Alcazar Palace and fortress of the Spanish kings in the historical part of Segovia, Spain

Things to do in  Segovia

If it’s good enough for Disney…

A popular destination for day-trippers due to its nearness to Madrid, this down-to-earth Castillian castle town boasts a hodgepodge of architectural styles, from the ancient Roman aqueduct that runs through the town to Romanesque and Gothic churches. The picturesque Old Town retains a sleepy charm despite its UNESCO World Heritage status and is home to the storybook-like Álcazar. If all those towers and turrets look familiar, it’s because Segovia’s Álcazar is rumored to be Disney’s inspiration for the queen’s castle in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

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Top 5 attractions in Segovia

#1

Casa de los Picos

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Home to the Segovia School of Art, this 16th-century building is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. Its façade is studded with more than 600 pyramid-shaped reliefs, lending the one-time noble house its name (“Pico” loosely translates to a sharp point in Spanish.) Whether this feature was added in the name of defense or merely decoration, no one really knows.More
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#2

Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso (La Granja)

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Set on a hillside outside Segovia, the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso (La Granja) was built in the 18th century by Philip V. Formerly a royal hunting ground and later royal residence and summer retreat, the baroque palace offers one of the best examples of a French formal garden in Spain, complete with sculptural fountains.More
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#3

Walls of Ávila (Muralla de Ávila)

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Running 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) around the Old Town of Avila, the Walls of Avila are some of Spain’s best-conserved medieval fortifications. UNESCO-listed along with the old town they enclose, the 12th-century walls look much as they would have in the Middle Ages.More
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#4

Alcazar of Segovia (Alcázar de Segovia)

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With a fairy-tale-like mix of architectural styles, the Alcazar of Segovia is one of Spain’s most distinctive castles. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was built as a Moorish fortress and later converted into a palace by King Alfonso VIII of Castille. Rebuilt after a fire in the 19th century, the castle houses a military museum and archive.More
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#5

Ávila Cathedral (Catedral de Ávila)

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Built in the twelfth century as the first Gothic cathedral in Spain, vila Cathedral was integrated into the medieval city wall, making it look as much a fortification as a church. Laid out in the shape of a Latin cross, the church exhibits both Gothic and Romanesque architectural elements. The interior stained glass windows date back to the fifteenth century, while the cloister and choir were added in the sixteenth century.Art aficionados will find several notable works within the cathedral, including Vasco de Zarza’s masterpiece "El Tostado" (The Parched One).More
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Top activities in Segovia

Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Toledo or Segovia with Optional Transport from Madrid

Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Toledo or Segovia with Optional Transport from Madrid

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285
From
$225.34
Hot-Air Balloon Ride over Segovia with Optional Transport from Madrid

Hot-Air Balloon Ride over Segovia with Optional Transport from Madrid

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456
From
$225.34
Segovia Walking Private Tour 3 hours with tickets included
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Segovia Walking Private Tour 3 hours with tickets included

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18
From
$153.89
Hot Air Balloon Ride in Segovia with Toast, Picnic and Video

Hot Air Balloon Ride in Segovia with Toast, Picnic and Video

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13
From
$225.34
Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Segovia or Toledo

Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Segovia or Toledo

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377
From
$225.34
Private Departure: Segovia City to Madrid Airport MAD by Van

Private Departure: Segovia City to Madrid Airport MAD by Van

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$265.63
Private 3-hour Walking Tour of Avila with official tour guide
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Private 3-hour Walking Tour of Avila with official tour guide

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2
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$141.80
Hot Air Balloon over Segovia with Optional Transfers from Madrid

Hot Air Balloon over Segovia with Optional Transfers from Madrid

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286
From
$225.34
Segovia Walking Tour

Segovia Walking Tour

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2
From
$164.88
per group
Skip the Line Admission Ticket to Cathedral of Segovia

Skip the Line Admission Ticket to Cathedral of Segovia

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126
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$4.69
Balloon Rides in Segovia with Optional transportation from Madrid

Balloon Rides in Segovia with Optional transportation from Madrid

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39
From
$225.34
Balloon Ride Over Segovia or Toledo with Optional Transport from Madrid

