Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Segovia

Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage city set on a rocky ridge northwest of Madrid. It draws visitors with three main landmarks: the well-preserved Roman Aqueduct, a fairytale-like Alcázar castle, and a tall Gothic cathedral. Founded by the Romans and shaped by Christian, Jewish, and Moorish cultures, Segovia displays architecture from every era of Spanish history. The 2,000-year-old Roman Aqueduct, made of 167 granite arches without any mortar, is one of the world's most impressive ancient engineering works still in use today. The Alcázar's towers and clifftop setting are said to have inspired Disney's Cinderella Castle, while the Gothic cathedral, known as "The Lady of Spanish Cathedrals," stands out in Plaza Mayor. Only 30 minutes from Madrid by high-speed train, Segovia is an ideal day trip, blending Roman, medieval, and Renaissance sights with its famous roast suckling pig.