If you are preparing for your visit to Segovia and are still not sure of what to see in one day, Spain Life explains everything you can’t miss in the city of the most famous aqueduct in Spain.
Segovia, Spain
Segovia is a city with a lot to offer and is just a stone’s throw from Madrid. We’ve visited every corner of the city and loved it. It’s not hard to see why this city rich in history earned the title of a World Heritage Site.
When you walk through its cobbled streets and visit its historic buildings, you’ll soon realise why it is one of the most beautiful cities in Castilla y León, along with Ávila and Salamanca.
To get to know all the must-see places in Segovia, it is best to start at the aqueduct, because it is an area where you can park more easily and also allows you to visit all the points on this route easily.
Segovia strikes us as a city with friendly locals, and extremely pleasant to walk around for its size and shape. If you’re considering going on a sightseeing trip to Madrid, we recommend you stop by Segovia, just as you have probably already visited the Monastery of El Escorial or Toledo.
What to See and Do in Segovia
The route we suggest of what to see in Segovia in one day starts first thing in the morning in the Plaza de Oriente, located in front of the Aqueduct. After taking the first photos of one of the great jewels to see in Spain, you can climb the Cuesta de San Juan for a more panoramic view of the upper part of the aqueduct, up the stairs to the Plaza del Azoguejo.
To learn more about the history of the city and not miss anything important, we recommend you book this free tour of Segovia for free, which starts in the Plaza del Azoguejo and is one of the best free tours in Segovia.
From this square you can continue your visit by going up the Juan Bravo shopping street, always looking back so as not to lose sight of the aqueduct, until you reach the Mirador de Canaleja, a small terrace from which you will have magnificent views of part of the city and the mountains of the Sierra de Guadarrama.
As you return to Calle Juan Bravo, you’ll pass the Casa de los Picos, with a lovely Renaissance courtyard, before arriving at La Alhóndiga, a former 16th-century grain warehouse. After seeing the exterior of this industrial Gothic-style building, you can head for Plaza Medina del Campo, our favourite square in Segovia.
Statue of Juan Bravo
From here you’ll find the statue of Juan Bravo, 16th century Renaissance mansions, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Lozoya Tower and, above all, the beautiful Romanesque church of San Martín.
Continuing along Calle Juan Bravo, you will come to the Old Jewish Quarter, another one of the must-see stops in Segovia in a day. In this 12th-century quarter, you can enter the Antigua Sinagoga Mayor, now the church of Corpus Christi, and walk along Calle de la Judería Vieja until you reach the Puerta de San Andrés.
Don’t Miss!
The Aquaduct
This is a jaw-dropping Roman construction of sheer beauty, and it appears even more so when you realise that it has been standing for 2000 years. Its granite ashlars are leaning against each other without mortar or cement, doesn’t it seem incredible?
Although it is the first point of the visit, be sure to visit the aqueduct from all angles. First from afar to appreciate its size, from below to appreciate its height or from above to appreciate the perfection of the Roman calculations so that the water would flow with just the right gradient. It truly is a wonder of Spain.
Make sure to see the aqueduct from all angles, available from different viewpoints
Plaza de Azoguejo
In ancient times this square, located at the foot of the aqueduct, was used for trade. Nowadays it is the starting point for most visitors to the city and also a reference point for the most traditional restaurants in Segovia.
The visitor centre is also located here and is a great place to pick up a map of the city and ask any questions you may have about where are the best places to grab a bite to eat.
Plaza de Azoguejo
The Cathedral
Known as the “Lady” of Cathedrals for its size and elegance, it was built between the 16th and 17th centuries. Built in the Gothic style, it stands out from the skyline with its stunning Renaissance features.
Inside, the ceilings are a marvel of architecture, the cloister is one of the most beautiful we’ve ever walked through and in general it’s a 10-star visit. The 3€ entrance fee is well worth paying to enjoy this masterpiece.
Cathedral of Segovia
How to Get to Segovia from Madrid
The most common way to get to Segovia is from Madrid on the high-speed AVANT train, which leaves from Chamartín station.
This train will take you to Segovia Guiomar station in half an hour for €14 and from there you can take bus number 11, which will drop you off in front of the aqueduct in 15 minutes.
You can also AVANZA bus from the Moncloa Interchange in Madrid which costs 4 euros and will leave you an hour and a half near the Aqueduct.
Another more convenient option is to book one of these day trips from Madrid with a Spanish-speaking guide.