Guides ·Itineraries

Days one and two: settle in and see the highlights

Spend your first two days covering the core itinerary: the aqueduct, cathedral, Alcázar, and city walls. Follow the 48-hour guide structure but take your time. Visit the aqueduct early on day one, then return at sunset for different light. Book a table at Mesón de Cándido for cochinillo on day one, and try Restaurante José María on day two to compare. Both serve the same dish with minor variations in crispness and seasoning. A quarter pig at either spot is €28, and both open at 1pm for lunch.

Use day two afternoon to explore side streets off the main tourist circuit. Walk through the Barrio de la Albuera east of Plaza Mayor, a residential zone with 15th-century houses and small plazas. Stop at Pastelería Limonero on Calle de los Leones for a napolitana pastry, €2, and strong coffee. The bakery has been open since 1958 and supplies many of the hotels in the old town. By the end of day two, you will know the layout and can move beyond checklist sightseeing.

Day three: La Granja de San Ildefonso

Take the 11am Linecar bus from Segovia bus station to La Granja, an 11-kilometer trip that costs €2.40 and takes 25 minutes. The palace and gardens were built in the 18th century as a summer retreat for Spanish royalty. Entry to the palace is €9, gardens are free except on fountain days when they charge €5. The fountains run on weekends from May to September at 5:30pm. The displays last 30 minutes and involve 26 monumental fountains in sequence. Arrive by 4:30pm to secure a viewing spot near the Neptune fountain.

If you visit on a weekday or off-season, skip the palace interior unless you have a specific interest in Bourbon decoration. The gardens alone justify the trip. Walk the tree-lined paths to the upper groves, about 45 minutes at a relaxed pace. There is a small café near the entrance selling bocadillos for €6 and cold drinks. Return to Segovia on the 6pm bus, or stay for an early dinner at Restaurante Real Sitio on Calle Infantes, where the menú del día is €18 with three courses. The last bus back to Segovia leaves at 9pm.

Day four: Pedraza and village lunch

Pedraza is a medieval village 37 kilometers northeast of Segovia, reachable by car or a once-daily Linecar bus that departs Segovia at 1pm and returns at 6pm, €5 each way. The village is tiny, walkable in 20 minutes, with a walled perimeter and a central plaza. The main draw is the atmosphere: cobbled streets, stone houses, and almost no modern signage. Entry to the village is through a single gate, the Puerta de la Villa. There is no admission fee.

Eat at Restaurante El Soportal on Plaza Mayor, where roast lamb is the specialty. A half portion of lechazo is €22 and serves two people with bread and salad. The restaurant opens at 1pm and closes by 4pm, so time your visit with the bus schedule. After lunch, walk the perimeter wall for views of the surrounding plains, then visit the Torre del Homenaje, a 13th-century keep that houses a small museum of regional pottery. Entry is €3. If you drive, you can extend the trip to include Sepúlveda, another 20 kilometers north, but the bus forces a tight schedule.

Day five: slow morning and museum circuit

Take a rest day in Segovia with no transport logistics. Start at the Thursday market in Plaza Mayor if your week aligns, or visit the smaller daily market at Mercado Municipal on Calle de Cronista Ildefonso Rodríguez, open 9am to 2pm. The market has produce, cheese, cured meats, and a small bar serving coffee and tortilla española for €5. Buy some local chorizo and Manchego to take home or eat as a midday snack in your hotel room.

Spend the afternoon at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Esteban Vicente on Plazuela de las Bellas Artes, dedicated to the abstract painter who was born in Segovia. Entry is €5, free on Thursdays. The museum occupies a renovated 15th-century palace with whitewashed galleries and natural light. The permanent collection includes 150 works spanning Vicente's career. After the museum, walk to the Real Casa de Moneda, the old royal mint on Calle de la Moneda, now a museum of coin production. Entry is €3 and includes a guided tour at 5pm on weekdays.

Day six: Ávila day trip

Ávila is 65 kilometers south of Segovia, connected by direct bus every two hours from 8am to 8pm. The trip costs €8 and takes 75 minutes. Ávila is famous for its intact medieval walls, which you can walk for €7. The circuit is 2.5 kilometers and takes about 90 minutes with photo stops. Enter at Puerta del Alcázar and exit at Puerta de San Vicente. The walls are exposed to wind, so bring a jacket even in summer.

After the wall walk, visit the Basilica de San Vicente, a Romanesque church from the 12th century with a carved tomb of three martyred siblings. Entry is €3. For lunch, walk to Restaurante El Almacén on Calle Cronista Cuesta, where the menú del día is €16 with regional dishes like judiones de El Barco, large white beans stewed with pork. Return to Segovia on the 6pm or 8pm bus. If you want more time, the last bus back is at 9pm, but check the schedule on weekends when frequencies drop.

Day seven: Sierra de Guadarrama or final old town walk

If you have energy for another outing, rent a car and drive 30 kilometers south to the Sierra de Guadarrama. The mountain range has hiking trails starting at Navacerrada pass, with routes from one hour to full-day treks. In winter, the Navacerrada and Valdesquí ski areas are small but functional, with day passes around €45. In summer, the pine forests and granite peaks offer cooler temperatures than the city. Pack a lunch because mountain restaurants are limited and expensive.

Alternatively, spend your last day revisiting your favorite Segovia corners. Walk the southern ramparts you skipped earlier, or return to the Monastery of Santa María del Parral for a quieter second look. Have a final cochinillo lunch at a third restaurant, Mesón Duque on Calle de Cervantes, where the price is €26 and the atmosphere is less touristy than Cándido. Finish with a late afternoon drink at Café Juana on Plaza Mayor, a local spot with outdoor tables and Ribera del Duero wine for €4 per glass. Your week ends where it started, at the aqueduct, for one last evening photo.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask before they set off on this one.

Rooms worth pairing with this guide.

Judería Hotel Spa La Casa Mudéjar

4.1/5 €71/ night

La Granja de San Ildefonso Parador De La Granja

4.5/5 €108/ night

San Millán Hotel Corregidor

4.0/5 €84/ night

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