Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage List city in Spain, right outside of the capital city, and it’s the perfect destination for a day trip from Madrid.

The question is:

How to get from Madrid to Segovia? 

That’s exactly what we’ll see in the guide below.

+ what to see once you’re in Segovia.

Let’s get to it!

 

segovia day trip from madrid spain

 

There are many ways to go on a day trip to Segovia; whether you choose to go from Madrid to Segovia by train, bus, car, or with a tour, it all comes down to personal preference. We will see below the pros and cons of each option, so you can choose the best option for you.

 

segovia cathedral from the plaza mayor from madrid to segovia by train

 

In this travel guide about a Madrid to Segovia day trip, you’ll find in the table of contents below everything that we’ll see, from how to get to Segovia from Madrid to what to do in Segovia. Simply click on the table to expand it, then click on any part you’d like to jump to.

 

Why is Segovia a Perfect Destination for a Day Trip from Madrid

Segovia is a good choice for a day trip from Madrid for 2 reasons: the Madrid Segovia trip is a really short one, and 1 day is enough to explore Segovia.

 

Short distance Madrid Segovia

Segovia is located in the north west of Madrid, in the Castile and León region, central Spain. In the region, you’ll find the fortified city of Avila, and the medieval churches of Valladolid.

How far is Segovia from Madrid? The Madrid to Segovia distance is only 100 km / 62 miles.

Getting to Segovia from Madrid will take you around 1 hour, making a Madrid to Segovia day trip really easy.

 

1 day is enough to explore Segovia

The second reason why Segovia is a good choice for a day trip is that you will be able to see most of the city in one day.

While Segovia is rather big, the city is pretty spread out. All of the must-see are in the same area, in the north of the city. In one day of walking around, you’ll have plenty of time to explore Segovia, without feeling rushed or feeling like you’re missing out on so many things.

 

the segovia cathedral one of the monuments you will see on a day trip from madrid to segovia

 

How to Get from Madrid to Segovia

The distance from Madrid to Segovia is pretty short (100 km/62 miles), which makes it an easy city to reach, whether it’s by car, bus or train.

You can see in the table below a quick comparison of the different ways to get to Segovia from Madrid based on time, cost, pros and cons.

 

 Time ⏱Cost :$:Pros ✅Cons ❌
Car ?1h3030€flexible
tiring, risk of traffic
Bus ?1h3010€cheapest option, drop off in front of the Aqueductlongest option
Train ?45mn27€quickest option
drop off far from the city center
Tour ?1h3039€live explanation, additional sights
most expensive option

 

Read below for more details on each means of transportation.

 

From Madrid to Segovia by Car

Renting a car is my favorite way to travel, because it gives me total flexibility. If you’re planning to visit other places after/before Segovia, I definitely recommend renting a car. If you’re only doing a day trip Madrid to Segovia, then it’s probably not the best option, since you won’t really need your car to explore Segovia.

 

Average Time

To get from Madrid to Segovia by car, you have 2 options: the freeway (with tolls), or the regular road (without tolls).

If you use the freeway, it will take you around 1h10 to reach Segovia.

Using the regular road, you will need around 1h30.

Since you don’t save that much time by using the freeway, I recommend taking the regular roads. It will save you some cash, and you’ll also enjoy the drive much more, going through the mountains and forests in the area.

 

Cost

The cost to get from Madrid to Segovia by car includes car rental and gas. I will exclude tolls because taking the freeway is really not necessary.

Car Rental: 10€

Renting a car from the Madrid airport for 1 day is really cheap, and unless you want a really fancy car, you’ll find one for around 10€, including unlimited mileage and insurance.

Get the best prices for your car rental here: Car rental in Madrid

 

Gas: 20€

With only 3h of driving, you won’t need to add that much gas before returning the car.

 

Tolls: Free

Use the regular roads. It’s only 20 minutes longer, and it’s a much nicer drive.

 

Parking: Free

As in most places in Europe, parking in Segovia is actually pretty expensive. But don’t worry, there are a few free parking around the city, to avoid additional costs.

Read more: Free Parking in Segovia

 

Total Cost: 30€

 

Obviously if you’re from Spain and already have a car, the cost to get from Madrid to Segovia by car will be reduced to 20€.

