Segovia Holidays: Alcázar, Cathedral and Getting There
Provincia de Segovia · Castille and León · Spain · 51,683 residents
Royal Alcázar of Segovia
Segovia Cathedral
old main synagogue
Monastery of Santa Cruz la Real, Segovia
Monastery of Santa María del ParralSegovia is a city of around 51,700 people in Castille and León, set high on the Spanish plateau at almost 1,000 metres. It has no coast. People come for its stone: the Royal Alcázar, part of the Old City's UNESCO World Heritage listing, and Segovia Cathedral, both within a mile of the centre. Around them sits a dense cluster of monasteries, small museums and old houses, from the former synagogue to the Coining House. Madrid airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly an hour's drive away. Summer is short, hot and almost rainless, while winter is cold and damp. That makes Segovia a strong choice for a city break or a long day out from Madrid.
Why go
- The Royal Alcázar of Segovia, a castle and museum within the UNESCO-listed Old City, lies under a mile from the centre.
- Madrid airport has direct flights from the UK and sits only about an hour's drive away.
- July brings highs of 29°C and virtually no rain, ideal for exploring on foot.
Top sights in Segovia
Castle, cathedral and quiet cloisters
The Royal Alcázar of Segovia is the city's best-known sight. It is a castle and museum belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage Old City, about 0.8 miles from the centre. Segovia Cathedral is closer, at roughly 0.4 miles. Between them, these two take up much of a first day.
Segovia's religious buildings reward slower visits. The old main synagogue and the Monastery of Santa Cruz la Real are both around 0.3 miles away. The Monastery of Santa María del Parral is about 0.7 miles out, and San Antonio el Real and San Vicente el Real are each under 0.7 miles. Museum-goers can choose the Museo de Segovia, the Museo Zuloaga and the Casa-Museo de Machado. The Coining House, a former currency house now open as a museum, is another option, as is the Torreón de Lozoya, a tower that houses a museum. Nearby, the Casa de los Marqueses de Moya palace and the city's bullring complete the picture.
Tours and tickets for Segovia's sights can be booked directly on this page.
- 1Royal Alcázar of Segovia
- 2Segovia Cathedral
- 3old main synagogue
- 4Monastery of Santa Cruz la Real, Segovia
- 5Monastery of Santa María del Parral
- 6Museo de Segovia
- 7Museo Zuloaga
- 8The Coining House, Segovia
- 9Casa-Museo de Machado
- 10Torreón de Lozoya
- 11Monastery of San Antonio el Real
- 12Monastery of San Vicente el Real
1castleRoyal Alcázar of Segovia
1 mile from the centre · Photo
castle and museum of the Old City of Segovia (Spain), UNESCO World Heritage Site
- 2cathedral
- 3monastery
- 4monastery
- 5monastery
Monastery of Santa María del Parral
1 mile from the centre · Photo
cultural property in Segovia, Spain
6museum
7museum
8museumThe Coining House, Segovia
1 mile from the centre · Photo
former currency house and current museum in Segovia, Spain
9museumCasa-Museo de Machado
In the centre · Photo
10museum
11monasteryMonastery of San Antonio el Real
In the centre · Photo
monastery and cultural property in Segovia, Spain
12monastery
Tours & tickets in Segovia
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Segovia can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Segovia
Staying close to the old centre
Segovia is inland and compact, and every listed sight lies within about 0.8 miles of the centre. A base near the cathedral and the old synagogue puts you within a short walk of almost everything, including the Alcázar.
For something quieter, the small town of Palazuelos de Eresma is about 3 miles away. It suits travellers with a car who would rather head into the city each day. Live hotel prices for Segovia and the surrounding area are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Segovia and the villages around it is a hire car from Madrid (MAD), about 1 h away.
Best time to visit Segovia
When to visit Segovia
- 9°CJan154 mm
- 10°CFeb101 mm
- 13°CMar124 mm
- 18°CApr40 mm
- 19°CMay81 mm
- 24°CJun93 mm
- 29°CJul2 mm
- 30°CAug6 mm
- 23°CSept36 mm
- 19°COct154 mm
- 14°CNov103 mm
- 9°CDec60 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
July and August are the most reliable months. July averages highs of 29°C with just 2 mm of rain and no typical rain days. August is slightly warmer at 30°C, with around 6 mm of rain. Because of the altitude, nights stay fresh, with lows of 16 to 17°C.
