So you want to visit Segovia? Few Spanish cities announce themselves quite as dramatically, the Roman aqueduct arriving without warning at the edge of the old town, more than eight hundred metres of granite arches built nearly two thousand years ago and still standing without a scrap of mortar holding it together.
Beyond the aqueduct, Segovia has an Alcazar so fittingly fairy tale in shape that it is widely believed to have influenced Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle, and a Gothic cathedral so accomplished it earned the nickname the Lady of Cathedrals. All of this sits within an old town small enough to walk in a single day, which is exactly what most visitors do, arriving from Madrid in the morning and leaving, reluctantly, by evening.
AT A GLANCE
Capital of the region
Segovia is not the regional capital, that is Valladolid, but it is the capital of Segovia province.
Language
Spanish, spoken here in what is often considered a particularly clear, standard accent. English is common around the main sights.
Currency
Euro.
Flight time from the UK
There is no airport in Segovia itself, so the usual route is to fly into Madrid, around two and a half hours from the UK, and continue by train, a journey of under thirty minutes on the fastest services.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and October offer warm, sunny days without the intense summer heat, which can pass 35 Celsius on the hottest days. Winters bring a genuine cold, sometimes with snow, given the city’s elevation.
Time difference
One hour ahead of the UK.
Climate and Weather
Segovia has a continental climate, with hot, dry summers, cold winters and relatively low rainfall concentrated in spring and autumn. Its elevation, over a thousand metres above sea level, keeps evenings notably cooler than Madrid even in high summer.
Getting There
Madrid is the practical gateway, with direct flights from a wide range of UK airports. High speed and regional trains run frequently from Madrid to Segovia, with the fastest services taking under thirty minutes, making a day trip or short stay straightforward without a car.
TOP TEN THINGS TO DO
The Roman Aqueduct
Built in the first century AD, this is one of the best preserved Roman aqueducts anywhere in the world, stretching over eight hundred metres with more than 160 granite arches, and constructed entirely without mortar. The view from Plaza del Azoguejo, where it towers highest, is the classic Segovia photograph.
The Alcazar of Segovia
A fairy tale fortress perched above the Eresma river, widely believed to have influenced Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle, and the place from which Isabella I set out to be proclaimed queen in 1474. The climb up the tower rewards you with sweeping views over the old town and surrounding mountains.
Segovia Cathedral
Known as the Lady of Cathedrals, this is the last major Gothic cathedral built in Spain, with sixteenth century stained glass and an interior worth the modest entry fee, sitting right at the heart of the old town near Plaza Mayor.
The old Jewish Quarter
The Juderia Vieja, close to the cathedral, preserves the narrow medieval street plan of Segovia’s historic Jewish community, a quieter corner of the old town worth a slower wander.
Mirador del Acueducto
A viewpoint reached by a short climb near the tourist office, offering one of the best overall views of the aqueduct against the backdrop of the old town.
The city walls
Sections of Segovia’s medieval walls are walkable and give a different perspective on the old town’s layout, often compared locally to the shape of a great stone ship, with the Alcazar as its prow.
The Vera Cruz Church
An early thirteenth century church built by the Knights Templar just outside the city walls, its unusual twelve sided design visible from the Alcazar’s tower and worth the short walk across the valley for a closer look.
Plaza Mayor
Segovia’s central square, ringed by cafes and arcaded buildings, and the natural place to pause for a coffee or a meal between the cathedral and the walk down to the aqueduct.
A meal of cochinillo asado
Roast suckling pig is Segovia’s signature dish, traditionally so tender it is carved at the table with the edge of a plate rather than a knife, a genuinely local tradition worth trying at one of the old town’s established restaurants.
A day trip to La Granja de San Ildefonso
A Bourbon royal palace and gardens a short drive from Segovia, modelled loosely on Versailles, with elaborate fountains that are switched on for special occasions through the summer.
Getting Around
Segovia’s old town is compact and easily covered on foot, with the aqueduct, cathedral and Alcazar all within a comfortable walking loop. For La Granja de San Ildefonso or other excursions further afield, a hire car or local bus is the practical option.
Practical Tips
Many shops and smaller sights close for a few hours in the early afternoon, so plan around the local siesta pattern, particularly if visiting on a tight schedule. Comfortable shoes are worth it, the old town’s stone streets and the Alcazar’s tower stairs both add up over a day.
Travel Life Tips!
The Roman aqueduct’s more than 160 granite arches have held together for close to two thousand years without any mortar at all, relying purely on the precision of the stonework and gravity. It remained in active use supplying parts of the city with water until well into the modern era, a genuinely remarkable run for a piece of ancient infrastructure.
Book It
See our Castilla y Leon Travel Guide for the full region, and our guides to Salamanca and Avila for more of Castilla y Leon.
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The Mezquita is waiting in our Cordoba Travel Guide.
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