Segovia, Spain | Best Things to Do on a Day Trip from Madrid

This beautiful city sits northwest of Madrid. Visitors can tour the highlights of Segovia in a few hours, but there is enough to do to keep you busy all day.

Segovia is a popular day trip from Madrid, often being paired with nearby Ávila.

We really enjoyed our time here, with the highlights being the bell tower climb, scoping out various viewpoints of the aqueduct, strolling the city streets, and visiting the various viewpoints in and around town. Segovia is a very photogenic city and tons of fun to photograph.

In this guide, we share with you the top experiences in Segovia and then go on to list an efficient walking tour through town to visit these top spots.

We will also cover everything you need to know to plan a Segovia day trip from Madrid, the necessary but not so interesting facts about how to get here, parking (if you have a car), plus a few helpful tips.

Where is Segovia?

Segovia is located in the autonomous community of Castile and León, about 85 km northwest of Madrid.

Segovia is one of the most popular day trips from Madrid and it is commonly combined with Ávila and/or the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

Best Things to Do in Segovia

This list of things to do in Segovia is in order of our walking route, which is provided later in this guide. This list starts at the aqueduct, a good starting point both for arriving by train and by car.

But if you just want to know the main highlights, here are top 5 things to do in Segovia:

• See the Roman Aqueduct
• Visit the Alcázar
• Get a bird’s eye view of Segovia from the bell tower
• Go for a stroll on Calle Juan Bravo
• Mirador del Alcazar y los Dos Valles

1. Roman Aqueduct of Segovia

Let’s get started with Segovia’s most famous sight, the Roman Aqueduct.

This ancient aqueduct was constructed in the first century AD to bring water to Segovia from the nearby mountains. It is one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts and it (along with the city center) are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The aqueduct runs through Segovia but the place to see it is from Mirador del Acueducto. This viewpoint is located at the top of the stairs in Plaza del Azoguejo. Once you get to the top of the stairs, there are viewpoints on both the east and west side of the aqueduct.

The view from Mirador del Acueducto

2. Mirador de la Canaleja

Located in the city center, this small platform offers a nice view looking over the southern part of Segovia. It’s not the most amazing viewpoint but you will walk right past it as you stroll into town, so it is worth a minute or two to snap a photo and/or enjoy the view.

The view from Mirador de la Canaleja | Things to Do in Segovia

3. Calle Juan Bravo

Calle Juan Bravo (some sources also list this street as Calle Real) is a picturesque street that runs through Segovia, from the aqueduct to Plaza Mayor. It is lined with shops and small restaurants.

From this street, you can also take some interesting photos looking back at the aqueduct.

4. Casa de Los Picos

Casa de Los Picos is a 15th century building that is located on Calle Juan Bravo, just a few steps from Mirador de la Canaleja. It is notable for its 617 granite points on its façade.

Casa de Los Picos | Things to Do in Segovia

5. Plaza de Medina del Campo & San Martin Church

Plaza de Medina del Campo is a very small square located along Calle Juan Bravo. Its centerpiece is San Martin Church (Iglesia de San Martin), a 12th century medieval church.

Most likely you will just see the church from the outside, as visiting hours are extremely limited (it was not open on the day we visited Segovia). If you are lucky to be here when it is open, there are some beautiful paintings to see inside of the church.

6. Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is Segovia’ main square. It is lined with shops and restaurants and its focal point is the gothic exterior of the Segovia cathedral.

The Segovia Cathedral | Things to Do in Segovia

7. The Segovia Cathedral

The Segovia Cathedral (also called Catedral de Segovia and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and of Saint Fructus) is a Roman Catholic cathedral. It was built between 1525 and 1577 in a late Gothic style. Visiting this cathedral and climbing the bell tower is one of the best things to do in Segovia.

On a visit here, there several things to see and do. See the incredible nave and main alter, visit the chapterhouse, see the side chapels, and visit the small museum that houses paintings and the first book printed in Spain.

The highlight for us was taking a guided tour of the bell tower. Not only do you learn about the history of bell ringers, but you also get a brief history lesson about the cathedral and (the best part) incredible views over Segovia.

