10 Things to Do in Segovia

Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its great architectural heritage. It boasts a variety of monuments representing important periods in history, from Romanesque to Gothic.

You can visit the famous Alcázar Castle, see the city from the tower of the Gothic cathedral and admire the impressive Roman aqueduct. You will also have the opportunity to discover the medieval churches, squares and natural spaces in the surrounding area. There is no doubt that you will find plenty to do in Segovia.

The medieval Alcázar Castle is a must-see if you are in Segovia. It is a 12th-century architectural monument, where you will find a series of rooms through which you can learn about the history of this building. You can also visit the museum and climb up to the tower terrace.

During the tour, you can walk through different areas of this monument. For example:

• The Tower of Juan II: you will have to climb a total of 156 steps to reach the terrace of this iconic tower, from where you will get an amazing panoramic view of the city.
• The Royal College of Artillery Museum: with a series of military artefacts and objects from the period of Charles III.

You can purchase tickets to the Alcázar de Segovia, either to visit the Museum and the Palace or the Museum, the Palace and the Tower. You can also choose between a guided tour or a self-guided tour with an audio guide.

Useful information

• Price: average price of £9 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday (10:00 to 20:00).
• Where: Alcázar Castle. Pl. Reina Victoria Eugenia, Segovia.

Segovia Cathedral is one of the city's must-see attractions, as this monument houses valuable examples of sacred art dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries. You will also be amazed by the architectural details that have been preserved over the years.

During your visit to the cathedral, you will be able to explore the entire interior, including the 21 chapels, the cloister, the chapter house and the museum. You will see a series of religious artefacts and other items of military importance. You will also see sculptures, tapestry collections, Flemish paintings and other objects of great historical value.

If you wish to extend your tour, you can visit the Tower of Segovia Cathedral, for which you will need to purchase a separate ticket. In fact, you should check the opening hours of the Cathedral of Segovia and compare them with those of the tower to avoid any inconvenience.

Segovia Cathedral Tower

Access to the Segovia Cathedral Tower allows you to enjoy a guided tour of the Audiovisual Room (where you will see an eight-minute 3D video about the history of the Cathedral and the Tower), the Bell Tower Room and the Clock Room. Finally, you will reach the Bell Tower, from where you can contemplate the entire city.

Useful information

• Price: average price of £6 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and Sunday (1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.).
• Where: Segovia Cathedral.

If you have decided to travel to Segovia with children but don't know what to see and do for family fun, then the Francisco Peralta Puppet Museumin the city is a good option.

This museum is located near the Puerta de Santiago, just northwest of Segovia's historic centre. It is a small space, but with a magical atmosphere that will amaze you and your children from the moment you step inside.

The 38 pieces on display belong to the collection of the renowned Spanish puppeteer Francisco Peralta and represent characters from children's stories, romantic tales and classic literature.

Useful information

• Price: average price of £2 per person.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday (11:00 to 15:00 and 15:30 to 17:30).
• Where: Francisco Peralta Puppet Art Centre. C. la Puerta de Santiago, Segovia.

If you are a fan of snow sports and you are in Segovia in winter, then you must visit the city's ski resorts. You'll enjoy an unforgettable experience gliding down the impressive snow-covered slopes.

This is definitely an activity you can add to your 2-day itinerary in Segovia. All you have to do is book a tour or make your own way to the ski resort.

La Pinilla Ski Resort

La Pinilla ski resort is located in the Sierra de Ayllón, 57 minutes from the centre of Segovia. There you will find a total of 23 slopes with different levels of difficulty, suitable for beginners and professionals alike. All of them are spread over an area of 15 kilometres of snow.

Sierra de Béjar la Covatilla Resort

The Covatilla ski resort is located two hours away from the city of Segovia, specifically in the Sierra de Béjar. It has 26 kilometres of snow, where you will find 31 slopes of all levels for skiing and snowboarding.

A tour of the Hoces Natural Park is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the good weather Segovia offers in summer.

For example, if you are planning a 3-day tour of Segovia, you can spend a whole day enjoying this natural monument. This will give you the opportunity to take part in various outdoor activities.

Hiking trail

The hiking trail takes you to several viewpoints with spectacular views of the park. You will also discover some archaeological remains:

• The ruins of the Hermitage of San Frutos, an ancient monastic complex of great historical value.
• The Church of the Virgen de la Peña, a 12th-century Romanesque building. Inside, it houses the patron saint of Sepúlveda.
• The route along the Duratón River will allow you to enjoy its crystal-clear waters and contemplate an amazing natural setting from another perspective. To do so, simply hop aboard a boat, pedal boat or canoe and set off on one of the routes. You can also try your hand at paddle surfing.

