Segovia is a small city with big heritage. The soaring aqueduct is undoubtedly its most famous landmark and it is probably the most important Roman monument surviving in the heart of a modern city. However, this is not the only jewel of the city. Segovia's Alcazar looks like a fairy tale castle, in fact, it is said that Walt Disney was inspired by it to create Sleeping Beauty's Disneyland castle.
Looking at this place, I feel that Rapunzel could have been trapped in one of these towers. This fairy tale looking fortress was originally built in Roman times and rebuilt in the 14th century. The place was destroyed in the 19th century so what we see today is a reconstruction of the original. The name Alcazar comes from he Arabic al-qasr which means fortress.
Other places worth visiting in Segovia's Unesco World Heritage old town are the Gothic cathedral and San Millán, the most important Romanesque church.
The region of Segovia has so much more to offer. Once you are done with the city, there are a few other places where you must stop. First and foremost is the Royal Palace of la Granja de San Ildefonso which we visited on last week's post.
In this little town you can also find a great place to stay: El Parador de la Granja. This beautiful hotel is in the Top 10 Paradores list for good reason. It is housed in the Casa de los Infantes, built by king Charles III in the 18th century as a home for the infantes Gabriel and Antonio. Even though Segovia has it's own Parador, this one is far more charming and it's only 10 km away from the city. 
In the Parador restaurant you can try dishes from the local cuisine like the famous judiones de La Granja (broad beans from La Granja) or suckling pig and lamb slowly roasted in a wood-burning oven.
Royal Glass Factory and Museum of La Granja is another must in this town. Here you can discover the evolution and methods of working this material over the centuries. The factory was established in 1727 by king Philip V to make lamps, windows and mirrors for the Royal Palace.
Last but not least we have the Royal Palace of Riofrio. This palace was used by the Bourbon dynasty as a hunting pavilion and a place to rest and relax. Here you can visit the Hunting Museum and see great examples of tapestry and sumptuous 19th century furniture. It is 10 km from Segovia and 20 km from La Granja de San Ildefonso.
Segovia is a great day trip from Madrid or weekend getaway if you want to visit nearby areas too. Full of Spanish history, there's no shortage of things to learn here.
PRACTICAL INFO
- The most famous restaurants in Segovia are Conde Duque and Meson de Candido. They are said to serve the best cochinillo (roasted suckling pig) in town. Make reservations ahead.
- You can get to Segovia from Madrid by bus, train -the high speed train takes only 30 minutes- or drive for one hour.
- On Sunday mornings you can enter the Cathedral for free, otherwise it's 3€.
- Entrance to the Alcazar is 8€.
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What an interesting place. The cathedral reminds me of a German castle. Thanks for the guide xx Passion fruit, Paws and Peonies
ReplyDeleteWow, such a beautiful place with stunning architecture! I am amazed at El Acueducto as well. That is pretty spectacular and how it was built is of course pretty amazing!
ReplyDeleteMaureen | www.littlemisscasual.com
Beautiful architecture! Whenever I get the chance to travel somewhere grand, I'll be coming back to these posts!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
Loving this post about how to spend a weekend in Segovia. We´ve only been once and it was too cold to really enjoy or see much.. can´t wait to go back and explore more :)
ReplyDeleteThat definitely looks like a Rupunzel castle! Such gorgeous places!
ReplyDeleteIt's so dreamy, right?
ReplyDeleteThanks, lovely! Spring is probably the best time to go, it's too cold in winter and too hot in summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brooke! Have a lovely week
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maureen! I love historical sights like this :)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Maria. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThat looks absolutely beautiful! What a gorgeous place that is! I'd love to visit one day.
ReplyDeleteSegovia is a very beautiful city. With a beautiful castle towering over it.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos.
I greet from far away Poland.
I had only really heard of Segovia's aqueduct before but the rest of the city looks so beautiful to explore - the Alcazar really does look like something from Disney, I can well believe he was inspired by it. There are so many Spanish cities I'd love to spend a weekend at, but this is definitely one of them. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
ReplyDeleteWow! That look incredible. What a wonderful adventure.
ReplyDeleteSegovia looks beautiful! Wouldn't mind a visit one bit! #CityTripping
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Segovia, but it's absolutely breathtaking. It looks like the Disney castle has come to life!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't you just get lost in the Royal Palace of la Granja de San Ildefonso?! It looks amazing. Hope it's not one of those palaces that they rope off 90% and only let you see a few rooms and the gardens.
ReplyDeletesuch a beautiful town! #citytripping
ReplyDeleteWow beautiful castle and pictures! Food seems also very very delicious ;)
ReplyDeletehttps://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/a-little-wonder/
what a beautiful city! Europe is so beautiful
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing trip! So beautiful. Definitely adding it to my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, that castle is breathtaking. What a sight, and you look lovely as always dear!
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
Absolutely! It's the prettiest place. You get to see a lot of the rooms and all the gardens so it's totally worth it
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing place. I love all the pictures and the food looks to die for! I would for sure love to visit .
ReplyDeleteAnd all this time I thought the Disneyland Castle was inspired by Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany!! You learn something new everyday!
ReplyDeleteLovely place and stunning pics. x
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous architecture and the food looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing place!! We have yet to travel to that part of the world yet, but when we do, we will have to take a trip there!!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Such a beautiful city. These pictures definitely made me feel like I was taking a stroll with you.
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks like something out of a fariy tale! I would love to just walk around an explore, as well as try all the tasty foods you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place to spend a weekend, but the food! WOW, some of those dishes looked amazing.
ReplyDeleteWow this is giving me wanderlust!! I LOVE that castle and totally agree- Rapunzel would have fit in nicely there. Also that food you had looked ah-ma-zing. Yum!!
ReplyDeleteThis place looks fantastic! Fabulous pictures! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Jessica
http://whattostyle.blogspot.com/
You photos are beautiful. I'd love to go to Segovia. The architecture is just amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt's like a fairytale city! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis place is so amazing! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou take the best pictures and describe such great cities. The food just looks and sounds delish!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mylittlenest.org
What a beautiful place - and somewhere I’m not familiar with - so thanks for the introduction! It does have a fairytale look to it and the aqueduct is incredible! Thanks for linking #citytripping
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an amazing place to visit and the food looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI agree Segovia is such a historical city, we visited a couple of years ago and the aqueduct is breath taking, you just can't believe the size of it. #farawayfiles
ReplyDeleteSegovia looks absolutely stunning, Cristina! The castle alone would make me want to visit but there's so much more to it too. I love smaller cities like this. Definitely adding to my wishlist. It's a wonderful share for #FarawayFiles
ReplyDeleteSomehow I missed beautiful Segovia on several trips to Madrid. I'm definitely going to have to rectify that. What a stunning place - as you say, straight out of a fairytale. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! I love your scarf and the bright colors of your bag with your red ball earrings. This place looks magical! I love the architecture and have never visited a castle. The food looks amazing as well.
ReplyDeletethanks for linking!
jess xx
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com