The view overlooking the Jewish Quarter

The view looking down onto the medieval walls

And finally, the view of the Alcazar

8. The Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter is a small neighborhood in Segovia on the south side of town. With narrow, picturesque streets, this a very nice spot to go for a quick stroll. This neighborhood was inhabited by a Jewish community from the 12th century until 1492, when the Jews were expelled by the Edict of Granada.

9. Puerta de San Andrés

Puerta de San Andrés is the best-preserved medieval gate that still stands in Segovia. It is located in the Jewish Quarter on the south side of the city.

Puerta de San Andrés (inside the medieval walls)

The view of Puerta de San Andrés from the medieval walls

10. Walk the Medieval Walls

The city of Segovia is enclosed by medieval walls (La Muralla de Segovia). They are about 3 km in length and have three gates: San Cebrián, Santiago, and San Andrés.

There are several places to walk the walls but the best spot that we found is in the Jewish Quarter next to Puerta de San Andrés.

This part of the walls requires a ticket. Purchase the ticket inside of the Tourist Information Center, which is located next to Puerta de San Andrés (inside of the walls).

With this ticket, you can walk a short section of the walls. This only takes about 10 minutes and well worth it for some interesting views over this part of Segovia.

11. Mirador del Museo de Segovia

This viewpoint (it can also go by the name Mirador Calle del Socorro) is located between the medieval walls and the Segovia Museum. It is free, quick to visit, and offers a nice view of the cathedral and picturesque south side of Segovia.

Next door is the Segovia Museum, which has exhibits on archaeology and fine arts. However, its limited hours (it is open for a few hours in the morning, is closed for several hours midday, and reopens at 5 pm) makes it difficult to work into a quick visit or day trip to Segovia.

12. The Alcázar of Segovia

The Alcázar of Segovia is one of the most visited landmarks in Spain. This medieval castle and royal fortress sits on a rocky outcropping on the north end of Segovia. It was built in the 12th century and has a long, rich history.

The Alcázar of Segovia has been home to twenty-two kings, it was the site of the final meeting between King Ferdinand and Christopher Columbus, and has been also used as a prison, royal armory, and Royal Artillery College. This castle also inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle and it was used as the setting for Ghealdan in The Wheel of Time.

On a visit to the Alcázar, tour the interior rooms (the Throne Room, the Hall of the Fireplace, the Royal Chamber, the Hall of the Kings, and the Armory Room) and enjoy the views from the terraces that are located around the fortress. It is also possible to visit Tower of John II of Castile (La Torre de Juan II) with a timed ticket.

The view from the Alcazar. The small church near the center of the photo is Iglesia de la Vera Cruz.

13. Dine on Suckling Pig

Suckling pig, also called cochinillo, is Segovia’s signature dish. While in Madrid, when locals heard that we were visiting Segovia, they unanimously stated that we must try the suckling pig.

Roasted suckling pig is a piglet that is cooked in a clay dish open over an open fire. The innards are removed and then the piglet is slow roasted in the oven. It is traditionally served whole to the table, and then cut into portions.

Mesón de Candido is known as being one of the best places to dine on suckling pig in Segovia. This old Spanish inn dates back to 1786 and sits in the shadow of the Roman aqueduct. For many generations, the Candido family has been serving suckling pig to locals and tourists.

This restaurant gets mixed reviews for its service and its food. It is very popular restaurant, and now very touristy, so make your reservation in advance.

It is interesting to see the plate cutting ceremony. Mesón de Candido advertises that their suckling pig is so tender that it can be cut with the side of a plate. During the ceremony, the suckling pig is brought into the dining room and the owner of the restaurant, with great flair, cuts it into portions using the plate, then smashes the plate on the floor.

During our visit, we were told that they perform the plate cutting ceremony about once every hour.

Overall, we weren’t big fans of this dining experience, both the cuisine and the overall busy, touristy vibe of the restaurant. However, it is an important cultural experience in Segovia and many people love the overall experience.

14 Iglesia de la Vera Cruz

This church, also called the Church of the True Cross, sits just outside of the old city of Segovia. It is one of the best-preserved churches that was built with a dodecagonal floor plan. The church was constructed in the very early 13th century by the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

During our visit, it was not open to visitors. To get here, it is a 20-minute walk from the old city or a very short drive. If you have a car, you can combine the Church of the True Cross with the next two miradors.

15 Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos

This view of the Alcázar is located just down the road from the Church of the True Cross (about a 4-minute walk). From here, you are standing on a grassy field with a view up to the Alcázar.

