If you only have a day in Segovia to explore what should you do? That’s the question we’ll be answering in this article. I was lucky and spent more than a day in Segovia, but with only a day, you can definitely get the highlights since this gorgeous town is so small. So, if a day trip to Segovia from Madrid pops its happy little head into your life, I highly recommend grabbing it (but always ask before smooching. Consent, my friends, is everything).

So let’s figure out how to best enjoy your Segovia day trip!

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How Do You Get to Segovia?

The city of Segovia is located in the Spanish province of the same name, within the autonomous region of Castile y León pretty much right in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula.

Segovia’s local train station is located on Calle Obispo Quesada s/n, about a 20-minute walk from the historic centre. High-speed trains arrive at the AVE station, about 6 kilometres from the city centre. Segovia’s bus station is located on Paseo Ezequiel González, a ten-minute walk from the Plaza Mayor. If you’re driving then it’s worth knowing that there is plenty of parking outside the old town. Taxis can be picked up on the Plaza Mayor.

I don’t recommend trying to take your car into the old town.

How to Get to Segovia from Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain is the closest big city to Segovia. Segovia is really a perfect day trip from Madrid. 

🚉 Just over an hour on the AVANT train or 30 minutes on the AVE, the high-speed train – check train times and tickets here

🚗 If you’re driving then it’s a quick 90km (1hr15) between Madrid and Segovia – check car rental options here

🚌 – Buses depart from Moncloa Station in Madrid – check bus timetable and buy tickets here

Tours – there are numerous one-day tours to Segovia from Madrid offered. Check out these two of my favourites:

Hot Air Balloon Ride over Segovia

Full-Day Tour of Segovia and Avila – two of Spain’s oldest cities

How to Get to Segovia from Valladolid 

🚉 1hr 10 on the ALVIA train – check bus timetable and buy tickets here

🚗 Valladolid is a similar distance from Segovia as Madrid. It’s a nice 120 km (1hr20) on the highway – check car rental options here

🚌 -the bus takes about two hours to get from Valladolid to Segovia – check bus timetables and buy tickets here

Realistically, you’re not likely to want to visit Segovia for a day if you’re in Seville, Mérida, Malaga, Cordoba or Barcelona unless you’re willing to get up extremely early and have a very long day. We drove here after spending a few days exploring Monfragüe National Park in Extremadura Province (about 3.5 hours drive). 

What do I need to know about Segovia?

📌 Segovia is such a special place that in 1985, the whole city centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

📌 Segovia is particularly famous for its gorgeous castle (Alcazar de Segovia) and the Roman aqueduct that merrily winds its way along the edge of town. It was the aqueduct that drew me to Segovia. I went for the aqueduct and stayed for the history. Mérida, in the Spanish region of Extremadura, did the same: the aqueduct grabbed my attention and once we got there, the history and culture of the city snuck into my heart. 

📌 The old town of Segovia (where everything you want to see is located) is crowded on top of a rocky bluff delineated by the Rivers Eresma and Clamores. 

👀 While wandering around Segovia, I found it particularly fascinating to note how beautifully the buildings are decorated. I’m sure most of it is modern but it beautifully imitates what the city must have looked in the Middle Ages. 

TOP TIP: The Tourist Card offers discounts on accommodation, food, museum entry and other experiences (as far as I can see the Alcazar is not included in the discounts). If you happen to be spending more than a day in Segovia this 3 euro card could make your trip less expensive. 

A Brief History of Segovia

📌 There have been settlements on the site of modern-day Segovia since the Celts lived in this region. In fact, some people think that the name Segovia comes from the Celtic word for “fortress” (just as my town is named Alcalá de Guadaíra, “The Fortress of the Guadaíra River”).

📌 As happened across much of the Iberian Peninsula, the Visigoths took control of Segovia when the power of the Roman Empire on the peninsula waned. They then lost control to the Moors who were eventually driven out by the Catholic King Alfonso VI of Léon y Castile in 1088.

