Location: Segovia
Top Things to do in Segovia
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What to do and see in Segovia, Castile and Leon: The Best Things to do
Segovia is a picturesque old city with twisting alleyways, the highest concentration of Romanesque churches in all of Europe and pedestrian-only streets, all bordered by a medieval wall and two rivers. In 1985, this sleepy Castillan town was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. One of the main tourist attractions is Alcázar, a royal palace built sometime around the 11th century where Queen Isabel agreed to fund Christopher Columbus’ exploration of the New World. The picturesque palace is said to be Walt Disney’s inspiration for Cinderella's Castle.
Restaurants in Segovia
1. Acueduct of Segovia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9,595 reviews
Reviewed By Sandbridgetraveler
We did a day trip with a private guide to Segovia to see the aqueduct which is one of the most well preserved elevated Roman aqueducts in the world. It is an engineering marvel built out of interlocking stones with no mortar. Built it in the 15th century it is difficult to imagine that it is still standing and as well preserved as it is today.
2. Cathedral of Segovia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,386 reviews
The Holy Cathedral of Segovia is a Catholic temple devoted to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and San Frutos. During the Communions War (1520 – 1522) the Cathedral was destroyed, it was located in front of the Fortress. They decided to build a new one. The first stone of the new Cathedral was used the 8th of June 1525 in its current location and its design relies on the architect D. Juan Gil de Hontañón. A Late Gothic style can particularly be seen on the Cathedral’s tower, the highest one during the XVII century. In 1614, a fire caused the destruction of its wooden spire. Hence, a stone spire designed by Pedro de Brizuela was used as a substitute. It was consecrated the 16th of July 1768 by Bishop D. José Martínez Escalzo. Currently, it is known by many as “The Lady of Cathedrals”, due to its size and slenderness.
Reviewed By JElliot32 - New South Wales, Australia
Segovia's Cathedral is said to be the last of Spain's Gothic cathedrals, started in 1525 after the previous cathedral was destroyed, but then not finished until 250 years later. Its interior is beautiful, typically sumptuous in the Spanish way and at times over-the-top. We also thought the building a more manageable size to explore than some of Spain's grandest cathedrals like Burgos or Toledo. Even so, it still took us nearly an hour to see it all, including the cloisters the chapterhouse and the treasures on display on the lower levels, and without doing the tower tour, which was only available in Spanish.
3. Alcazar of Segovia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,016 reviews
Fortress of the Kings of Castile and Royal School of Artillery Its picture has been around the world: a unique fairy tale-like palace that brings together architectural tastes of different monarchs. It tells -to all those who come to know it- ancient palatial stories. Austere, as they were the Castilian kings, raised on the rock at the confluence of the valleys of the rivers Eresma and Clamores, the Alcazar seems to watch over the city. Its beautiful Tower keep, often compared to the bow of a boat sailing between the two rivers, is of a stunning beauty. Tourists are amazed to realize that the fortress is a living part of this Castilian city, chosen as a place of residence for many of the monarchs of the Trastamara dynasty.
Reviewed By LaurieB980 - Portland, United States
Our tour guide took us here to this city, a UNESCO site, for a tour which included this beautiful castle in Segovia. It is said that Walt Disney used this castle as well as the Neuschwanstein castle in Germany as his inspiration for the castle at Disneyland, and we could see why! It is built high on what seems like a huge rocky formation with sheer dropoffs on many of the castle sides. The day we were there and outside looking over the edge, a sharp wind came up along with rain, and we had to be careful not to get blown away! We heard that they often have to close the terrace due to the high wind possibly blowing people over the edge down many feet below!! It is a great place to visit, and well worth the hour or so drive from Madrid.
4. Iglesia de la Vera Cruz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 407 reviews
Reviewed By WorldTravelerCO - Thornton, United States
This is a beautiful old church full of history! If you are at all in to the history of Malta, this church becomes even more appealing and interesting!
5. Monasterio Sta. Maria del Parral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
6. House Museum of Antonio Machado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 188 reviews
Reviewed By Turista-Inglesa - Estepona, Spain
Now we loved this, but I guess many of you wouldn't bother to go, because you have no idea who Antonio Machado was, and why they should make a museum out of the boarding house where he lived for a decade. Even if you have no idea, it's worth visiting. Well, he was one of the most famous of Spanish poets, a poet and a teacher of French, who had a sad life (his young wife Leonor whom he had married when she was just 15 or 16, died of TB aged 18), and was later forced to flee to France during the Spanish Civil War, going to join his elderly mother who was living in the enchantingly pretty town of Collioure, just over the border. But within a month he died, and his mother died just 3 days later. But the house has been restored, furnishing, decorations, kitchen and all, to the condition in which it was when he lived there in the 20's, and that alone is a good curiosity that warrants the €2.50 entrance fee. We used the audioguide, but in Spanish as we are Spanish speakers, sorry, I don't know if there is an English one available, and it gave really fascinating information, so we spent nearly two hours in that tiny house, examining carefully just about everything there!
7. Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
Reviewed By FernandoAlmeida2013 - Lisbon, Portugal
Wonderful view of the fairy tale Alcazar of Segovia from the base of the cliff. On the way you should follow the beautiful gardens on the banks of the rivers that encircle this unforgettable town.In the surroundings of the belvedere don´t miss the mysterious Church of Vera Cruz with a rare octagonal shape (open until 7.00 PM in Summer).
8. Calle Real de Segovia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 349 reviews
Reviewed By Jydeoo - Lagos, Nigeria
This is the shortest route between the Aqueduct and the Plaza Mayor where the ancient Cathedral is. It is typically full of tourists and so it is lined with souvenir shops, eateries and restaurants, high street brand outlets, etc, all mixed up with ancient buildings, plazas, and monuments. To mention a few: Casa de Los Picos, Church of San Martin, Monument of Juan Bravo, a nice view point name Canaleja.
9. Old City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 651 reviews
Reviewed By Craig1961_01 - Middleton, United Kingdom
As with many old cities in Spain, it is impressive to see how clean the streets are kept and how the locals are obviously so proud of their city. It is a wonderful and easily accessible city to walk around with interesting shops selling quality goods. Each corner brings a new mediaeval surprise building to be investigated and appreciated. So many photographic opportunities and simply a great place to explore. Have covered food and drink experience separately on those specific reviews, you won't go wrong here either. Would look forward to spending more time here in future.
10. Plaza Mayor
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,543 reviews
Reviewed By Craig1961_01 - Middleton, United Kingdom
A great example of a Spanish central square with shops, cafes, restaurants around the edge inside the quaint looking buildings. We stayed at hotel Infanta Isabel on the square and the change in foot traffic when the sun goes down is amazing. Selfie takers disappear and a more ‘local’ and calm feel settles. On Thursday mornings a typical market with mobile meat, fruit, veg cheese etc stalls takes place.
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