Segovia is a town in Spain, known for its Roman Aqueduct recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- . This Aqueduct was built to supply water to the Roman fort and settlement here, probably around 100 AD. Originally it gathered water from Rio Frio, in the mountains 17 km south, flowing to the south edge of town to be stored and filtered. From there it turns and makes its spectacular leap across the valley, 28.5 m above Plazas Artilleria & del Azoguejo, to enter the Old Town. You can't walk on the structure, the best vantage point is at the head of the stairway into Old Town at Postigo del Consuelo. It's often floodlit at night.
- The easiest way into the walled Old Town from Plaza del Azoguejo is to walk up Calle Cervantes. Halfway up, note Casa de los Picos ("The House of the Points"), a 15th C mansion with a facade studded with granite pyramids.
- Museo de Segovia, Calle Socorro 11, +34 921 460 613-15. Su 10:00-14:00; Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00 plus (Oct-Jun) 16:00-19:00 and (Jul-Sep) 17:00-20:00. Contains artefacts, models, and art related to the history, culture & lifestyle of the city and the surrounding region. Entry €1.20.
- Alcázar. Daily Apr-Oct 10:00-20:00, Nov-Mar to 18:00. Built around the 11th century, with the current facade added by Phillip II. The interior is decorated in a variety of styles including Romanesque, Gothic, Mudejar, and Renaissance. It's variously hosted the royal court of the Trastamara Dynasty, Isabella the Catholic, the wedding of Phillip II, and the Spanish Artillery Academy. The full entry ticket includes Palace, Artillery Museum and Tower of Juan II. Scenes from Orson Welles film Chimes at Midnight were filmed here. Full entry €8.
The easiest way into the walled Old Town from Plaza del Azoguejo is to walk up Calle Cervantes. Halfway up, note Casa de los Picos ("The House of the Points"), a 15th C mansion with a facade studded with granite pyramids.
Museo de Segovia, Calle Socorro 11, +34 921 460 613-15. Su 10:00-14:00; Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00 plus (Oct-Jun) 16:00-19:00 and (Jul-Sep) 17:00-20:00. Contains artefacts, models, and art related to the history, culture & lifestyle of the city and the surrounding region. Entry €1.20.
Alcázar. Daily Apr-Oct 10:00-20:00, Nov-Mar to 18:00. Built around the 11th century, with the current facade added by Phillip II. The interior is decorated in a variety of styles including Romanesque, Gothic, Mudejar, and Renaissance. It's variously hosted the royal court of the Trastamara Dynasty, Isabella the Catholic, the wedding of Phillip II, and the Spanish Artillery Academy. The full entry ticket includes Palace, Artillery Museum and Tower of Juan II. Scenes from Orson Welles film Chimes at Midnight were filmed here. Full entry €8.
Ski: Two small resorts in the hills nearby are Puerto de Navacerrada and Valdesqui.
You can buy nice pottery, typical not only of Segovia but of Castile as a whole. Take a look at the botijos, for storing fresh water.
Segovia cuisine is typical of Castille. Favourites are slow-roast suckling pig (cochinillo), roast lamb, veal & beef, sausages, fish (notably verdel, smoked mackerel), judiones bean stew, and salads. For afters, typical deserts are ponche segoviano and natillas.
Budget & quick eats:
- Cafeteria Orly, Bajada del Carmen, 2, +34 921 46 13 18. W-F & M 08:00-23:00, Sa&Su 12:00-00:00. Bar & coffee shop.
- Confiteria El Alcazar, 13 Plaza Mayor. Daily 10:00-20:00. Sweet sweet sweets, surly service.
- Lots and lots of Tapas places.
Mid-range & splurge:
- Mesón De Cándido, Plaza Azoguejo 5, +34 921 425 911. Daily 13:00-16:30 & 20:00-23:00. Renowned meson under the Aqueduct.
- Restaurante Jose Maria, Cronista Lecea, 11 (near Plaza Mayor, +34 921 461 111. Daily 09:00-01:00. An excellent meson, booking essential.
- El Sitio, Calle de la Infanta Isabel, 9, +34 921 46 09 96. Daily 09:00-03:00. Great tapas bar downstairs and a restaurant upstairs.
- Casa Duque, Calle Cervantes 12 (near Aqueduct. Daily 12:30-23:30. Rich selection of traditional Castilian fare.
Out of town:
- The Parador restaurant is excellent, see "Sleep" entry.
- La Postal, C/ Sacramento 22, Zamarramala (2 km north of Segovia, +34 921 12 03 29. M-Th 09:30-18:00, F-Sun 09:30-00:30. Views of Segovia and great food & drink.
- La Venta Vieja, Highway N603, km 80, Ortigosa Del Monte (S edge of Ortigosa, 10 km west of Segovia. 24 / 7. An excellent (but pricey) meson in the plains of Castille.
- Restaurante Marcial, Ctra. Nac. 110, Km. 227. Villacastin. Sun-Fri 06:00-22:30. This is near the junction of N110 between Segovia and Avila, and A6 from Madrid towards Leon. Very good meals.
Cafeteria Orly, Bajada del Carmen, 2, +34 921 46 13 18. W-F & M 08:00-23:00, Sa&Su 12:00-00:00. Bar & coffee shop.
Confiteria El Alcazar, 13 Plaza Mayor. Daily 10:00-20:00. Sweet sweet sweets, surly service.
Mesón De Cándido, Plaza Azoguejo 5, +34 921 425 911. Daily 13:00-16:30 & 20:00-23:00. Renowned meson under the Aqueduct.
Restaurante Jose Maria, Cronista Lecea, 11 (near Plaza Mayor, +34 921 461 111. Daily 09:00-01:00. An excellent meson, booking essential.
El Sitio, Calle de la Infanta Isabel, 9, +34 921 46 09 96. Daily 09:00-03:00. Great tapas bar downstairs and a restaurant upstairs.
Casa Duque, Calle Cervantes 12 (near Aqueduct. Daily 12:30-23:30. Rich selection of traditional Castilian fare.
The Parador restaurant is excellent, see "Sleep" entry.
La Postal, C/ Sacramento 22, Zamarramala (2 km north of Segovia, +34 921 12 03 29. M-Th 09:30-18:00, F-Sun 09:30-00:30. Views of Segovia and great food & drink.
La Venta Vieja, Highway N603, km 80, Ortigosa Del Monte (S edge of Ortigosa, 10 km west of Segovia. 24 / 7. An excellent (but pricey) meson in the plains of Castille.
Restaurante Marcial, Ctra. Nac. 110, Km. 227. Villacastin. Sun-Fri 06:00-22:30. This is near the junction of N110 between Segovia and Avila, and A6 from Madrid towards Leon. Very good meals.
Try the red wine and the "Ribera del Duero" in particular. There are also good white wines which are perfect with a good fish dish. If you have to drive, the bottled water is also excellent. Moreover, for people who like them, strong liquors are offered at the end of a good meal, after the almost mandatory coffee. Segovia city also has the DYC whisky distillery. The 8-year-old whisky has a good reputation among the local population.
Near the Plaza del Azoguejo you will find a number of nice bars.
- Ávila, 70 km west, is a charming walled old city. Another 100 km northwest brings you to Salamanca.
- Old cities of Castile and Leon are Valladolid, Burgos, and Leon itself.
- El Escorial is easily reached off the road south to Madrid.
- Reaching Barcelona, the Med coast, or Andalusia will involve travelling via Madrid.