. I learned that the Moors had been present at one moment in this area. The second floor has a timeline of the different significant events as well as a short video talking about it.

Address: Rambla Felip Pedrell, 3, 43500 Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am-1:30pm and 4pm-6:30pm, Closed Monday and Sundays except the last Sunday of the month 11am-1:30pm. Check the website for current updates

Price without Tortosa Card: General Admission 3€, Concession 2€ (over 65, single parent families, families with 3 or more children, people with disabilities, students, Adult Group 15-49 people), Group of 50 people or more 1€, Free (Tortosa Card holders, children under 14, tourist guides, teachers, and last Sunday of the month)

    2. Prince’s Gardens and Medieval Wall

By far my favorite stop in Tortosa. I created a reel about it which you can watch here. If you’re walking around the city then when you go visit here, you’ll see it’s up hill so definitely be prepared for it. After you enter, on the left you’ll see some information about the original use of the gardens. Prior to it’s public access it was a private country club 

Address: Pujada Castell de la Suda, 1 43500 Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am-1:30pm and 3:30pm-6:30pm, Closed Mondays. Check the website for special date schedules

Price without Tortosa Card: General Admission 3€, Concession 2€ (over 65, single parent families, families with 3 or more children, people with disabilities, students, Adult Group 15-49 people), Group of 50 people or more 1€, Free (Tortosa Card holders, children under 14, tourist guides, teachers, and last Sunday of the month)

     3. The Cathedral and Permanent Exhibition

Located in the old city center of Tortosa, the cathedral is a remarkable work of the Catalan Gothic style. Before actually going to the Cathedral, there is a viewing point to see it from above. Definitely enjoyed the looking point that oversees the city and river. Once inside, I have to say my favorite part was the cloisters because I’m obsessed with the arches and columns.

Address: Carrer de Palau, 5, 43500 Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-2pm and 4pm-6pm, Sunday 11am-2pm. Closed Mondays. Check the website for additional schedule changes

Price without Tortosa Card: General Admission 4,50€, reduced admission 3€ (retirees, people between 10 and 18 years), Groups of minimum of 20 people 2.50€/person, Children under 10 years Free

     4. Royal Colleges and Permanent Exhibition about the city and Renaissance Festival

This starts with info regarding the Renaissance Festival which before visiting Tortosa I didn’t even know they had. The festival lasts 4 days and is held during the second fortnight of July, which is the second half of the month. The city completely transforms itself and transports back to medieval times. The exhibition has costumes that they use during the festivities and additional history about the city. From here, across the street are the Royal Colleges

Address: Carrer de Sant Domenec, 12-23, 43500 Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-1:30pm and 3:30pm-6:30pm, Sunday 9:30am-1:30pm, Closed Monday. Check the website for updates. 

Price without Tortosa Card: General Admission 3€, Concession 2€ (over 65, single parent families, families with 3 or more children, people with disabilities, students, Adult Group 15-49 people), Group of 50 people or more 1€, Free (Tortosa Card holders, children under 14, tourist guides, teachers, and last Sunday of the month)

    5. Holy Week Interpretation Center

This was the only Card location that I didn’t get a chance to visit just because it’s currently closed due to the pandemic. 

Due to the closure during the pandemic, I could not visit so I could not take any photos. I hope to revisit Tortosa in the future to be able to visit this place and the Renaissance Festival.

Address: Carrer de Montcada, 21, 43500 Tortosa, Tarragona, Spain

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-1pm and 4pm-6pm. Sunday and Public Holiday 11am-1pm. Closed Monday. Check the website for updates. 

Attention: Due to Covid, this center is currently CLOSED.

Price without Tortosa Card: General Admission 2€

Please share this with anyone who may need it and let me know if you found it helpful in the comments below! If you are looking for more day trip options from Barcelona, check out this post with 12 different places to visit. I promise that it won’t disappoint.

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