Best tours of Segovia

Segovia is a town located northwest of the Spanish capital (Madrid), incorporated by UNESCO among the list of Heritage Cities. This is due to its beauty and the architectural richness present in each of the streets and corners of the city.

During your visit you will find many things to do in Segovia. You can join a large number of guided or free tours to visit the Gothic Cathedral of Segovia and climb its tower, visit the imposing Roman aqueduct, visit the Alcazar of the city, among other destinations.

The Santa Iglesia Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y de San Frutos, also known as the Cathedral of Segovia, is a Gothic monument built in the 16th century. You can explore this building and its imposing tower to discover the historical-religious importance of both.

Interior of the Cathedral of Segovia

To take the interior tour with a guide or on your own, you will have to select the timetable of the Cathedral of Segovia that suits you best. You will discover a total of 21 chapels, with two important collections of tapestries and Flemish paintings.

You will also walk through the four exhibition halls, where you will have the opportunity to see tapestries, religious artifacts, sculptures, among other objects of historical value. You will also have access to the cloister and the back patio.

Tower of the Cathedral of Segovia

The Cathedral of Segovia has an emblematic tower with a history of more than 400 years, which you can access on a guided tour. In this way, you will be able to observe:

• The Audiovisual Room, with a 3D projection, which shows the interior of the Cathedral. In addition, the guide will tell you the history of the monument.
• The Bellringer's Room, specially preserved to show how the bellringer's life was.
• The Clock Room, where you will find the respective clock mechanisms and a series of tapestries of Flemish art.
• The Campanario, which is the highest area of the tower. There, you will be able to contemplate the whole city.

Information of interest

• Price: the average price of the entrance to the Cathedral is 6€ per person, while that of the Cathedral Tower corresponds to approximately 7€ per person.
• Duration: each tour has a duration of 1 hour (approx.)
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will discover the architectural and cultural value of both the Cathedral and the Tower of Segovia.
• Disadvantages of this option: this activity is not suitable for people with mobility problems, because you must climb several flights of stairs.

The Alcázar Castle is a destination that you should include among the first places on your itinerary. It is a historic place, recognized as a World Heritage Site, according to UNESCO, where you will discover how royalty really lived.

With tickets to Alcázar of Segovia, you will have access to the majestic interior halls and chambers of the castle, in which the ancient medieval decorations are recreated. All of them, built around the central courtyard (Patio de Armas) and the Patio del Reloj. In addition, you can visit the famous Artillery Museum.

During the tour, apart from enjoying the combination of architectural styles (Roman, Gothic and Renaissance), furniture, tapestries and armor, you can also contemplate some unique works of art:

• The baseboards of some of the windows of the Alcázar, preserved from the original decoration of the 12th century.
• Stained glass of the Throne Room, representing Henry IV, made by the Segovian painter Carlos Muñoz de Pablos, a specialist in the art of stained glass.
• Fresco of the Holy Family. A work from the second half of the 16th century.
• The portrait of Philip II on canvas, made by the Renaissance painter Sofonisba Anguissola in the sixteenth century.

Information of interest

• Price: from 9€ per person.
• Duration: 3 hours (Approx.)
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will visit the past to know how the royalty lived.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity is not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Among the best tours that you can do in the city, the tour of the Aqueduct of Segovia stands out. This is a Roman construction of the second century, which until 1973 was responsible for bringing water to this town.

This type of tour is usually available every day of the year and incorporates the company of a local guide or an audio guide. This way, you can learn about the history of this monumental work.

Whichever option you choose, you will be amazed by this emblematic example of Roman civil engineering, 818 meters long and 28.5 meters high.

Information of interest

• Price: from 11€ per person.
• Duration: 1 hour (Approx.)
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will contemplate a monumental work of more than 2 thousand years.
• Disadvantages of this option: due to the high tourist influx, you must reserve your participation in the tour.

Take advantage of 1 day in Segovia and explore the ancient medieval city from the heights. You will only have to climb into a hot air balloon with a specialized guide, to contemplate an amazing panoramic view.

The adventure begins in a previously agreed place when connecting the tour, from where the balloon will be launched. But before, the person in charge of the activity will indicate the relevant safety measures.

During the aerial tour you will enjoy privileged views of the emblematic Cathedral of Segovia, the monumental Aqueduct of Roman construction, the historic castle of Alcázar and the whole city in general.

When you get off the balloon, the activity usually continues with a light lunch (cheese, sausages and other specialties. All this, accompanied by a glass of wine. Afterwards, you will be given a certificate of participation and the tour will be over.

Information of interest

• Price: from 180€ per person.
• Duration: 4 hours (Approx.)
• Means of transport: hot air balloon.
• Advantages of this option: not only will you enjoy an aerial view of the city, but you will also receive a flight certificate.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include hotel pick up.

Maybe you don't have enough time to stop and explore each of Segovia's attractions or you simply have some preferences when touring the city. Whatever the case may be, a walking tour with a local guide will suit you .

You can explore Segovia at night or during the day, as you wish. This way, you will get different perspectives of the city during approximately three hours, which is usually the duration of the tour.

You will contemplate and learn about the history of the main monuments of the city, starting with a walk through the imposing Roman Aqueduct. You will also walk through the Alcazar, the Cathedral of Segovia, the small square of San Martin, the church of San Esteban and San Millan, the Jewish quarter, among other destinations.

