More about: 6 Best Day Trips to Segovia from Madrid
If you have time when visiting Madrid, apart from enjoying everything the city has to offer, you can take a trip to nearby cities that also have a lot to offer. One of the most recommended is Segovia, just over an hour from Madrid.
1. Organized trip to Segovia from Madrid
This organized trip to Segovia is ideal if you are looking for comfort and free time to discover the city at your own pace. It includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, as well as a guided panoramic tour of Madrid before arriving in Segovia.
What you will do on this excursion
- Guided bus tour of Madrid's highlights
- Walking tour of the historic center of Segovia
- Free time to eat and stroll at your leisure
- Comfortable return by bus to your hotel
Details
- Duration: approximately 11 hours
- Price from: $41
- Includes: Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, professional guide, guided tour of Madrid and Segovia
2. Excursion to Segovia with a stop in Ávila
This combined excursion to Segovia and Ávila allows you to discover two World Heritage cities in a single day. Ideal if you want to make the most of your day without worrying about transportation.
What you'll do on this excursion
- Guided tour of Ávila (city walls, cathedral, Convent of Santa Teresa)
- Tour of the must-see sights of Segovia (aqueduct, cathedral, and fortress)
- Stop for tapas and a drink in Segovia
- Limited but sufficient free time in both cities
Details of interest
- Duration: 8 hours
- Price from: $47
- Includes: Guide, transportation, option to include entrance fees and monuments, and lunch
3. Day trip to Segovia and Toledo
Combining Segovia and Toledo in one day is a practical option if you don't have much time and want to get a first taste of two of Spain's most iconic cities.
What you'll do on this excursion
- Guided tour of the historic centers of Segovia and Toledo
- Short free time to explore on your own
- Exterior views of the main monuments (aqueduct, alcázar, cathedral, Jewish quarter, etc.)
- Transport between cities and return to Madrid
Details of interest
- Duration: 11–12 hours
- Price from: $69
- Includes: Guide, round-trip transportation, guided tours of both cities
4. Excursion to Segovia, El Escorial, and the Valley of the Fallen
This excursion to Segovia, El Escorial, and the Valley of the Fallen is the perfect choice if you want to discover three key sites in Spanish history and heritage. Lasting 11 hours, it is a comprehensive and culturally enriching tour.
What you will do on this excursion
- Visit the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a World Heritage Site
- Tour of the imposing Valley of the Fallen and its 150-meter cross
- Time to explore Segovia, including its Roman aqueduct and the Alcázar
- Accompaniment by an expert guide throughout the day
Details of interest
- Duration: 11 hours
- Price from: $98
- Includes: Transportation from Madrid, Spanish-speaking guide, panoramic tours of the three destinations
5. Excursion to Segovia with hot air balloon flight
Looking for a truly unique experience? This excursion to Segovia with balloon flight allows you to discover the city from the air and enjoy an unforgettable day.
What you'll do on this excursion
- Hot air balloon flight over Segovia with breakfast and cava toast
- Free time for lunch and to explore the city on your own
- Option to add a guided tour of the main monuments
- Flight certificate and photo report included
Details
- Duration: approximately 6–8 hours
- Price from: $247
- Includes: Balloon flight, breakfast, transfer from Madrid, guide (if you choose this option)
6. Full day trip to Segovia, Ávila, and Toledo from Madrid
Another comprehensive and highly rated option for those seeking a hassle-free cultural immersion. This excursion to Segovia, Ávila, and Toledo takes you to three World Heritage cities in a single day, accompanied by a local guide who will ensure you don't miss a thing.
What you'll do on this excursion
- Walk through the historic center of Toledo and visit the exterior of its cathedral
- Guided tour of Ávila: city walls, cathedral, and basilica
- Stop in Segovia with an explanation of the aqueduct and the Alcázar
- Comfortable transportation, Spanish-speaking guide, and direct return to Madrid
Details of interest
- Duration: 11 hours
- Price from: $157
- Includes: Bus transfers, expert guide, visits to exterior monuments
What to see and do in Segovia in one day
On an organized excursion from Madrid to Segovia, you will see all the important sights in the city. One day is enough to get to know this city, which, although it has many points of interest, is quite manageable. Once you get there, you can:
Marvel at the aqueduct
It is almost 16 km long and was built to supply water to the cities. The Segovia aqueduct has 120 pillars that rise up to 30 meters above the ground and 167 arches. No matter how many times you've seen it in pictures, you'll be amazed when you're there. Don't settle for the obligatory selfie in front of it (although that's fine too): play around with your camera to get an original photo that will serve as a souvenir of your trip.
