Tarragona Amphitheatre

The Tarragona Amphitheatre is a Roman amphitheatre on the Mediterranean coast of Tarragona in Catalonia, Spain, and forms one of the major surviving monuments of the ancient city of Tarraco. It dates to the Roman imperial period and is included in the Archaeological Ensemble of Tarraco World Heritage Site.

Ruins include the stone seating tiers and parts of the outer wall overlooking the sea, with visible remains of the arena area and corridors. The site sits within the old Roman quarter of Tarragona, close to other Roman remains, so visits are often combined with the nearby cathedral and forum area.

The monument was built by the Romans for public spectacles and combat events and later saw reuse and modification in the post-Roman period. Excavations and restoration work over the 19th and 20th centuries have exposed much of the structure visible today.

The amphitheatre is located within Tarragona’s historic centre on the Mediterranean coast of northeastern Spain, immediately adjacent to the present city and within walking distance of the cathedral and seafront promenades. Barcelona lies roughly to the northeast along the coast.

• UNESCO site: Part of the Archaeological Ensemble of Tarraco UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, and lies close to Tarragona cathedral and the Roman circus within the old city walls.
• Best time to photograph: Best light for photography is late afternoon when the sea-facing side and the surviving seating and exterior walls are illuminated.