Segovia in 1 Day: all you need to know

Segovia, a small medieval city whose life, gastronomy and numerous architectural gems make it the ideal destination for a fantastic day trip.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

Segovia in 1 Day: all you need to know

Turégano, Segovia| ©Javier Pereda

Despite not being a large city, Segovia has no shortage of monumental attractions or things to see and do. That's why good planning is essential if you want to choose this destination for a day trip and lose yourself in the streets of this ancient city, where you can immerse yourself in its fascinating history, try some of its most emblematic dishes and even visit an impressive medieval castle.

The famous Segovia Aqueduct, numerous Romanesque churches, an extraordinary Gothic cathedral and a Jewish quarter steeped in history are just some of the visits you can make in this ancient city. No matter the time of the year, Segovia always manages to captivate those who come to visit it, so if you are thinking of visiting this wonderful place, read on and I will tell you what you can 't miss.

1. Start the day in Segovia's liveliest square

Plaza Mayor of Segovia| ©JOSE MANUEL CANDELARIO
Plaza Mayor of Segovia| ©JOSE MANUEL CANDELARIO

To start the complete itinerary that I have prepared for your day in Segovia, you will start with breakfast in the heart of the city, the Plaza Mayor. This square, besides being one of the liveliest areas of Segovia, is surrounded by some of its most emblematic buildings, including the Town Hall, the prestigious Juan Bravo Theatre and the Cathedral of Segovia.

If you are travelling to Segovia during the summer or if you are lucky enough to enjoy good weather, I encourage you to start your morning with a coffee on one of the terraces of this historic square, so you can contemplate the beauty of the monuments that surround it in peace and quiet. You'll also have the chance to try one of the city's most typical sweets, Segovian punch.

Segovian punch is the most typical traditional dessert in Segovia, and the place where it originated is the Confitería el Alcázar, which is located right in this square. This cake alternates layers of sponge cake dipped in syrup with others of custard and then the sweet is covered with marzipan and sprinkled with icing sugar, which is then burnt to form its characteristic pattern. This is the only place that has the original recipe and it is also protected by patent. So if you decide to take the opportunity to try this delicacy, I recommend that you do so in this legendary bakery.

A fantastic option for visiting the most important places in the city while you are in its historic centre would be that of Best tours of Segoviawhere an expert will guide you through the most important corners of the city while telling you about its interesting history and some interesting facts.

  • Where: Confitería el Alcázar is located at Plaza Mayor number 13.
  • Opening hours: every day from 10:00 to 19:00 h.
  • Price: from 3€ to 9€ approximately per person.

Book a guided tour of Segovia

2. Visit the majestic Cathedral of Segovia

Segovia Cathedral (Spain)| ©José Mª Alvarez
Segovia Cathedral (Spain)| ©José Mª Alvarez

After a good cup of coffee with the best views, I suggest you visit one of the must-see monuments of this city, the Cathedral of Segovia. This religious temple was built between the 16th and 18th centuries and is a wonderful example of late Gothic architecture.

In addition to having an interesting and extensive history, the Segovia Cathedral Opening Hours It is particularly striking for its beautiful stained glass windows that let in the light creating a spectacular effect and for its very tall tower of up to 88 metres in height. Made up of three large naves, this elegant building has been called the Lady of Cathedrals for its beauty and historical importance, and is a monument you can't miss.

  • Where: the Cathedral of Segovia is located at 1 Marqués del Arco Street.
  • Opening hours: every day from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm.
  • Price: entrance to the Cathedral of Segovia starts at €3.

Buy your ticket for the Cathedral of Segovia

3. Stroll through the charming Jewish Quarter of Segovia

Façade of the Jewish Quarter of Segovia| ©andres gomez
Façade of the Jewish Quarter of Segovia| ©andres gomez

The old Jewish quarter of Segovia belonged to a large Jewish community from the 12th century until they were expelled by order of the Catholic Monarchs in the 15th century. The narrow streets of this picturesque neighbourhood are some of the most beautiful in the city and you can still find buildings from that period.

