Looking for the most effective issues to do in Segovia, Spain? We received you lined.
Our crew right here at Adventure in You has been touring and residing throughout Spain for a few years now. This is why we’ve got a ton of nice suggestions on this lovely metropolis.
Speaking of cities, with regards to Spanish cities, it doesn’t get any extra magical than Segovia.
From the Alcazar which is claimed to have impressed Walt Disney’s Cinderella citadel to the traditional Roman aqueduct, small hidden streets and a wealthy historic and cultural previous, a go to to Segovia is like stepping again in time.
Upon arriving on this metropolis, you’re certain to fall in love straight away. The cobblestone streets seep thriller, the tiny eateries virtually name your identify, and the buildings courting again to Roman and Moorish instances are positive to attract you in.
Whether you’re visiting Segovia on a day journey or have extra time to spend on this charming little city, listed below are the most effective issues to do in Segovia!
Segovia Things to Do Highlights
- 2-Day National Park Mountain Hike: For those that want to be just a little further adventurous, check out this two-day mountain hike, which is led by an skilled native information.
- Hot Air Balloon Ride: If you thought that Segovia was lovely from beneath, simply wait till you see it from a chook’s eye view!
- Cathedral of Segovia: The Cathedral of Segovia was the final gothic cathedral in-built Spain and is full with Flemish stained-glass home windows, an 18th century altarpiece, and lots of different breathtaking options that you’ll want to see in particular person.
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Best Things to Do in Segovia
1. Step right into a Fairytale on the Alcazar
The centerpiece of Segovia and one of many predominant footage of town is the twelfth century Alcazar, which as soon as housed the likes of King Alfonso VIII, John II, Henry IV, and different notable Spanish royals.
The citadel has an entire fairytale type about it because it sits excessive on a hill, overlooking the remainder of town with hovering towers, pointed steeples, and excessive partitions.
Visitors are welcome to tour all the Alcazar on a go to to Segovia, so get pleasure from feeling like royalty as you float between rooms, admiring tapestries, armor and delightful views of the valley beneath.
One place you may’t miss is the Tower of John II (Torre de Juan II) which gives attractive 360° views of all the metropolis and its environment.
It’s a climb to get to Torre de Juan II and prices an extra admission price however is 100% value it, particularly for sundown!
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2. Tour the Segovia Cathedral
Another unmissable Segovia attraction is the Cathedral, which stands within the middle of town, situated close to Plaza Mayor. The Segovia cathedral marks the very best level in Old Town.
Built in a late Gothic type between 1525 and 1593, Segovia Cathedral is as intricate as it’s lovely, with gorgeous particulars and decorative work each inside and out of doors. The tallest tower of this yellow-stoned constructing stands at a whopping 100 meters, making it simple to identify from most factors all through Segovia.
On a go to to the Segovia Cathedral, you’re positive to benefit from the gorgeously coloured stained glass home windows, the huge sanctuary, and the various chapels adorned with effective art work.
But one of the superb features of this constructing is the Archive Room which holds greater than 500 vintage books, together with the primary e-book to ever be printed in Spain!
If you’re in search of the most effective views of the Segovia Cathedral, think about taking this guided tour which brings you to the highest of the bell tower to marvel on the whole metropolis beneath.
3. Marvel on the Roman Aqueduct
The true image of Segovia is the Roman aqueduct: one of many largest Roman buildings nonetheless standing in Spain. With its double decker arches and flawless stone building, visiting the aqueduct is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Segovia and positively among the many hottest with vacationers.
The Roman aqueduct was constructed someday round 50 AD and introduced water greater than 17 kilometers to town from the Acebeda River manner up within the mountains — an amazing feat for the time interval.
The proven fact that it’s nonetheless standing right this moment, with its 20,400 blocks of granite, is much more superb!
The Roman aqueduct begins on the Granja Palace and stretches all the way in which to the Alcazar. You’ll discover that the most effective place to admire this UNESCO World Heritage Site is from Plaza del Azoguejo proper in the course of Old Town. This is the place the aqueduct is its highest!
It is truthfully an awe inspiring website! We personally loved consuming alongside the various eating places that enable to gaze on this gorgeous view.
