This guide of places to visit in Segovia, will help you to know all the points of interest of one of the most essential cities in Spain.
World Heritage and located half an hour by AVE from Madrid, Segovia falls in love at first sight for its fantastic old town that will take you to medieval times.
In addition to visiting architectural gems such as the Aqueduct, the Cathedral or the Alcazar, it is worth climbing the old walls that surrounded the city, losing yourself in the Jewish quarter, reaching the Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos and of course, trying the Famous roast suckling pig.
Although all these tourist spots and charming corners can be visited in one day, we recommend spending the night in the city to enjoy relaxing walks through the most authentic Segovia, when the vast majority of tourists have already left.
Based on the experience of the last time we visited the city, considered one of the best excursions in Madrid, we have made this list of what we think are the 10 essential places to see in Segovia. We start!
1. Aqueduct
The Roman Aqueduct built in the second century and magnificently preserved, is one of the wonders what to visit in Segovia.
This aqueduct, which carried water to the city from a spring located 17 kilometers, impresses with its more than 28 meters high and 167 arches of the part that is in the Plaza del Azoguejo.
In addition to the views that are obtained from this square, we advise you to climb up to the middle of the Cuesta de San Juan to enjoy an even better perspective of one of the great monuments to see in Spain.
A good way to know the history of this aqueduct and the city is to book this guided tour in Spanish that includes the entrance and the guided tour of the Cathedral and the Alcazar.
Aqueduct of Segovia
2. The Alcazar
The Alcazar, located on a hill at the confluence of the Clamores and Eresma rivers, is next to the aqueduct, the main tourist attraction to see in Segovia.
This fairytale castle, which has its origins in Roman times, has been restored and expanded by the different Spanish monarchs throughout the centuries, since its construction in the Middle Ages.
When approaching the Alcazar, the first thing that will catch your attention is the beautiful tribute tower located in the center and flanked by four towers, after crossing a stone bridge to save the moat that surrounds the castle to reach the interior, where you can travel twelve of the palatial rooms perfectly decorated with period furniture.
After visiting the palace, we recommend you go up to the Tower of Juan II, from where you will have magnificent views of the city and the surroundings.
The price of the entrance to El Alcazar is 5.50 euros, plus 2.50 if you want to climb the tower and another 3 euros if you want to visit the audio guide.
After our experience and seeing these prices you may find it profitable to book this guided tour of the city that includes the Alcazar.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 7pm from April to September; The rest of the months close one hour earlier.
The Achazar
3. Segovia Cathedral
The Cathedral, known as the Lady of the Cathedrals and located in the Plaza Mayor, completes the triumvirate of monuments to visit in Segovia more essential
This huge Gothic-style church, built between the 16th and 18th centuries, impresses with its 88-meter-high tower and numerous pinnacles, as well as the elegant interior where you can't miss the 157 impressive stained-glass windows, the tapestries made in the workshops from Brussels, the Cloister, the Chapter House, the Main Chapel and the Altar with an excellent altarpiece.
Visiting hours: every day from 9 am to 9:30 pm from April to October; The rest of the months close at 6:30 p.m.
The Cathedral, one of the places to visit in Segovia
4. San Andres Gate
Going through a piece of the old wall that surrounds the city, going up a staircase located in the Puerta de San Andrés, is another of the Top things to do in Segovia.
From this medieval wall that reaches 9 meters high, three access doors to the city are preserved: that of Santiago, that of San Cebrián and that of San Andrés, the latter being the door that is best preserved, with a square tower and Another polygonal.
By requesting a free code at the tourist office located a few meters from this door, you can climb to the top of the wall and go through a small section, with excellent views of the old town and the Alcazar.
San Andres Gate
5. Medina del Campo Square
After enjoying the views of the mountains and a part of the city from the Mirador de Canaleja you can climb Juan Bravo Street, passing in front of the original Casa de los Picos, until you reach the beautiful Plaza Medina del Campo .
This square is our favorite to see in Segovia, being surrounded by important historical buildings such as the beautiful Church of San Martín, of Mozarabic origin and Romanesque style, the Torreón de Lozoya and several Renaissance mansions from the 16th century.
Between this square and the cathedral there are several recommended restaurants such as El Sitio or Lázaro where you can try roast suckling pig, the city's main dish.
Medina del Campo Square
Our recommended hotel in Segovia
A good area to stay, near the tourist attractions of the city and with good communication with the train and bus station, is around the Plaza del Azoguejo.
