Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Segovia, Spain

Segovia is rich in culture and history; a monumental Roman aqueduct runs through the heart of the city. While this structure is the most notable and photographed landmark, the Alcázar fortress-palace, linked to Spain’s medieval royalty, warrants exploration.

Suggestion: Commence your visit with a tour: 2-Hour World Heritage Guided Tour

The Alcázar was the residence of kings and queens and is frequently regarded as among the most beautiful castles in Spain, owing to its enchanting towers. Throughout the city, one can also find numerous high medieval Romanesque churches alongside opulent Renaissance palaces, all situated atop a rock surrounded by two steep river valleys.

1. Aqueduct of Segovia

This remarkable structure stands as one of Europe’s most significant Roman monuments and serves as a symbol for the city.

It spans 15 kilometers before reaching Segovia, functioning to transport water from the Frío River until the 1800s.

The aqueduct, dating back to the 1st century during Emperor Domitian’s rule, is intriguing in its construction, where interlocking stones are held together primarily by the force of gravity, with mortar being used sparingly.

You can follow the aqueduct along Calle Almira, descending to Plaza Azuguego, where it presents a striking appearance, rising to 28.5 meters in height.

2. Alcázar of Segovia

Perched on a rocky outcrop, the renowned palace possesses Roman and Moorish origins, yet its picturesque Renaissance appearance, which dates back to the reign of Felipe II in the 16th century, enhances its allure. Many Castilian monarchs, including the Catholic Queen Isabella in the late 15th century, resided here.

A tour is essential, allowing you to explore the Throne Room and the Hall of Kings, which features a gilded frieze depicting all rulers of Spain from the 7th-century Pelagius of Asturias to the 16th-century Juana la Loca.

For an additional fee, visitors may ascend the stone spiral staircase leading to the Torre de Juan II, offering magnificent views of Segovia and the Guadarrama Mountains to the southeast.

3. Segovia Cathedral

When Segovia’s former cathedral was devastated in the Revolt of the Comuneros in 1520, a new cathedral was erected high in the former Jewish Quarter, distanced from the Alcázar for protection.

Belying its Renaissance construction, this impressive edifice embodies a Gothic style, making it one of Europe’s most recent original Gothic cathedrals.

During your visit, consider taking time to explore the cathedral’s chapels, which showcase remarkable paintings, sculptures, and sarcophagi.

The cloister is also noteworthy, featuring works by the renowned Renaissance artist Pedro Berruguete from the 15th century in its museum.

4. Walls of Segovia

As observed at the Alcázar, Segovia’s steep terrain facilitated easy fortification and defense.

Following the Christians’ retaking of the city from the Moors in 1088, King Alfonso VI enhanced the city’s fortifications. With assistance from the tourist office, you can trace the outline of these three-kilometer-long walls even today.

The walls feature five gates and multiple residences that back onto the defenses, showcasing reinforced walls and towers.

The most well-preserved section lies to the west of the cathedral, near the Gate of San Andrés, where visitors can ascend the ramparts for views across the Clamores Valley, historically home to a Jewish necropolis.

5. Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos

This pleasant grassy area beside the Eresma River and opposite the Casa de la Moneda offers an unobstructed view of the Alcázar, which rises above the tree line without obstruction from other buildings.

It is a popular spot for visitors seeking photographs of the palace’s northern side.

This park also features the grounds of the small church of San Marcos, which merits a brief visit.

The spring season is an ideal time to enjoy your surroundings, allowing you to have a picnic while appreciating one of Spain’s cultural jewels under the sun.

6. Museo de Segovia

For a concise journey through Segovia Province’s extensive history, the Casa del Sol is a must-visit; it is one of the fortified structures integrated into the city’s walls.

Exhibitions feature over 1,500 artifacts spanning millennia, including Roman mosaics, religious sculptures, Renaissance paintings, and coins from various eras.

Among the most fascinating displays is a pair of carved Iberian boars, dating back 2,500 years.

In the 19th century, many treasures and artworks from Spain’s monasteries were confiscated; numerous pieces ultimately found their way into museums like this, which houses an exquisite Ecce Homo painting attributed to the Italian Renaissance master, Ambrosius Benson.

7. Casa de los Picos

It is challenging to pass by this structure on Calle Juan Bravo without noticing it.

Casa de los Picos (roughly translating to “house of the points”) is a late-15th-century mansion characterized by a façade adorned with 617 pyramid-shaped granite points.

The building was acquired by city councilman Juan de la Hoz, and the family coat of arms is still visible above the portal and windows.

The interior serves as an exhibition hall for the Segovia Art School, and visitors are encouraged to explore the stately Renaissance courtyard inside.

8. Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso

This palace and its expansive gardens, located approximately 10 kilometers southeast of the city at the base of the Guadarrama Mountains, were constructed in the 18th century by King Felipe V for use as a summer residence.

The entire estate is open to the public, giving visitors the opportunity to spend hours discovering every corner of these 1,500 acres.

A popular attraction lies in its collection of 15th and 16th-century tapestries, which includes pieces that belonged to Isabella the Catholic.

The gardens are arranged in a formal style, featuring regal boulevards adjacent to meticulously trimmed hedges, geometric flowerbeds, topiaries, and 26 exquisite fountains.

If feasible, coordinate your visit for San Fernando (May 30) or San Luis (June 21), as these are the only days of the year when all fountains operate simultaneously.

9. Calle Real de Segovia

This area comprises a series of pedestrian streets that weave through the historic district of Segovia, guiding visitors past 15th and 16th-century palaces, churches, civic buildings like La Alhóndiga (Corn Exchange), and into the Jewish Quarter.

The route extends from the Aqueduct to the Alcázar, making it the ideal option for a concise introduction to Segovia if time is limited.

The journey commences at Calle de Cervantes, which leads from Plaza Azoguego beneath the aqueduct, where visitors can enjoy street performers, local shops, bars, and cafes.

The monument along Calle Juan Bravo commemorates the eponymous rebel who led the Revolt of the Comuneros in 1520, resulting in his execution in 1521.

10. Iglesia de la Vera Cruz

A brief walk from la Pradera de San Marcos leads you to this treasured Romanesque church.

Situated on a lush hillside, Iglesia de la Vera Cruz was consecrated in 1208 by the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Dating back to the Crusades, much of the architectural design, including the baptistery, resembles the 4th-century Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, featuring twelve sides—one for each apostle.

The elevated gallery encircling the nave and the flags along with insignia of the Order of Malta adorn the interior.

11. Iglesia de San Millán

This church distinguishes itself amid Segovia’s numerous Romanesque temples due to its bell tower.

Constructed in the 10th century, the tower reflects the city’s Moorish period.

The church itself features a rather austere appearance, a hallmark of the Romanesque style, and presents an air of solemnity through its arcaded galleries flanking either side of the building.

Located in the Moorish section of Segovia, it remains relatively uncrowded, offering a serene opportunity for reflection if you manage to find it.

12. Plaza Medina del Campo

This square, situated just off Calle Juan Bravo, clearly reflects the heart of Segovia’s Renaissance aristocratic district.

Similar to the Casa de los Picos nearby, the mansions surrounding the square exhibit elaborate facades, either intricately carved or crafted with molded plaster in the Moorish style.

This architectural design is referred to as “plateresque,” inspired by the fine silverwork of that era.

Centrally located within the square is the Church of San Martín, yet another exquisite Romanesque church with Mozarabic origins.

13. Real Casa de la Moneda

One need not be a numismatist to appreciate Segovia’s former royal mint, established by Felipe II, which produced currency from 1586 to 1869. This site is regarded as possibly Spain’s oldest industrial facility, preserving various Renaissance technologies, notably being the first mint in Spain to manufacture coins utilizing rollers.

The mint also harnessed hydraulic power from the Eresma River, and visitors can observe this water wheel in operation today.

The hydraulic mechanism was constructed in Austria and transported to the site by road, signifying a considerable logistical effort in the 16th century.

14. Jewish Quarter

As the expulsion of Jews from Spain by the Catholic Monarchs took place over five centuries ago, traces of Segovia’s previously significant Jewish population are sparse.

The streets surrounding the cathedral maintain the same layout as when this area functioned as a ghetto, and entering the Church of Corpus Christi reveals a fragment of one of the city’s two synagogues.

This establishment was converted into a convent in the late 15th century; however, the twin horseshoe arcades inside faintly hint at its original purpose.

15. Cuisine

Winters in this region of Spain can be notably severe, with snowfall covering the peaks of the Guadarrama range, just a short distance from the city.

Consequently, the local cuisine is rustic and protein-rich, featuring hearty stews, sausages, and a variety of roasted meats.

The city’s signature dish is indeed roast suckling pig, prepared to such tenderness that it can be sliced with a plate, a practice seen in local restaurants. Additionally, judiones, large runner beans, are cultivated locally and feature in numerous flavorful stews, commonly paired with chorizo or pork.

To delve deeper into Segovia’s culinary heritage, a visit to the Museo Gastronómico de Segovia is recommended, as it presents the region’s gastronomic history alongside various local gourmet products available for purchase.