travel
guide
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Roman Aqueduct
It is commonly believed that the Aqueduct of Segovia was built by the devil himself for a young Segovian girl who was tired of walking down to the city’s fountains for water and who was willing to do almost anything in order to avoid the hard work. One day the devil offered to build her a bridge in exhange for her soul, and she agreed providing that he could have it built in a single night. Apparently, the devil nearly completed the task, but when the first rays of the sun appeared over the horizon he still had one more stone to put into Place . There are those who say that the holes in the stones are really the devil’s fingerprints.
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A complete tour of Segovia should begin in Azoguejo Square, a key nexus in Segovia’s communication network. 
From this square you can get an impressive view of the Roman Aqueduct, the most emblematic monument in the city. The aqueduct was built by the Romans in the I century a.C. in order to bring water to the city from Fuenfría, a natural spring 17 km away. Made up of 163 granite arches which reach a height of 29 metres above the ground, the Aqueduct spans over 700 metres from side to side over the city of Segovia. Over the course of time and especially in the last few years, the Aqueduct has really suffered from the traffic, which thankfully has now been restricted in the immediate area. From Azoguejo you should take the Calle Real, a long commericial street which is actually two: the Calle Cervantes and the Calle Juan Bravo. A walk along here affords the best views of Segovia’s historical district, including architectural wonders from the XV to the XX century and all the city’s historical periods in between. The first stop on the Calle Real is the Mirador de la Canaleja, a vantage point from which you can overlook San Millán and this neighborhood’s romanesque temple. Located just before you get to the San Martín gate and the Casa de los Picos [House of Pointed Spires], you can also see the Guadarrama mountain range and the silhouetter of Mujer Muerta Mountain [Dead Woman]. Just after the Mirador is the Casa de los Picos, which sports a unique diamond-shaped pointed-spire façade of granite (
during the winter months Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00, weekends from 12:00 to 14:00 and 19:00 to 21:00, and during the summer months daily from 12:00 to 14:00 and from 19:00 to 21:00; visitors have access to the Exhibit Hall and the patio; 
free). Continuing along the Calle Juan Bravo to the tiny Plaza del Platero Oquendo, you’ll find the Conde Alpuente Palace, which dates from the XV century. There is a narrow alleyway leading to La Alhóndiga, a building used by the Catholic Kings, Ferdinand and Isabela, as a grain storage facility; this building’s façade is decorated with the shields of the city’s nobility and today is the seat of the City Archives ( from 6:00 to 21:00). Returning to the Calle Real, you’ll get to San Martín, a three-nave church with a domed tower over the central crossing and one of the largest porticos of a romanesque church in Spain ( church museum from 12:00 to 13:00).
Plaza Mayor of Segovia
The Calle Juan Bravo takes you to the Plaza del Corpus, where the Corpus Christi Church is located. The church is a former synogogue which in 1899 burnt down in a fire and was only reconstructed at the end of the last century ( Tuesday from 16:00 to 19:00, Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 19:00; gratuity). From her you can go down the Calle Isabel la Católica until you reach the Plaza Mayor, where it is well worth a stop at one or more of the coffee shops under the Plaza’s arches. Back in 1532, the Plaza became larger because San Miguel Church, formerly located in the middle of the Plaza Mayor, collapsed and was reconstructed to one side. Isabel, the Catholic Queen, had been crowned Queen of Castille in San Miguel in 1474 when it was a romanesque style church, though when it was reconstructed later it was built in Gothic style using the materials from the old building. The completion of the Segovia City Hall Building and the Juan Bravo Theatre, in 1917, gave the Plaza Mayor the look it has today.
AIR BALLOON OVER SEGOVIA
Visitor Centre offers a 2 hour hot air ballon trip over the city in a wonderful experience to see a great panorama of Segovia.
Segovia's Cathedral
The area surrounding the Plaza Mayor is well-stocked with different noble buildings and palaces that make a nice atmosphere for a stroll up towards the Cathedral. Segovia’s Cathedral has been called the “Lady of Cathedrals,” as its harmonious design and grandiose spaces make it a marvel. Designed by Juan Gil de Hontañón and built between 1525 and 1577, it is a good example of late gothic Spanish architecture. It has three naves with side chapels along them, an impressive central nave crossing, and a semicircular transept with an ambulatory. The Cathedral’s interior has a number of unique features: stained glass windows dating from the XVI century, a XIV century main altarpiece dedicated to Our Lady of Peace, a wooden choir seating structure from the end of the XV century, baroque organs, wrought iron gating, and a neoclassic decorative structure behind the choir which holds an urn containing a relic of San Frutos. The gothic cloister, which was built in 1470, belonged to the old romanesque cathedral which the gothic one rePlace d ( until 26th October from 9:30 to 18:30, from 26th October until March from 9:30 to 17:30; 3 €, organized groups and retired people 2 €, free on Sundays from 9:30 to 13:15; on Sunday during free entrance the Cathedral Museum and Cloister are closed).