 

Madrid to Segovia by Car

⏱ Time: 1h30
:$: Cost: 30€
Pros: flexible
Cons: tiring, risk of traffic
Book here: Car Rental in Madrid – Best Prices

 

sunrise in the streets of segovia to madrid

 

From Madrid to Segovia by Bus

If you want to avoid the hassle of driving (or if you don’t have a driving license), there is another option to reach Segovia: taking a bus from Madrid to Segovia.

The autobus Madrid Segovia takes a little longer than the other transportation options, but it’s the cheapest option. What I love about the bus is that it takes you right in the center of Segovia, at the Aqueduct, ready to explore the city.

 

Average Time

To bus Madrid to Segovia takes around 1h30 to do the trip, and leaves from the Moncloa station.

 

Cost

The bus is the cheapest option to go from Madrid to Segovia, costing around 10€ for a return trip.

Get the best prices for your Bus Trip here: Bus Madrid Segovia

 

Madrid to Segovia Bus Timetable

The Bus Madrid Segovia runs every day, from 6:30am to 10:30pm, and there is on average 3 buses per hour.

To see all of the times, click here: Madrid Segovia bus timetable

 

 

Madrid to Segovia by Bus

⏱ Time: 1h30
:$: Cost: 10€
Pros: cheapest option, drop off in front of the Aqueduct
Cons: longest option
Book here: Bus Madrid Segovia

 

the segovia castle from the front during a segovia day trip from madrid

 

From Madrid to Segovia by Train

The third option for the Madrid Segovia day trip is to take the high speed train.

Taking the train from Madrid to Segovia is the quickest way to reach Segovia, in around 30 minutes. At around 23€ for a return ticket, it’s a cost-effective way for a single traveller to reach Segovia, but I would recommend renting a car if you’re travelling as 2 or more.

 

Average Time

To Madrid Segovia train takes exactly 28 minutes to reach its destination. However, the train drops you off in the Segovia AV train station, which is 5km (3 miles) away from the city center. You’ll have to take a bus or a cab to reach the Aqueduct, which will add at least 15 minutes to your trip (+ the waiting time).

 

Cost

A ticket for a return trip to Segovia from Madrid costs around 23€.

You will have to add the price for a bus ticket to and from Segovia city center, 2€ one-way ticket.

Book the AVE Madrid Segovia train on the RENFE website here: Train Madrid Segovia

 

Madrid to Segovia Train Timetable

The train Madrid to Segovia runs every day, from 6:40am to 11:00pm, and there is on average 1 train per hour.

To see all of the times, click here: Madrid Segovia train timetable

 

Madrid to Segovia by Train

⏱ Time: 45 minutes
:$: Cost: 27€
Pros: quickest option
Cons: drop off far from the city center
Book here: Train Madrid to Segovia

 

golden hour in segovia spain

 

Segovia Tour from Madrid

The last option to go from Madrid to Segovia is with a Segovia day tour from Madrid.

It’s the most expensive option, but it’s also the best way to discover Segovia, with a guide showing you around the city, with an added explanation of the city’s history, and additional impressive sights around Segovia.

 

Average Time

To tour will take you from Madrid to Segovia by bus, and it will take around 1h30. Once in the city, you will go on a 1h30 walking tour in the city with your guide.

In addition to exploring Segovia, you will also see the Eresma River Valley, and the peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

 

Cost

The day trip tour from Madrid to Segovia costs 45€.

Book your tour to Segovia here: Tour from Madrid to Segovia

 

Madrid to Segovia Tour

:$: Cost: 45€
Pros: live explanation, additional sights
Cons: most expensive option
Book here: Best Day Trip Tour Madrid Segovia

 

the acueducto de segovia from the city

 

So there you have them, the 4 ways to go from Madrid to Segovia. Whether you decide to drive to Segovia, take the AVE train from Madrid to Segovia, the Madrid bus to Segovia, or go on a guided tour, it all comes down to personal preference.

Now let’s go over what you should see in the city!

 

Exploring Segovia – What to do in Segovia for One Day

Now that you know how to get to Segovia, let’s look at what you can do once you get there, with one day in Segovia! We’ll go over what are the absolute must-see in the city, and what to eat in Segovia.

