Segovia in August
Feb 29th, 2008, 07:34 AM
#1
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Segovia in August
Has anyone visited Segovia in the hottest month of the summer? How long a visit is adequate to see the city sights. What are the must-see things to do there? Places recommended to stay and eat? Cost?
I am going to be in the area for a few days, had expected to be traveling solo, but my sister has decided to join me. We are both 50-something, fairly well travelled, but neither has of us has ever been to Spain.
Thanks!
I am going to be in the area for a few days, had expected to be traveling solo, but my sister has decided to join me. We are both 50-something, fairly well travelled, but neither has of us has ever been to Spain.
Thanks!
Feb 29th, 2008, 08:12 AM
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I was in Segovia earlier this week. Can't tell you what it's like in August!
I'd say about 3-4 hours is enough to cover the sights, not including meal time or breaks or shopping. The major sights are the Alcazar, Cathedral, and the Aqueducts.
The whole town shuts down (except restaurants) during siesta, so plan the time of your visit accordingly (siesta btw 1:30-4:30).
I had an excellent lunch at Meson de Candido, which is right at the Aqueduct.
http://www.mesondecandido.es/
Others have recommended Jose Maria which is close to Plaza Mayor. If you do a search here (type "segovia" in the search box) you'll get more info.
My lunch, which included an appetizer of sauteed mushrooms, entree of its famous suckling pig, and a dessert plus 1 soda and 1 water came out to €44. There are other restaurants that offer a 3-course suckling pig meal for €22 or so, but I can't speak for their quality.
How are you getting to Segovia? If you're taking the new high-speed train from Madrid, read my thread here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35111914
I'd say about 3-4 hours is enough to cover the sights, not including meal time or breaks or shopping. The major sights are the Alcazar, Cathedral, and the Aqueducts.
The whole town shuts down (except restaurants) during siesta, so plan the time of your visit accordingly (siesta btw 1:30-4:30).
I had an excellent lunch at Meson de Candido, which is right at the Aqueduct.
http://www.mesondecandido.es/
Others have recommended Jose Maria which is close to Plaza Mayor. If you do a search here (type "segovia" in the search box) you'll get more info.
My lunch, which included an appetizer of sauteed mushrooms, entree of its famous suckling pig, and a dessert plus 1 soda and 1 water came out to €44. There are other restaurants that offer a 3-course suckling pig meal for €22 or so, but I can't speak for their quality.
How are you getting to Segovia? If you're taking the new high-speed train from Madrid, read my thread here:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35111914
Feb 29th, 2008, 08:35 AM
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I was there last July. It was "pleasantly" hot in the middle of the day, in the sun. There are some cool, shady walks around the perimiter of the town that are lovely and have great views of the town, the Alcazar, Cathedral, etc. In the evening and early morning it was quite cool, even needed a light sweater a couple of times. I was there for four nights, one day I took a day trip to Avila. I did not think three full days was too long, but I love to just soak up the atmosphere, shop, etc. If all you want to do is walk from the aqueduct, through the center of town, past the cathedral to the Alcazar at the other end of town, then you could certainly do that in a day.
I definitly recommend the Hotel Acueducto. It's a modern hotel so not a lot of "charm" but very nice and the view of the acquaduct is to die for. My single room (which was actually a double, fabulous room (#406) with a terrace big enough to have a party on, and so close to the storks nests in the church next door that you could almost touch them) was about €60. www.hotelacueducto.com/
I loved Segovia, I really don't think most people give it enough time. My photos of it are at: http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/spai...lamanca_toledo
The last few shots in the Segovia part of the gallery are of the hotel, my room and terrace and the view from it. My last morning I woke to hot air ballons over the acquaduct. That was one of my best "this is why I travel" moments.
I definitly recommend the Hotel Acueducto. It's a modern hotel so not a lot of "charm" but very nice and the view of the acquaduct is to die for. My single room (which was actually a double, fabulous room (#406) with a terrace big enough to have a party on, and so close to the storks nests in the church next door that you could almost touch them) was about €60. www.hotelacueducto.com/
I loved Segovia, I really don't think most people give it enough time. My photos of it are at: http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/spai...lamanca_toledo
The last few shots in the Segovia part of the gallery are of the hotel, my room and terrace and the view from it. My last morning I woke to hot air ballons over the acquaduct. That was one of my best "this is why I travel" moments.
Feb 29th, 2008, 12:47 PM
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If you have the time, and if you will have a car, I highly recommend a trip to the town of Pedraza. Here is my report from 2006; the Segovia and Pedraza portions are at the end:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34810840
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34810840
Feb 29th, 2008, 01:34 PM
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yk, you noted the town shuts down during siesta. Does that include the cathedral and the Alcazar?
Also, a stupid question: with respect to the Aqueduct, does one do anything other than look at it from the outside? Is there any sort of museum or tour or climb up or in it?
Also, a stupid question: with respect to the Aqueduct, does one do anything other than look at it from the outside? Is there any sort of museum or tour or climb up or in it?
Feb 29th, 2008, 01:46 PM
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bakerstreet -
Both the Cathedral and Alcazar are open all day. Here's the website for the Alcazar
http://www.alcazardesegovia.com/Ingl...ePrincipal.htm
And for the Aqueduct, no, it's not a stupid question. But yes, it's just there for you to look (or stare, or admire) at it. There's no fee, no museum... it's there 24/7. I was quite blown away by the sight though - thinking such a huge structure being built 2000 years ago (well, I've never been to Egypt to see the pyramids).
There tallest section transects thru the Plaza del Azoguejo. On either side the hill slopes up and there are stairs you can climb up along with the Aqueduct. As far as I could tell, there isn't any place where you can get ON the aqueduct itself
Both the Cathedral and Alcazar are open all day. Here's the website for the Alcazar
http://www.alcazardesegovia.com/Ingl...ePrincipal.htm
And for the Aqueduct, no, it's not a stupid question. But yes, it's just there for you to look (or stare, or admire) at it. There's no fee, no museum... it's there 24/7. I was quite blown away by the sight though - thinking such a huge structure being built 2000 years ago (well, I've never been to Egypt to see the pyramids).
There tallest section transects thru the Plaza del Azoguejo. On either side the hill slopes up and there are stairs you can climb up along with the Aqueduct. As far as I could tell, there isn't any place where you can get ON the aqueduct itself
