The 12 Things You Should See In Segovia, Spain in 2024
Sara Setti
You’ve heard of the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia, but if you’re worried about adding a stop to your trip for just one attraction, worry no more! There are plenty of things to see here that make it well worth a day trip from Madrid. As a long-time resident of the country, I’ve listed the must-see attractions in Segovia to help you discoverand fall in love with this enchanting city.
At the foot of the Guadarrama mountains, is Segovia—a city with a fairy-tale castle and where the dawn has illuminated the arches of the Roman aqueduct for 19 centuries. This fantastic city has plenty of attractions of great historical and artistic significance. And best of all, it is just 56 miles from Madrid, making it one of the best escapes from the Spanish capital.
From Madrid, you can get to Segovia by car or train in about one hour. Also, the city is not very big, so you can easily visit its top attractions in one day. However, some of the places on this list are outside the city walls, and to fully appreciate them you may need to stay overnight.
Not ready to book a tour yet? See our Madrid Guide for more info.
12. Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos Viewpoint
I want to start this list of the best things to see in Segovia with a fantastic viewpoint. The Mirador de la Pradera is the best place to visit if you love great views and nature. You can reach it in a 15-minute walk from the Alcázar (castle) or by car as there is a convenient area to park.
The meadow is beautiful in every season and is an excellent place for walking, unwinding, or having a picnic. It has the best view of the Alcazár, in my opinion. So don’t miss it if you have enough time and want the best souvenir photo of your time in Segovia.
Technically not a place to visit, but the grill restaurants in Segovia are part of the city attractions. The traditional dish is roasted suckling pig, which you find in almost every storefront and restaurant window.
The delicacy’s popularity increased in the 20th century, which, according to tradition, is thanks to the cook Cándido López and his way of cutting the roasted pig with the edge of a plate.
Nowadays, you can enjoy this dish in almost every restaurant in Segovia. However, the original Cándido is still an iconic place to eat right beside the aqueduct. Run by the same family, the building has been declared a city monument for its historic significance.
The lovely tiny church of the Vera Cruz may not be an essential visit if you are short on time, but you will love it if you are passionate about history.
There is debate as to whether the Romanesque church was founded by the Templars or by the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. However, Segovia’s official tourist website dates the construction back to 1208, as a church of the latter. The location outside of the city also ensures a magnificent view of Segovia.
The Casa De Los Picos (House of the Peaks) facade does not go unnoticed. It’s a medieval palace that now houses the School of Applied Arts. It was built in the 15th century, leaning against the disappeared San Martín gate. And its original ensemble with the city gate may be the key to understanding its bulky appearance,as suggested by the school webpage.
In fact, the first time I saw it, it reminded me a lot of the Casa de las Conchas in Salamanca and the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara. But here, the result is a hardy building closer to the medieval city gate defense rather than the balanced Reinassance style of the other two palaces.
The beautiful Medina del Campo Square is near the Casa de Los Picos. It is a space with plenty of monuments and historic buildings and where Romanesque, Renaissance, and Mudejar styles meet. Surrounded by traditional restaurants, this square is also a great place to stop for lunch.
You cannot miss out on the beautiful San Martín Church overlooking the square. It is the result of several interventions over the original 11th-century Romanesque temple, and it is stunning.
“Through a labyrinth, from street to alley, / searching, I have run, your house and your fence,” wrote Antonio Machado, one of the most important Spanish poets. He dedicated the poem “Para Tu Ventana” to his wife, but these words are an ideal companion on your walk in the lovely Calle de Los Desamparados street that get you to his house.
Segovia’s tourist website documents thatMachado booked a room in this modest boarding house from 1919 to 1932 while teaching in Segovia’s high school. The house museum maintains the simplicity and austerity of those years, with part of the original furniture and only the addition of Machado’s portraits.
The Jewish community lived in Segovia from the city repopulation of the 11th and 12th centuries until the expulsion in 1492. According to the Red de Juderias association, which studies the Jewish presence in Spain throughout history, the Segovian community was very populated and active.Something that may be similar to the important aljama in Toledo or Cordoba.