 

What to See in Segovia

Segovia is famous for 3 main monuments: the Cathedral, the Alcazar (castle), and the Aqueduct. Don’t worry, there are all in the same area, and you will have time to see them all during your day trip from Madrid.

 

Segovia Cathedral

The Catedral de Segovia is the first monument I visited in Segovia. Built in 1577, the cathedral is the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain, and what a cathedral!

 

south view viewpoint of the segovia cathedral

 

From the outside, the Segovia Cathedral looks incredibly imposing, with the fine details on the facade, and the massive bell tower sticking out above the city.

From the inside, it’s equally as stunning. With 21 chapels, a cloister, a museum, and much more, I highly recommend taking the time to visit.

 

 

Alcazar de Segovia

The second main monument in Segovia is the castle (alcazar in Spanish): the Alcazar de Segovia.

Honestly I wasn’t expecting to see such an epic castle, right outside of Madrid. Just look at the picture below to see how epic it is.

 

alcazar de segovia disney castle in segovia spain

 

Just like the cathedral, the castle is beautiful from the outside, but it’s also worth visiting. If you’re a history fan, you’re in for a treat.

My favorite part of the castle is the Torre de Juan II (tower of John II of Castile): you can go all the way up to the top of the tower, where you’ll have the best view over the city and the cathedral.

 

 

Aqueduct of Segovia

The third of the main monuments in Segovia is the Aqueduct, and it’s probably the most famous. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Aqueduct was built almost 2,000 years ago in the 1st century.

 

the double stone arches of the segovia aqueduct

 

If you’re coming from Madrid by bus or train, the Aqueduct will be the first thing you’ll see. Built with more than 25,000 granite blocks, stacked together without using any cement nor mortar, it’s truly an impressive sight to behold.

 

 

So there you have it, your answer to what to see in Segovia. Of course there are more to see in Segovia than these 3 main monuments, but these should be on top of your list. If you want more places to see, check out this walking tour guide, or scroll down to see the suggested itinerary below.

 

If you post your photos of Segovia on Instagram, tag them with #kevmrc so that we can see them!

 

What to Eat in Segovia

Segovia is famous for its epic monuments, but it’s also known in the world for a very particular dish: the Cochinillo Asado (roast suckling pig). Along with Ponche Segoviano, a sweet pastry, these are the 2 things I recommend eating in Segovia.

And obviously, you should also try local Spanish food (my fave is the tortilla española)!

 

Cochinillo Asado

The Cochinillo Asado, or roast suckling pig, is the specialty of Segovia. Cochinillo is incredibly tender, and the meat will literally melt in your mouth. So tender, in fact, that local chefs often use the edge of a plate rather than a knife to cut the pig when serving it.

 

Where to eat Cochinillo Asado: as it’s a local dish, you’ll find cochinillo in a lot of restaurants in Segovia. The one I’ll recommend is the Restaurante José María, that was recommended to me by a Segovian friend.

 

Ponche Segoviano

The Ponche Segoviano is a dessert, made of almond-based marzipan, custard, and caramelized sugar.

 

ponche segoviano dessert in segovia

 

It was the favorite dessert of King Alfonso XIII, and won the Universal Exhibition gold medal in 1929.

Where to eat Ponche Segoviano: the best place to get Ponche Segoviano is where it was invented, at the Confitería El Alcázar.

 

Make sure to try to other pastries too, they’re absolutely delicious! I may or may have not stuffed my face with dozens of them during my visit… 

 

Recommended Itinerary to See Segovia in 1 Day

To make it easy for you to explore Segovia on your day trip from Madrid, I’ve created a custom map, specially for you.

And yes, it’s free.

Here’s your Segovia Itinerary map:

How to use the map
Navigate: Click on the top left logo to open the side panel. You’ll see all of the spots in the itinerary; you can click on any to have more information
Download: To download the map, simply click on the “star” next to the title. It will automatically add the map to your Google Maps. In Google Maps, you will find it under Menu>Your Places>Maps

 

Note: the itinerary is a loop, so you can start it at any point. If you’re coming from Madrid by train or by bus, you’ll start the itinerary at the Aqueduct.

 

from madrid to segovia by train to visit the segovia cathedral

 

This itinerary will allow you to explore Segovia in the best way possible, to make the most out of your Segovia day trip. If you want more information about this itinerary, including photos and details about each place you’ll visit, click on the guide below.

