Sunday in Segovia: Aqueduct, Suckling Pig and Alcázar

The plan

The day at a glance

Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.

09:00
Leave Madrid 1 h 15 by car
A-6 from Madrid; park at the University or next to the Aqueduct
10:15 1
Segovia Aqueduct from the Azoguejo
The empty Azoguejo and the climb to the wall viewpoint
15 min on foot
11:15 2
Royal Mint and Aqueduct Interpretation Centre
Going down to the Eresma · Sunday 10:00 to 14:30 · €5
15 min on foot
13:30 3
Mesón de Cándido
Suckling pig at the Azoguejo · open every day · booking required

Plaza del Azoguejo, 5, 40001 Segovia · +34 921 425 911

Restaurant €€€
Book
13 min on foot
15:30 4
Segovia Cathedral and Tower Visit
On Sundays it opens at 13:00 · €4
11 min on foot
16:30 5
Royal Alcázar of Segovia and the Tower of Juan II
Until 18:00 in winter · tower included, €10
18:15
Back home
You reach Madrid around 19:30

Approximate cost About €35–60 per person

Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.

The route

Segovia Aqueduct from the Azoguejo

Segovia is the simplest Sunday trip from Madrid: a little over an hour by car, half an hour by AVE and everything that matters on foot. The Sunday trick is the order. The municipal museums close at 14:30, the cathedral does not open until 13:00 and the Alcázar, in winter, closes at 18:00. So the morning is for the Aqueduct and the Mint, and the afternoon for the cathedral and the Alcázar.

The Day, Hour by Hour

9:00 · Departure. Along the A-6, a little over an hour to Segovia. Park in the University car park or one of those near the Aqueduct: the old town has restricted traffic. By AVE, get off at Segovia-Guiomar and continue by city bus or taxi to the centre, 6 km away.

10:15 · Aqueduct. At this hour the Azoguejo is almost empty. Look at the arches from below and climb the steps to the wall viewpoint. The Visitor Reception Centre, in the same square, opens on Sundays from 10:00 to 14:30.

11:15 · Royal Mint. Walk down towards the Eresma through the Puerta de San Andrés. Philip II's coin factory opens on Sundays from 10:00 to 14:30 and includes the Aqueduct Interpretation Centre. Admission, €5. There is a guided visit at 12:00.

13:30 · Lunch at the Azoguejo. Mesón de Cándido is open every day from 13:00 to 16:30. Suckling pig and La Granja judiones. Book before you leave home.

15:30 · Cathedral. On Sundays it opens from 13:00 to 18:30. Admission, €4.

16:30 · Alcázar. In November it is open until 18:00, with last entry at 17:30. Palace, museum and tower, €10. The Juan II tower gives you the best view of the city in the afternoon light.

18:15 · Return. You reach Madrid around 19:30.

Where and What to Eat

Roast suckling pig is the dish of the day. Cándido, at the Azoguejo, is the plan's option because it is open every day at midday. If you run late, José María, next to the Plaza Mayor, has its kitchen open without a break from 12:00. With children, order portions to share rather than a whole suckling pig.

With Children

The Aqueduct and the Mint, with its wheels driven by the river, work well. The Alcázar is popular for the castle and the tower, which has stairs and no lift. With a pushchair, beware of the descent to the Eresma: it has steep slopes.

Time45 min

The granite arches of the aqueduct over the Plaza del Azoguejo

David Corral Gadea · CC BY-SA 3.0 es

Change the route

With young children, if it rains or if you fancy something else: another stop that fits the same day.

The Alameda del Parral walk, beside the Eresma river

In good weather and if you feel like walking: Walk along the Eresma Valley to the Vera CruzWalk · 2 h 30 · Free · From the Azoguejo to the San Lorenzo district, the Alameda del Parral and the Vera Cruz, with the best view of the Alcázar.

The San Andrés Gate, in Segovia's city walls

If you prefer the Jewish Quarter to the Mint: San Andrés Gate, the City Walls and the Jewish QuarterWalk and visit · 1 h 30 · From €2 · Climb the walls at the San Andrés Gate and come down through the old Jewish Quarter.

A portion of roast suckling pig with a glass of red wine

If you arrive late for lunch: the kitchen does not close: José María RestaurantA roast house next to the Plaza Mayor with a tapas bar open from 10:00 and a kitchen that does not close at midday; suckling pig from its own farm.

Where to eat

Where to eat?

Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.

A dining room with a long laid table and a wrought-iron lamp

Mesón de Cándido

Restaurant · Segovia · €€€€

What to order: roast suckling pig and, to start, judiones de La Granja.

José María Restaurant

Restaurant · Segovia · €€€€

What to order: suckling pig with the guarantee mark from its own farm, or tapas at the bar if you are in a hurry.

Casa Duque

Restaurant · Segovia · €€€€

What to order: roast suckling pig or lamb from the wood-fired oven; tapas at Las Cuevas de Duque.

Map

The stops, in order

With where to park at each one.

What to do Eat 88 €Stay Services

Getting there

By car or without one?

By car

A little over an hour from Madrid along the A-6. Park outside the old town and walk: the centre has restricted traffic.

Without a car

AVE to Segovia-Guiomar in about 30 minutes and a city bus or taxi to the centre. There is also an Avanza bus to the station on Paseo Ezequiel González, minutes from the Aqueduct.

When to go

When to go to Segovia

All year. In winter the Alcázar closes at 18:00 and it gets dark early, so do not put the afternoon off. On Sundays the cathedral opens at 13:00 and the municipal museums close at 14:30. Avoid long-weekend Sundays if you have not booked a table.

J

F

M

A

M

J

A

S

O

N

D

Best timeGood timeLow season

Tips

Worth knowing first

1
Book lunch
The Azoguejo fills up at Sunday midday.
2
Do not leave the Alcázar for the end of the day in winter
It closes at 18:00 and last entry is at 17:30.
3
On a weekday, Wednesday is best
If you can move the day, the municipal museums are free on Wednesdays that are not public holidays.