Madrid to Segovia, A Day Trip
For months Andrew and I have been waiting to receive our residency cards (permesso di soggiorno) for Italy. It took about nine months of waiting, and let’s just say I wasn’t exactly patient. Without the cards, we cannot leave Italy due to the fact that we may not be allowed back into the country. That would be a problem. Anyways, we finally got them, and immediately I started looking at countries to visit. That is how we eventually made it from Madrid to Segovia.
Why Madrid?
I recently discovered this awesome website called Site Scanner, it searches for the cheapest possible flights during entire months or for specific time periods. So if I just want to see the price of flights in November, but not a specific day I can do that. In Europe, we found flights for less than $20 round trip! Berlin, Prague, Paris…The problem? Accommodation in these cities was significantly expensive.
I was talking to my mom and she brought up the fact that she knows someone with an apartment in Madrid, Spain. Hmmm, I hadn’t thought of Madrid. But free accommodation was a huge plus for a couple on a budget. So we found a sitter for sweet Wally and headed to Madrid. This would be our first trip to Spain.
We flew out of Pisa directly to Madrid. The flight takes just over two hours, it’s still mind-blowing to me how you can make it to a new country in such a short time. Coming from the USA, this speedy travel to other countries is almost unheard of.
Madrid
Madrid is the capital of Spain, and like most capitals, it is a large bustling city. In the morning’s people rush off to work on the metro (one of the best I have ever seen) and cars fill the streets. In the evening’s things slow down, the tapas bars start to fill, people enjoy a drink or two with friends before heading home for dinner. I thought meals started late in Italy, but in Spain, it is even later. It is not uncommon to eat at 10 PM.
With a beautiful park, a palace, and so many restaurants, it may be hard to imagine why we would leave, even if just for a day.
Vacation Day Trips
Andrew and I love to make our way to a fun central location, somewhere with great food and fun things to do. We spend a couple of days enjoying places like Madrid, and then we enjoy venturing off to nearby areas. We did this in Amsterdam and loved it and so we have started to incorporate it into our travel itineraries.
Having a home base is so nice as you don’t have to continuously pack up your belongings and waste time checking into different hotels. It allows you to settle down and feel more relaxed. I highly recommend it to other travelers.
While in Madrid we made two different day trips. One was to Toledo and the other to Segovia. Segovia was our favorite of the two. It is a little bit bigger and offers many different activities and attractions.
Something to be aware of when visiting from Madrid is that it is at a higher elevation. This means that it is much cooler. We made this discovery on a cold cloudy day in the fall. But with a hat, scarf, and warm jacket/layers you will be just fine. Oh and maybe an umbrella, just in case. It sprinkled on us and it added to the chill.
Madrid to Segovia
To make it from Madrid to Segovia, we used the extraordinary metro system to get to Chamartin train station. Here we hopped on a high-speed train to Segovia station. It takes about 27 minutes to travel from Madrid to Segovia.
Once at the station in Segovia, you will exit the station and then board a bus to the town. You pay for the bus fare on the bus. Make sure to bring cash with you.
Madrid to Segovia Transportation
Train
Stations: Chamartin Station – Segovia
Time: 27 minutes
Cost: Euro 13.90 – 22.15
Bus
Station: Madrid Moncloa – Segovia Calle los Barreros
Time: ~1hr 20min (depends on bus, nonstop)
Cost: 5-6 Euros
Car
Time: 1hr 16min
Travel Notes
- Make sure to bring your passport with you. You will need your passport to purchase any train ticket in Spain. (excludes metro)
- Trains book quickly, make sure to buy your tickets from Madrid to Segovia early as well as your return tickets.
- Bring cash for the bus fare from the train station to Segovia
- The bus is a great alternative to the train. It takes a little bit longer but is much cheaper.
Arriving in Segovia
From the Train Station
If you are taking the bus from the train station, then you will be dropped off next to the famed Roman aqueduct. You have probably seen pictures of the enormous structure, but like many things, it does not compare to seeing it in real life.
