Segovia in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Located in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, Segovia is a charming Spanish city with a wealth of historical monuments and rich gastronomy; as you will soon see when organising your trip, there are many things to see and do in Segovia, a fact that makes organising your itinerary a little complicated.

On the positive side of the equation, the city of Segovia is actually small and the main attractions are close to each other. If you organise your time and sightseeing well, you can make the most of a short trip to see the highlights of the city.

Here is an itinerary that covers 3 full days of sightseeing in the city, from morning to dusk. Have fun and fall in love with Segovia!

The first day of your exploration of Segovia I recommend you dedicate it to some of the most emblematic attractions of the city. The idea is that you fall in love as soon as possible with the Segovian landscapes and see why it is such a popular destination for foreign visitors but also for Spaniards doing domestic tourism.

Climb up to the Mirador de la Plaza Reina Victoria Eugenia

The Plaza Mirador Reina Victoria Eugenia is the name given to the gardens and squares that provide access to one of the most visited and emblematic monuments of the city: the old fortress of the Alcázar.

You will find a large esplanade with very pleasant gardens that you can stroll around at your leisure; the place offers spectacular views of the Alcázar complex and the city of Segovia from the top.

Do you want to take pictures? This is the right time to do it! On your tour don't forget to pay attention to the Monument to the Heroes of 2 May, placed in a place of honour within the complex.

• Opening hours: The viewpoint is open to the public from 7.30am Monday to Friday and from 9.30am on Saturdays and Sundays.

Explore the ancient fortress: The Alcazar of Segovia

Just 4 minutes from the viewpoint in Plaza Reina Victoria Eugenia you will find one of the oldest and most enchanting castles in Spain, the Alcázar of Segovia. A unique stone fortress built around 1542.

In addition to being one of Spain's most popular historical sites, the ancient fortress served as a prototype for Snow White's castle in the Disney animated version, thanks to the beautiful conical roofs of its towers in a brilliant blue colour. At certain historical periods the Spanish Royal Family used the castle as a residence.

In 1862, the original and ancient interior decoration was severely damaged by a fire; today many of the rooms and decorations that we can enjoy are actually very faithful restorations.

Be sure to visit the Hall of the Kings! Here you will find a mural dedicated to Spanish royalty. Here are some additional details you should take into account:

• Opening hours: the opening hours of the Alcázar of Segovia change depending on the time of year and the days. Some days of the year it is open from 10am and others from 10:30am
• Price: tickets to the attraction are usually around 10€ per participant.
• Duration: book around 2 hours for this visit.

See the iconic Segovia Cathedral

After your adventure through El Alcázar, all roads in the city seem to lead to the most important religious building for Segovians: its imposing cathedral. Built in a marvellous gothic style in the middle of the 16th century, I recommend to my travelling friends to take the time to appreciate the marvellous structure from different angles and take as many pictures as you deem prudent.

As you walk through the surrounding streets pay special attention to the magnificent sculptures that adorn it, my favourite being the statue of the Virgin Mary that rises imposingly on the front façade.

Then proceed to tour the exquisite interiors of Segovia Cathedral, taking the time to admire its beautiful imposingly high vaults, its oversized dome and its beautiful stained glass windows through which the light from outside pours in.

In the Cathedral you will also find a lot of art in the form of paintings and sculptures by renowned religious artists from different periods.

• Opening times: although the doors of the Cathedral usually open at around 9.30am, the opening hours of Segovia Cathedral vary depending on the time of year and day of the week.
• Price: You can expect to pay around €5 for entry to the building and around €10 for guided tours.
• Duration: I recommend booking at least 2 hours to tour the monument.

Go to the Plaza Mayor in Segovia at lunchtime.

At the foot of the imposing Cathedral is the Plaza Mayor of Segovia, the heart of Segovia's old town. Around the square are concentrated several important buildings such as the town hall, theatres, restaurants and much more.

I recommend taking a lunch break here to enjoy the beautiful architecture of the historic centre. Below are some suggestions of good places to eat, but I recommend you do your own research based on your preferences and budget.

