SEGOVIA, SPAIN
Next time you’re in Madrid and have some spare time, I would suggest taking a day trip to Segovia. Located 69km North-West of Madrid, Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage site with an old town worth visiting. From architecture that inspired Cinderella’s castle to one of the best-preserved Roman structures, Segovia has monuments that will take your breath away.
☆ Quick Tip ☆
If travelling by car isn’t an option, I would suggest taking a bus to Segovia over the train (however all three methods can take about an hour from Madrid).
While there is an express train that costs €15 ($25 AUD) each way and takes 30 minutes, the closest train station to old town is Segovia Guiomar which is about 4km away and unless you want to walk an hour, you’ll either need to hail a taxi (which can be few and far between) or take a 20 minute bus ride.
The bus from Madrid Moncloa station is about half the cost and will drop people off at Jose Zorilla which is about a 15 minute walk to old town. We rode with Avanza who sold flexible tickets that allowed us to board the next available bus instead of having to wait around for a particular time slot. This was particularly useful for the return trip to Madrid as it meant we didn’t have to overstay our welcome or cut our Segovia trip short.
My Top 3 Things To Do
1. Aqueduct of Segovia
2. Catedral de Segovia
3. Alcazar de Segovia
1. Aqueduct of Segovia
Standing at 28m tall and over 800m long, the Aqueduct of Segovia is a grand stature that’s literally impossible to miss. This monument is one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts people can visit and it offers a close look at the ingenuity behind its construction: 24,000 granite blocks were used with not a single one needing mortar to keep it in place.
At the North end of the aqueducts, there are a set of stairs that lead to a pretty viewing spot of Segovia and the aqueducts. It’s the perfect picture spot and you can also get a true perspective of the enormity of the structure.
2. Catedral de Segovia
Just a 10 minute walk from the Aqueduct of Segovia is the last constructed Gothic style cathedral in Spain. Catedral de Segovia immediately captures your attention the moment you step foot in Plaza Mayor (which makes a great photo spot). However, Catedral de Segovia’s beauty goes beyond its exterior as the baroque interior design which consists of some of Spain’s highest ceilings is a sight for sore eyes.
The entry fee was €4 ($6 - 7 AUD).
3. Alcazar de Segovia
A further 8 min walk from Catedral de Segovia is the real-life Cinderella castle: Alcazar de Segovia. Famous for being the home of many Spanish kings back in the day, this medieval fortress is simply stunning. From its moat that requires a draw bridge for entry to its pristine baroque interior, exploring the ins and outs of Alcazar de Segovia is like experiencing a fairytale.
There are countless viewpoints of Segovia and the surrounding countryside within the castle. However, few beat the view from the open-air window within the Hall of Kings.
The fee was € 8 ($13 - 14 AUD) to enter the palace, museum and Tower of Juan II.
Some Other Things To Do
Outside of the 3 main monuments, Segovia has plenty of other worthwhile offerings including the Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos Viewpoint (which makes a great photo spot for the Alcazar de Segovia) and the Jewish Quarter which can be explored on the way to Plaza Mayor from the Aqueduct of Segovia.