Best Things To Do in Segovia

Segovia is one of the UNESCO Heritage Cities, due to its great architectural legacy. There are various monuments that represent important periods of history, from Romanesque to Gothic.

You can visit the famous Alcázar Castle, observe the city from the Gothic Cathedral Tower and contemplate the imposing Roman Aqueduct. You will also have the opportunity to visit the medieval churches, squares and natural areas around the city. There is no doubt that you will find many things to do in Segovia.

The medieval Alcázar Castle is a must-see destination if you are in Segovia. It is an architectural monument dating from the 12th century, where you will find a series of rooms where you can learn about the history of this building. You will also tour the museum and go up to the tower terrace.

During the tour you will be able to walk around different areas of this monument. For example:

• The tower of Juan II: you will have to climb a total of 156 stairs to access the terrace of this emblematic tower, from where you will get an amazing panoramic view of the city.
• The Museum of the Royal Artillery College: with a series of military artefacts and objects from the period of Charles III.

In addition, in the palace you will see a series of rooms such as the Sala del Palacio Viejo, the Sala de la Chimenea, the Sala del Solio, the Sala Galería, among others. All of them with ancient decorations, portraits of the 22 kings who have lived in the castle, an exhibition of armour and more.

You can buy tickets to the Alcázar of Segovia, either to visit the Museum and the Palace or the Museum, the Palace and the Tower. You can also choose between a guided tour or a self-paced audio-guided tour.

Useful information

• Price: average price of €9 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday (10:00 to 20:00).
• Where: Alcázar Castle. Pl. Reina Victoria Eugenia, Segovia.

The Cathedral of Segovia is one of the must-see destinations, since in this monument you will find valuable samples of sacred art dating from the 15th to the 20th century. You will also be amazed by the architectural details that have been preserved over the years.

During your visit to the cathedral you will be able to see the entire interior, visit the 21 chapels, the cloister, the chapterhouse and the museum. You will see a series of religious artefacts and others of military importance. You will also see some sculptures, collections of tapestries, Flemish paintings and other objects of great historical value.

Furthermore, if you wish to extend the tour, you can take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Tower of Segovia Cathedral, for which entrance is available separately. In fact, you should check the opening hours of Segovia Cathedral and compare them with those of the tower to avoid any inconvenience.

Segovia Cathedral Tower

Access to the Segovia Cathedral Tower allows you to enjoy a guided tour of the Audiovisual Room (you will see an eight-minute 3D video about the history of the Cathedral and the Tower), the Belfry Room and the Clock Room. Finally, you will reach the Belfry, from where you will be able to see the whole city.

Useful information

• Price: average price 6€ per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (9.30am-6.30pm) and Sunday (1.30pm-6.30pm).
• Where: Segovia Cathedral.

If you have decided to travel to Segovia with children, but don't know what to see and do for family fun, then the Francisco Peralta Puppet Museumin the city is a good option.

This museum is located near the Puerta de Santiago, just northwest of the historic centre of Segovia. It is a small space, but with a magical atmosphere, which will amaze you and the children from the very first moment.

The 38 pieces on display belong to the collection of the famous Spanish puppeteer Francisco Peralta and represent characters from children's, romantic and classical literature.

In addition to the meticulous manufacture of the puppets and their beautiful costumes, you can learn and observe how the manipulation system of each one of them works (gears, joints, strings, etc.).

Useful information

• Price: average price of €2 per person.
• Timetable: Wednesday to Sunday (11:00 to 15:00 and 15:30 to 17:30).
• Where: Francisco Peralta Puppet Arts Centre. C. la Puerta de Santiago, Segovia.

If you are an enthusiast of snow sports activities and you are in Segovia in winter, then you must visit the city's ski resorts. You'll enjoy an unforgettable experience, gliding across the stunning snowy slopes.

This is definitely an activity you can incorporate into your 2-day itinerary in Segovia. Just connect with a tour or head to the ski resort on your own.

La Pinilla Ski Resort

La Pinilla ski resort is located in Sierra de Ayllón, 57 minutes away from Segovia city centre. There you will find a total of 23 slopes with different levels of difficulty, suitable for beginners and professionals. All of them are spread over 15 kilometres of snow.

Sierra de Béjar la Covatilla Ski Resort

The Covatilla ski resort is located two hours away from the city of Segovia, specifically in the Sierra de Béjar. It has 26 kilometres of snow, where you will find 31 slopes of all levels for skiing and snowboarding.

Useful information

• Price: La Pinilla (from 65€ per person) and La Covatilla (from 29€ per person).
• Opening times: winter season.
• Where: La Pinilla (Sierra de Ayllón) and La Covatilla (Sierra de Béjar).

A tour of the Natural Park of the Gorges is a good way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and take advantage of the good weather that Segovia offers in summer.

For example, if you plan a route through Segovia in 3 days, you can dedicate a full day to enjoy this natural monument. This way, you'll have the chance to do several outdoor activities.

Hiking route

On the hiking route you will be able to visit some viewpoints with privileged views of the park. You will also discover some archaeological sites:

• The ruins of the Hermitage of San Frutos, which is an ancient monastic complex of great historical value.
• The Church of the Virgen de la Peña, a 12th-century Romanesque construction. It also houses the patron saint of Sepúlveda.