Travel Must: Segovia is definitely accessible from Madrid by practice or bus. But it’s possible you’ll desire to have the liberty of driving, which lets you discover at your personal tempo. Click right here to check automotive rental costs. You’ll be shocked at how inexpensive it’s!
4. Walk Along the City Ramparts
Like most medieval cities, Segovia is surrounded by huge partitions. Dating again to the eleventh century, most of those limestone partitions have been fantastically maintained and are even open for guests to stroll alongside.
There are three gates which might be nonetheless open alongside the ramparts: the San Andres Gate (Puerta de San Andrés), the San Cebrian Gate, and the Santiago Gate.
If you’re not afraid of heights, spend a sunny morning or gorgeous golden hour strolling alongside town partitions, taking in sights of the as soon as sprawling Jewish Quarter, lush inexperienced valley, and different Segovia landmarks from a singular vantage level.
The finest part of town partitions to stroll alongside is the portion west of the Cathedral close to the San Andres Gate.
5. Get Lost in Calle Real de Segovia
To get a really feel for medieval Segovia, spend a day exploring Calle Real.
Rather than a single avenue, Calle Real is a maze of pedestrian roads that wind by the oldest a part of town. It’s right here that you simply’ll discover a huge assortment of fifteenth and sixteenth century buildings, church buildings, and houses for the rich marked with their strong stone building, nonetheless standing right this moment.
Besides stone buildings, in your stroll you’re additionally more likely to encounter avenue performers, charming cafes, small bars and native outlets, mixing the brand new Segovia with the previous.
Calle Real spans from the Aqueduct to the Alcazar, taking you thru the center of town and the Jewish Quarter.
From right here, you may also attain Segovia’s Plaza Mayor which is situated on the finish of Calle Real. Located close to Plaza Mayor, you will discover a number of totally different buildings and sights just like the Juan Bravo Theatre, city corridor, in addition to the cathedral.
6. Learn the History of La Juderia (The Jewish Quarter)
One of essentially the most fascinating areas in Segovia is La Juderia, or the Jewish Quarter. It’s full of wealthy historical past and hidden corners, good for an hour or two of exploring. From Plaza Mayor, the Jewish quarter is a fast 6 minute stroll.
At one level, Segovia’s Jewish Quarter was one of many wealthiest areas within the metropolis. But in 1481, eight gates had been used to shut off the world in an effort to segregate the Jewish neighborhood and convert them to Christianity.
Due to this segregation, the Jewish Quarter is a bit totally different than the remainder of Segovia and Old Town, making it an fascinating place to wander round or seize a chunk to eat.
Be positive to cease by the Main Synagogue, which in 1410 was transformed to the Convent of Corpus Christi. It is amazingly well-preserved, with a lot of the unique decor completely intact.
La Juderia is within the space of Plaza de la Merced and stretches all the way in which to Plaza del Socorro and has a distinctly medieval really feel all through.
From the Jewish Quarter, you may also see Puerta de San Andrés which is a part of town partitions.
7. Wine and Dine Below the Aqueduct
Similar to each Spanish metropolis we’ve been to, Segovia is stuffed with unbelievable meals. A specialty on this area is cochinillo which is a roasted suckling piglet.
I’ve very fond reminiscences of consuming on this restaurant having fun with a stupendous bottle of white wine whereas staring on the aqueducts above us. It was magical!
8. Visit Museo de Segovia Casa del Sol
Tucked away in what was as soon as a medieval fortress, you’ll discover Museo de Segovia, town’s effective arts museum which was based in 1842.
Here, you’ll discover greater than 1,500 items on show masking (on common) 1,000 years of Segovia’s historical past. You’ll discover spiritual works, mosaics from Roman instances, nice Renaissance work, archaeological treasures, and quite a lot of different enjoyable artifacts courting manner again.
While you gained’t discover a ton of huge names at this museum (though there are a couple of works by Rembrandt and Dürer), it’s nonetheless value a go to to take a look at the Celtiberian boars that are greater than 2,500 years previous, fifteenth and sixteenth century Castilian and Flemish painted panels, and crystal and glass from the Royal Factory.
