Segovia, spain
Attractions Guide
Introduction
Located northwest of Madrid is the city of Segovia, which is known for its incredible castle and ancient Roman aqueduct. The city's historic center is surrounded by imposing walls and is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Aqueduct of Segovia
The Aqueduct of Segovia was constructed during the 1st century by the Ancient Romans and is among the best-preserved Roman aqueducts in the world, along with the Pont du Gard of Southern France. Unlike the Pont du Gard, this breathtaking aqueduct runs directly through a city, connecting to the southern entrance of Segovia's historic center.
You can walk along part of Segovia's walls and enjoy views of the aqueduct adjacent to where the aqueduct meets the walls, at the Mirador Aqueduct.
Alcazar de Segovia Castle
On the other end of the city's historic center is the Alcazar de Segovia, a fairytale-like castle which literally inspired Disney's Cinderella Castle. Within the castle you can admire its historic medieval interiors and intricate halls.
Just outside of Segovia's historic center are two amazing viewpoints of the castle. The closer viewpoint is the Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos, which you can reach via a steep pathway which begins near the castle.
Hiking Instructions for Castle Viewpoints
The path to the viewpoint is downhill and leads to another part of town, nearby which is a large open grassy field from which you can admire picturesque views of the castle. From here you can walk along the Paseo del Eresma pathway next to the Eresma River before crossing a bridge and following a stream which flows below/around the Old Town, walking through a small scenic forest with impressive ruins before circling to the other side of town where you can re-enter at the fortified city at the Puerta de San Andres Gate.
The total length of this incredible trail which offers different perspectives of Segovia and the castle is approximately 1.4 miles (2.2 km), starting from the castle.
You can add a steep 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round-trip detour to the trail below the castle to reach the lesser-known viewpoint, the Mirador del Alcazar y los dos Valles. This amazing viewpoint sits at eye-level with the castle and also provides views of Segovia's cathedral behind the castle. You can even further your detour to the nearby Mirador del Ultimo Pino for even better views of the castle and cathedral.
Cathedral of Segovia
Within the city's historic center you'll also find the Cathedral of Segovia, a massive 16th century cathedral with complex gothic architecture. The cathedral's interior is quite beautiful, and you can climb the church's giant bell tower for stunning panoramic views overlooking the city. Within this cathedral is a vast collection of exhibits and treasures which you could spend hours exploring.
Plazas
Adjacent to the Segovia Cathedral is the Plaza Mayor, a large town square surrounded by lovely historic buildings. Also nearby the cathedral is one of the most impressive gates along the city's walls, the imposing Puerta de San Andres.
Another impressive plaza nearby is the the smaller Plaza de Medina del Campo, which sits beside a smaller church and is surrounded by rustic historic buildings.
More Attractions
Nearby the Plaza de Medina del Campo is the Casa de Los Picos, a unique building with its exterior covered in repeating geometric stone pyramids, making for a fascinating sight. Adjacent is a great viewpoint looking over the town, the Mirador de la Canaleja.
Just north of the walled historic center of Segovia near the castle is another interesting attraction, the Museo Real Casa de Moneda de Segovia (or Royal Mint House of Coins). The 16th century Royal Mint House was the first mechanized coin-producing factory in Spain and is among the oldest industrial buildings in Europe. The mint now serves as a museum showcasing old industrial processes.
You can access the Royal Mint House via the same path you would take from the castle to reach the first viewpoint below the castle, the Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos.
Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso
To the southeast of Segovia in a nearby suburb of the city is the 18th century Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso, a lavish baroque palace and former royal residence. This massive summer residence was modeled after the Palace of Versailles and is among the most magnificent palaces in Spain.
The palace contains opulent and highly ornate interiors filled with historic furnishings that you can tour. The palace is also surrounded by vast elegant gardens that you can explore, where you'll find many extravagant fountains and dense woodlands.
You can easily reach the Palace of La Granja with a short bus ride and walk from Segovia, which takes approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, the palace is about 15 minutes from Segovia by car.
Google Maps Attraction Lists
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