A Day Trip to Segovia is a must-do activity to do if you are visiting Madrid. Just a short train away, this charming city is packed with history, stunning architecture, and delicious food. From the iconic Roman Aqueduct to the fairytale-like Alcázar, Segovia feels like stepping into a storybook.
As you wander through the cobbled streets, you’ll be greeted by centuries-odl buildings, quaint plazas, and breathtaking viewpoints. The towering Aqueduct of Segovia, built by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago, is a must-see marvel of engineering. From there, you can explore the Gothic Segovia Cathedral, standing proudly in the heart of the city, before making your way to the Alcazar, the stunning castle of the Catholic Monarchs.
Of course, no visit to Segovia is complete without indulging in its local cuisine. The star dish here is the cochinillo asado, or roast suckling pig, a crispy and tender delicacy best enjoyed in one of the city’s historic restaurants.
Sounds interesting? Then join me on a day trip to beautiful Segovia!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SEGOVIA
Segovia is a historic and charming city located approximately 90 km away from Madrid. The city is mostly famous for its impressive Roman Aqueduct, which is the main interest that attracts visitors from all over the world. But Segovia is more than its aqueduct. Here are some interesting and curious things about this Spanish city that you might not know.
- Starting with the famous Aqueduct, did you know that it was built by the Romans without using any kind of cement. The aqueduct just stands due to its design and precise location of the granite blocks.
- The Alcazar de Segovia inspired Walt Disney to create The Sleeping Beauty’s castle.
- The impressive Cathedral of Segovia is not finished according to the original design drawings. According to these, one of the cathedral’s towers is not finished.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED TO VISIT SEGOVIA?
Segovia makes for the perfect day trip from Madrid. In just one day, you will be able to enjoy the city’s most famous sites in a relaxed way.
However, despite being a small city in surface, Segovia has a lot to offer. If you have some extra time, you can easily spend two days in the city.
GETTING TO SEGOVIA
Segovia is located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula. Gettting there is relatively easy since it has excellent connections via highway and train. It is even served by the AVE (high-speed train) from Madrid.
💡If you want to visit Segovia from Madrid without having to worry about the logistics of getting there and planning your visit, you can join a Guided Tour to Segovia from Madrid. All you will have to worry about is having a great time!
🚗 BY CAR
Madrid and Segovia are connected by the A6 highway, which is also a freeway. The drive there will take you around an hour during which you will be able to admire the Castilian landscape.
Important: The historic center of Segovia is completely car free so you will not be able to drive around it. If you are coming to Segovia by car, you will either have to park you car at your hotel (if it has parking places) or in a private parking outside the city center.
🚉 BY TRAIN
For those who prefer not to drive, the train is an excellent option. The AVE high-speed train line connects Madrid and Segovia in just 30 minutes which is very comfortable. Book your AVE train tickets at Renfe website.
Once you are at the train Segovia Guiomar station, you you will have to get a short bus ride to reach the city center. The bus line 11 will bring you to the Aqueduct in just 10 minutes. The bus ticket costs 2,25 € per person. Alternatively you can get a quick taxi ride to the aqueduct which will be between 10 to 15 €.
🚌 BY BUS
As a last option, you can also get to Segovia by bus. This option will be the most interesting one if you are traveling on a tight budget. The bus ride between Madrid and Segovia will take around 1 hour and 20 minutes. You can book your bus tickets here.
A FANTASTIC DAY TRIP TO SEGOVIA FROM MADRID
Despite not being very big in size, Segovia has a lot to see and do. Make sure to wear confortable shoes, the best way to visit Segovia is by walking around the historic city center and getting lost in its cobbled streets.
THE ROMAN AQUEDUCT
Start your visit to Segovia at the famous Roman Aqueduct. Marvel at this impressive constructions that was built more than 2,000 years ago by during the Roman Empire. The aqueduct was built to capture the waters of Río Frío and transport them for 17km until Segovia.
The most impressive part of the aqueduct is located right in the city center with 167 arches of almost 30 meters high. Being next to it is really humbling and makes you think how advanced were the Romans in civil construction.
Take your time to admire the aqueduct from every possible angle and don’t forget to go up to Postigo del Consuelo viewpoint to get to admire the aqueduct from an elevated point.
Next to the aqueduct you’ll also find a statue replica of the Capitoline Wolf in Rome, feeding Romulo and Remo.
Segovia Old Town
Once you’re done admiring the aqueduct, it is time to start exploring the old town of Segovia. From the aqueduct, take Cervantes street towards the Plaza Mayor. On your way, you will find the following must visit sites.
- Mirador de la Canaleja: Viewpoint over Segovia’s lower city and rooftops.
- Casa de los Picos: A house with the façade covered in spikes. It is said that was built like this to prevent burglars from climbing through the windows.
- Palacio de Cascales: A palace in Mudejar style whose façade has many arabic engravings.
- Iglesia de San Martín (Saint Martin’s Church): A beautiful Romanic Church.
- Medieval Prison of Segovia.
- The Jewish Quartier with its narrow and charming streets.
