Segovia with children: a day trip from Madrid

A fairytale-worthy castle, Roman ruins, and almost theatrical landscapes make Segovia, Spain, an unmissable destination for families traveling with children. Located just 96 km north of Madrid, this medieval city at the foot of the Guadarrama Mountains has been established as one of the most popular day trips for tourists staying in the capital.

By high-speed train, the journey between cities takes less than half an hour; by car, about 1h30. There are also various guided road excursion options that pass through its main attractions. The most visited attractions for those staying just one day in the city are the Roman Aqueduct, Segovia Cathedral, Alcázar Castle, and the streets of the historic Old Town.

You don’t need to look for the Aqueduct: it’s practically a portal for those arriving at Segovia’s Historic Center, impacting visitors at first sight. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts in the world, formed by 167 stone arches that extend for almost a kilometer and a half and reach a height of nearly 30 meters, standing for more than 2,000 years. Besides being an opportunity to spark interest in Roman history and engineering, walking through Segovia’s Aqueduct with children creates the opportunity to appreciate the city’s view from the immense arches and use creativity to take unusual photos.

Behind the city walls, Segovia Cathedral emerges imposing and sumptuous, with its tower nearly 90 meters high visible from several kilometers away. Known as “the lady of cathedrals” due to its elegance, aesthetic harmony, and ornamental richness, it was built throughout the 16th and 18th centuries, being considered one of the best examples of Spanish Gothic architecture. The beauty and grandeur of the building will certainly capture the little ones’ attention. The visit to the cathedral museum, which houses a collection of sacred art, can also be attractive for children, especially if parents can explain the stories behind the exhibited pieces in a playful and educational way.

But the attraction that really makes a trip to Segovia with children worthwhile, undoubtedly, is its emblematic castle. Built in a dominant position on a rocky cliff, at the confluence of two rivers, the Alcázar is a stone fortified palace considered one of Europe’s most distinctive due to its shape – which resembles a ship’s bow.

Visiting Segovia’s Alcázar with children might be one of the most unforgettable travel experiences a family can have in the old world. This is because it established the stereotype for the very idea of a medieval palace, offering the complete package: the dramatic location, the moat, the drawbridge, the walls, the pointed towers, the sumptuous halls, the decorated ceilings, the colored stained glass, and the knights’ armor. There are even those who say it served as inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Furthermore, what makes a day trip through Segovia with children pleasant from beginning to end is that the route between its tourist spots is always very charming. The narrow streets and buildings decorated in bas-relief, using the centuries-old sgraffito technique, are city landmarks that enchant visitors. Children can have fun discovering the drawings and details on the facades, while adults appreciate the architecture. Exploring its charming medieval streets is like going back in time and diving into history, while the family is surprised by many other lesser-known attractions – no less interesting for that – along the way.

All of this surrounded by abundant nature. Framed by the beautiful natural landscapes of Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, including mountains, forests, lakes, and streams, Segovia is a breath of fresh air for those who visit. Many well-maintained parks and gardens are spread throughout the city, serving as rest and picnic spaces between tourist visits, allowing children to have fun outdoors, in moments of great connection and family bonding.

Segovia Aqueduct