Discovering the marvellous Segovia in 3 days

One of the best locations to enjoy a short getaway is, without a doubt, Segovia and its surroundings. Both the city, and its historical heritage of medieval times, as well as its surroundings are one of the most attractive places in Castile and León. If you are looking for what to do in Segovia in three days there are lots of options. Because a three-day trip to Segovia capital gives to discover in depth its historic center and its famous aqueduct. But you can also take the opportunity to visit the Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso or taste its excellent gastronomy, with typical dishes such as suckling pig or suckling lamb.

Day 1: the aqueduct and the old town

The first must stop is visiting the aqueduct of Segovia. This impressive piece of civil engineering is one of the best preserved Roman constructions in the peninsula. It is estimated that it was built in the early 2nd century and is formed of 167 granite stone arches. One of the elements that make this monument more incredible, in addition to the 28 meters high, is that it does not have a single gram of mortar or cement.

But Segovia, declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO in 1985, has many other things to discover. And while looking at the aqueduct one is at the same time between the Plaza de Azoguejo and the Plaza de Artillería. The curious will notice that in one of the double arches is the sculpture of a virgin, which for some is the Fuencisla and for others the Cabeza.

Once you have seen this essential piece of Spanish architecture, you can contemplate the landscape from the steps parallel to the aqueduct or set off in the direction of the Casa de los Picos. This curious building was built in the 15th century and its peculiar facade was designed to avoid the Jewish style of the time. It has 360 granite peaks and legend has it that a treasure can be found under one of them. Inside, there is a Renaissance-style courtyard decorated with Talavera tiles.

Following the route through the old town of the Castilian city you can find interesting places such as the Plaza de las Sirenas. But it will be in the Plaza Mayor, with the impressive views of the cathedral, where the visitor can stop longer. Not only for the views, but also because it is one of the most full of life places in the city with so many terraces to enjoy.

As for the cathedral, it was completed in 1577 and its style is framed in the late Gothic. On the main facade is the Puerta del Perdón, where you can see a virgin designed by Juan Guas. To complete the day, visitors can walk through the Jewish quarter, where the Main Synagogue and the Gate of San Andrés are located. Before the expulsion by the Catholic Monarchs, the Hebrew community of Segovia was one of the richest and wealthiest Jewish communities in all of Castile and León.

Day 2: the Wall and its gates

The second day of your stay in Segovia can be started by visiting the few spots that still remain to be seen. One of those places is the Church of San Martín, a temple of Mozarabic origin and Romanesque style is located in the heart of the city. In the same square, you can visit the Torreón de Lozoya. It currently serves as a venue for art exhibitions and cultural activities. In the past it was used as a fortress, despite being within the city walls.

Because, as a good medieval city, the Castilian city has an important wall. Even so, its origin dates back to Roman times. Specifically, it is estimated that it was built in the 3rd century. But it was in the 11th century when it began to be reinforced, after the Christian conquest of the city. The purpose was to protect the city from Muslim attacks and other risks.

The perimeter of the wall is 3 kilometers long. Its origin and end is in the Alcázar. It is one of the few defensive constructions that are preserved complete in Spain, since, next to this one, only those of Lugo and Ávila remain. With an average height of 7.5 meters and a thickness of 2.5, walking around its perimeter or contemplating it is one of the must activities in Segovia. In recent years, a dirt path has been provided around the outside of the wall, offering a different view of it. It also offers an incredible view of the impressive Alcázar.

Despite its good condition, currently only three of the five gates that originally composed it are preserved. The gates of San Andrés, Santiago and San Cebrián. The Gate of San Andrés is the most popular, recognizable by the towers that compose it, one square and the other polygonal. It is also known as Puerta del Socorro, due to the small virgin of Socorro that can be seen on the opposite side.

Before finishing the day, visitors can also enjoy Segovia’s diverse cultural offerings. Next to the Esteban Vicente Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Segovia or the Zuloaga Museum, there is also the Antonio Machado House Museum. The Sevillian poet lived here between 1919 and 1932. Its interior is full of furniture and objects that belonged to Machado himself, as well as photos and old newspaper clippings.

Day 3: the Alcázar of Segovia and La Granja de San Ildefonso

To finish this three-day getaway to Segovia, there are still two of the most interesting places to see, and one of them is only a few minutes away from the city. First of all, the Alcázar, built in the 12th century, is a must-see in Segovia. This site was a royal residence in the 13th century. The Alcazar is an fortification from which you can enjoy amazing views of the Castilian landscape. To reach the top of the tower you have to climb 152 steps, a worthy effort that will allow you to contemplate the whole city. In the insides of the tower is the patio de Armas, where cultural events such as chamber concerts are held.

The last stop of this three-day trip to Segovia capital will be the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, located about 20 minutes drive from the city. This buildings began its identification in 1721 and were intended to be recreational for the monarchy. The Versailles-style fountains and gardens that make up the outside are one of the reasons to visit them. But its luxurious interior, where you can find the statue gallery, the Marble Hall or the Tapestry Museum, also invite you to know this palace and visit it with time. Here is our proposed plan for what to do in Segovia in three days.