When visiting Madrid, any stay wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Segovia. A short drive from the Spanish capital through the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, you can inhale the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Penalara, the highest peak in this subsection of Spain’s larger Sistema Central range while enjoying the view of the city disappearing in the rear-view mirror.
And while still being close enough to the thriving metropolis, logistically near enough to feel its cosmopolitan pull and to smell the scent of city life, the road to Segovia will reinforce the variation in and magnificence of the Spanish landscape; the total juxtaposition between a sprawling capital city and a vast, picturesque countryside with wondrous natural beauty – a paradox, a gorgeous contrast between urban and rural life.
Drive north-west of Madrid along the A-6 towards Navacerrada, taking in the picture-postcard setting as you go, and pass through the stunning village of La Granja de San Ildefonso which is home to the exquisite Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, essentially a summer palace for past royal families. With sprawling gardens and impressive monuments, it’s well worth taking a pit-stop here but not just to appreciate the grandeur of this Spanish hideaway, but to marvel at the position of the village in relation to the incredible backdrop.
Head a little further North-West along a small stretch of the Rio Eresma, through the National Park and along the winding mountain roads and you’ll eventually reach Segovia; a World Heritage Site, an historic amazement, a mish-mash of civil and religious architecture that will undoubtedly serve the purpose of reinforcing the hidden majesty that Spain has to offer.
Segovia has history and character in abundance: The Aqueduct, its defining historical feature, the most impressive Roman-built masterpiece in Spain that still delivers water to the town is held together without any mortar and spans 818 metres, towering over the Plaza del Azoguejo, dwarfing the city in all its splendour. The Alcazar of Segovia – the Royal Palace – can be reached by meandering through the cute cobbled streets and is built on a stone peninsula. It sits a short walk from the incredible Segovia Cathedral, the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain, a phenomenal work of art in the style of Basque-Castillian Gothic architecture. Encased by the Walls of Segovia that encircle the historic quarter, you’ll be astonished by the sheer magnitude and abundance of beauty this small city holds.
Take a walk through the streets and marvel at the buildings and monuments; visit Plaza Mayor for food, wine and entertainment, and to bask in the shadow of the old theatre, the Teatro Juan Bravo; take a peek at the numerous Urban Sculpture situated around the city, some hidden, some in obvious view; and lose yourself in the Alcazar Gardens.
Segovia also has a number of museums for the more cultured tourist; and if you’re in the festival mood, the city plays host to numerous celebrations that take place weekly and yearly; well worth some extra-curricular research. Check out Trip Advisor for some basic info.
You can easily explore Segovia in half a day…although you may need more time, especially if you choose to become distracted by what’s on offer in the city’s restaurants and bakeries – the avid foodie will be in culinary heaven with the selection of Spain’s famous tapas and pastries, which may just waylay your exploration by a few hours.
Before you leave this beautiful place though, providing you’ve indulged in the tapas, Segovia’s famous suckling pig, and tickled your taste buds with a glass of divine Rioja or Crianza, you simply must sample some of the rich desserts that adorn the shop windows on almost every street corner, enticing and teasing you with their delicious delights. I recommend Pasteleria Limon y Menta which is just off the Plaza Mayor, where you can pick up a portion of Segovia’s most famous cake – the Ponche Segoiviano! A scrumptious layered cake drenched in syrup with an egg yolk cream between them, covered in a thick layer of marzipan – absolutely mouth-wateringly moreish.
Chasing Amy-Lou 