The Alcázar of Segovia is one of the top sites to visit in Spain if you want to see some of the best castles and UNESCO heritage the country has to offer. If you’re planning to visit and wondering if an Alcázar tour is worth it, you’re in the right place. In this article, find out why it’s worth it to take a tour and what to expect.
What Does It Mean To “See The Alcázar of Segovia”?
Set in a breathtaking landscape and occupying an important place in history, the UNESCO-protected Alcázar is one of Spain’s most renowned heritage sites. It’s been emblematic of the city of Segovia since the Middle Ages.
From the Muslim kingdom of Al-Aldalus to becoming an important residence for the famous Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Isabel and Fernando, the Alcázar has an incredible story and over 10 rooms and areas to explore.
You’re probably wondering if a guided tour of the Alcázar of Segovia is worth it. The answer depends on how much of this stunning castle you want to see and whether you’re interested in hearing the fascinating stories about the castle and those that inhabited it across the centuries.
We highly recommend planning ahead for your visit to the Alcázar. Otherwise, you may not be able to tackle more than the highlights, which will take you 2 to 3 hours.
You might even prefer to book a combined tour that takes you from Madrid to Segovia, Toledo, and Ávila. Food, hot air balloon rides, free time to explore—choose the perfect itinerary for you and your group. Read on to find out more about what to see at the castle, the benefits of an Alcázar tour, and the most popular tours to take.
The Alcázar of Segovia has a number of areas of interest. What you decide to see will depend on how much time you’ve planned to spend at the Alcázar, your budget, and your historical or cultural interest in this attraction.
The castle itself is divided into different floors and sections. The type of ticket you buy will determine what areas you can see. There are three main areas to consider for your visit: the Alcázar gardens, the palace rooms, and the tower. There’s also a gift shop and café. So, you can shop for souvenirs, take a break, and enjoy a nice meal.
The Gardens
If you’re short on time, want to avoid crowds, or just want a very leisurely visit to the Alcázar, you could just enjoy the gardens. You’ll be able to see the exterior of the Alcázar up close and appreciate the breathtaking architecture and decoration patterns of escoria (metal slag), which is typical of the area.
Also, the views from the gardens are pretty special. There are a few spots perfect for selfies where you’ll get the Segovia city centre and cathedral in the background.
There are also a few statues worth seeing in the gardens, such as the statue honouring Daoiz and Velarde for their role in the Second of May Uprisings during the time of the peninsula war. The best part? The gardens are free to visit.
The Palace Rooms
The are many beautiful rooms in the Alcázar worth seeing. However, you definitely don’t want to miss the Hall of the Kings. This is a spectacular room with rich decor and depictions of all the kings of Castile from the time when the Alcázar was a royal residence.
Also, the Throne Room is emblematic of its importance to the Spanish crown, as are the chapel and the royal chamber with their beautiful decor.
If you have time to see a few more palace rooms, we highly recommend seeing the Armoury. It’ll give put the military importance of this castle into perspective. There’s also the Hall of the Galley where you’ll be blown away by the amazing craftsmanship of the ceiling.
The Tower
The tower is definitely one of the most impressive areas to visit in the Alcázar. You can only access the tower with certain tickets, so if you want to visit this area, make sure you get the right pass.
The amazing architecture in contrast with the dramatic views makes it worth every penny. It’s no surprise that the Amazon series “Wheel of Time” was shot here.
The tower is one of the greatest examples of Spanish Gothic architecture. You will have to go up 152 steps on a spiral staircase to see it. Unfortunately, it’s not accessible for people with limited mobility, wheelchairs, or strollers. So, this is something to consider when planning your visit.
Is a Guided Tour of the Alcázar of Segovia Worth It?
Short answer: Absolutely!
Not every attraction deserves the full exploration of a guided tour. The Alcázar of Segovia, however, is a large site with many different facets to explore from history to architecture, art, and culture.
A guided tour will save you time, ensure you see the best of this magnificent castle, give you all the history and stories you need to fully appreciate this incredible place, so you won’t just see it, you’ll experience it! That’s what we travel for, right?
