This post is to go over some of the highlights of this Segovia tour from Madrid and dive a little deeper into what makes this experience so special. Segovia is a UNESCO world heritage site featuring a roman era aqueduct, a spectacular cathedral, an amazing medieval castle and some of the best food and wine you can ask for.
But on this trip that is almost a journey through the history of Spain, Segovia is only one of the highlights. Here is a little preview of all the things you will experience on our tour:
* DISCLAIMER: This is a typical itinerary for our tour but the stops may vary due to the season, schedule, etc. to see the exact itinerary check the product description
A short post with small videos and pictures to illustrate the highlights of the tour to Segovia we run from Madrid. The tour is almost a journey through the history of Spain and, in addition to Segovia, it also includes stops in El Escorial and La Granja de San Ildefonso. … Read More
This is a luxury wine and cultural private tour from Madrid. You will discover the amazing city of Segovia and the Ribera del Duero wine region. Relax and enjoy the company of one of our friendly guides while you discover the best Roman aqueduct in the world, enjoy a meal next to wine barrels, and explore a centuries-old wine cellar. This is a unique tour to Segovia and Ribera del Duero that you will not find on any other site and it is only available as a private tour … Read More
Only 1 hour outside of the city is the first stop on the Itinerary: The Monastery of Escorial. This impressive complex includes a Royal Palace, a Basilica, a pantheon, a royal library, a school, and a monastery. Construction began in 1563 under the rule of Phillipe the II and wasn’t finished until 1584.
You will have a short stop here to get out, stretch your legs before heading off to the next stop.
The Royal Palace at La Granja was commissioned by Phillipe the V who wanted a palatial complex in the style of the Palace of Versailles. It is situated on the other side of the Guadarrama mountains in the province of Segovia. It was built as a summer home for the royal family, a place to get away, relax and hunt. The estate has some of the most beautiful gardens and fountains in Europe and the palace itself is a worthy rival to the Palace of Versailles.
The next stop will be at a small batch winery that produces only 7000 bottles a year, but their attention to detail in the wine making process has earned them several international awards. They only use tempranillo grapes from a small plot in the Ribera del Duero region. The grapes are selected by hand cluster by cluster and every step of the process is monitored with care. It is fascinating to see what can be achieved if you put enough passion and care into what you are doing and the hard work shows in the final product.
On your way to Segovia and lunch, there is one more stop, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Coca is a small quiet town that hides an amazing secret. The castle of Coca is a nearly intact castle from the XV century, built in the Gothic / Múdejar style. You will have some time to explore this hidden gem before heading off to lunch in Segovia.
The region of Castilla y Leon is known for 3 things when it comes to gastronomy: wine, meat and produce. Segovia is no different. Segovia is particularly famous for one dish: roast suckling pig. If made correctly the only seasoning required is salt and water, nothing else. The true masters of this dish show off by cutting the portions with a plate to show how tender the meat is. Another sure bet in Segovia is roasted lamb. In Segovia, if it is roasted, it’s probably delicious.
From lunch, it’s a short walk to one of the highlights of Segovia, and a truly unique landmark. The aqueduct of Segovia. The structure was built by the Romans in the 2nd century to bring water down from the surrounding mountains to the city bellow. It stands almost 30 meters tall and runs over 15km. It is, rightfully so, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
The Segovia cathedral was built during the Renaissance but it was done so in a gothic style, and its one of the last cathedrals to be designed in this style. The enormous structure is located in the main square of Segovia. The original cathedral used to be located next to the Alcazar, but when it was destroyed after a siege, it was decided that the new cathedral would be built in a better protected section of the city, and the current site was chosen.
The Alcazar of Segovia is straight out of a fairy tale. The fortress sits on a cliff and with its bluish grey tipped turrets wouldn’t look out of place in the Beauty and the Beast.
The Alcazar was once a roman fort, but only the foundation remains of that first structure, after that the Muslims built their own fortification during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. In fact, Alcazar means fortress in Arab. From then on the castle was under Castilian rule, each king and queen adding their own touch to the castle. The most important addition was the “New Tower” which was built by King John II of Castile.
If you found this article interesting and you want a bit more information you can check out our other posts about Segovia and some of the stops on this tour:
Best things to see and do in Segovia
There are excellent hotels in Rioja to enjoy wine country. You can find below some alternatives that may suit your taste or budget better
This private tour offers an unforgettable 3-day tour in which to discover the best old Castilla has to offer. You will discover the beautiful wine country of Ribera del Duero, enjoy the treasures of 3 of Spain´s most amazing cities: Sergovia, Avila, and Salamanca. All 3 cities were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Get ready to enjoy one of the world´s best-preserved Roman aqueducts, the fantastic walls of Avila and one of the world´s most beautiful squares in Salamanca. … Read More
This blog tells you about the best possible things to do when visiting the charming city of Segovia – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located just 98km away from Madrid, Segovia is a must for anyone in the area. Discover the best restaurants, bars and places to visit in Segovia. … Read More