Without a doubt, the best way to get to know a city is to take a long walk around it. That's why I encourage you to wander through the alleys of Segovia's Jewish Quarter, which is just a few metres from the Plaza Mayor and the aforementioned cathedral. Some of the most emblematic places in this area of the city are the Old Synagogue, the Gate of San Andrés and the Jewish Cemetery.

4. Continue your tour with the Church of San Miguel and the Casa de los Picos

Sotosalbos (Segovia). Church of San Miguel.| ©José Manuel Azcona
Sotosalbos (Segovia). Church of San Miguel.| ©José Manuel Azcona

Fortunately, the historic centre of Segovia concentrates its main points of interest just a few minutes away from each other, which is very convenient if you want to get to know this city in a short period of time. The next point on this route is the Church of San Miguel, which is also located next to the Plaza Mayor and the Jewish Quarter, so you won't waste much time getting there.

The Church of San Miguel is a religious temple in Gothic style and is mainly known for its interesting history. The building as we know it is a reconstruction of what used to be the Church of San Miguel, which was destroyed by a collapse in the 16th century. However, this monument was the site of one of the city's most important historical events, as it was the place where Queen Isabella I of Castile was proclaimed Queen.

If you have enough time, you can also take the opportunity to visit two of the city's most outstanding Romanesque churches, the Church of San Martín and the Church of San Esteban, which are just a few minutes' walk away. You will then move on to the next location, the peculiar Casa de los Picos, which is known for its original façade made up of pointed geometric shapes. This historic building is currently used as the Segovia School of Applied Arts.

5. Taste the gastronomy of Segovia in the square with the best views of the city

Suckling pig on a plate| ©Jose Nicdao
Suckling pig on a plate| ©Jose Nicdao

To get to know a city well, you have to know its gastronomy. That's why the next plan I'm going to suggest is that you go for lunch at one of the most typical Segovian restaurants, which is also located in a very special place. Just 2 minutes away from the Casa de los Picos, you will find the Plaza del Azoguejo. This square is known and admired for being crossed by the spectacular Aqueduct of Segovia.

The millenary Aqueduct of Segovia was used by the Romans to transport water to the city, and today it has been named a World Heritage Site. If you enjoy good weather during your trip, you can sit down to eat on the terrace of the legendary Mesón de Cándido, the oldest restaurant in Segovia, which also has privileged views of this imposing construction.

There, you can try some of the most typical dishes of Segovian cuisine, such as farm beans or its star dish, the exquisite roast suckling pig. On the other hand, 10 Things to Do in Segovia in WinterOn the other hand, I recommend you try the hearty Castilian soup, a dish that will undoubtedly warm you up. This delicacy of Segovian gastronomy is cooked in a clay pot and its ingredients include broth, ham, hard-boiled bread, egg and paprika.

  • Where: Mesón de Cándido islocated at Plaza Azoguejo number 5.
  • Opening times: every day from 13:30 to 23:00 h.
  • Price: from 35€ to 60€ approximately per person.

6. Take a tour to the splendid Alcázar of Segovia

Alcazar of Segovia| ©Javier Álamo Rodríguez
Alcazar of Segovia| ©Javier Álamo Rodríguez

To continue your tour, I suggest you book a tour that will take you from the aqueduct to the Alcazar of Segovia. This tour starts from the Plaza del Azoguejo and along the way you can stop at the main s ights of the city while listening to an audio guide explaining the history of each of these places.

The walk from the Plaza del Azoguejo to the Alcazar is approximately 20 minutes, however, you can decide the duration of this tour depending on how much time you want to spend on each visit. Some of the most interesting places this tour passes through are the Mirador de la Canaleja, the Plaza de Medina del Campo and the Plaza de la Reina Victoria Eugenia.

Book a guided tour of Segovia

7. Enter the Alcázar of Segovia, an essential visit

Inside the Alcazar of Segovia| ©Juan R. Ruiz
Inside the Alcazar of Segovia| ©Juan R. Ruiz

The Alcazar of Segovia Tickets and Tours is a magnificent fortress that imposingly watches over the city from the top of a rock formation and is one of Segovia's main attractions. This medieval castle creates a landscape that looks like something out of a movie scene and has even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The castle as we know it was built and used as a home by the Catholic Monarchs in the mid-15th century. To enter it, you will have to cross an impressive drawbridge and once inside, you can continue your visit to this Segovian icon by walking through its numerous halls and rooms beautifully decorated with Christian and Mudejar elements, which I assure you will not leave you indifferent.

