Day trip to Segovia Spain
We rose early to catch the morning train from Madrid to Segovia! It took us about 30 minutes to arrive to this city of aqueducts and bull fights. Thankfully, no bull fights were happening on our visit. Ernest Hemingway was infatuated with the bull fights of Spain but I see it as a horrific act of inflicting pain on these poor bulls.
Anyway, the train station is set a bit out of the way so you must take a bus into town. My first impression of Segovia, at least at the train station, was “hmm… this is a mountainous Sahara”. Spain is also becoming popular as it is legal to mine cryptocurrencies here. Thus, the place is a favorite spot for crypto traders. Along with finding the trading strategies, it is important to find a reliable crypto exchange where they can trade safely. eToro is a reliable and safe crypto exchange that is ideal for trading. Visit https://coincierge.de/bitcoin-kaufen/etoro/ to know more details on eToro. We caught Bus #11 for 2 euros each and they dropped us off at the Roman aqueducts of Segovia.
We began sightseeing in the Old City. There were souvenir shops and restaurants geared towards tourists near the aqueducts. However, as you venture further into the heart of the cobble stoned town, the locals spoke mostly Spanish. I was pleased to see that these restaurant menus were not in English. Finally, a chance to practice more Spanish! So, what should you see with only one day to spend in Segovia? Have a look!
Catedral de Segovia
The location of the Catedral offers commanding views of the surrounding Sierra de Guadarrama foothills. It was the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain. There are 18 chapels articulately designed and, my favorite part, an Archive Room that preserves more than 500 antique books, including the Sinodal de Aguilafuente, the first book printed in Spain. The cathedral is in the Plaza Mayor in the center of the Old Town. Of course, there are numerous sidewalk cafes within this large plaza.*
Address: Plaza Mayor, Segovia
The Alcázar
The Alcázar served as the residence of King Alfonso VIII in the 12th century, and in the 13th century, the building was enhanced in the Gothic style for John II and Henry IV. *
Tourists can also ascend the Tower of John II to take in stunning panoramas of the town, the Sierra de Guadarrama, and the Meseta. They were breathtaking! You were able to see the full spectrum of this fortified city. I can imagine how well protected this place was as it is situated on a craggy, rocky hill!*
Address: Plaza de la Reina Victoria Eugenia, Segovia
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Aqueducts
Built during the “Flavio” period around 50 AD, the aqueduct channeled water 17 kilometers from the Acebeda River in the Sierra de Fuenfría mountains through a deep valley to the ancient city. There are 167 amazingly crafted arches!*
The aqueducts were some of the most incredible architecture I’ve seen thus far in Europe.
Address: Plaza del Azoguejo, Segovia
La Muralla Ramparts
Segovia is surrounded by arduous ramparts dating back to the 11th century. The ramparts feature blind arches, towers, and gates with horseshoe arches. Three of the old entrance gates remain: San Andrés gate, San Cebrián Gate, and Santiago Gate. (So I totally can’t find photos from the Ramparts but I think there are shots in my video above!)
Address: 2 – 3 Plaza del Socorro, Segovia
It was so hot that we often took refuge in shaded nooks and crannies of the city! Most of the sidewalk cafes were covered and out of the sun. There are at least 6 other Iglesias (churches) in the town and 1 monasterio (monastery).
We were back on the evening train to Madrid by 6 pm and felt lucky to have gotten the chance to see this city trapped in history! I recommend no more than a day here. That is plenty of time to see the sights and sample the cuisine! Our Day trip to Segovia Spain was quite the time travel!
Be Well and Travel Often!
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Resources: http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/segovia
About Author
Maegan and Michael are Adventurous Southerners who share their world journey and approach to living the travel lifestyle. You can expect humor and lighthearted banter blended with REAL travel stories and tips. Maegan is a registered dietitian, while Michael has an excerise science background, but both are outdoor lovers, and revel in the beauty of cultures unlike their own. Now, Maegan and Michael are working towards expat life through remote work. Join the adventure. Do you love to travel? Does your full time job or career prevent you from living the life you dream of? This is the duo to follow. Feel free to contact us if you have questions.