Coca Castle in Segovia offers a tour of its rooms and galleries, allowing you to discover part of the city's history: its religious and military art. What's more, if you plan your trip during August, you can add to your experience by enjoying a fireworks display in honour of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Roch.

Visit Coca Castle

At Coca Castle, you will discover the Weapons Room (geometric mosaics) and the Museum Room (with Renaissance decoration, marble pilasters, remains of the parade ground and coats of arms). Also worth seeing are the Jar Room, which stands out for its acoustics, and the Access Room to the dungeon.

Fireworks at Coca Castle in August

You can go to the outskirts of Coca Castle and enjoy a different perspective of this imposing medieval monument, as during August it is illuminated after sunset with an amazing fireworks display. This is an activity that will allow you to enjoy Segovia at night.

Useful information

• Price: average price of £3 per person. (Visit to the castle)
• Opening hours: every day (11:00 to 18:30).
• Where: Coca Castle, Segovia.

The Roman Aqueduct stands out among the best tours in Segovia and has become another must-see destination for tourists. You can admire this monumental construction, which is believed to date back to the end of the 1st century and remained functional until the late 1970s.

Best of all, the tour of the Aqueduct of Segovia is an activity you can enjoy any day of the year, regardless of the weather. Furthermore, due to the importance of this emblematic example of Roman civil engineering, there are several ways to explore it, either through a guided tour, with an audio guide or on your own.

In any case, you will have the opportunity to walk alongside one of the architectural legacies left by Roman civilisation, which begins at the Fuenfría spring and ends at the Alcázar, thus covering the entire city.

The structure is 28.5 metres high and has a total of 167 arches, where you can discover some statues carved in stone at the top of the aqueduct's faces. You will see replicas of Hercules, Saint Sebastian and the image of a virgin, as the original works have been preserved in the city museum.

Join a hot air balloon adventure during your stay in Segovia and explore the ancient medieval city from above. You will get a different perspective of the main architectural monuments of this town and, at the same time, learn about their historical and cultural value. All this, thanks to the commentary provided by the guide.

This type of activity usually starts at Carretera, km 1, Segovia, where the hot air balloons are ready for take-off. You can get there on your own or connect with a tour that offers hotel pick-up.

Once the aerial tour begins, you will enjoy a privileged bird's-eye view of the entire city.

At the end of the flight, there is usually a small tasting of cold cuts and cheeses, accompanied by a glass of wine. Afterwards, the guide will give you a certificate of participation in the activity.

Useful information

• Price: from £200 per person.
• Timetable: Monday to Friday from 10 am.
• Where: Carretera, km 1, Segovia.

Depending on your preferences and the time you have available, you can spend a day in Segovia visiting the Jewish Quarter. You will discover the interesting history of this town, which was home to the Jewish community until 1492.

The guided tour will take you to the most important sites in the Jewish quarter, where you can see different examples of art and architecture representative of the period.

For example, in the Educational Centre, you will learn how the Jewish community lived through a series of information panels displayed in its rooms.

Meanwhile, in the Main Synagogue, which was formerly a mosque and is now the Convent of the Poor Clares of Corpus Christi (a cloistered order of nuns).

You will also have access to the Puerta de San Andrés, from where you can enjoy views of the city, the Jewish Cemetery and the Museum of Segovia, with works of art and archaeological and ethnological exhibits.

If you are interested in numismatics or coin and banknote collecting, then you should visit the Royal Mint Museum during your stay in Segovia. There, you will learn about the history of the old mint, which is part of the city's industrial heritage.

During the tour, you will enjoy several exhibition rooms. For example:

• The History of Money Room: where you will learn how trade changed from bartering to electronic money.
• Coin minting rooms: where you will learn step by step about the coin minting process and see some preserved presses.
• Trades Room: in this room you will see the first coin minted in the 16th century and the last one in the 19th century.

You will also stroll through the Garden of King Philip II. This is a place of great natural beauty with over 500 years of history which, despite numerous renovations, still retains its Renaissance tradition.

Useful information

• Price: average price from £4 per person.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday (10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00).
• Where: Royal Mint Museum of Segovia.