Alcázar
Heading towards the Plaza de la Merced, you’ll walk righ past the Marqués del Arco Palace, a XVI century building noted for its Renaissance patio, and past the last remaining buildings of the city’s Jewish quarter and the Corral del Mudo. San Andrés, a romanesque church, is located in the Plaza de la Merced, whose vegetation and shade make it one of the city’s most inviting places. Next is the Segovia Antonio Machado House (1875-1939) -in Desamparados, 5- where the famous writer live from 1919 to 1932 ( Wednesday to Sunday 11:00 to 13:30 & 16:30 to 19:30; 1.50 €). Past the park you’ll see the Alcázar, a military fortress erected atop an outcrop of rock between the Eresma and Clamores rivers. Though its earliest origins are unknown, there is documented evidence from 1122 that indicates it may have be used as a fortress during Roman times. The Alcázar’s strategic location made it a favourite refuge for the Kings of Castille during the Middle Ages. The building´s current structure is due to construction dating from the period mid-way between romanesque and gothic, though it also has some cisternian features. The Torre del Homenaje [Homage Tower], with its canon-shaped roof slope, is one of the most outstanding parts of the building; this tower was used as a weapons depot. Besides being a fortress and royal residence, the Alcázar also served as a prison, as the seat of the Real Colegio de Artillería, and since 1898 as the Main Military Archives. Currently, the Alcázar de Segovia Patronage Society runs the museum ( daily October to March from 10:00 to 18:00, April to September 10:00 to 19:00; adults 4.50 €, students 2 €, 3rd Tuesday every month free for EU citizens). Coming back to the center through the balconies over Clamores river you reach Segovia Museum -in Socorro, 11- where it shows the city history through 1.500 pieces in an ancient butchery used from XV century ( from 1 July to 30 September from Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 14:00 & 17:00 to 20:00, Sunday 10:00 to 14:00, from 1 October to 30 June from Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 14:00 & 16:00 to 19:00, Sunday 10:00 to 14:00; adults 1.20 €, reduced 0.60 €, free for groups and under 15 y.o.).
surroundings
LA GRANJA
At only 11 km from Segovia, surrounded by the Guadarrama Mountain Range, is the Real Sitio de La Granja de San Ildefonso. In an attempt to imitate the Palace of Versailles, Spanish king Phillip V built this royal residence for his own retirement after 1724; his successor, Alphonse XIII, used it as a summer retreat. The palace is decorated with fresco-covered valuted ceilings, valuable paintings, tapestries and XVIII and XIX century furnishings (
bus operated by La Sepulvedana leave from the Segovia bus station; April to September from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00. and from October to March from 10:00 to 13:30 and from 15:00 to 17:00 and on Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00; 4.50 €, guided tour 5 €, children under 16, 2.50 €). You should spend some time visiting La Granja’s gardens, which are full of monuments, mythological sculptures, and fountains, and even a labyrinth ( gardens open daily in October and March 10:00 to 18:30, in April from 10:00 to 19:00, and from November to February from 10:00 to 18:00, in May, June and September from 10:00 to 20:00, and in July and August 10:00 to 21:00; free entrance until 15:00, adults 3.40 €, children under 16, 1.70 €; on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, four different sets of fountains operate from 17:30, though the four fountains chosen alternate from day to day). The Office of Tourism at La Granja is located on the Paseo del Pocillo (
921 470 018), and is open on Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 to 15:00 and from Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00.
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Pedro Arahuetes García
Azoguejo, 5. Probably the most famous restaurant in Spain, with the title of “Highest chef in Castille”. A world famous roast pork. 
Valdeláguila, 3. Located in the ancient chapel from Minimos Convent and later Miñon Theatre. Anothe venue for roast pork and chicken soup. Casa Vicente, 
Colón, 1. The best option is the daily menu and the worst the small portions and the non menu items. Cueva de San Esteban, 
Valdeláguila, 15. In an ancient house with another famous roast pork and goatling. Anothe good option is nut or endive salad. Di-Vino, 
Valdeláguila, 7. Probably the biggest cellar in Segovia. Nice decor and tasty menus for all budgets. 
Cervantes, 12. Another roast restaurant, a ‘must’ in every visit to Segovia. La Judería, 
Judería Vieja, 5. Traditional castillian cuisine and sephardic, with modern ‘pinchos’. Maracaibo-Casa Silvano, 
Paseo Ezequiel González, 25. A noisy restaurant of modern cuisine next to bus station. Mesón La Oficina, 
Cronista Lecea, 10. Anothe historical restaurant in Segovia in an impressive medieval building.
Plaza del Corpus y 
Avenida Fernández Ladreda, 19. Busy cafe with a wide coffee, tea and chocolate menu. Tómate un café aquí, 
Avenida Fernández Ladreda, 14. Just in front off the previous one, with the same kind of menu and home-made cakes. 
Plaza Mayor, 9. At the ground fllor of ancient Juan Bravo Theatre, from which terrace you have greatests views from Segovia life. La Oja Blanca, 
Plaza Mayor, 7. Smaller one and focused on youngers. A good chocolate for those heavy Segovia winters. 
Travesía Escuderos, 3. Nice latin tavers with a small snack menu. They also offer teas, coffees and a superb carrot cake. Café del Mercado, 
Paseo Ezequiel González, 20. A big cafe at the bus station building with mixed plates and Segovia menus.
Plaza de la Rubia, 2. A greatest Irish pub with a wide menu of spirits and beers. 
Cocktails and good music in a site with darts game. El Hoyo, 
Santo Tomás, 12. Soft lights for a same street pub, which also opens during day time. 
Escuderos, 7. This is a new Irish pub in a narrow street beside plaza Mayor. Wide option of whiskies and beers. 
Escuderos, 3. Modern and stylish pub next to the previous one. Lounge music getting into house at midnight. Menorá, 
San Frutos, 19. At the entrance of Jewish quarter, right beside the cathedral. They offer mojitos and monthly offers on spirits. 
Av. Fernández Ladreda, 25. The Segovian version of the famous beach club. Good option for late nights.
Escuderos, 2. One of the oldest taverns in Segovia. It opens as a tavern during day-time and as a club at night.