• Restaurante La Concepción, a classic café and elegant restaurant that has been part of the city's history. Known locally as "La Concha" it offers some of the best views of the cathedral and the square.
• Restaurante José, with its impressive old architecture is undoubtedly one of the best options for enjoying traditional Spanish cuisine.
• Pandora Restaurant, next to the cathedral, the place offers some of the best views of the square, here you can enjoy both traditional food and dishes with a modern twist.

Enjoy Segovia's Casa del Sol Museum

As you explore the Old Town, make your way to one of the city's most important museums: the Museo Casa del Sol. The exhibition gathers around 1,500 pieces of archaeological remains and pieces of art.

Personally, I consider this museum to be one of the most important museums in the city. 10 Things to do in Segovia with KidsIt offers a real, interactive and interesting approach to the history of the city and can awaken your curiosity for art, design, architecture and history.

• Opening hours: Closed on Mondays, regular opening hours are from 10am to 3pm.
• Price: Around 2€ for the entrance ticket.
• Duration: I recommend spending at least 1 hour here.

Afternoon: Explore the Jewish quarter of Segovia

Spend the afternoon exploring the rest of Segovia's old quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a result of the legacy of the different cultural communities that lived together in the city. From the Moors to the Christians and of course the Jews, all made important contributions to the formation of the city's identity and character.

The Jewish Quarter of Segovia is an excellently preserved architectural space, thanks to the early intervention of the authorities.

On your visit you will come across numerous narrow streets with the pavements with which they were conceived after their creation. The authenticity can be seen in other architectural elements such as the cladding and decoration of the different buildings.

On the second day of exploring Segovia, continue to explore the city's ancient architecture and historical monuments; in this plan I suggest you visit important cultural squares, churches and works of ancient architecture located beyond the Plaza Mayor.

Get to know the Lozoya Tower

The Torreón de Lozoya is a hidden gem that you should not miss. The origins of the architectural complex can be dated back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with an imposing design whose architecture combines elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Spanish Mudejar styles.

The restoration process was carried out in the 1960s and since its refurbishment, although the space itself is a museum on a grand scale, inside you will find an impressive artistic collection belonging to the former Caja Segovia Foundation, which includes everything from paintings to sculptures, glass and ceramic works and even coins and books from different periods.

• Opening times: Closed on Mondays, it is open to the public from 10am to 2pm and then from 4pm to 8pm.
• Price: The cost is approximately €5 per participant.
• Duration: About 1 hour.

Go to St. Martin's Church

St. Martin's Church is a very interesting architectural ensemble and much loved by the locals. It is located on the other side of the main street leading to the Torreón, so after you have finished exploring the museum, this is the best time to visit the religious temple.

On arrival you will find an imposing medieval stone building whose first construction began in the 12th century. With the passing of time, outbuildings were added and the original plan was extended, resulting in an eclectic monument that combines different styles.

• Opening hours: Closed to the public on Mondays. Tuesday to Saturday opening hours are from 10am to 2pm and from 4pm to 7pm. Sundays from 10am to 2pm.
• Price: Admission is between 2€ and 4€ per participant.
• Duration: 1 hour is usually enough to tour the facilities.

Get to know the Plaza Medina del Campo and have a delicious lunch

Leaving the architectural complex of the Church behind you, retrace your steps back to Plaza Medina del Campo to enjoy an early lunch in one of the many old restaurants you will find in the area.

The historic part of Segovia is full of excellent gastronomic options, here is a list with a few alternatives you might consider.

• La Casona de San Martín: Tapas place located between the Church and the Tower; excellent alternative to enjoy a typical Segovian lunch.
• Restaurante Narizotas: In Plaza Medina is one of the best places to eat in the centre, specialising in meats, Mediterranean and Spanish food.
• La Bodega del Barbero: A quaint and affordable restaurant within walking distance of San Martín. The gastronomic offer includes Mediterranean and Spanish food.

Spend the afternoon at the Segovia Aqueduct

Spend the afternoon exploring one of the city's most impressive and ancient works, the Segovia Aqueduct is a Roman construction built in the 1st century BC and was in operation until 1973. It has been in perfect working order for two centuries.

It is an impressive and imposing work of architecture and engineering. It occupies 2 levels high and has a total of 167 stone arches; its water source comes from the Agua Frio river 17 kilometres away.

