At a kilometer distance of less than 100 kilometers and one hour from Madrid, Segovia, with its medieval beauty, its picturesque narrows and its natural beauty, stands out as the place that is eminently capable of offering us a satisfying and at the same time mild time travel.
Segovia, the “city of victory” according to its etymology, which comes from the words “sego” (victory) and “briga” (city), carries on its “shoulders” a history of thousands of years, it has many things to offer all the seasons of the year, and is recommended as a destination independent but also complementary to Madrid.
Getting to Segovia is extremely easy from the Spanish capital, as it will require a short, 50-minute journey, either by car or bus. The city is built on a rocky hill overlooking the rivers Eresma and Klamores, which makes its climate more humid.
Your tour begins with your disembarkation at the main square of Plaza Mayor, which is home to some of Segovia’s most iconic buildings, the Cathedral and the Church of San Miguel. Both buildings are Gothic in style, but the cathedral stands out and impresses with its imposing windows, its beautiful stained glass and the bell tower that reaches a height of 88 m, making a visit to it essential. Also necessary is a visit to the always rich in artistic activities Juan Bravo theater, whose program includes artistic activities, from theater and musical performances to dance shows and puppet theater.
Segovia is a very walkable city, which allows you to follow routes that are only a quarter of an hour from its center. To the east, follow the road that leads to the Aqueduct Square (Plaza del Azoguejo), dominated by the monumental construction of Roman times, which supplied water to the area until the 19th century. The aqueduct has a height of 28.5 m, has 167 arches and extends to a length of 818 meters and has been declared – together with the Old Town of Segovia – a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Then take the road that continues to the Jewish quarter of the city. Although the Jewish community has already left the city since 1492, its imprint can be found in the buildings of the district, which among other things housed five synagogues and rabbinical schools, which in the course of time were converted into Christian churches and various public buildings that formed what is today called New Neighborhood (Barrionuevo).
Walking west, you’ll find yourself in front of the epically beautiful Alcazar of Segovia, the royal palace hanging from a sheer cliff and said to be the castle from which Walt Disney inspired Sleeping Beauty’s palace. Apart from its stunning beauty, the castle offers a summary of the multiple changes that have taken place in the body of the city, having functioned for two centuries as a prison, then became the seat of the royal school of artillery and today is the main attraction of Segovia, with the largest of being transformed into a field of reception of a range of artistic activities. The tour of the noble rooms itself (the Throne, the Galley, the Ananas, the Kings, etc.) is on the must-do list for visitors who will get a taste of Moorish Spain by seeing the works art of the Mudejars (Muslims of Andalusia).
If time permits, we would consider two more experiences necessary. The first, in the Museum of Segovia, which is located in the western part of the wall that surrounds the city. Its halls house more than 1,500 exhibits, including Stone Age engravings, coins, folk art, Renaissance paintings and sculptures, as well as traditional costumes. The second, a tour of the City Walls (Murallas de Segovia), which (Murallas de Segovia) hide many beautiful streets that are worth a wander. A stop at Puerta de San Andres, one of the most beautiful entrances to Segovia’s fortifications, is particularly recommended.
What to eat?
Any trip to Segovia is incomplete if you don’t try cochinillo, the famous crispy and juicy roasted suckling pig weighing 4-5 kg, which is eaten after being fed on sow’s milk for about two to six weeks. The lechazo, a milk lamb up to 40 days old and weighing between 9 and 12 kg, which is slow-roasted in a wood-fired oven, follows the same logic.
Both dishes are served with white beans with tomato, onion, carrot, paprika and tsorithos sausages. This is the third traditional dish of the inventive local cuisine that you can taste in every restaurant in the city, with Restaurante José María and Restaurante Panorámico La Postal standing out noticeably in terms of the way they evolve classic flavors and their aesthetic look.
Where to stay?
As far as accommodation is concerned, it is worth booking a room in one of the hotels in the Old Town or near it, so that you are as close as possible to its medieval beauties. You can choose between Infanta Isabel in Plaza Mayor, Real Segovia in Calle Juan Bravo and Palacio San Facundo in Plaza San Facundo. These are excellent accommodation options that have the advantage of being a very short distance from the aqueduct and some of the city’s main attractions.
At the same time, a number of pensions and apartments are available on the well-known short-term rental platforms for those who wish to move with a more limited budget.