If you’re interested in an easy and memorable way to add depth to your trip to Spain, a guided tour of the Alcázar’s rich history and cultural significance is a great way to do that. Here are a few more reasons why you’ll love going on a tour of the Alcázar of Segovia.
Great Tour Guides
Seeing the castle with a knowledgeable guide who’s passionate about what they do and sharing this historical site with you will make all the difference. Great tour guides want you to know the facts but they also want to share interesting stories with you that really bring the place to life.
It’s all about the experience, and the best guides know how to keep things interesting and fun. You’re on vacation after all! They’ll also love answering your questions and will try to tailor the tour to your interests wherever possible.
Small Groups
Small group tours are the way to go. You don’t want to get lost in large groups unable to hear your guide or even see what they’re talking about in the attraction.
In small groups, you’ll be able to enjoy the conversation with your guide and fellow travelers about the Alcázar’s rich history. It’s a more intimate experience and you’re much more likely to make some new friends along the way.
Combine Attractions
You might be staying in Madrid and hoping to visit Segovia in just a day. If that sounds like you, then you’ll appreciate the advantage of booking a day trip tour that combines multiple attractions and even cities!
Combination tours save you money, time, and the stress of sorting out transportation logistics. And your guide knows the areas well, so you’re sure to be prepared to visit the Alcázar, the aqueduct, and many other places.
Most Popular Tours with the Alcázar of Segovia
You might be wondering which tours in Segovia you should take. We’ve got you covered! We offer several day trip tours with free time to explore the Alcázar of Segovia that also include the chance to try authentic cuisine or see the landscape from a hot air balloon. The choice is yours! Here are our most popular Segovia day tours from Madrid.
If you want to see it all, this tour is for you. In one day from Madrid, you’ll explore the Toledo cathedral, the Roman walls of Ávila, and the Alcázar of Segovia.
That’s a whole lot of history with a passionate local guide and all the logistics taken care of. If you’re in Madrid with a day to spare, don’t miss exploring this incredible part of Spain.
Take to the skies and see this gorgeous part of Spain in a hot air balloon ride. That’s on everybody’s bucket list, right?
Back on the ground, you’ll have a tour of the city and free time to explore Segovia’s Gothic cathedral, its incredible Roman aqueduct, and the fairy-tale Alcázar. This is for anybody looking for a unique experience without any of the pains of organizing it.
The highlights of this roundtrip from Madrid that you can’t miss include an authentic cochinillo asado (suckling pig) lunch in Segovia and a visit to the renowned El Escorial palace. Of course, you’ll also get to hear all about the rich culture and history of Segovia on a walking tour of the city’s top sites.
You’ll have time to explore the Alcázar, the cathedral, and the jaw-dropping Roman aqueduct. This small group (max eight people) day trip is a fantastic and easy way to see more of this beautiful area.
Come to Segovia, Spain, to see the Roman Aqueduct, the Cathedral, and enchanting Alcázar. Find out where our local experts recommend staying in this ancient city. You’ll find great hotel deals to make your stay memorable.
Dr. Lillian Cespedes Gonzalez is a historian and published author. She specialises in medievalism, the Vikings, popular culture, and cultural identity. She is an educator and has worked at the University of Winchester teaching the Golden Age of Spain as well as working on different research projects.
Her academic work has also taken her to the world of publishing and editorial work. She used to be the director for Revista Medieval and the image editor at the Royal Studies Journal and has contributed to other publications as an ad hoc copyeditor.
She is also de CEO at Travelusion Tours, a tour guiding company that specialises in affordable and accessible guided tours in the UK and Europe. The tours are virtual or face to face.
She is also the host of several podcasts (Nu History, ManaBurnt & Tour Guide Central). Some examples of her published work are:
"Motherhood in Vikings", Vikings and The Vikings: essays on Television's History Channel Series, 2019
"Jessica Jones: Gender and the Marvel Phenomenon", Jessica Jones, Scarred Superhero: Essays on gender, Trauma and Addiction in the Netflix Series, 2018
"Some Reflections on Danes in Wessex Today, pp. 250-262", Danes in Wessex The Scandinavian Impact on Southern England, c.800–c.1100, 2016
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