One of the hotels that stand out in this area is the Hostal Segovia, located in a building of the 16th century, a few meters from the aqueduct that in addition to its excellent location, has all rooms with private bathrooms, some of them with views of the aqueduct , and one of the best value for money in the city.
For more information on the best hotels and neighborhoods you can consult this post of where to stay in Segovia.
6. Jewish Quarter, one of the places to visit in Segovia
In the Jewish Quarter or Old Jewish Quarter a great Hebrew community resided from the twelfth century until its expulsion ordered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492 to now become one of the most charming places to visit in Segovia, being able to walk through streets like the one of the Old Jewish Quarter surrounded by beautiful buildings.
Among the buildings that are preserved from that time is the Old Major Synagogue that became a church after the expulsion of the Jews.
An interesting way to learn about the history of this neighborhood and its curiosities is to book this guided tour in Spanish.
Jewish Quarter
7. Antonio Machado House Museum
Going down the beautiful Calle de los Desamparados you will arrive at the Antonio Machado House Museum, another of the places to see in Segovia.
In 1919 the poet Antonio Machado arrived in the city to occupy a chair in an institute and settled in a room of this house, which was an old pension and then left the city in 1932 and over the years, this house become a permanent memory of the passage through the city of this famous poet, by keeping intact his old room.
A good option to follow the track left by the poet in the city is to book this tour of Machado.
Visiting hours: Monday and Tuesday from 11am to 2pm; from Wednesday to Saturday they also open in the afternoon from 4pm to 6pm and Sundays from 11am to 3pm.
Antonio Machado House Museum
8. The Alhondiga
The Alhóndiga of the XVI century is one of the few examples that are conserved of buildings of industrial Gothic style that were built during the time of the Catholic Monarchs in which the exterior stands out for its Elizabethan-style facade with two shields of the city and the interior, which was formerly used to store the grain that supplied the city.
La Alhóndiga, one of the places to see in Segovia
9. Viewpoint of the Prairie of San Marcos
Going down some stairs from Pozo de la Nieve street, located on the side of the hill on which the Alcázar sits, you will reach the bank of the Eresma river where after crossing a bridge and walking about 400 meters you will reach the Mirador de la Prairie of San Marcos, another of the most beautiful places to visit in Segovia, from where you can enjoy the best and most complete views of the Alcazar surrounded by a magnificent natural environment.
San Marcos Meadow Viewpoint
10. Church of Vera Cruz
Near the Prairie of San Marcos is the Church of Vera Cruz, another of the most magical places to see in Segovia.
This Romanesque church was built in 1208 by the Templars or the Order of the Holy Sepulcher, something that is not yet known, taking as a model the church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Mosque of the Rock, both in Jerusalem. The exterior of the building stands out for its dodecagonal floor plan, three semicircular apses and a square tower and inside two floors, you will find different flags of the Order of Malta, the Chapel of Lignum Crucis where there was a relic of the Cross, the Altarpiece of the Resurrection and the Edicule.
Visiting hours: from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays from 4pm to 6pm.
Vera Cruz Church
If you are going to spend the night in the city after visiting all the places to visit in Segovia, we recommend you to take a quiet walk through the best illuminated places of Segovia such as the Aqueduct, the Cathedral or the Alcazar, which will transfer you to the Middle Ages.
A good option is to book this tour at sunset with a guide in Spanish for the main tourist attractions of Segovia, while explaining its history and curiosities.
The next day nothing better than getting up early to make this balloon ride at dawn and say goodbye with the best view of this World Heritage City.
How to get to Segovia from Madrid
The fastest way to get to Segovia is the AVANT train that leaves from Madrid Chamartín Station and leaves you at the Gugoomar Segovia station in less than half an hour for 14 euros.
Once in Segovia Guiomar you can take bus 11, which will leave you in front of the Roman Aqueduct in 15 minutes for about 2 euros.
Another cheaper option is to take an AVANZA bus at the Moncloa Exchanger that will leave you near the Aqueduct in one hour and twenty minutes for 4 euros.
Other more comfortable and interesting alternatives if you want to know the history of the city and not miss anything important is to book one of these excursions with a guide in Spanish:
For more information about the transfer you can consult this post on how to go from Madrid to Segovia.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 10 places to visit in Segovia, add yours in the comments.
