More about: Day Trips to Segovia from Madrid
If you visit Madrid in good time, apart from enjoying everything the city has to offer, you can also take a trip to nearby cities which also have a lot to offer. One of the most recommendable is Segovia, just over an hour from Madrid.
1. The best excursions to Segovia
The most comfortable way to visit Segovia is with an organised tour that picks you up at your hotel and, with the help of a specialised guide, shows you the city and its most important sights. Some of the excursions worth considering are:
- Guided tour of Segovia and tour of Madrid - from £33
- Guided tour of Segovia with stop in Avila - from £42.
- Excursion to Segovia and Toledo - from £72.
2. Organised tour to Segovia and tour of Madrid
I recommend this excursion to Segovia and tour of Madrid for several reasons. Firstly, for a very affordable price you have the convenience of being picked up at your hotel and at the end of the day, after an intense excursion, you will be taken back to your hotel. Secondly, it is very well organised and prepared to enjoy the city of Segovia without the need to rush, as the tour combines a guided visit with free time in the city.
What the tour consists of
The bus will pick you up from your hotel and will take advantage of the journey to Segovia to take a guided tour of the most important places in Madrid on board the bus. This will help you to learn about the history of places in Madrid far from the city centre, which you can then decide whether or not to visit in more detail.
On arrival in Segovia, you'll visit the city's most emblematic points of interest (see below for details of what they are and why they're important) and you'll have free time to explore Segovia at your leisure, wander through the narrow streets of the historic centre or do some shopping.
On your return to Madrid, after an exhausting day, the bus will drop you back at your hotel.
What will you see in Segovia?
- The aqueduct: it is the symbol of the city and the main reason why hundreds of tourists visit it throughout the year.
The cathedral: it is a Romanesque and Catholic church built in the middle of the 16th century in Gothic style. It is located in the main square of the city and is dedicated to the cult of the Virgin Mary. - The church of San Esteban: one of the medieval churches in the city and famous for its Romanesque bell tower.
- Alcázar of Segovia: a short distance from the aqueduct you will find the city's Alcázar, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is believed to have been built in the 12th century and has been a fortress, prison, royal palace and main academy ever since.
Extra tip
Find a good restaurant for lunch (lunch is not included in the tour). I recommend you book in advance any place that serves suckling pig (if you stay away from the historic centre it will be cheaper), which is the typical delicacy of this area.
3. Organised tour to Segovia and stop in Avila
With this excursion option to Segovia, you will also visit the nearby city of Ávila and a specialised guide will give you a guided tour of both cities. In addition, when you arrive in Segovia you will have a drink and a tapa included in the price of the tour (you will have to get your own lunch). You will have less free time to explore Segovia, but in exchange you will get to know another Spanish city that is also important for its historical relevance.
Itinerary
- Sierra de Guadarrama National Park: a mountain range that extends through the centre of the Iberian Peninsula.
- The city walls of Ávila: the most complete fortification in Spain and the city's main attraction.
- The Cathedral of Ávila: a Catholic church built as a fortress with Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
- The Basilica of San Vicente: one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Spain.
- The Convent of Santa Teresa de Jesús: church and convent where Santa Teresa de Ávila is believed to have been born.
- The Aqueduct of Segovia: the main symbol of Segovia and one of the best preserved Roman aqueducts in existence.
- The Cathedral of Segovia: a Gothic Catholic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
- The Alcázar of Segovia: a UNESCO World Heritage medieval fortress with a particular shape that emulates the prow of a ship.
Please note that
Not included in the price of the tour is the transfer from the hotel in Madrid (the tour will depart from a meeting point that will be confirmed when you book online), lunch or entrance fees to monuments that you can optionally visit in depth during the free time you will have in the destination cities.
Why I like this tour
Although you will have less time to explore Segovia, both Ávila and Segovia are relatively small cities that can be visited in a few hours each. If you don't mind sacrificing your free time to visit them and you prefer to maximise your time, this is a good option, as you will see two cities instead of one. And believe me, it doesn't get tiresome thanks to the size of both.
4. Organised tour to Segovia and Toledo
Segovia and Toledo are the most visited cities near Madrid by both tourists and locals looking to escape from the capital for the weekend. This day trip combines a walking tour of the two cities and the transfer between them from Madrid by bus.
As a first contact with these cities it can be very interesting, because the price, 72, is quite reasonable for the journey and the duration of the excursion. However, you should be aware that you won't have time to get to know these cities in depth or to visit the different monuments in each of them.
Please note that
The walking tour of both cities is included, but not the lunch in each of them nor the hotel pick-up (you will have to meet your guide at the meeting point in Madrid). Throughout this tour you will have the opportunity to see points of interest such as the aqueduct and the Alcazar in Segovia and the historic centre and Cathedral in Toledo.
Why I like this tour
Again, this combined tour offers the chance to see two cities in one day. Personally, I think that Toledo itself deserves a visit of at least a full day, but if you don't have the time or you are content to see the highlights of one city, this is a very good option. What is clear is that Toledo has to be visited at least once in a lifetime and this could be your chance.
