Madrid to Segovia Day Trip: World Heritage Castle, Roman Aqueduct & El Escorial Tour

Your Madrid to Segovia day trip starts in Central Madrid, where you’ll meet your guide and small group in central Madrid and hop on a private, air-condition minibus for the drive to Segovia. In just over an hour, you’ll be passing under the medieval city walls and entering the stunning Alcázar, a medieval castle and World Heritage Site that will be familiar to anyone who likes Disney movies. You’ll enjoy a full Alcázar tour and learn about the ancient dynasties that built it from your expert guide.

Strolling through the narrow streets of the UNESCO world heritage Old Town, you’ll arrive at the Segovia Cathedral, a fantastic neo-gothic cathedral. Your guide will show you the most interesting parts inside, like a full-sized wooden sculpture of Christ, then take you on a short city stroll to the titanic Roman Aqueduct (another UNESCO World Heritage Site). This nearly 2,000-year-old watercourse is one of the finest surviving Roman aqueducts in the world and you’ll enjoy an amazing view of it from our favorite viewpoint while learning about the history of Roman conquest in the Iberian Peninsula from your guide.

After a break for lunch with plenty of recommendations from your guide, you’ll hop back in the bus and head to El Escorial, a fourth World Heritage site and a palace that has to be seen to be believed. Part monastery, part cavernous palace, you’ll explore some of its most impressive rooms while learning how the building was willed into existence by the Catholic Church, a visionary king, and a flood of gold from the Americas. The highlight of the visit is seeing the Pantheon of the Kings, an enormous chamber holding the coffins of 26 kings and queens from the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties.

Your Escorial tour lasts 1.5 hours, and also includes the basilica and private apartments of the royals. Then you’ll hop back into the bus for the hour-long drive back to Madrid.

Segovia and El Escorial are two of the most beautiful and history-rich attractions in Spain. This Madrid to Segovia day trip lets you explore it without worrying about any of the logistics; all you have to think about is what to ask your guide next.