Balloon Ride Over Segovia or Toledo with Optional Transport from Madrid

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25
From
$225.34
Segovia Private Tour - Half Day

Segovia Private Tour - Half Day

From
$328.67
per group
Ávila Walking Tour

Ávila Walking Tour

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1
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$164.88
per group
Departure from Segovia to Madrid Airport MAD by Standard Minivan

Departure from Segovia to Madrid Airport MAD by Standard Minivan

From
$223.21
Guided Tour to Tower / Guided Tour of the Tower

Guided Tour to Tower / Guided Tour of the Tower

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36
From
$8.55
Guided visit "Meet the Lady of the Cathedrals" / Guided Visit to Cathedral

Guided visit "Meet the Lady of the Cathedrals" / Guided Visit to Cathedral

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17
From
$7.33
Private Photo Session with a Local Photographer in Avila

Private Photo Session with a Local Photographer in Avila

From
$274.80
per group
Private transfer from Segovia to Madrid city/airport

Private transfer from Segovia to Madrid city/airport

From
$153.89
Departure by Private Sedan from Avila City to Madrid Airport MAD

Departure by Private Sedan from Avila City to Madrid Airport MAD

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$227.88
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All about Segovia

When to visit

While summers can get scorching in Segovia, June and July are fiesta season. In late June, there's a music-filled folk festival, and in July, the International Festival of Dance and Music. Tapas bars and outdoor terraces are packed with rowdy revelers. If you’re heat-averse, stick to spring or fall. Winters can be bitterly cold, but it’s a great season for chowing down on the city’s famously hearty cuisine.

Getting around

Segovia’s main sights are compact, and much of the Old Town is pedestrianized, so getting around on foot is your best option. If your legs need a break, there’s also a hop-on hop-off bus tour with tickets that last 24 hours. Double-decker vehicles drop travelers near the aqueduct, assorted museums, Judería, Segovia’s historic Jewish district, and three other stops.

Traveler tips

Running about half a mile long (813 meters), Segovia’s Roman aqueduct—built in the first century—is hard to miss. But the best views of this quintessential Segovia landmark come from above. Head to the Postigo del Consuelo lookout point for a bird’s-eye perspective over the city, including this impressively intact 2,000-year-old engineering feat. It’s worth the climb, although you’ll want to bring water and sun protection in summer.

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People Also Ask

Is Segovia reachable by train from Madrid?

Yes. Segovia is easy to reach by regional train—as a bonus, you don’t need to make any transfers. A couple dozen direct trains depart from Puerta de Atocha railway station each day, so take your pick. The fastest high-speed option takes under half an hour.

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Is one day in Segovia enough?

Yes—if you’re only interested in visiting the main sights. The city’s compact size makes it easy to move around, so one day is enough to hit the highlights. That said, if you plan on exploring the local food scene or the surrounding Castilian countryside, you’ll want more time.

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Is it worth staying overnight in Segovia?

That depends—many would say yes. Since Segovia is a popular day trip destination from Madrid, it tends to get crowded in the daytime. Staying through the evening allows you to appreciate the city’s ambiance once the day-trippers have gone and see its landmarks illuminated.

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Which is better, Segovia or Toledo?

They’re both fantastic, albeit very different—if you can, squeeze in visits to both. Each city is visually striking, boasting swoon-worthy views reminiscent of Don Quixote. Outside the main attractions, Segovia has a more lived-in feel, and, therefore, a greater appeal to off-the-beaten track travelers.

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Can I visit both Toledo and Segovia in a single day?

Yes, especially if you visit on a guided tour with private transportation. It will make for a tiring day, but the two cities can be combined if you’re short on time. Having a guide is a great advantage for anyone looking to fill in the gaps in Castilian history.

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What foods should I try in Segovia?

Vegetarians, be warned: The most famous food in Segovia is cochinillo, a tender roasted suckling pig. Many seek out the suckling lamb, a crispy dish called cordero lechal, cooked in a traditional wooden stove. Sopa Castellana is a hearty winter soup, while big white butter beans are a Segovian staple.

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