Stroll through the center
Don't stress about sightseeing. Strolling through the historic center of Segovia is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have in the city. Its streets are cobbled and dotted with historic buildings, bustling squares, medieval buildings and, of course, shops and restaurants where you can enjoy a beer outdoors.
Visit the Cathedral
This is an important point of interest in Segovia and you'll find it right in the center. The entrance fee is very affordable at €3, and you can book a guided tour of the tower separately. It is open from morning until 6:30 p.m. in winter and until 9:30 p.m. in summer.
Eat the typical suckling pig
Every weekend, hundreds of visitors arrive in Segovia from Madrid to try the famous roast suckling pig. Any of the restaurants are good for this, but if you go on the weekend, it's best to book in advance, especially if you're a large group.
Visit the Alcázar
It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in summer. It is one of the most visited monuments in Segovia and Spain and is open to the public every day of the year except on specific holidays. A full ticket with access to the tower costs six euros and can be purchased at the ticket office or by booking online on their website (where you can also take a virtual tour to convince yourself how essential this visit is to your trip to Segovia).
Explore the Jewish quarter
Leave time during your visit to stroll through the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter and pass through the Puerta del Sol, where you will have wonderful views of the river that runs through the city. In the Jewish quarter you will find, among other things, the Corpus Cristi Church, the former Main Synagogue.
Segovia on your own
If you prefer to visit the city at your own pace, there are several options available. Leave Madrid early to make the most of your day in Segovia and book online at one of its restaurants to try its famous suckling pig. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for visiting the city. As for transportation, you can get to Segovia from Madrid:
- By car: if you have rented a car and want to take advantage of it, you will arrive in just one hour, but you may have to look for parking upon arrival.
- By train: the AVANT high-speed train costs around €14 and will drop you off at Guimar station in Segovia in half an hour. It leaves from Chamartín station in Madrid and, once you arrive in Segovia, you will have to take a bus to the city center.
- By bus: this is a very convenient option. Buses leave from the Moncloa interchange in Madrid every 15 to 30 minutes for around €4 and will drop you off in the city center. The journey from Madrid takes approximately one hour and twenty minutes.
Practical tips for a trip to Segovia
When to go
Segovia welcomes visitors all year round, but the city is much busier at weekends when visitors from Madrid flock to eat suckling pig or stroll along the aqueduct. If you can take your trip to Segovia during the week, you will find the city much less crowded and you will be able to enjoy your visit in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Recommended duration of visit
One day is enough to visit the key sights in Segovia, stroll through its streets, and enjoy a snack at any of the outdoor cafes. But don't forget to leave Madrid early to make the most of the day; keep in mind that in winter it gets dark earlier, so your sightseeing time will be shorter.
The climate in Segovia
The temperature in Segovia is lower than in Madrid. In the height of summer, you may not notice it much, as the aqueduct area has little shade and the heat can be just as stifling, but you will see the difference when walking through the streets of the city center. In winter, bear in mind that you will need to wrap up warmer in Segovia than in Madrid.
What to eat
Although suckling pig is the star dish, you can also enjoy other delicacies in Segovia's restaurants. Farm-grown beans, roast lamb, Segovian-style trout, and Segovian punch are just some of the dishes you shouldn't miss.
What to bring to Segovia
The most important thing is to wear comfortable clothes and, if you visit Segovia in winter, bring an extra sweater or jacket, even if you think you might not need it in Madrid. If you are going to Segovia on an organized tour, make sure you know whether or not it includes lunch, so you can either bring money to go to one of the restaurants or bring your own food from home.
If you are interested in the trip to Segovia, you may also be interested in
Segovia is not the only city near Madrid that you can visit in a day. Another of the most notable, located at the opposite end of Segovia, is Toledo. In Toledo, you will also find medieval buildings, a historic center that, although with significant slopes, is worth exploring, and an impressive cathedral that is also among the most notable in Spain. If you want to know more about excursions to Toledo, you can visit this article: 4 Best Day Trips to Toledo from Madrid
If you prefer to make the most of Madrid, I recommend starting your trip with an organized tour that will give you an overview of the history, neighborhoods, and most notable anecdotes of the Spanish capital. This article has 12 Best Tours in Madrid all the information you need to organize your guided tour.
Finally, museum lovers are in luck, as Madrid is home to some of the most important museums in Europe. My personal recommendation is El Prado (of course) and the Reina Sofía. You can organize your visit by following my practical guides to both museums: Prado Museum in Madrid: Tickets and Tours and Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid: Tickets and Tours.