Spain has always been a popular holiday spot for Britons with the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Balearics usually seeing a heavy influx of UK tourists during the summer months.
The notion of “hidden gem” destinations across the world has also become more appealing to tourists on the hunt for less crowded beauty spots.
There’s one lesser-visited destination near the Spanish capital that’s well worth a visit. Nestled among the rolling foothills of the mountains that separate the Metropolitan area of Madrid from Castile y Leon, Segovia is one of Spain’s most tempting destinations.
Its historic past is easy to see in its stone and terracotta architecture, but Segovia has something more. The city is believed to have been founded by Hercules himself, so it has quite the fairytale charm.
It’s home to some impressive architecture and landscapes, including an enormous Roman aqueduct and the Alcázar of Segovia.
Segovia is reachable by car in just over one hour from Madrid, situated around 90km northwest of the capital. According to Go Ask a Local, you only need a full day to see the main sights in Segovia, but it’s recommended to stay overnight.
One local claimed that “the atmosphere here [in Segovia] is really special in the evening”. They added: “During the day, the city fills up with day-trippers pouring in from Madrid, which gives it a lively energy, but at times, a fair deal of crowds. However, most visitors leave by late afternoon or early evening, and as Segovia empties and quiets down, you’ll feel like you’ve got it all to yourself.”
The walkable destination is easy to explore on foot and holds the status as a World Heritage City, with unique sights that can be worked into the perfect city break.
An old Jewish quarter, grand mansions, outstanding views and a green belt which is ideal for a pleasant stroll in the sunshine can all be found here, and that’s before exploring the offering of local cuisine.
According to TripAdvisor, the picturesque old city boasts the highest concentration of Romanesque churches in all of Europe, so it’s perfect for culture and history lovers. Plus, with plenty of pedestrian-only streets and features including a medieval wall border and two rivers, the Castillan destination has beautiful scenery on every corner.
Recent TripAdvisor reviews for Segovia have praised the Spanish city for being easy to navigate and very memorable, with one visitor writing: “Visited Segovia as part of an organised tour. We completed a walking tour of the walled city and had a great look at the Tomas Aqueduct, which was fantastic. The aqueduct is one of the best preserved in the world, it was very impressive. The cathedral, square and Alcazar are all worth a visit.”
Following a visit to the aqueduct, the top-rated attraction in the area, another visitor chimed: “Amazing to think how they built it so long ago! It’s very photogenic and very accessible. No need for a ticket either! Sit and watch the world go by and enjoy suckling pig under the arches!”
A third said: “I reached Segovia by train, and on my arrival at the railway station I took the city bus to the city centre. The bus’s final stop was just in front of the Aqueduct, so this was my first glimpse of this beautiful city… It is quite imposing and well preserved, and it is well worth a visit.”
Walking tours, hot air balloon flights and city highlights expeditions are all on offer for tourists, but the local food scene is not to be missed.
Asador Maribel serves meats roasted in a wooden oven with terrace views of the aqueduct. The restaurant has a central location in Segovia and boasts a 4.7 out of five stars on Google, with reviews citing the “incredible food”, “excellent house wine” and “super patient” Spanish staff – some of whom have worked there for more than 20 years.
El Sitio is another highly commended spot, with traditional regional dishes like suckling pig on offer in a cosy dining space. The Castilian restaurant has a 4.6-star rating from visitors who say they would “love to come back”.