📌 In 1475 the Concord of Segovia was signed between QueenIsabella of Castille and Ferdinand. of Aragon – a seminal moment on the path toward the unification of Spain.

📌 During the Middle Ages, the city flourished thanks to its advantageous geographic location but declined later to a population of just 8,000. It was economic stability during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century that once again allowed Segovia to flourish.

What’s the Weather like in Segovia?

🔆 People tend to recommend visiting Segovia between mid-March and mid-November. Segovia can be very cold in winter and is very hot in summer (when I visited).

What Can’t You Miss With a Day in Segovia

With just a day in Segovia, you’re realistically only going to have time for the highlights. Luckily Segovia is a pretty small town so you’re going to be able to see the best things in Segovia in one day. If you’re worried about missing anything, you could arrange to join a walking tour.

Alcázar de Segovia

📌 One of the most visited sites in Spain, the Alcazar of Segovia is a magnificent building that served as an inspiration to Walt Disney when he created the Cinderella Castle. Wouldn’t it be incredible if more people knew that the origins of this fairytale castle lay in a Berber Almoravid fortification from an extremely complex time in Iberian history? 

📌 The famous tower, el Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower) was where the Crown of Castille stored their wealth – money was taken from here to finance Christopher Columbus’ first voyage across the Atlantic. 

📌 The castle is first mentioned in 12th-century texts and over the centuries has been a fortress, a royal residence, a state prison, the Royal Artillery College and a military academy. Today it is a museum and also home to military archives. 

👀 While you’re exploring the castle, do take a moment to pause in the Sala de los Reyes (Hall of Kings/ Throne Room) because, quite honestly, I’ve never seen anywhere like it. I was wowed by the ceiling carvings.

Note that it’s possible to take a guided tour around this medieval castle. We did not. 

📌 The Alcázar is where the Catholic monarchs signed the ‘Agreement for the Government of the Kingdom’ (also known as the ‘Concord of Segovia), which established the distribution of the responsibilities of government between Ferdinand (of Aragon) and Isabella (of Castille) in their respective territories. This took place in January 1475 and is considered to have been a milestone on the road toward the unity of Spain.

Where to Find the Best Views of the Alcazar When You’re Short on Time

As you approach the Alcazar you’re going to be wowed by this striking, fairytale palace but don’t forget that there are other miradores (look out points) offering incredible views.

📌 If you have time head to the gardens below the palace (find steps down by the Cueva de la Zorra for incredible views of the castle in all its glory (view earlier photo). 

📌 Walking along the Rda de Don Juan II (from the Puerta de San Andrés) you’ll be walking along the old city walls with the Alcazar in front of you.

📌 Below the castle and the city walls are allotments, and park paths, enjoy strolling through this delightful green area and oogling the castle as you do.

📌 Mirador del Último Pino – we didn’t make it up here because we’d already tried so many other excellent viewpoints but had we had an extra hour or so I’d have stomped on up here for sure. 

Roman Aqueduct of Segovia

📌 This striking and famous aqueduct was built by the Romans sometime around the first century AD to move water from the mountains to the city. The aqueduct remained intact under Visigoth and Moorish rule until 1072 when thirty-six arches were destroyed in the war between the Moors and the Catholics. This section was eventually restored at the end of the fifteenth century.

📌 Incredibly, the aqueduct was used to transport water into the city until 1973. This is one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts in the world and is a site not to be missed if you have a day in Segovia.

📌 Water was transported from the Río Frio some 15km from Segovia. What we can see is just a small section of the aqueduct. Much of the aqueduct was underground but due to the location of Segovia on a bluff, a valley had to be crossed to get water to the city, hence the bridge formation. Once in Segovia, the aqueduct disappears underground again.

📌 At its tallest, the aqueduct is almost 30 m high. The more striking section of the aqueduct is double arched while around the corner it becomes single arches. In total, there are 167 arches. The aqueduct is made from beautifully shaped granite blocks that are held together without mortar. Incredible!

