Segovia & Ávila Day Trip from Madrid: Alcázar & Roman Aqueduct

Two Medieval Fortresses in One Day: Segovia's Ship-Shaped Castle & Ávila's Unbroken Walls

You're driven from your Madrid hotel in a private van with a bilingual guide who walks you through Segovia's Roman Aqueduct, Gothic cathedral, and the Alcázar castle, then through Ávila's medieval walls and Romanesque basilica. Lunch with wine is included, as are all monument entries. Hotel pickup and return are part of the package, so you don't arrange transport yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ávila Cathedral30m
2. Roman Aqueduct of Segovia
3. Segovia Cathedral1h · entry included
4. Alcazar of Segovia1h · entry included

Visit Avila and Segovia highlights

• View Sierra de Guadarrama mountains
• Explore Walls of Ávila
• Visit Ávila Cathedral
• Tour Basilica de San Vicente
• See Iglesia-convento de Santa Teresa
• Visit Aqueduct of Segovia
• Tour Segovia Cathedral
• Explore Alcázar of Segovia

The experience

The Alcázar of Segovia rises from a rocky crag like the bow of a ship cutting through stone, and you'll stand in front of it after a morning drive through the Sierra de Guadarrama foothills. The tour leaves Madrid in a climate-controlled van with your bilingual guide, heading toward Segovia first. You get roughly two hours to walk the old city on foot: enough time to see the Roman Aqueduct up close, its 2,000-year-old arches still carrying water the way they did under the Caesars, then move through the Gothic cathedral before reaching the Alcázar itself, where the castle's silhouette dominates every angle.

Ávila comes next, and the difference hits you immediately. Where Segovia is ornate and layered, Ávila is pure fortress. The city walls, completed between the 11th and 14th centuries, run unbroken around the entire old town: the most complete medieval fortifications in Spain. You'll walk those walls for about ninety minutes with your guide, who points out how the cathedral's apse was built directly into the ramparts, turning a church into part of the defense. The Basilica de San Vicente, one of the country's finest Romanesque churches, sits just outside the gates. It's less crowded than Segovia, which means you actually hear the stone.

Lunch happens in Ávila, and it's not a quick stop. You get a full gastronomic menu: La Granja white beans, roasted suckling pig, punch cake with ice cream, wine, mineral water and coffee. It's the kind of meal that makes the drive worthwhile on its own, and it gives you time to sit and let the morning settle. The van picks you up afterward and you head back to Madrid, arriving in the evening. The whole day is about eight hours of actual touring, with transport and lunch built in, so you're not rushing between sites or eating standing up.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport in a climate-controlled van with WiFi.
• bilingual official guide for walking tours in both cities.
• guided tours lasting approximately two hours in Segovia and one and a half hours in Ávila.
• entrance fees to the Alcázar, cathedrals, basilicas and other monuments listed in the itinerary.
• full lunch including La Granja white beans, roasted suckling pig, punch cake with ice cream, wine, mineral water and coffee.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Fun and Tickets

Is this one for you?This tour suits travelers based in Madrid who want to see two UNESCO heritage cities in a single day without renting a car or coordinating their own transport and entry times. The fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you're not making decisions between sites or eating on the run.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How long is the drive from Madrid to Segovia?

Roughly one hour through the Sierra de Guadarrama foothills, depending on traffic leaving Madrid.

Are entrance fees to the monuments included?

Yes. Entries to the Alcázar, cathedrals, and other sites in the itinerary are included in the tour price.

Can I bring a stroller or pram?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available in the van.

Is lunch included, and what if I have dietary restrictions?

Yes, a full gastronomic menu with roasted suckling pig, white beans, dessert, wine and coffee is included. Contact the operator about dietary needs before booking.

How much walking is involved?

About two hours in Segovia and one and a half hours in Ávila, on flat or gently sloped streets through the old cities. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup is in the morning. The full day is approximately eight hours including transport, walking tours, and lunch, returning to Madrid in the evening.

Is the van air-conditioned?

Yes. The luxury van is air-conditioned and has WiFi.