9. Enjoy the Colorful Esteban Vincente Museum of Contemporary Art
If fashionable artwork is extra your cup of tea, make your strategy to the Esteban Vincente Museum of Contemporary Art, which encompasses a attractive assortment housed in a former fifteenth century palace.
This museum is devoted to works by Esteban Vincente, a Spanish artist who immigrated to New York in 1936 and located nice fame in his summary expressionist work.
There are 153 colourful works on show, in a variety of types all through Vincente’s profession. The focus of the gathering is his later works which had been principally completed within the United States.
10. Find Local Delicacies on the Museo Gastronomico de Segovia
A museum of a unique form, Museo Gastronómico de Segovia provides guests an in-depth have a look at how meals and tradition come collectively in Segovia. The lovely everlasting exhibitions information guests by the historical past of meals in Segovia, in addition to the area’s specialties and the way they got here to be.
Once you’ve completed your museum tour, you’ll want to make your strategy to the store the place you may pattern native merchandise and decide up gourmand delicacies of your personal! Now that’s a museum you will get anybody to go to.
After leaving Museo Gastronómico de Segovia, you’ll in all probability be aching for some native meals, so head to a close-by restaurant for a steaming plate of suckling pig, Segovia’s true specialty!
11. Have a Coffee at Plaza Medina del Campo
While there are a number of metropolis squares in Segovia, none will make you are feeling fairly as posh as Plaza Medina del Campo. You’ll discover this little sq. tucked away behind Calle Juan Bravo and it represents the center of what was as soon as the aristocratic district in the course of the Renaissance.
The whole sq. is surrounded by former mansions of among the wealthiest households in Segovia, with loads of ornaments and detailed facades impressed by the work completed by silversmiths throughout this time.
Sitting within the middle of the sq., you’ll discover the Church of San Martin which is a romanesque church that can be very lovely. Surrounding it, you’ll discover loads of terraces to get pleasure from a espresso or chunk to eat at whereas marveling on the implausible buildings.
12. Learn How Money Was Made at Real Casa de la Moneda
One of the oldest industrial buildings in Spain, the Real Casa de la Moneda was constructed within the sixth century and served because the Royal Mint of Segovia. Founded by Philip II, it operated between 1586 and 1869 and employed totally different manufacturing strategies all through the years.
These days, the Real Casa de la Moneda is a museum that walks guests by the historical past of cash, the way it was made, and the totally different instruments and machines utilized by the Spanish Royal Mint.
One of the good elements of the mint is that it used hydraulic energy coming from the Eresma River. The water wheel remains to be standing and totally practical right this moment. How cool is that?!
13. Check Out the Courtyard at Casa de los Picos
For one of the fascinating issues to do in Segovia, particularly if you happen to’re an structure buff, head to Casa de los Picos to admire the distinctive facade and see how aristocrats lived within the fifteenth century.
Casa de los Picos is just about unmissable if you happen to’re strolling down Calle Juan Bravo because it’s fairly actually a home product of factors. On the outside of the constructing, there are 617 granite pyramids coming to a degree, creating the phantasm that the home is sporting armor.
The Casa de los Picos was as soon as owned by the de la Hoz household (try their coat of arms above the balconies). It was one of many de la Hoz descendants, Juan de la Hoz, who added the distinctive pointy pyramids to the facade of the home.
Today, Casa de los Picos homes the Segovia Art School and an exhibition corridor. It’s open to guests so positively cease in to take a look at the Renaissance-style courtyard which is adorned with tiles depicting well-known buildings in Segovia!
14. Feel Like a Knight at Iglesia de la Vera Cruz
As you make your manner out of the middle of city, the world surrounding Segovia turns into extremely picturesque, with small roads, rolling inexperienced hills, and buildings like Iglesia de la Vera Cruz.
La Vera Cruz is a strikingly lovely church from the thirteenth century which was based by the Knights Templar and impressed by the unique Temple of the Knights in Jerusalem. It consists of 12 sides, one for every apostle, and different particulars that had been widespread in structure from the Crusades.
The inside is reasonably easy however leaves guests with a way of surprise about what mysteries the partitions maintain from instances way back.
Other church buildings value trying into if you happen to benefit from the historical past is Iglesia de San Clemente and Iglesia de San Martín.