When we arrived, we immediately started gazing at the towering aqueduct that is built with classic Roman arches. We found all of the vantage points we could take photos to share with our friends and family.
From the Bus Station
The bus station is in a wonderful location as it is adjacent to the old town of Segovia. Once you make your way out of the station cross the street (N110). Turn right and then take the next left on Avenida del Aculeducto. This will bring you down to the aqueduct where you can start exploring the old town center and make your way to the cathedral and castle.
What To See In Segovia
You came all the way from Madrid to Segovia, so you are probably expecting to fill your day with stunning sites and experiences. And in Segovia, you will be able to do just that. We loved exploring the winding streets, getting lost (more on that later), and seeing the beautiful architecture.
So here are some of the top things to see and do on your day trip from Madrid to Segovia.
What to See and Do in Segovia, Spain
Aqueduct of Segovia
The Aqueduct of Segovia is a can’t miss on your day trip from Madrid to Segovia. Literally, you cannot miss it. It is ENORMOUS! It towers over the old town and looks as though it was transplanted right out of Rome. And it is no wonder either, as it was designed and built by the Romans.
Built during the time of the Roman Empire, in the first half of the century A.D., the aqueduct supplied water to Segovia from the river Frío. The stunning structure still carries water over 16km through rolling terrain. It is said to be one of the most well-preserved works of Roman Engineering. I am in awe of how it is still in use this many centuries later!
The part of the aqueduct that you will see stands with two stories of arches, two stories were necessary to accommodate for the changing elevation in terrain. Amazingly the builders used approximately 24,000 stones and NO mortar! Physics is so cool!
The aqueduct of Segovia is in itself a fantastic reason to make the trek from Madrid to Segovia.
Photo by Hudson Fega on Unsplash 
Catedral De Segovia (Cathedral of Segovia)
Looming over the town center is the magnificent gothic cathedral. Like the aqueduct, it is hard to miss with its high towers keeping watch over the town. The exterior of the cathedral is adorned with spires, gargoyles, and intricate decorations. Construction started in 1525 under the rule of Charles V after a previous standing church was destroyed in wartime.
When you enter you are greeted by a seemingly bare interior. The pillars tower above you to ceilings that are not adorned with detailed frescoes but instead elegant yet simple lines and patterns. But as you make your way around the outer walls you will find small inlets that are adorned with art and altars.
Downstairs you will find a gallery of paintings and tapestries. There are many nooks and crannies to be explored, and at times you can even climb to the top of the tower.
We enjoyed walking around and admiring the simple yet humbling architecture of the interior of the cathedral. Andrew loves visiting old churches, I admit they are not my favorite thing to do but this was an exception.
The entrance to the Cathedral is €3 and it is worth it, even for those that are not Catholic. The belltower is open for guided visits for €7.
Find more information on their website.
Alcázar of Segovia
One of our favorite stops in Segovia was the Alcázar. But let me warn you, do not use Apple Maps to get to it! Google all of the way on this one, unless you want to take a very pleasant albeit out-of-the-way journey with stairs. I made this mistake if you hadn’t guessed. We ended up going down into a small valley park with quiet and nice walking paths. The trail brought us around the bottom of the cliffside that holds the castle at the top.
Looking back it was actually a fun wrong turn to make. We found some sweet and playful cats, enjoyed a nice walk and got our cardio for the day while climbing the stairs to the castle.
But this does not have to be your destiny, it is actually very easy to just follow the lane past the cathedral and end up at the magical castle.
The Alcazar of Segovia looks like it came right out of a fairy tale, and it is even rumored to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella castle. It was a home for Spanish Kings until Spain’s capital moved to Madrid, then it became a state prison and later the Royal Artillery School.
Now you can visit the castle and admire the living quarters of old Kings, make sure to look up and admire the intricate ceilings. The beautiful tile work on the walls is one of my favorite things to admire. After admiring the suits of armor, thrones, and art, you can make your way into the museum side of the castle.
In the museum, all of the descriptions are in Spanish, so hopefully, you have a translation app on your phone. Or just look at all of the old cannons and other wartime paraphernalia. The museum is not very large so it will not take you too long to make your way through. Afterward, you can poke your head into the small gift shop.