 

What to Know Before Going to Segovia

If you’re planning to discover Segovia by walking around in the city, then I have a few tips for you.

These will help you make the most out of your visit in Segovia:

  • as for any walking tour, make sure to wear proper footwear! Sneakers are ok for this short walk, but hiking shoes are always recommended
  • wear sunscreen and a hat if it’s sunny; the sun is no joke
  • remember to be respectful when you enter places of worship: take off your hats, and be quiet
  • bring a thermos with you on your walk, you’ll be happy to have cold water/hot coffee with you when you sit down for a break

 

Best Activities & Tours in Segovia

If you want to make the most out of your trip to Segovia, you’ll find below a few selected activities that will take your visit to the next level:

 

Segovia Tour from Madrid

We saw this one above, it’s the full package for your day trip to Segovia. It includes the round trip transportation to/from Segovia, and the guided visit of the city.

See more here: Best Day Trip Tour Madrid Segovia

 

City Tour Segovia + Horse Riding Tour

This tour is my favorite tour for a day-trip to Segovia. It will take you from Madrid to Segovia, and then back.

In Segovia, you will have a guided tour of the city, by a professional guide, and the entries to the Alcazar and the Cathedral are included in the tour.

The cherry on top is the horseback riding experience: a 1h30 journey around the city, riding a horse in the valleys, with spectacular views over Segovia. Definitely a favorite of mine!

See more here: Segovia day trip + Horse riding experience

 

seeing the roman aqueduct de segovia from above after taking the madrid segovia bus

 

City Tour Segovia + Hot Air Balloon Experience

Not afraid of heights? Then you’ll LOVE this tour! Just like the 2 previous tours (day trips from Madrid to Segovia), this one will pick you up in Madrid and drop you back in Madrid at the end of the day.

In the city, you’ll go on a guided walking tour to explore the marvels of the city.

And then, you’ll get to experience Segovia like very few have: from above! During 1 hour, you’ll be above Segovia in a hot air balloon, seeing the city from a new perspective, and getting your dose of adrenaline. Truly the best way to see the city.

See more here: Segovia day trip + Hot Air Balloon Experience

 

Where to Stay in Segovia

This guide is for a Madrid day trip to Segovia, so you probably won’t be spending the night in Segovia. However, if you want more time to explore the city, or simply sleep in Segovia before heading out to other Spain cities (such as Avila or Toledo for example), you’ll find below the best hotels for your stay.

 

Budget: Hosteria Natura

Cheapest accommodation in Segovia, for around 30€ per night. It comes with private bathroom and free wifi.

 

hosteria natura segovia spain

 

This hostel has the best location, it’s right on the main square Plaza Mayor, and everything is within walking distance. There’s also A/C and heating in each room, for your comfort.

Best Prices: Hosteria Natura

 


Comfy: Hotel Spa La Casa Mudéjar

Very comfy rooms, with private bathroom, for around 65€ per night.

 

hotel spa la casa mudejar segovia spain

 

The two nice bonuses? It’s right next to the Cathedral, and there is a spa, the perfect place to go and relax after a long day of exploring Segovia!

Best Prices: Hotel Spa La Casa Mudéjar

 


Luxury: Hotel Infanta Isabel

If you’re looking for the perfect dreamy place to relax and enjoy your stay in Segovia, look no further.

 

hotel infanta isabel segovia spain

 

The Hotel Infanta Isabel might very well be your favorite place in the city; luxurious hotel, with stunning rooms, and incredible beds. What about the location? Well, you’ll have a view on the Segovia Cathedral straight from your room!

Best Prices: Hotel Infanta Isabel

 

Visit Spain

Planning a Madrid Segovia day trip? You can find below several other articles about this wonderful part of the world to help you plan your trip:

Segovia Guides:

Alcazar de Segovia, the Walt Disney Castle in Segovia

Segovia Cathedral, Complete Guide to Visit

Acueducto de Segovia, the Roman Aqueduct in Segovia

 

Check all my Spain travel guides here

 

Spain Guides:

Best Sunrise Spot in Mallorca

Segovia Self-Guided Walking Tour

 

I hope you enjoy your day trip to Segovia and the rest of your trip to Spain!

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply. Help other travelers and share this guide with the buttons below!

 

Photo credits: 11