Route along the River Duratón

The route along the Duratón River allows you to enjoy its crystal-clear waters and contemplate an amazing natural setting from another perspective. All you have to do is climb aboard a boat, pedal boats or canoe and set off on one of the routes. You can also take part in a paddle surfing experience.

The Coca Castle in Segovia offers a tour of its rooms and galleries, which will allow you to discover part of the history of the city: its religious and military art. What's more, if your trip is planned for August, you can add to your experience a fireworks display in honour of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and San Roque.

Visit to Coca Castle

In Coca Castle, you will discover the Weapons Room ( geometric mosaics) and the Museum Room (with Renaissance decoration, marble pilasters, remains of the parade ground and coats of arms). There is also the Sala de los Jarros, which stands out for its acoustics, and the Sala de Acceso a la mazmorra.

You will also have access to the Mirador with its amazing panoramic views and the Chapel, where you will find Gothic and Romanesque carvings with religious themes. Meanwhile, in the Tower Gallery, you will see weapons and armour dating from the 16th to the 17th century, and in the North Gallery, you will see reproductions of documents relating to the monument.

Fireworks at Coca Castle in August

You can go to the outskirts of Coca Castle and see a different perspective of the imposing medieval monument, as during August it is illuminated after sunset with an amazing fireworks display. This is an activity that will allow you to enjoy Segovia by night.

Useful information

• Price: average price of 3€ per person (Visit to the castle).
• Timetable: every day (11:00 to 18:30).
• Where: Coca Castle, Segovia.

The Roman Aqueduct stands out among the best tours of Segovia and has become another must-see destination for tourists. You will be able to contemplate a monumental construction, which is presumed to date back to the end of the 1st century and remained functional until the end of the 1970s.

Best of all, the tour of the Segovia Aqueduct is an activity that you can do any day of the year regardless of the weather season. Moreover, due to the importance of this emblematic example of Roman civil engineering, there are several ways to explore it, either through a guided tour, with an audio guide or on your own.

In any case, you will have the opportunity to walk along one of the architectural legacies left by the Roman civilisation, which starts at the Fuenfría spring and ends at the Alcázar, thus covering the whole city.

It is a work 28.5 metres high and a total of 167 arches, where you can discover some statues carved in stone at the top of the aqueduct's faces. You will see replicas of Hercules, Saint Sebastian and the image of a virgin, as the original works have been preserved in the city's museum.

Join a hot air balloon adventure during your stay in Segovia and explore the ancient medieval city from above. You will get a different perspective of the main architectural monuments of this town and, at the same time, learn about its historical and cultural value. All this, thanks to the commentary of the guide in charge.

This type of activity usually starts at Carretera, km 1, Segovia, which is where the hot air balloons are ready to be launched. You can arrive on your own or connect with a tour that offers hotel pick-up.

Once the aerial tour begins, you will enjoy a privileged bird's-eye view of the whole city. In addition, you will immediately begin to identify some of the most emblematic destinations:

• Segovia Cathedral with its characteristic Gothic style.
• The monumental Segovia Aqueduct, a legacy of Roman civilisation and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The historic Alcázar Castle, which has housed approximately 22 kings in history.

At the end of the flight, there is usually a small tasting of cold meats and cheeses, accompanied by a glass of wine. Afterwards, the guide will give you a certificate of participation in the activity.

Useful information

• Price: from 180€ per person.
• Timetable: Monday to Friday from 10:00 am.
• Where: Carretera, km 1, Segovia.

According to your preferences and the time you have available, you can dedicate 1 day in Segovia to visit the Jewish Quarter. You will discover the interesting history of this town that was home to the Jewish community until 1492.

The guided tour will take you to the most important places in the Jewish Quarter, where you can see different examples of art and architecture, representative of the period.

For example, in the Didactic Centre, you will learn how the Jewish community lived through a series of informative panels in its rooms.

Meanwhile, in the Main Synagogue, which was formerly a mosque and is now the Convent of the Poor Clares of Corpus Christi (cloistered nuns).

You will also have access to the Gate of San Andrés, from where you will have a view of the city, the Jewish Cemetery and the Museum of Segovia, with works of art, archaeological and ethnological exhibits.

If you are enthusiastic about numismatics or collecting coins and banknotes, then during your stay in Segovia you should visit the Royal Mint Museum. There, you will learn about the history of the old mint that forms part of the city's industrial heritage.

During the tour, you will enjoy several exhibition rooms. For example:

• Hall of the History of Money: where you will learn how commercial exchange changed from barter to electronic money.
• Minting rooms: where you will learn step by step about the process of minting money and you will see some of the preserved presses.
• Hall of Trades: in this room you will see the first coin minted in the 16th century and the last one in the 19th century.

You will also stroll through the Garden of King Philip II. This is an area of great natural beauty with a history of more than 500 years and, despite its many remodelling works, it still conserves its Renaissance tradition.

Useful information

• Price: average price from 4€ per person.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday (10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00).
• Where: Royal Segovia Mint Museum.