⭐️ There are a myriad of excellent reasons to visit Spain, keep reading to learn more about this magnificent country and its 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites ⭐️

Does the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia still work?

👀 Parts of it still work today, yes but not in Segovia.

Where to get the best views of the Aqueduct

Postigo del Consuelo 

📌 The aqueduct meets the city walls on the Plaza del Azoguejo. Climb the steps beside the Tourist Information for magical views of the aqueduct’s arches and the surrounding areas from the Postigo del Consuelo. 

📌 Head up to the Statue of the Devil on Calle San Juan for fun views and selfies with the modern devil sculpture (an origin myth of the aqueduct is that a servant girl fed up with fetching water every morning made a deal with the devil). 

📌 Follow the aqueduct up and around the corner onto Calle Almira for views as it shrinks to one row of arches on its way out of town.

📌 You can also find maps showing the route of the aqueduct through the city as it heads underground. There is an Aqueduct Interpretion Centre in the Museo Real de Moneda.

The Aqueduct and the Alcazar are the two major attractions in Segovia and they are located at opposite ends of the Old City of Segovia so as you walk through the narrow streets from one end to the other, see if you have time to check out: 

Museo Real de Moneda de Segovia 

This museum of coins and industrial heritage is actually not in the Old City of Segovia but is located down below across the road from the park. If you plan on heading down for excellent views of the ancient royal palace then this museum is worth a moment of your time. 

We didn’t go into the museum itself because the kids were exhausted but we did pop our heads around the back to check out the incredible water wheels at this former royal mint.

The Old Jewish Quarter

There’s really very little that’s Jewish left to see in Segovia since the Jews were expelled in 1492. As you stroll through the narrow streets of Segovia keep an eye out for small plaques on the walls. 

The Jewish history of Segovia begins in the 13th century but in 1480 the Jewish population was confined to the Jewish quarter in the south of the city. There were five synagogues in Segovia although only the primary one is preserved – today it is the Corpus Christi Convent.

Centro Didactico de la Judería 

This small museum offers a short history of the Jewish community in Segovia. If you’re short on time then I recommend holding off and going to the Jewish museums in Cordoba, which are, in my opinion more informative and more interesting. 

Segovia Museum

This museum is small but has a good array of historical pieces documenting life in Segovia through the ages. 

Plaza Mayor and the Catedral de Segovia

While the Plaza Mayor is absolutely a beautiful place to sit and while away time, the restaurants here, of course, are expensive. I recommend walking around the plaza as you explore the city but don’t stop for snacks here. If you’re interested in the gothic-style cathedral then it’s well worth taking an hour to explore inside. 

Segovia Cathedral 

The full name of this cathedral is rather a mouthful!  Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and San Frutos.

Built atop the highest point in Segovia, this was one of the very last Gothic cathedrals to be built in Europe. Work began on the cathedral in 1525 during the reign of Carlos V to replace the old cathedral that burned down in 1520. There is a small art gallery in the basement of the cathedral that’s worth a visit while you’re there.  

Casa de los Picos

This 15th-century building is covered in granite points and currently houses the city art school. The building oroginally belonged to the De la Hoz family. It is their coat of arms that is replicated with the granite points. You can’t go in but the facade is definitely worth a photo.

Fundacion Torreon de Lozoya

We stumbled upon this beauty by mistake but I’m so glad we did. Because we only found it late in the day we raced through the (extremely good-looking art gallery) up to the tower top for the view of the city of Segovia. These did not disappoint either. Just gorgeous. 

In my opinion, if you’re going to make time for one extra site in Segovia make it the Torreon de Lozoya or the Museo Real de la Moneda as these are true hidden gems of Segovia. 

What to Eat in Segovia

🍽 Roast suckling pig, cochinillo asado, is the local delicacy of the region and yes, if you eat meat it’s probably worth trying. As I said above, a good and cheap way to try it is to buy the snack-sized portion sold in the Alcazar’s cafe.