We had purchased a ticket that allowed for access to the high tower. I highly suggest this as it provides spectacular views. Access is only provided at specific times and will be shown on your ticket. If you are claustrophobic the stairs may prove to be a little bit triggering, as they are very narrow and steep.
The views at the top are stunning. You can see the rooftops of the different parts of the castle, the spectacular cathedral, and the Spanish countryside. It can be quite windy up there, so hold onto your hats.
Tickets
Palace and Museum of Artillery: € 6.00
Full Entry: € 9.00 (includes entry to tower)
Find more information on their website
Explore Old Town
One of our favorite things to do in a new town is to just walk up and down the streets. Poke our heads into shops and admire the intricacies of the ancient buildings. Segovia won’t disappoint you with its quaint streets and cute shops. The only issue we ran into was the siesta. In the mid-afternoon around 2-5, shops and restaurants will close down.
In larger cities, like Madrid, you don’t see this very much, but in the smaller towns and villages, it is common. We were bummed to miss out on visiting a lot of local shops due to this.
You can find different vantage points to view the aqueduct, explore the parks, and simply wander.
Where to Eat in Segovia
The food in Spain is amazing. Don’t get me wrong, I love Italian food, but Spain also is a master in the kitchen. Segovia is famous for its meat, specifically its ‘Suckling Pig’. As vegetarians, we were not keen on trying this dish.
On the bus from the train to Segovia, we met a nice mother-daughter duo who were also doing a day trip. We happened to mention that we are vegetarians and they brought out Rick Steve’s travel book and showed us a vegetarian restaurant that he had listed. I am a big Rick Steve’s fan, so we put it on our mental list of places to go.
La Almuzara
*Vegetarian
La Almuzara is a cozy little restaurant that is located between the Alcazar and the cathedral. It serves delicious vegetarian food and large portions. The dishes range from pizzas and pasta to crepes, soups, and salads. I personally recommend this for vegetarians as well as meat-eaters.
Address: C. Marqués del Arco, 3, 40003 Segovia
Tuma
Another vegetarian-friendly restaurant that also caters to the meat-eaters, Tuma is a Lebanese/Mediterranean restaurant. It is located with a nice view of the aqueduct and has a good selection of beers. If you want to mix up the type of cuisine your having, this is a perfect choice. It is always a good idea to call ahead and make a reservation as it is not that big of a place and is very popular.
Address: C. Sta. Columba, 5, 40001 Segovia
Phone: +34 651 34 51 52
When To Visit Segovia
The summers are hot and the winters are cold in Segovia. When traveling from Madrid to Segovia, remember to check the weather as it is probably different from Madrid, even though it is a short way away.
The best months to visit for warm weather and limited rainfall are May-September. Be aware that July and August are the warmest months reaching about 25-29 deg Celsius. January is Segovia’s coldest month with temperatures dropping as low as 9 deg Celsius.
What to Bring On Your Day Trip From Madrid to Segovia
You don’t need a lot for your day trip. But there are a few things that I have found to be very helpful during our day trips. Especially when we went from Madrid to Segovia.
What to Pack
- Camera/phone
- Battery pack to recharge phone
- I find this very useful as using google/apple maps sucks up the battery.
- Reusable water bottle
- Warm hat and scarf
- Especially from October-May
- You may not need it in Madrid, but the weather will change.
- Hand sanitizer
- It is easy to find travel size hand sanitizers in pharmacies, grocery stores and even places like Sephora.
- And currently, you still need that good old face mask
From Madrid to Segovia, A Day Trip
I hope that you now feel more comfortable about your day trip from Madrid to Segovia. It is completely doable in one day. Just remember to book your tickets early (trainline.com is great,) bring your passports to book said tickets, know that it will be cooler than Madrid, and have a great time!
If you miss the train or it is booked up, don’t worry! You can always take the bus, that is what we ended up doing.
We truly enjoyed our time in Segovia. It is such a charming city with several magical sites to see.
