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Segovia

Unesco World Heritage–listed Segovia has always had a whiff of legend about it, not least in the myths that the city was founded by Hercules or by the son of Noah. It may also have something to do with the fact that nowhere else in Spain is such a stunning monument to Roman grandeur (the soaring aqueduct) surviving in the heart of a vibrant modern city. Or maybe it's because art really has imitated life Segovia-style – Walt Disney is said to have modelled Sleeping Beauty's castle in California's Disneyland on Segovia's Alcázar. Whatever it is, the effect is stunning: a magical city of warm terracotta and sandstone hues set amid the rolling hills of Castilla, against the backdrop of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Explore Segovia

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Segovia.

  • Landmark

    Acueducto

    Segovia's most recognisable symbol is El Acueducto (Roman Aqueduct), an 894m-long engineering wonder that looks like an enormous comb plunged into Segovia…

  • Castle

    Alcázar

    Rapunzel towers, turrets topped with slate witches' hats and a deep moat at its base make the Alcázar a prototypical fairy-tale castle – so much so that…

  • Cathedral

    Catedral

    Started in 1525 on the site of a former chapel, Segovia's cathedral is a powerful expression of Gothic architecture that took almost 200 years to complete…

  • Square

    Plaza Mayor

    Watched over by the catedral, shady Plaza Mayor is the nerve centre of old Segovia, lined by an eclectic assortment of buildings, arcades and cafes and…

  • Square

    Plaza de San Martín

    This is one of the most captivating small plazas in Segovia. The square is presided over by a statue of Juan Bravo; the 14th-century Torreón de Lozoya, a…

  • Church

    Iglesia de Vera Cruz

    This 12-sided church is one of the best preserved of its kind in Europe. Built in the early 13th century by the Knights Templar and based on Jerusalem's…

  • Museum

    Museo Gastronómico

    This engaging little private museum takes you through the wonderful world of Spanish foods, with a focus on those from the Segovia region. There are…

  • Museum

    Centro Didáctico de la Judería

    This interpretation centre and museum in Segovia's old Jewish quarter provides a fascinating history of the Jewish community in Segovia. It occupies the…

  • Convent

    Convento de San Antonio El Real

    About 1.3km southeast of the aqueduct, this was once the summer residence of Enrique IV. The Gothic-Mudéjar church has a splendid ceiling. It's still a…

  • Church

    Iglesia de San Martín

    The centrepiece of the stunning Plaza de San Martín, this is a Romanesque pièce de résistance, with the segoviano touch of a Mudéjar tower and arched…

  • Monastery

    Monasterio de Santa María del Parral

    Ring the bell to see part of the cloister and church; the latter is a proud, flamboyant Gothic structure. The monks chant a Gregorian Mass at noon on…

  • Church

    Iglesia de San Esteban

    Not far down the hill northwest of the Plaza Mayor, this beautiful church has a lovely, six-level sandstone tower and a baroque interior.

  • Church

    Iglesia de San Miguel

    On Plaza Mayor, this church – where Isabel was proclaimed Queen of Castile – recedes humbly into the background before the splendour of the cathedral…

  • Convent

    Convento de los Carmelitas Descalzos

    This is where San Juan de la Cruz is buried. The convent is still occupied by an order of nuns known as the Barefoot Carmelites. The area immediately…

  • Museum

    Casa-Museo de Antonio Machado

    This museum commemorates Antonio Machado, a segoviano and one of Spain's pre-eminent 20th-century poets, who lived here from 1919 to 1932. His former home…

  • Notable Building

    Casa de los Picos

    A grand Renaissance mansion with a diamond-patterned facade that's home to a school of applied arts and also hosts free contemporary art exhibitions …

  • Tower

    Torreón de Lozoya

    This 14th-century tower was once an armoury; it now houses temporary exhibitions of mostly contemporary art.

  • Church

    Iglesia de San Millán

    Located off Avenida de Fernández Ladreda, this church is a time-worn example of the Romanesque style typical of Segovia, with porticoes and a Mudéjar bell…

  • Church

    Iglesia de San Clemente

    A late-Romanesque church, the Iglesia de San Clemente is close to the Plaza del Acueducto.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Segovia.

  • Activities