• Opening hours: Always open.
• Price: It is worth buying a tour or an audio guide to visit this magnificent monument. Available from around €11, approximately.
• Duration: Tours usually take 2 to 3 hours on average.

Evening: Take a tapas tour of Segovia

Say goodbye to Segovia's Old Town by doing the staple of gastronomic tourism in Spain: a night of tapas and drinks in the city. This activity can easily rank among the best things to do in Segovia at night.

The tapas tour will take you on a journey through Spain's gastronomy, discovering some of the city's best dishes. In Segovia there are plenty of spectacular tapas places to choose from, so I recommend you do your own research. Anyway, here are some of my favourites.

• Bar Cervecería España: Located in the Plaza de Alto de Leones, it is a terrace bar ideal to enjoy at night, especially if you go to Segovia in summer.
• Restaurante Azabache: In Calle San Francisco 48, it is a slightly newer place whose speciality is canapés, the drinks are excellent. It is very popular with both locals and tourists.
• Las Cuevas del Duque: The Mesón Restaurante de Las Cuevas del Duque was founded in 1895, it is one of the most visited places for tapas and its speciality is dishes cooked in a wood-fired oven.

On the last day of your tour I invite you to get off the beaten track and do those other activities that shorter trips around Segovia don't allow most visitors to do.

Arrive at the Santa Maria del Parral Monastery at opening time

The Monastery was commissioned during the reign of Henry IV, started in 1447 and completed in 1503, and is one of the best things to do in Segovia in the winter or autumn, and walking to the top of the hill is one of the best things to do in Segovia during the winter or autumn.

Santa María del Parral is an asset of cultural interest in the region. In the different buildings that make up the complex you will find various architectural styles including Gothic, Mudejar and Plateresque.

To get to the Monastery I recommend a walking route through Segovia up the Santo Domingo de Guzmán avenue from the Aqueduct. The walk takes 30 minutes and is an excellent way of getting to know the landscapes surrounding the old town.

• Opening hours: The monastery is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays; from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
• Price: By donation.
• Duration: Book around 4 hours for this experience.

Visit the temple of San Millán in Segovia

Less than 8 minutes away by car you can visit another historical monument belonging to the religious architecture in Segovia, the Temple of San Millán. Located in the south-western part of the city, on your visit you will come across an ancient medieval church whose origin dates back to the 11th century, although significant alterations and extensions were carried out between 1111 and 1126.

It is one of the oldest churches in the city, the predominant style is medieval architecture with Renaissance overtones.

• Opening times: The church is closed on Mondays, from Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 2pm and in the afternoon from 5pm to 7.30pm.
• Price: Admission is free.
• Duration: 1 hour is usually enough time to visit the installations.

Explore the Esteban Vicente Art Museum.

A short distance from San Millán is the Esteban Vicente Art Museum, a perfect opportunity to appreciate a historic Segovian monument and at the same time enjoy the work of contemporary plastic artists.

The building used for the museum is the Palace of Enrique IV, also known as the Palace of San Martín. One of the jewels of Segovian architecture, it was built in 1455 and retains much of its original Mudejar style, although it has undergone major restorations in recent decades.

• Opening hours: Closed on Mondays, the museum's official opening hours are from 11am to 8pm from Tuesday to Saturday and from 11am to 3pm on Sundays.
• Price: Free admission for the general public.
• Duration: Depending on how much you like the type of art on display you can spend between 1 to 2 hours touring the place.

Say goodbye to the city: walk around Segovia's monuments at dusk.

Many cities in Spain are even more charming at night, and charming little Segovia is no exception. If you have any energy left to spend, take a last tour of the city at night to enjoy Segovia's beautifully illuminated monuments.

If you follow the itinerary proposed in this article, you can follow a similar route to the one you did during the first days of exploration.

The places and monuments that you cannot miss during the tour are: the Jewish quarter of Segovia, the Canonjías quarter, the Caballeros quarter and, of course, the surroundings of the Alcázar.

This is the end of this tour of the best of Segovia. I hope this itinerary will help you to get the most out of your 3-day stay in the city and get to know all that this magical Spanish city has to offer.