This is a very popular viewpoint that gets listed a lot on other guides, but we have a better one for you ↓ .

16. Mirador del Alcázar y los dos Valles

This is an incredible viewpoint of Segovia and the Alcázar.

To get here, it is best to have a car, and you will do a very short walk/hike to get to the viewpoint.

Park on the turnout on C. Cta. De los Hoyos (here are the GPS coordinates and it is marked on our Segovia map: 40°57’04.2″N 4°08’00.1″W). Walk into the small field next to this turnout. With your back to the road and the Alcazar, the trail to the viewpoint will be on the right side of the field. It is a short, uphill walk on a dirt, rocky path to get to the mirador.

Here’s the view.

17. Puerta de San Cebrián & More Medieval Walls

On the north side of Segovia, there is another brief section of medieval walls to walk. These are free to visit (at least they were in 2024) and from here, you overlook the north side of Segovia and Puerta de San Cebrián.

It’s a nice experience but a bit out of the way from everything else there is to do in Segovia, so it’s only worth it if you have some extra time.

18. Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso

The Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso, also known as La Granja, is an 18th-century palace that was the summer residence of the Kings of Spain from the 1720’s to the 1880’s. It is located in San Ildefonso, a small town that is located 10 km southeast of Segovia.

On a visit here, you will walk through the rooms of the palace and can go for a stroll through the gardens.

The gardens are the highlight. There are 1,500 acres (6.1 square kilometers) of manicured gardens that surround the palace. They were designed by a French designer and the gardens are filled with fountains and French sculptures.

La Granja is not a must-see on a visit to Segovia but is worthwhile if you enjoy visiting royal palaces or gardens. A visit here is very much like visiting Versailles in Paris, although it is smaller and not nearly as crowded.

Get pricing, hours, and learn more here.

Best Things to Do in Segovia: On a Map

How Much Time Do You Need in Segovia?

In half of a day, you can visit a few key sites in Segovia, including the Alcázar, the Cathedral, the bell tower, the picturesque streets in the city center, and the Roman aqueduct. With more time, you can sit down to lunch or dinner, walk the medieval walls, and visit the viewpoints outside of town as well as tour La Granja.

Walking Tour of Segovia

Below is a walking tour of Segovia, which includes the top places to visit in an efficient route through town. You can see the walking route on our Segovia map (above). Here are a few things to be aware of:

• The Segovia cathedral is not open on Sunday morning.
• Some sites are closed on Monday.
• If you plan to climb the bell tower, it is only possible via a guided tour which is only offered at certain times of the day. We recommend booking this in advance. Here is the link to the official website to get tour times and to make your reservation.
• If you want to walk the medieval walls, tickets can only be purchased from 10 am to 1:30 pm.
• If you want to climb the tower of the Alcázar, this is timed entry. Make your reservation in advance.
• We recommend making a reservation if you plan to dine at Mesón De Cándido.

Start: Roman Aqueduct. This is the starting and ending point of the walking tour. If you arrive by car, park in the underground garage next to the aqueduct. If you arrive by train, it is a 20-minute walk to get here, but you can also take the bus or use a taxi or rideshare app to save your steps.

Walk through Plaza del Azoguejo and follow Calle Cervantes to Mirador de la Canaleja and Casa de los Picos.

Go for a stroll along Calle Juan Bravo. Don’t forget to look back for a nice view of the aqueduct. Walk through Plaza de Medina del Campo. While here, check to see if Iglesia de San Martin is open (this church has very limited hours but if it is open, it’s worth a quick look inside).

Continue on Calle Juan Bravo. If you need a snack or some coffee, Lemon and Mint (Pastelería Limón y Menta) is a very nice pastry shop.

Segovia Cathedral. Walk through Plaza Mayor and then visit the cathedral. We recommend the bell tower climb for its views and history lesson.

El Bazar del Convento. This small shop is run by nuns and is located behind the cathedral. They sell shortbread and pastries.

Walk the medieval walls. It is a short walk to get to the Tourist Information Center, which sits next to Puerta de San Andrés.

Next, enjoy the view from Mirador Del Museo de Segovia.

The view on the walk from the museum to the Alcázar

Walk along the walls to get to the Alcázar. A visit to the Alcázar lasts 30 to 45 minutes. If you climb the tower, add on another hour to your visit.

