Best tours of Segovia

Segovia is a town located to the northwest of the Spanish capital (Madrid), and has been included by UNESCO in 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 Alcázar fortress, 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.

Inside Segovia Cathedral

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

You will also stroll through the four exhibition rooms, where you will have the opportunity to see tapestries, religious artefacts, sculptures and other objects of historical value. You will also have access to the cloister and the back courtyard.

Tower of Segovia Cathedral

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

• The Audiovisual Room, with a 3D projection showing the interior of the Cathedral. The guide will also tell you about the history of the monument.
• The Bellringer's Room, specially preserved to show what the bellringer's life was like.
• The Clock Room, where you will find the respective clock mechanisms and a series of tapestries of Flemish art.
• The Bell Tower, which is the highest area of the tower. Here you can look out over the whole city.

Useful information

• Price: the average entrance fee to the Cathedral is €6 per person, while the entrance fee to the Cathedral Tower is approximately €7 per person.
• Duration: each tour lasts approximately 1 hour.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will discover the architectural and cultural value of both the Cathedral and the Segovia Tower.
• Disadvantages of this option: this activity is not suitable for people with mobility problems, as there are several flights of stairs to climb.

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

With tickets for the 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 are built around the central courtyard (Patio de Armas) and the Patio del Reloj. You can also visit the famous Artillery Museum.

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

• The skirting boards of some of the Alcázar's windows, preserved from the original 12th century decoration.
• Stained glass window 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, painted by the Renaissance painter Sofonisba Anguissola in the 16th century.

Useful information

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

One of the best tours you can take around the city is the tour of the Segovia Aqueduct. This is a Roman construction dating from the 2nd 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 includes 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 metres long and 28.5 metres high.

Useful information

• 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 art that is more than 2,000 years old.
• Disadvantages of this option: due to the high number of tourists, you will have to book your participation in the tour.

Make the most of 1 day in Segovia and explore the ancient medieval city from above. All you have to do is get into a hot air balloon with a specialised guide to enjoy an amazing panoramic view.

The adventure starts at a previously agreed place when you connect the tour, from where the balloon will be launched. But before, the person in charge of the activity will indicate you 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 accompanied by a glass of wine. Afterwards, you will be given a certificate of participation and the tour will be over.

Useful information

• 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: it does not include hotel pick-up.

Perhaps you don't have enough time to stop and explore each of Segovia's attractions, or you simply have some preferences when it comes to exploring the city. Whatever the case, 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'll get different perspectives of the city for approximately three hours, which is usually how long the tour lasts.

You'll see and learn about the history of the city's main monuments, starting with a walk around the imposing Roman Aqueduct. You will also walk through the Alcázar, the Cathedral of Segovia, the small square of San Martín, the church of San Esteban and San Millán, the Jewish quarter, among other destinations.

Likewise, when you connect 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.

Useful information

• 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 city's main tourist destinations 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 the DYC Distillery. Ideal if during your stay in Segovia for 2 days or more, you want to learn about the whisky culture in Spain.

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

All this in the company of a specialised guide who will also tell you about the history and importance of the factory, whose creation dates back to the late 1950s.

Useful information

• 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 the whisky-making process step by step.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity is not available every day, so you will need to book in advance.

In Segovia you will find delicious and varied culinary options. For this reason, during your stay you should take part in a gastronomic tour of the city's restaurants.

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'll be able to try lamb and suckling pig. You can also try goat's, cow's and sheep's cheese, Segovian punch, fried milk, doughnuts and wild fruit, among others.

And if you visit Segovia in winter, you can try the beans, sausages, pork loin, black pudding and chickpeas from Valseca, as these are seasonal dishes.

Useful information

• 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 includes a limited number of tastings.

If you want to escape the city and explore some areas of significant environmental value, then joining a walking route along the Royal Fisheries trail is a good option. You can include this activity among the 10 things to do in Segovia in summer, autumn or spring.

The route generally starts in the car park at La Granja de San Ildefonso and lasts approximately eight hours. There, you will connect with the guide and the 10-kilometre adventure will begin.

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

Useful information

• 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: it does not include food and drink.

If you are an architecture enthusiast, then during your stay of 3 days or more in Segovia, 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 Romanesque architecture, located in the San Marco neighbourhood on the outskirts of Segovia.

On the other hand, there is the Church of San Millán. This is a Romanesque-style Catholic temple, 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 Saint Christopher and Jesus on the Cross. You can also download the leaflet with information about the church and review it as you walk around the site.

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

• San Martín 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-metre Romanesque tower, considered to be the tallest of its style.

Useful information

• 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 check the opening hours of the churches, as 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 city centre 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 leave 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. You will also listen to the driver's comments about the monuments and the city in general.

Useful information

• Price: from 3€ per person.
• Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
• Means of transport: tourist train.
• Advantages of this option: you'll get a look at the city centre in a different and fun way.
• Disadvantages of this option: the train doesn't make stops, so you won't be able to get off until the end of the tour.

There are some basic tips 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 your participation in tours in advance, 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 want to visit. Also, confirm the times and entrance fees 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.

Moreover, this guide will explain in detail the history and curiosities of each of the monuments. In this way, you will avoid getting lost in the city, as is often the case when you visit on your own, and you will be able to make the most of your time during each tour.