Likewise, when connecting with the tour you will have the possibility to adapt the itinerary of the tour according to your needs, incorporating or eliminating some destinations of your interest.

Information of interest

• Price: from 102€ per person.
• Duration: 3 hours (Approx.)
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will get a glimpse of the main tourist destinations of the city and learn about the history of each monument.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include entrance fees to the attractions visited.

Another popular guided tour is to the DYC Distillery. Ideal if during your stay in Segovia for 2 days or more, you want to learn about the culture of whiskey in Spain.

Once at the distillery you will take a tour of approximately two hours through its facilities. You will see how the barley and corn (raw material), undergo a transformation through a chemical process of soaking, germination and roasting (malting).

All this in the company of a specialized guide who will also tell you the history and importance of the factory, whose creation dates back to the late 50s.

Information of interest

• Price: from 12€ per person.
• Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
• Means of transport: transfer to and from the hotel by car (optional).
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see step by step the process of making whiskey.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity is not available every day, so you must make a reservation in advance.

In Segovia you will find delicious and varied culinary options. Therefore, during your stay you should take part in a gastronomic tour through the restaurants of the city.

During the tour you will be accompanied by a culinary guide, who will tell you the history of the different traditional preparations of Segovia. For example, you will be able to taste lamb and suckling pig. Also, goat, cow and sheep cheeses, Segovian punch, fried milk, doughnuts, wild fruits, among others.

And if you visit Segovia in winter, you will taste the beans, sausages, pork loin, black pudding and chickpeas of Valseca, as they are seasonal preparations.

Information of interest

• Price: average price of 12€ per person.
• Duration: 3 hours (Approx.)
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will learn about the culinary history of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity usually incorporates a limited number of tastings.

If you want to escape the city and explore some areas with important environmental value, then joining a hiking route along the Pesquerías Reales trail will prove to be a good option. You can incorporate this activity among the 10 things to do in Segovia in summer, fall or spring.

The tour usually starts at the parking lot of La Granja de San Ildefonso and lasts approximately eight hours. There, you will connect with the guide and the 10-kilometer adventure will begin.

You will walk along the famous trail built by order of monarch Carlos III, you will visit the recreational area of Boca del Asno and Los Asientos. You will also enjoy the Valsaín Valley, the Telégrafo and Minguete streams. All this, while you contemplate the flora and fauna of the place.

Information of interest

• Price: from 15€ per person.
• Duration: 8 hours (Approx.)
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will be in contact with nature and enjoy beautiful landscapes hidden from the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include food and drink.

If you are an architecture enthusiast, then during your 3-day stay in Segovia or longer, you should take a free tour of the city's churches. You will be amazed by these monuments, which compile years of history.

You can start with the Church of Vera Cruz. This is a Catholic temple representative of Roman architecture, located in the San Marco neighborhood on the outskirts of Segovia.

On the other hand, there is the Church of San Millán. It is a catholic temple with Romanesque style, built during the 12th century. There, you will see important representations of sacred art: a series of 17th century canvases and a Gothic mural with St. Christopher and Jesus on the Cross. In addition, you can download the brochure with information about the church and review it as you tour the grounds.

If you wish, you can add to your tour a couple of other monuments with free admission:

• St. Martin's Church, which is a 12th century medieval building that has been modified over the years.
• The Church of San Lorenzo, which dates from the 13th century and has a 53-meter Romanesque tower, considered the tallest of its style.

Information of interest

• Price: average price from 2,50€ (Vera Cruz Church).
• Duration: all churches can be visited in 1 hour (approx.).
• Means of transport: local bus.
• Advantages of this option: you will see monuments of great architectural importance for the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will have to verify the schedules of the churches, since not all of them are open every day.

If you are in Segovia with children during the Christmas season, then the tourist train ride through the center of the city will be a must on your itinerary.

You will be able to board the comfortable carriages and sit with the children to enjoy a tour of the main streets of Segovia. You will depart from the Plaza Mayor, right next to the Cathedral and pass in front of Plaza Dr. Laguna, Plaza del Seminario, Plaza de S. Facundo, Plaza de Guevara, among others.

During the tour you will see a different panoramic view of the city and take pictures. In addition, you will listen to the driver's comments about the monuments and the city in general.

Information of interest

• Price: from 3€ per person.
• Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
• Means of transport: tourist train.
• Advantages of this option: you will take a look at the city center in a different and fun way.
• Disadvantages of this option: the train does not make stops, so you can not get off until the end of the tour.

There are some basic tips that you should take into consideration when taking a tour of Segovia. For example:

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate with the season of the year (winter or summer).
• Book in advance to participate in the tours, as some monuments are in high tourist demand and there may be complications in gaining access.
• If you plan to take a tour on your own, try as much as possible to map out a route in advance of what you wish to visit. Also, confirm the schedules and tickets for each attraction so you don't waste time.

Being part of a guided tour to visit Segovia is convenient, because you will have an experienced local person by your side, who will take you directly to each attraction.

In addition, the guide will explain in detail the history and curiosities of each of the monuments. This way, you will avoid getting lost in the city as it usually happens when visiting on your own and, at the same time, you will make the most of your time during each tour.