Madrid to Segovia Excursion
Segovia is a short excursion from Madrid. It is a beautiful, vibrant city which epitomises Old Castile. Although
only a small town, it has a remarkable number of outstanding architectural monuments and
is a popular weekend destination for Madrileños seeking the traditional Castilian
culinary specialities of conchinillo asado (roast suckling pig) and cordero
asado (roast lamb).
Having stopped briefly at a panoramic
viewing point to the north of the city we will visit the 13th century church of Vera Cruz
which lies below the main city. From here we head into the Plaza Mayor, at the heart of
the old town, which is shadowed by the 16th century Gothic cathedral.
The
city’s major attraction which spans 800m across the Plaza del Azoguejo is the Roman
aqueduct which is one the the finest and best-preserved examples of its kind. This marvel
has stood here for around 2000 years without any mortar to support it. The other principal
attraction is the Alcázar (fortress) which dates back to the 14th century and was the
fortified palace of the kings of Castile. In more recent times it has acted as the model
on which Disney based his fairy-tale castle.
After lunch we will visit the Bourbon summer palace of La Granja which
was built in the early 18th century by Philip V, Spain’s first Bourbon king. A stroll
through the beautiful gardens with their spectacular fountains, surrounded by the
mountains of the Sierra De Guadarrama, makes a pleasant break before heading back into
Madrid.
Use the link below to pre-book a coach excursion to Segovia from Madrid
or a private tour with English speaking driver and tour guide.
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Approximate Duration: 9 hours
Approximate Duration: 9 hours