The main center developed around the area of the Juderia Vieja, which was the epicenter of the ghetto. And although the area has changed a lot, taking a walk around is a great way to connect with the medieval culture through the fascinating buildings and patios.
If you want to know more about the Jewish community in Segovia, pass by the Centro Didáctico de la Judería, in Calle Juderia Vieja. It is an educational center that collects and shares historical information about the Jewish in Segovia through interactive exhibitions and cultural events.
The San Andrés city gate connects the ghetto with the Jewish graveyard, and it’s the best-preserved medieval gate of the three still standing in Segovia—there were five of them initially.
On the interior, you will learn about the city walls enclosing Segovia for two miles, starting and ending in the Alcázar. Along the walls, you will find the other two gates, Santiago and San Cebrián, and the postigos, smaller overtures built for pedestrians.
Best view alert! If you love panoramic views as much as I do, the San Andrés gate has access to the wall’s walkway. The views over the Jewish quarter are stunning. San Cebrián city gate also has an accessible walkway with beautiful views of the city’s surroundings.
The wonderful Granja de San Ildefonso deserves to be at the top of the things to see in Segovia, but it is not in the city. However, it is a beautiful addition to your escape if you are willing to take a 15-minute trip by car from Segovia. Its story began with King Philip V. In love with the area, the king built a palace inspired by the French residences of his grandfather Louis XIV. The result is a stunning complex surrounded by gardens, fountains, and statues.
Of course, you cannot miss visiting the gardens and the royal apartments. You will appreciate the lavish decor of the ground floor, reserved for the boardrooms, and the more intimate private apartments on the upper floor. There is also the Tapestry Museum and a royal chapel.
If you have to choose just a few monuments to visit in Segovia, the cathedral must be among them. Together with the Alcázar and the aqueduct, it is one of the most incredible places in the city. The location in the Plaza Mayor is also perfect for a mini-tour of the three attractions.
The building is a massive example of the late Gothic style, one of the last to be built in Spain, dating back to the 16th century. The interiors are as glorious as the facade, with 18 chapels. Don’t miss a visit to the abbey; it was moved from the original location stone by stone, and it is fantastic. The tower is also a must-see. The views are stunning, and it is accessible at night, too.
Your inner child will gasp in front of this medieval fortress that looks like a fairy-tale castle. Built on a cliff and protected by a deep moat, the Alcázar was a fortress, a royal palace, and even a prison.
The official website mentions that King Alfonso X of Castile, known as The Wise, carried out his astronomical observations in the tower in the 13th century, which were so relevant that there is a lunar crater named after him. And one century later, Isabella I left the Alcázar to be crowned Queen of Spain in the Plaza Mayor.
This visit is an authentic journey through history. It will take around 45 minutes to visit the royal chambers and the museum, and you will enjoy every minute. I also suggest buying a ticket to the tower. Check out all the top things to see at the Alcázar of Segovia.
The 167 arches of this Roman aqueduct are the most emblematic postcard of Segovia. They are, without a doubt, the best of all the things to see in Segovia! It is one of the best-preserved of its kind, and it is gigantic—almost 92 feet tall.
Roman aqueducts are extraordinary engineering works: the meticulously calculated inclination ensures water runs at the right speed. And the one in Segovia is so unique that it worked until the 19th century.
Also, the Segovia tourism website states that the blocks are held together by balance, with no mortar, which blows my mind. Without a doubt, it is worth a visit! And the last tip: walk by the Cuesta de San Juan and you’ll get the best view for your photos.
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.
Sara Setti is a Madrid-based writer with an MD in Literature & Cultural Studies. Italian by birth, she moved to Spain in 2011, where she writes for companies about travel, outdoor activities, and technology. She is passionate about arts, food, and can´t resist taking pictures of clouds. Sara has also lived in Bologna, Doha, and London. She writes in English, Italian, and Spanish.
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