15. Enjoy the Architecture at Iglesia de San Millàn
Another lovely church to go to in Segovia is Iglesia de San Millàn, a tenth century church constructed in the course of the Moorish interval.
While Iglesia de San Millàn is comparable in type to different Romanesque church buildings and temples, what makes this one stand out is the bell tower.
It was in-built blocky Moorish type, seemingly as a result of it was standing earlier than the church was constructed, whereas the remainder of the constructing curves and bends as is widespread with Roman-style structure.
The neatest thing about Iglesia de san Millán is it’s much less frequented by vacationers, so if you happen to’re fortunate, you could have the place all to your self! It has a shocking view of Segovia’s Old Town!
16. Pretend You’re Royalty on the Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso
If there’s one factor value visiting outdoors of the Segovia metropolis middle, it’s the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso. This breathtaking palace sits simply 11 kilometers from the middle of Segovia, sitting within the Sierra de Guadarrama.
La Granja was a typical weekend vacation spot for Madrileños, it’s no surprise Philip V determined to assemble his palace right here in the course of the 18th century.
He modeled La Granja de San Ildefonso Royal Palace after Chateau de Versailles in France, which is evident as quickly as you step on the property, from the lavish gardens right down to the huge Baroque-style palace halls.
On a gander by the Royal Palace, cease by the Throne Room and the church (full with the tomb of Philip V and his spouse). But what’s actually particular listed below are the fifteenth and sixteenth century tapestries by Flemish, French, and Spanish artists.
Once you’ve completed exploring the sprawling inside, take a while to stroll by the formal French gardens, adorned with formed hedges, geometrically organized flowers, and 26 fountains.
Insider Tip: To see all the fountains flowing on the similar time, you’ll want to go to the Palace on May thirtieth or June twenty first!
17. Picnic at Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos
Searching for a blinding view of the Alcazar? Look no additional than Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos.
This sunny patch of grass nestled beside the Eresma River is the proper place to absorb views of the huge citadel and get your tan on. It’s additionally the proper place for a day snack, so pack a picnic and your digital camera and head on over
Since it gives the most effective view of the north facet of the Alcazar, don’t be shocked if you happen to’re flanked by vacationers passing by for his or her good Instagram shot.
18. Take a Hot Air Balloon Flight over Segovia
Speaking of excellent views, it doesn’t get significantly better than a tour of town by sizzling air balloon.
On this thrilling tour, you’ll get to fly for one hour (with skilled balloonists) over all of Segovia, taking in sights of town from above. The flight departs at daybreak, making certain the proper golden gentle for once you’re hovering excessive within the sky.
This once-in-a-lifetime expertise will conclude with a champagne toast and a delicious breakfast, making waking up early completely value it. I imply, champagne for breakfast? Count me in!
19. Get the Full Segovia Experience on a Guided Tour
Finally, if you happen to’re visiting Segovia on a day journey or just want to see the most effective of town with an area information, this guided tour is the proper possibility. Combining each Avila and Segovia, you’ll get to expertise two of the finest day journeys from Madrid in in the future!
You’ll journey through mini coach with a small group and an knowledgeable information who is aware of these two cities just like the again of their hand. Your first cease is Avila, the place you’ll study extra in regards to the historical past of this fortified metropolis, get the possibility to stroll alongside its partitions, and see some key monuments.
Then, you’ll make your strategy to Segovia. You’ll make a cease on the Aqueduct to study the historical past and snap some footage earlier than taking guided excursions of each the Cathedral and Alcazar.
You gained’t have to fret a few factor on this tour, apart from making your strategy to the assembly level in Madrid and buying your personal lunch. Everything else is included!
Travel Must: At the chance of sounding like your mother and father, be sure to get journey insurance coverage earlier than hitting the street. Trust us, it’s a kind of stuff you don’t wish to depart dwelling with out. We advocate both World Nomads or Safety Wing, relying on the kind of traveler you might be.
After seeing all that Segovia has in retailer, aren’t you simply in love with town already? There is certainly a lot to do on this historic metropolis!
From the romantic streets to the deep historic sights to the charming cafes and eating places, there’s no scarcity of issues to do in Segovia.
A visit to this metropolis is a shocking mixture of historical past, tradition and naturally good meals, and can be not like wherever else you go to in Spain.
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