PLAZA MAYOR & THE CATHEDRAL
At some point of your walk, you should arrive at the Plaza Mayor (Segovia’s main square) where you will find segovia’s City Hall and, of course, the Cathedral.
The dimensions of the cathedral are quite impressive given the size of the city. The cathedral was built on the 16th century in late Gothic Style. The façade is a master piece with many sculptures narrating parts of the Bible.
Complete your visit to the Cathedral by going up to the tower to get the best 360-degree views over Segovia.
Practical information
- Price: Entrance to the Cathedral is 4 € per person which includes an audioguide. You can book your tickets in advance here.
- To access the tower you will have to join a guided tour which costs 7 € per person. Unfortunately, the tour is only in Spanish.
- Opening Times: The cathedral is open from Monday to Saturday between 9:30 and 18:30. On Sunday’s it is open between 12:45 and 18:30.
eat LOCAL CUISINE
After your visit to the cathedral, it is time to go for lunch and enjoy the traditional “cochinillo asado“, a roasted suckling pig. It will be one of the most delicious and tender meats you’ll ever taste. Make sure to pear it off with a local wine for a more pleasant experience.
Finish your meal with the traditional cake “Ponche Segoviano” and a coffee. If you love egg yolk desserts and, this will be a delicious treat you absolutely have to try.
There are many restaurants near the Plaza Mayor where you can try out these local dishes. We ate at Restaurante Jose María, which was recommended by a local and it was delicious!
THE ALCAZAR
After lunch, it is time to make your way until the fairy-tale-like castle, the Alcazar. It is a medieval castle, dating from the 12th century which served both as as a fortress and the royal palace of the Castillian Monarchs. The castle stands tall on a hill with two valleys surrounding it, carved by the Eresma and Clamores River.
Stepping into the castle will feel like stepping back in time to learn about the history of Segovia. Your visit through the castle, will take you through the different Halls, the Throne Room and Royal Chambers. I particularly liked the Hall of the Kings and Throne Room.
The visit to the Alcazar end by going up the Tower of King John II of Castille, from where you will get impressive views of Segovia and the both valleys surrounding the castle.
Practical Information
- Price: Tickets to visit the Alcazar cost 10 € per person, which include access to the castle, the museum and the tower. If you want get an audioguide you, you will have to add 3,5 € extra.
- Book in advance: Tickets are for a specific date and time slot so it is adviced to book them in advance. You can do so at the Alcazar website.
- Opening Hours: The castle is open from November to March between 10:00 and 18:00 and from April to October from 10:00 to 20:00.
PALACIO EPISCOPAL (RESIDENCE OF THE SEGOVIAN BISHOPS)
Your last stop of the day will be to the Palacio Episcopal or the Residence of the Segovian Bishops, whose entrance is free with the same ticket as the Cathedral.
Practical information
- Price: The ticket to visit the Bishop Residence is the same one as for the cathedral. The combined ticket to visit both the Cathedral and the Bishop Residence costs 4 € per person.
- Opening Times: The residence is open from Monday to Saturday between 9:30 and 18:30. On Sunday’s it is open between 12:45 and 18:30.
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT IN SEGOVIA
The above is everything we did during our visit to Segovia as a day trip. However, if you are staying overnight (or visiting during the longer summer days), you can also add the following to your itinerary.
ALCAZAR AND THE TWO VALLEYS VIEWPOINT
To reach this viewpoint, you will have to go on a short “hike” of approximately 25 minutes to reach but your effort will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Alcazar the two valleys surrounding it.
This point is really high in my list of places to visit if I ever return to Segovia. Unfortunately, all the times I’ve visited the city, it has been during the winter months and I was not able to make it there before it got dark.
SAINT MARK'S CHURCH VIEWPOINT
Another good viewpoint to get views of the Alcazar is Saint Mark’s Church viewpoint. This one is a bit closer and easier to reach than the previous one but the views, even though they are impressive, are from the valley. These means, you will see the castle from below.
IGLESIA DE LA VERA CRUZ (VERA CRUZ CHURCH)
This church dating from the 13th century is a Templar Church that belongs to the Order of Malta. The church was inspired by the Holy Sepulchre Church in Jerusalem, with a dodecagonal plant.
ACCOMMODATION IN SEGOVIA
Every time I visit Segovia is as a day trip. However, I do think that staying overnight here, especially during the summer, would be interesting to get a more in depth visit of the city.
If I was going to spend a night in Segovia, here are some options I would choose for myself.
Hotel Don Felipe
Hotel located in the historic center of Segovia, just 200 meters away from the Alcazar. The hotel offers a terrace where you can have breakfast while you admire the Alcazar. This hotel also has a private parking which can be very convinient if you’re coming to Segovia by car.
Photos from Booking.com
Parador de Segovia
If you want to treat yourself to a more special stay in Segovia and don’t mind being a bit outside the city, then you have to book a night at the Parador de Segovia.
Parador the Segovia is just 3km outside of Segovia which offers stunning views of the city from the garden. The building is modern with large gardens surrounding it but the interior is decorated in classic style. You will not forget your stay at Parador de Segovia.
Photos from Booking.com
MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS
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And that’s it for this week’s blog. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you think in the comments!
Happy travels!
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