What to see and do in Segovia in a day
Segovia is one of the essential visits to do if you live in Madrid or if you are visiting the Spanish capital. As you know, Segovia is a UNESCO Heritage city since December 1985 and when you walk through its streets you will see why!
I particularly like Segovia very much, and together with Avila, are the cities I visit most throughout the year.
Segovia is known for its aqueduct, although this city is much more and in this post I will tell you. I hope you like it as much as I do! If you want to know where to go tapas in Segovia click on the link or continue reading.
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What to see in Segovia?
I tell you, here you will find parts of the traditional visit to Segovia and also, visit to the part of the Jewish quarter and the Segovian wall. Are you ready?
Roman Aqueduct
The Aqueduct of Segovia is a work of the Romans. It was built to bring water to the city. It is not clear what time it is, whether it is the 1st century with the Flavius or the time of Trajan. It has 167 arches of granite stone and what makes it even more grandiose, is that it does not take any kind of mortar to join it, “simply” stands after so many centuries by the “balance of forces”, the work of the ingenuity of the engineers of the time.
In this area you can go for tapas, something essential in Segovia.
Calle Real and Casa de los Picos
Calle Real is the most commercial street to see in Segovia and takes you directly to the Plaza Mayor and the Cathedral, passing before the Old Synagogue Major. It changes its name on some occasions (Cervantes, Juan Bravo, Plazuela del Corpus and Isabel la Católica).
We continue along this street until we reach the Mirador de la Canaleja, from it we can see the mountain of the dead woman and the neighborhood of San Millán.
The Casa de los Picos is currently the School of Applied Arts and Artistic Crafts. It is from the sixteenth century and is believed to have been built to defend the city, although it is also said to have been from a Jew or the executioner of the city.
Plaza de Medina del Campo and San Martín
We continue walking along the Segovian Royal Street (Calle Real) and arrive at the Medina del Campo Square. Where we see the Church of St. Martin of the twelfth century, an old palace of the Tordesillas of the fifteenth century, the Tower of Lozoya of the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, the House of Solier and the House of Bornos of the 16th century Renaissance style.
Undoubtedly, a square that goes back 5 centuries in time and that deserves us to stop and contemplate this architectural ensemble.
Plaza Mayor and Segovia Cathedral
The Plaza Mayor is the heart of Segovia, here we find the Town Hall, the new Church of San Miguel, since the previous one was located in the center of the square and sunk and moved it to one of its sides.
In the Plaza Mayor we can also see the Cathedral of Segovia, and a few bars and restaurants where tourists and locals take tapas, lunch or diner.
The Cathedral of Segovia is late Gothic style, it began to be built in 1525. The main facade is known as Puerta del Perdón (Forgiveness entrance, literal translation in English) and in the bell tower lived the bell ringer until the twentieth century, small views had!
The interior of the Cathedral houses has 18 beautiful chapels from 16th-century and fantastic stained glass windows that worth the visit.
The Jewish quarter of Segovia
The Jewish quarter of Segovia is located in what is now the commercial area. At the time there were 5 synagogues, but today only remains the Major Synagogue, which is now the convent of Corpus Christi.
In the Jewish quarter there is a teaching center that aims to show, teach and disseminate to visitors the history of the Jews of Segovia. It’s very interesting and the general entrance only costs 2 euros and is free on Thursdays.
Former Major Synagogue
It is the best preserved synagogue in Segovia. It is believed to have been built in the 13th century and was functioning as a synagogue until 1410, when it was converted into a Catholic church.
The ones that make sure it is open are the clarisas nuns. So if you feel like visiting it inside you can do it in these hours Monday and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. 1:45 p.m. 16:00 a.m. 17:45 a.m. Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 14:15 p.m. Closed: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. And the entrance fee only costs 1 euro.
The Segovia Wall
Although many people do not know, in Segovia there is also a wall. The thing is, he’s only got three miles left. Because when it was no longer needed as a defensive element, it was considered more of a nuisance and they demolished much of it, others built on or stuck to it. Until the twentieth century they began to preserve it and restore it.
In 1941, UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site to the entire walled compound and its aqueduct.
The entrance to visit the wall of Segovia is only 1euro.
Alcazar de Segovia
The Alcazar of Segovia looks like a fairytale castle on top of a hill. Before you arrive you find green gardens and very well maintained. On the right you have great views and you can see the Church of Vera Cruz and Zamarramala. At the end of the gardens reachs the Alcazar, where you can see the moat with drawbridge.
Some say that the profile of the Alcazar of Segovia looks like a ship over the river, give it a little imagination and you may see it!
In order to enter the castle you have to pay a ticket, depending on which you want to visit you can spend 2, 5,50 or 7.50 euros.
Flying in Globe in Segovia
One of the activities that I have pending in Segovia is to climb a balloon and see the city from the heights. It has to be a marvel and an unforgettable experience.
The tour departs at 8 am and lasts in total about 3 hours. It’s an hour’s flight and then includes a toast with cava and lunch, video, certificate and the super experience recorded on your retina. It is also an activity for the whole family, as children from the age of 6 can climb.
However, to do the balloon ride through the sky of Segovia, you have to make the reservation more than two days in advance.
Recommendations
- Guided tour of the city, the Cathedral and the Alcazar.
- Balloon ride
- Sunset tour of the aqueduct city.
Where to eat in Segovia?
Segovia is also well known for its gastronomy that will not leave you indifferent. If you want to get out of tapas around the city visit this post with 11 tapas places around Segovia,you will love it!
Where to sleep in Segovia?
As you can see there are many things to see in Segovia in a day! So chances are you want to sleep so you can enjoy the city of the aqueduct to the fullest. To do this you can take advantage and stay to sleep, they have a wide hotel offer. Tell us what your choice was!
Book Your Trip
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel, hotel or apartments on Booking.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s your protection in case anything goes wrong. You never go on a trip without it.
Best companies for activities
Check out Civitatis.com and find the best tours in English (French, Spanish and Italian)
Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too! (Is in Spanish yet)
We are not native English speakers but we have decided to translate our post to English so we can share it with the whole world. If you see any spelling mistake or something, please let us know, it is so important to us. If you do so, we can improve our post and also our English knowledge! Thanks in advance!!!
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