Optional: From here you can return to the starting point or walk out to Iglesia de la Vera Cruz and Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos (if you have a car, it is much faster to drive to them and include Mirador del Alcázar y los dos Valles).

Return to the aqueduct. You can follow the same route back to the starting point or choose a different route through town. It takes about 20 minutes to walk back to the aqueduct from the Alcázar.

End your visit with lunch at Mesón De Cándido or a nearby restaurant.

Best Way to Get to Segovia

If you are traveling from Madrid, you can get to Segovia by car, train, bus, and by tour.

The train is a fast, efficient way to travel from Madrid to Segovia. High speed trains connect these two cities in about 30 minutes, with multiple trains per day. The Segovia train station is located just outside of the city center. On foot, it takes about 25 minutes to walk the 1.7 km to the city center. If you don’t want to walk, take bus (line 11) to the aqueduct or hire Uber or another ride share app.

If you have a rental car, it takes roughly an hour and 15 minutes to drive to Segovia (depending on your starting point in Madrid and traffic). The advantage of having a car is that it makes it easier to add on the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. In Segovia, the most convenient place to park is Aparcamiento Acueducto Oriental, an underground parking garage which is located next to the aqueduct.

Several of our readers have written in recommending a service called Welcome Pickups, which offers city transfers, airport transfers, and sightseeing rides. We have not used them ourselves but here is the link to learn more.

There are also many tour options, although most day trip tours from Madrid usually also include Ávila or Toledo. In our opinion, it is best to dedicate one full day to Toledo, but for those who have limited time, combining Ávila with Segovia is a great option.

Places to Visit Near Segovia

Ávila

Ávila is a small city that is famous for its medieval walls. Walking these walls is one of the most popular things to do in Ávila, but visitors can also visit a few museums, climb the bell tower for a view of the city, and tour a few important religious sites.

With its relatively short list of things to do, a visit here takes about half of a day, so it can easily be combined with Segovia.

Ávila

Toledo

Toledo was the capital of Spain until 1561. The city center of Toledo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and things to do here include visiting its spectacular cathedral, walking the extremely picturesque city streets, visiting a few important religious sites, and getting a view of the city from its towers and miradors.

Toledo

Toledo sits south of Madrid. Visiting Toledo was our favorite day trip from Madrid. Because of its long list of things to do and its location, I think it is best to dedicate a full day to Toledo, rather than pairing it with Segovia or Ávila. However, if you have very limited time, you can visit Segovia, Ávila, and Toledo on the same day, as in this tour, but be aware that you will get to see very little of Toledo.

Plan your visit with our guides Best Things to Do in Toledo and How to Plan a Toledo Day Trip from Madrid.

How to Plan a Day Trip to Segovia

When planning your Segovia day trip from Madrid, there are two main things to consider: whether you also plan to add on a second city/site and your mode of transportation (car, train, bus, tour, etc.).

Since it takes roughly half of a day to visit Segovia, on a day trip from Madrid, you can either spend all of your time in Segovia or combine it with another site or city. Ávila or the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial are the best options, due to their proximity to Segovia.

If you want to include Ávila or El Escorial to a Segovia day trip, it is best to leave Madrid by 8:00 am, to reach Segovia by 9:30 am. It takes about 4 hours to visit the cathedral, climb the bell tower, visit the Alcázar and climb its tower, and go for a stroll through town. If you want to add on the other sites in Segovia, such as the medieval walls or miradors, or sit down to lunch, add on another two hours.

Best Tours of Segovia

Taking a hot air balloon ride is another popular thing to do in Segovia. This 3-hour experience includes the hot air balloon ride and a 3-course lunch. This longer tour from Madrid includes transportation to and from Madrid and the hot air balloon ride over Segovia.

Tour Segovia with an experienced guide on this walking tour that includes the aqueduct, cathedral, and Alcázar.

This full day tour from Madrid includes both Segovia and Ávila.

This very popular and highly rated tour from Madrid includes guided tours of Toledo and Segovia.

This is a similar tour from Madrid that includes Segovia and Toledo, with the option to add on Ávila.

If you have any questions about the best things to do in Segovia or how to plan a day trip to Segovia, let us know in the comment section below.

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