  • Where: the Alcázar of Segovia is located in Plaza Reina Victoria Eugenia, s/n.
  • Opening times: during the winter season, from 1 November to 31 March, opening hours are from 10:00 to 18:00. During the summer season, from 1 April to 31 October, opening hours are from 10:00 to 20:00.
  • Price: admission to the Alcázar of Segovia starts at approximately €6 per person, depending on the type of visit required.

8. End the day with a fantastic dinner

green salad| ©Young Rok Chang
green salad| ©Young Rok Chang

And to end this busy day, what better way to say goodbye to Segovia than with a dinner in a very special restaurant? After your visit to the Alcázar, I'm going to ask you to head back towards the city centre. Once there, you can take a last walk to say goodbye to its beautiful streets and monumental historic buildings.

For dinner, I recommend you go to Restaurante Pasapán, a gastronomic space that combines traditional Segovian cuisine with modern and innovative recipes, resulting in the most original and high quality dishes.

If you decide to spend the night in the city, you will be able to enjoy the numerous options that the city has to offer. 10 Things to Do in Segovia at NightDespite its small size, Segovia is a city full of life where you can find an infinite number of plans to enjoy its lively nightlife, especially if you travel during the summer months.

  • Where to find it: Pasapán Restaurant is located at Calle Colón number 5.
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 to 16:00 h and from 20:00 to 24:00 h.
  • Price: from €18 to approximately €40 per person.

Is it worth visiting Segovia in one day?

High view of Segovia| ©Blas Jesus Carbonell
High view of Segovia| ©Blas Jesus Carbonell

Segovia has a rich history, an impressive cultural heritage and countless monuments and charming spots to visit if you decide to take a short break in this ancient medieval city. However, the small size of Segovia's central area makes it the perfect destination for a short trip. This is also influenced by the short distances between the different points of interest, which makes it possible to cover the entire historic centre on foot with a comfortable stroll.

Because of this, Segovia is one of the favourite destinations of the inhabitants of the Community of Madrid for a day trip, as it is only half an hour away from the capital by AVE high-speed train. Therefore, the answer to whether it is worth visiting Segovia in just one day is yes, although if you prefer to explore the charming streets of this city with a little more tranquility, I recommend that if you have the possibility, you should spend at least one night in Segovia so you can enjoy until the last moment of the day.

Basic tips for visiting Segovia in one day

Segovia, Spain| ©David Fernández
Segovia, Spain| ©David Fernández

If you are visiting Segovia for the first time and you want to make sure you can enjoy your trip to the fullest, read on and I will give you some tips for a short visit to this wonderful city:

  • Leave early in the morning: as mentioned before, despite not being a large city, Segovia has no shortage of places to visit. Therefore, if you decide to try to get to know it in just one day, I recommend that you make a small effort and leave your house early in the morning, so that you have more time and the possibility to visit as many places as possible.
  • Book in advance: whether you are going on a tour or you decide to enter some of its most emblematic monuments, I recommend that you book in advance. This will prevent you from missing out on admission and will also save you time, as you won't have to queue for entrance tickets.
  • Always wear comfortable shoes: if you want to visit Segovia in one day, you will have to make the most of it and, as mentioned above, the best way to get to know this city is on foot. For this reason, I recommend that you leave aesthetics aside and focus on finding the most comfortable footwear possible to be able to last a whole day of walking.
  • Dress appropriately: the weather in Segovia can be very extreme depending on the time of year. In winter, the cold temperatures can mean that you won't fully enjoy your trip if you don't dress properly to protect yourself from the low temperatures. And in summer, you'll need cool, light clothing for the daytime, although I recommend that you don't visit Segovia without at least one piece of warm clothing, as temperatures tend to drop quite a bit at night.