🍽 We had excellent meals at La Almuzara (vegetarian and extremely friendly) and Restaurante Pasapán. Both highly recommended. 
🍽 If you’re looking for quick snacks while walking around, we all enjoyed pastries from Limon y Menta. 

🍔 If you’re wondering why you don’t see any fast food restaurants in the Old City, it’s because they’re all huddled together on the other side of the Aqueduct. 

A Day in Segovia: The Perfect Route

I did not take a tour of Segovia but if you’re short on time and want to learn as much as possible about the city’s history then you might want to book a tour. If you don’t feel the need then the itinerary I’ve laid out below will serve you well.

If you’re fancy a little fun while in Segovia why not download this Segovia Scavenger Hunt app?

🧭 Begin your day in Segovia at the Alcazar 

✅ Remember to have booked your tickets in advance

✅ Be sure to head up onto the roof for the incredible views over Segovia (if you don’t have time, the views from the café garden are similar).

⏱If you enjoy military museums, leave two hours for everything. If, like me, you’re not super into military stuff, ninety minutes will be fine.

➕ If you have the energy, head down the steps by the Cueva de la Zorra for great views.

➕ Once you’ve seen those views, pop into Museo Real de la Moneda or take a walk in Romeral de San Marcus. 

🧭 Walk From the Alcazar to Plaza Mayor

Choose from the following options depending on your desire to walk/time

1. (Head back up the steps and) Meander your way through the narrow streets of Segovia’s Old City until you reach the Plaza Mayor. 
2. If you want to see the Museo de Segovia (and you’ve checked it’s open), walk along Rda de Don Juan II until you reach it.
3. If you love a trek, walk around the base of the castle through the park area, past the Huertas de la Hontanilla until you find a path going up onto the city walls by the Puerta de San Andrés. The one we took was marked by a stone marker saying “Al Camino de la Judeira y Mirador de San Andres” 

🍽 Lunch: Since lunch is the main meal in Spain (generally eaten between 2 – 4 pm), be sure to reserve a table if you have somewhere particular in mind. 

🧭 Plaza Mayor and Cathedral

✅ No need to buy tickets in advance (but if you want to skip lines, and take a tour that includes the bell tower it might be a good idea)

⏱ 60 minutes unless you’re super into churches

🧭 Walk From the Plaza Mayor – Plaza de Azoguejo and the Aqueduct

✅ Enjoy strolling through the streets, checking out the gorgeous buildings. Read informational plaques and signs. 

➕ Bonus: Climb the Torreon de Lozoya (the Iglesia de San Martín opposite was built in 1117, by the way)

✅ Take a photo at the Casa de los Picos and then at the Mirador de la Canaleja

✅ Gasp as you see the aqueduct looming ahead of you for the first time. Keep gasping as you get closer to it. 

🧭 The Aqueduct

✅ Head up the steps beside the tourist office to the best vantage point for views of the aqueduct: the Postigo del Consuelo.

⏱ thirty minutes unless you’re really obsessed with aqueducts (I am)

🧭 If you have time before your day in Segovia comes to an end, choose from:

1. Walking to find the Diablo
2. Walking alongside the aqueduct
3. Grabbing a beer

Top Tips For Spending A Day in Segovia

📌 Although the city is small, wear comfortable shoes, you’re going to be walking a lot.

📌 If you don’t want to walk, there is a bus from the historic quarter to the Aquaduct (12).

📌 Sundays sees a Gregorian chant at El Parral mass and on Thursdays there is a small market in the Plaza Mayor.

If you enjoy Spanish adventures have you considered:

Mérida – perfect for Roman ruins

Seville – not just a gorgeous city but a great base for so many day trips and adventures

Cordoba – the mesquita is only the tip of this incredible city

Cadiz and its environs

Aracena – castles and wild mushrooms

Antequera for walks and ancient history

Toledo – is another city that’s also a popular day trip from Madrid

Valencia – a Mediterranean city bursting with museums, culture, and of course, paella