5. What to see and do in Segovia in one day
On an organised excursion from Madrid to Segovia you will see all the important s ights of the city. One day will be enough to get to know this city which, although it has many points of interest, is quite manageable. Once you get there you can do the following:
Marvel at the aqueduct
It is almost 16km long and is a construction that was used to supply water to the cities. The Segovia aqueduct has 120 pillars that rise up to 30 metres from the ground and 167 arches. No matter how many times you've seen it in pictures, you'll be amazed when you're there. Don't settle for the obligatory selfie in front of it (although it's also valid): play with your camera to get an original photo that will serve as a souvenir of your trip.
Stroll through the centre
Don't be overwhelmed by sightseeing. Strolling through the historic centre of Segovia is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have in the city. Its cobbled streets are dotted with historic buildings, busy squares, medieval buildings and, of course, shops and restaurants where you can enjoy a beer in the open air.
Enter the Cathedral
It is an important point of interest in Segovia and you will find it right in the centre. The entrance fee is very affordable at 3 euros and you can also book a guided tour of the tower. It is open from morning until 18:30 in winter and until 21:30 in summer.
Eat the typical suckling pig
Every weekend hundreds of visitors come to Segovia from Madrid to try the famous roast suckling pig. Any of its restaurants is good for this, but if you go at the weekend it is better to book in advance, especially if you are a large group.
Visit the Alcazar
It is open from 10am to 6pm in winter and from 10am to 8pm in summer. It is one of the most visited monuments in Segovia and Spain and is open to the public every day of the year except on specific holidays. The full ticket with access to the tower costs six euros and can be purchased at the ticket office or by booking online from their website (there you can also take a virtual tour to convince you of how necessary this visit is as part of your trip to Segovia).
Walk through the Jewish quarter
Leave time during your visit to stroll through the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter and cross the Puerta del Sol, from where you'll have great views of the river that runs through the city. In the Jewish quarter you will find, among others, the Corpus Cristi Church, formerly the Main Synagogue.
6. Segovia on your own
If you prefer to visit the city at your own pace, there are several options available. Leave Madrid early to make the most of the day in Segovia and book online at one of its restaurants to try its famous suckling pig. Take comfortable clothes and shoes to visit the city. As for transport, you can get to Segovia from Madrid:
- By car: if you've hired a car and want to make the most of it, you'll get there in just an hour, but you may have to find a car park on arrival.
- By train: the high-speed AVANT train costs about 14 euros and will drop you off at Guimar station in Segovia in about half an hour. It departs from Chamartín station in Madrid and, once you arrive in Segovia, you will have to take a bus to the city centre.
- By bus: this is a very convenient option. Buses leave from the Moncloa interchange in Madrid every 15 to 30 minutes for about four euros and will drop you off in the city centre. The journey time from Madrid is approximately one hour and twenty minutes.
7. Practical tips for visiting Segovia
When to go
Segovia receives visitors all year round, but at weekends the city is much busier as visitors come from Madrid to eat cochinillo (suckling pig) or stroll along the aqueduct. If you can make your trip to Segovia during the week you will find the city much emptier of people and you will enjoy your visit with more peace and quiet.
Recommended length of visit
One day is enough to visit Segovia's key sights, stroll through its streets and enjoy an aperitif on any terrace. But don't forget to leave Madrid early in the morning to make the most of the day; bear in mind that in winter it gets dark earlier, so your sightseeing tour will be shorter.
Weather in Segovia
The temperature in Segovia is lower than in Madrid. In the middle of summer you may not notice much as the aqueduct area has little shade and the heat can be equally sweltering, but you will see the difference when strolling through the streets of the centre. In winter, keep in mind that you will need to wrap up warmer in Segovia than in Madrid.
What to eat in Segovia
Although suckling pig is the star dish, you can also enjoy other delicacies in Segovia's restaurants. Judiones de la granja, roast suckling lamb, Segovian-style trout and Segovian punch are some of the dishes not to be missed.
What to bring to Segovia
The most important thing is to wear comfortable clothes and, if you visit Segovia in winter, take an extra jumper or jacket, even if you think you might not need one in Madrid. If you're going to Segovia on an organised tour, make sure you check whether or not food is included so that you can either bring money to go to one of the restaurants or bring your own food from home.
8. If you are interested in a trip to Segovia, you will also be interested in
Segovia is not the only city near Madrid that you can visit in a day. Another of the most outstanding, located at the opposite end of the city to Segovia, is Toledo. In Toledo you will also find medieval buildings, a historic centre that, although it is quite steep, is well worth a visit, and an impressive cathedral that is also one of the most outstanding in Spain. If you want to know more about excursions to Toledo you can visit this article: Day Trips to Toledo from Madrid.
If you prefer to get the most out of Madrid, I recommend that you start your trip with an organised tour that will put you in context of the history, the neighbourhoods and the most important anecdotes of the capital of Spain. You can find all the information you need to organise your guided tour in this article on Madrid Tours.
Finally, museum lovers are in luck, as Madrid is home to some of the most important museums in Europe. My personal recommendation, El Prado (of course) and the Reina Sofía. You can organise your visit by following my practical guides to both museums: Prado Museum in Madrid Tickets and Tours and Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid Tickets and Tours.