Segovia: A Must-Do Day Trip From Madrid!

As my husband and I were traveling to Spain, we anticipated being blown away by the Sagrada Familia. We couldn’t wait to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. We knew we would love the tapas and the people. But we had no idea how overwhelmed we would feel when we stood in front of the soaring El Acueducto Romano (The Roman Aqueduct) in Segovia, Spain. Segovia absolutely qualifies as a must-do day trip from Madrid!

Top Three Things To Do In Segovia, Spain

Segovia, located fifty miles from Madrid, is a Unesco World Heritage site. It is a small city, and easily walkable. Wear comfortable shoes, as the terrain is somewhat hilly.

Here’s the view of Segovia from the top of the aqueduct:

The Roman Aqueduct

Segovia’s stunning aqueduct was constructed by the Romans during the first century A.D. in order to carry water from the mountains to the city’s Alcázar Castle. The section of the Aqueduct that remains today is 100 feet high and contains 166 arches and 120 pillars.

Most mind-boggling to us: the Aqueduct’s 20,000 granite blocks fit together perfectly without a single drop of mortar or cement. It was utterly incomprehensible to us that such a magnificent structure could be built without any kind of modern technology. We stood in awe at its base far longer than we would have guessed that we would. It was so humbling to reach out and touch a block of granite that had been painstakingly placed into position (most likely by a slave?) some 2,000 years ago.

The height of the enormous pillars vary according to the lay of the land.

The view of the Aqueduct is spectacular from the ground level of the Plaza del Azogúejo. Be sure to climb the grand stairway to the top for a totally different perspective.

After descending from the Aqueduct, we wandered through the Jewish Quarter on narrow, winding streets that were lined with artisan shops and cafes. Many of the restaurants advertised the local specialty: suckling pig. ( conchinillo asado in Spanish)

Segovia Cathedral

You can’t miss Segovia’s Cathedral. Meaning, of course, that you really should take a tour if you are in Segovia. But you literally cannot miss the Cathedral. Embellished with pinnacles and flying buttresses, it dominates the city skyline and is the first thing you will see as you approach Segovia.

Segovia’s Cathedral was the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain. Construction began in 1525 and took nearly 200 years to complete. By the time it was finished, the Renaissance had arrived, hence the dome on top instead of a spire.

The interior of the Cathedral contains more than 20 chapels, each one unique. Wander through to marvel at elaborately carved choir stalls, stained-glass windows, and 16th and 17th century paintings. There is also a museum in the lower level where many more stunning paintings are on display. Be sure to head outside to view the cloister courtyard.

You can also sign up for an hour-long tour to climb the tower for panoramic views. Insider tip: there is free admission to the cathedral on Sundays between 9:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Find more information about planning your visit to the Segovia Cathedral here.

Alcázar Castle

Not convinced that a mind-blowing Aqueduct and a massive Gothic Cathedral are quite worth the trek out into the Spanish countryside? The third stop on the list of the top things to do in Segovia is Spain’s most famous castle, Segovia’s Alcázar. (Alcázar is an Arabic word that means Castle or Fortress.)

Built atop a rocky cliff, the Alcázar’s blue-gray turrets, towers, and a surrounding moat convey the sense of a classic fairy-tale castle. Just a short walk from the Cathedral, I felt a rush of recognition when the Alcázar came into view. Surely I had seen it many times in my childhood while watching beloved Disney movies. Rumor has it that the Alcázar was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. While it is impossible to know whether or not this rumor is actually true, it certainly makes perfect sense to me.

Inside, the castle is filled with relics from the medieval period, including cannons, crossbows and other weapons. There are stained glass windows, paintings, furnishings fit for a king and the ceilings themselves are works of art. We were most captivated by a display of knights in full suits of armor, located in The Old Palace room. Here, even the horse has a face mask. Check out the pointy boots the rider is wearing. They alone would be a formidable weapon! So mind-boggling to imagine living in that time period.

We were surprised to see a suit of armor made for a woman. There was also a youth suit of armor, displayed without a weapon or the pointy boots. The purpose was to help a future King or Knight get used to wearing the heavy suits made of steel.

The Hall of Kings is a magnificent room with a beautifully ornate gilded ceiling. Just underneath it is a three-dimensional border that features the 52 Monarchs who ruled Spain from the 7th century to the 16th century.

We also peeked into the Royal Chambers, and couldn’t help wondering if Queen Isabella had slept here while planning to sponsor Christopher Columbus on his voyage Westward in 1492. The walls surrounding the bed depict the lives of Spain’s Catholic rulers. Find more visitor information for the Alcázar Segovia here.

The high speed RENFE train is the quickest way to get from Madrid to Segovia. The train departs almost hourly throughout the day from Madrid Chamartín Station . The upside is that the trip only takes a half an hour. The downside is that the depot where you get off is about 5 km away from the city center. No worries: it is very easy to catch a bus or taxi to the Aqueduct and other attractions. It’s quite a bit cheaper to catch the bus from Madrid to Segovia, and the ride takes about an hour and a half.

By far the easiest option is to book an organized tour. There are many to choose from, and several will have their bus pick you up right at your hotel door. A huge advantage here is that you will have an expert guide who will share all sorts of information with you. Segovia can be done on a half day tour, or it can be combined with the city of Ávila for a full day trip. Viator offers a great day trip from Madrid that includes both Segovia and Ávila, a World Heritage city known for its intact medieval walls that form a formidable ring around the old city.

Looking for another great day trip near Segovia? Check out our post on Salamanca, Spain: Best Things To Do In Two Days!

Looking for a special opportunity in Spain to connect with the local people? Check out our blog post on volunteering for a program that helps Spaniards practice their English: English Immersion in Spain with Pueblo Inglés!

We love getting to know our travel destinations, and we are always seeking to engage with the local community and its residents. We recently created a guide describing our favorite ways to connect with local people during our travels.

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