The 1st-Century Aqueduct & the Lady of Cathedrals
Just 27 minutes from the capital by AVANT high-speed train. UNESCO city with a 1st-century Roman aqueduct and the castle that inspired Disney.
If you can spare one day from the capital, Segovia is one of the easiest and most rewarding cities you can visit on a quick trip. The city sits 90 km north of the capital, and you can reach it in 27 minutes on the AVANT high-speed train from Chamartín train station, or in about 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus. The town centre is a walled hillside above the Eresma River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a 1st-century Roman aqueduct rising straight out of the central square as if it had grown there.
From Madrid, you can choose between three guided tours that pass through the city. The Segovia Experience is our full option (from €44) with a guided walking tour, the famous aqueduct and free time for the cochinillo. If you want two UNESCO cities in one trip, you can pair it with Ávila (from €50) or with Toledo (from €64), our best-selling combo. All three include round-trip air-conditioned coach transport from San Bernardo 5 in the Gran Vía area, a bilingual guide (English / Spanish) and the option to add an Alcázar entrance with a guide for €5 extra at booking.
Select your date, choose your time and book directly here.
The city is small enough that you can cover the essential sights on foot. Here is what you can fit into a single visit, ordered roughly from morning to late afternoon.
Walk into Plaza del Azoguejo and look up at the 28-metre arches. 2,000-year-old granite blocks, no mortar — the most impressive Roman engineering you will see in Spain.
Wind up from the aqueduct through narrow cobbled streets to the porticoed Plaza Mayor — the heart of the city, where you will find the Cathedral on one side and the town hall on the other.
The last Gothic cathedral built in Spain (16th century), known locally as the Lady of Cathedrals. Light, airy interior, beautiful cloister and views of the Guadarrama mountains.
The fairy-tale castle on the cliff edge that inspired Walt Disney's Cinderella castle. You can upgrade your tour with a guided entry for €5 more — well worth it for the throne rooms and the views.
The local roast suckling pig, crisp on the outside and tender inside, is the dish of the city. Make sure to book a table in advance at one of the historic restaurants near Plaza Mayor — Mesón de Cándido is the classic.
Outside the city walls on the way down to the river you will find one of the best free viewpoints in Castile — the castle silhouette from below, framed by the Eresma valley.
If you are short on time, the guided walking tour included in all our tours covers points 1–4 in about 60 minutes. We recommend leaving the afternoon free for lunch and the viewpoints.
| Tour | Duration | Price | Tickets included | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ávila + Segovia | 11h | From 50€ | No | Ávila walls + Aqueduct in a day |
| Segovia Full Day | 11h | From 44€ | No | Roman Aqueduct + optional guided Alcázar |
| Segovia + Toledo | 12h | From 64€ | No | Two UNESCO cities in one day |
There are three main ways you can travel from the capital to Segovia. Here is what you can expect from each option:
from €44
10h – 12h 30min
Round-trip air-conditioned coach + bilingual guide (English / Spanish) + 60-minute guided walking tour. Departure from San Bernardo 5 in the Gran Vía area. Three options: Experience full option, Ávila & Segovia combined, or Segovia & Toledo (our best-selling combo).
from €13
27 min
Renfe AVANT (or AVE) from Chamartín train station to Segovia-Guiomar station. Note that Segovia's train station is outside the city (~6 km), so you will need to take a local Line 11 bus or a 5-minute taxi to reach the historic centre. Fastest option, but you plan tickets, transfers and lunch yourself.
from €5
1h 15 min
Direct service from Moncloa bus station. The bus drops you at Segovia bus station, closer to the old town than the train. Cheaper option, a good fit if you are on a tight budget and have time on your side.
If you are short on time, the AVANT wins on speed; our tour wins on context and convenience — you will not have to plan a single ticket or a single transfer.
Was built in the 1st century AD with 20,000 granite blocks and no mortar between them. 28 metres tall, 166 arches — the best-preserved Roman monument in Spain.
The fairy-tale castle that inspired Walt Disney's Cinderella castle. A royal residence for centuries, perched on a cliff above the river — one of the most photographed fortresses in the country.
Known as the Lady of Cathedrals — the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain (16th century). Elegant and luminous, with a spectacular cloister and Flemish tapestries.
Was built in the 13th century as one of the few Templar churches still standing in Europe. Its Romanesque silhouette on the way down to the castle is unmistakable.
The heart of the historic centre — a porticoed square ringed by cafés. Make sure to stop here for a coffee or a vermouth before lunch, with the Cathedral towers rising on one side.
The local roast suckling pig is part of the experience. A protected-designation dish, traditionally carved tableside with a ceramic plate. You will find it on every restaurant menu in the centre.
We recommend these months. The light on the granite arches is perfect, and the meadows around the Eresma turn green or gold. Make sure to bring layers — the city sits at 1,000 m above sea level and mornings stay cool.
Summer afternoons can be hot. If you travel in July or August, we recommend the early morning departure so you arrive at the aqueduct before midday. Bring water and a hat for the open squares.
Snow does fall here, and the castle covered in white looks like a postcard. Most of what you will want to see — the cathedral interior, the castle rooms, the small museums — is indoors, so winter works well.
All our Segovia tours leave from the same Visitor Centre at San Bernardo 5 in the Gran Vía area, in the heart of the capital. Below are the official schedules direct from the operator.
Segovia Experience (10h real / 11h 30min declared · from €44)
Departure from San Bernardo 5 at 08:45 → return from Segovia 17:30 → back at base 19:00. Includes a 60-minute guided walking tour and the option to add a castle entrance with a guide for €5 extra.
Segovia & Toledo — best-selling combo (11h 30min real / 12h 30min declared · from €64)
Departure from San Bernardo 5 at 08:45 → return 19:30 → back at base 20:30. Two UNESCO cities in one trip with bilingual guide in both. Optional Segovia castle upgrade (+€5).
Ávila & Segovia (10h 30min real · from €50)
Departure from San Bernardo 5 at 08:30 → return 17:30 → back at base 19:00. Photo stop at Cuatro Postes Viewpoint in Ávila + free time inside the walls + guided walking tour in Segovia. Optional castle upgrade (+€5).
Bilingual commentary in English and Spanish. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Not wheelchair accessible. Only service animals allowed. Space is available for strollers and luggage on the coach.
We design fully bespoke private excursions from Madrid — for families, friends, couples or corporate teams. You set the pace, we bring the official guide, private transport and every detail that makes it unforgettable.
Over 2,000 private groups organised from Madrid
