Why this fairy-tale Spanish city should be your next holiday destination
Autumn is a perfect time to visit Segovia, a fairy-tale city that inspired Disney, says Annie Bennett.
Go now
The autumnal hues of the surrounding landscape make this hilltop city look even more magical, while lower temperatures make lunches of roasts even more appealing.
This Christmas is the 800th anniversary of the arrival of Saint Dominic, a key figure in Segovia’s history, with events including a street festival of tapas from Nov 23-30.
Fly to Madrid (55 miles from Segovia) from several UK airports including British Airways (britishairways.com) to arrive in Terminal 4, which has a train link with Chamartín station, where you get the train to Segovia (Avant services are half the price of Alvias – both take 27 minutes; renfe.com).
Stay here
From Segovia’s modern Parador (1 on the map above) (parador.es), on a hillside two miles outside the city, you have a spectacular view as well as a restaurant. Doubles from £120 including breakfast.
Right on the Plaza Mayor, the three-star Infanta Isabel (2) has pleasant rooms with classic décor. Doubles from £65 including breakfast.
Walk here
From the porticoed Plaza Mayor, admire the filigree spires of the late-Gothic cathedral (3) (catedralsegovia.es; admission €3; £2.60), then turn up Calle Marqués del Arco (4) to reach Alcázar castle (5) (alcazardesegovia.com; €8.50). On leaving, bear right, following the city walls, to reach the Jewish Quarter around Plaza de Socorro.
See this
The Roman aqueduct was built more than 2,000 years ago using granite slabs – with nothing sticking them together – to construct 118 arches across the Plaza del Azoguejo (6) and beyond.
Try this
The climate of Segovia provides ideal conditions for hot-air ballooning. Float over the rooftops with Siempre en Las Nubes (siempreenlasnubes.com), which has a balloon suitable for people with reduced mobility and wheelchair users. From €160.
Shop here
Calle Cervantes (7) leads gently upwards from the aqueduct, becoming Calle Juan Bravo along the way up to the Plaza Mayor. Pick up specialities such as Ibérico ham at Caprichos de Castilla (Cervantes 9; caprichosdecastilla.com).
Drink here
Join the locals on the terrace of La Concepción in the Plaza Mayor (restaurantelaconcepcion.com). Order a glass of Ribera del Duero red or Rueda white (€3).
Eat here
Book ahead at the renowned Mesón de Cándido on Plaza de Azoguejo (8) by the aqueduct (mesondecandido.es) and expect to pay around €60 for a three-course meal with wine. Or try José Maria near the Plaza Mayor (Calle Cronista Lecea 11; restaurantejosemaria.com) – around €50 for three courses with wine.
Off the map
Take a 20-minute bus ride from the bus station (sepulvedana.es) to La Granja de San Ildefonso to visit the opulent 18th-century royal palace and magnificent gardens (patrimonionacional.es; €9).