April is a useful shoulder option, reaching about 18°C with only 40 mm of rain. September is also pleasant at 23°C. October and January are the wettest months, each with around 154 mm of rain, and October averages 17 rain days. From December to February, daytime highs sit around 9 to 10°C and nights fall to about 1°C. Segovia has no coastline, so sea temperatures do not apply.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9°C | 1°C | 154 mm | 6 h |
| Feb | 10°C | 1°C | 101 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 13°C | 4°C | 124 mm | 8 h |
| Apr | 18°C | 6°C | 40 mm | 12 h |
| May | 19°C | 7°C | 81 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 24°C | 12°C | 93 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 29°C | 16°C | 2 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 17°C | 6 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 12°C | 36 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 19°C | 10°C | 154 mm | 8 h |
| Nov | 14°C | 6°C | 103 mm | 7 h |
| Dec | 9°C | 1°C | 60 mm | 7 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights and drives from the UK
Madrid airport (MAD) is the natural gateway, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is about 42 miles from Segovia, roughly an hour by car.
Valladolid (VLL) is about 65 miles away, around an hour and a half's drive. Salamanca (SLM) is about 72 miles away, roughly an hour and three-quarters by road. Neither has direct flights from the UK, so most British travellers will find Madrid simpler.
If you would rather bring your own car, the drive from Calais takes around 17 and a half hours at the wheel. Plan it over at least two days.
By air
- Madrid (MAD)42 miles, about 1 h by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Valladolid (VLL)65 miles, about 1 h 32 min by road
- Salamanca (SLM)72 miles, about 1 h 43 min by road
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 17 h 23 min without stops.
Segovia is good for
Around Segovia
Villages and mountain towns nearby
Palazuelos de Eresma is about 3 miles away and Abades about 8 miles, both on the Castille and León side. Navas de Oro, about 24 miles out, is a little further.
Cross into the Madrid region and you reach a string of towns within easy reach. Rascafría lies about 13 miles away and Cercedilla about 15 miles. Navacerrada and Los Molinos are each roughly 16 miles from Segovia. Manzanares el Real, at about 21 miles, makes a good stop on the way back towards Madrid airport.
Tips from Robin
Practical points before you go
Segovia stands at almost 1,000 metres, so pack a layer even in summer. Nights drop to around 16°C in July, and winter evenings hover near freezing.
The sights are close together, all within about 0.8 miles of the centre, so comfortable shoes matter more than car hire once you arrive. Outside the dry summer months, rain is frequent, especially in October, so carry a waterproof between autumn and late spring.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Segovia from the UK?
Madrid (MAD) is the closest, about 42 miles away and roughly an hour's drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Valladolid and Salamanca are further away and have no direct UK flights.
Can I visit Segovia as a day trip from Madrid?
Yes. Segovia is roughly an hour's drive from Madrid airport. Its main sights, including the Royal Alcázar and Segovia Cathedral, all lie within about 0.8 miles of the centre, so a long day covers the essentials. An overnight stay lets you add the monasteries and museums.
What is the weather like in Segovia in summer?
July and August are hot and very dry. Highs reach 29 to 30°C, and July sees almost no rain. Thanks to the altitude of nearly 1,000 metres, nights stay cooler, at around 16 to 17°C.
Is Segovia cold in winter?
Yes. From December to February, daytime highs are around 9 to 10°C and nights fall to about 1°C. January is also one of the wettest months, with around 154 mm of rain, so bring warm, waterproof clothing.
What are the main things to see in Segovia?
The Royal Alcázar, a castle and museum within the UNESCO World Heritage Old City, tops the list, followed by Segovia Cathedral. Beyond those, you can visit the old main synagogue, several monasteries such as Santa María del Parral, and museums including the Museo de Segovia and the Coining House.
Is Segovia good for families?
Families will find plenty to do. Several museums, including the Museo de Segovia, the Museo Zuloaga and the Coining House, suit a family visit. The short distances between sights also make the city easy to explore with children.