I will admit that I had never even heard of the Alcazar of Segovia when I learned that it would be a stop on my most recent trip to Spain. However, visiting the Alcazar of Segovia turned out to be a highlight of my time in Spain, and a day trip that I would recommend everyone do when they’re in Madrid. This stunning palace served as part of the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle, and it was the perfect starting point for a day spent exploring the surrounding historic town.
Segovia is close to Madrid and well-connected to the capital by public transportation, so it’s easy to visit the Alcazar of Segovia on a day trip even if you’re an inexperienced traveler. As well, tickets are quite affordable, and a number of the city’s other attractions are completely free, so it’s a great option for budget travelers looking to take an inexpensive break from the hustle and bustle of Madrid.
Below, I’ll review everything you need to know about visiting the Alcazar of Segovia, from how to buy tickets to what to see in the palace and what else to do while you’re in town.
#1 What is the Alcazar of Segovia?
The Alcazar of Segovia is a fortified medieval castle. The word “alcazar” refers to a specific style of castle built in Spain between the 8th and 15th centuries, when most of the Iberian peninsula was under Islamic rule. Dating back to the 1100s, the Alcazar of Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, it is famous for serving both as the home for countless Spanish royals and for being much of the inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle at Disneyland (alongside Germany’s Neuschwanstein Castle).
Fun fact: Most Spanish words that start with “al” come from Arabic words and date back the time when the Iberian Peninsula was under Moorish control. These include albahaca (basil), alberca (swimming pool) and almohada (pillow).
#2 Where is the Alcazar of Segovia?
The Alcazar of Segovia is located in the city of Segovia, in the Spanish region of Castile and León. Segovia is about 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Madrid, or slightly further away from cities such as Salamanca and Valladolid. The castle is located atop a hill on the west side of the historic center.
#3 How to Get to the Alcazar of Segovia from Madrid
The easiest way to get to Alcazar of Segovia from Madrid is with a private vehicle. If you have your own car, the drive should take about 75 minutes. There is no parking directly at the Alcazar, but there are two main parking lots in the city center that are within walking distance: Parking APK2 Catedral – Oblatas (paid) and Calle Cuesta de los Hoyos Parking (usually free). Other small lots are dotted around town.
Without a car, the best way to get from Madrid to the Alcazar of Segovia is by bus (this is what we did!). AVANZABUS operates bus service from Madrid’s Moncloa bus station to the Segovia bus station. The trip takes about one hour and twenty minutes, and the fare (as of Spring 2026) is €4.70 each way. Buy your tickets online in advance because these buses fill up early (especially in the high season). Segovia’s bus station is a 25-minute walk from the castle.
It’s also possible to take the train from Madrid to Segovia, but I don’t recommend it. Segovia has two train stations. There is a small, regional train station near the city center. It takes two hours to reach this station by train from Madrid, and you’re still 45 minutes by foot from the castle when you arrive (you can walk, take a taxi or use the local buses to get to the castle). There is also a high-speed train station called Segovia – Guiomar, but it is even further from town. Trains to this station from Madrid take less than 30 minutes, but you’re nowhere near the castle. You could take a taxi for about €25, or the public bus would take another 45 minutes.
#4 The History of the Alcazar of Segovia
There has been a settlement atop the hill in Segovia since the Ancient Romans lived in the region (dating back to at least 200 BCE), but the first mention of there being a castle, or alcazar, here dates back to the early 1100s.
As the centuries passed the palace grew and took on increasing significance for the various Spanish royal families. Following the death of Henry IV, Isabella I rushed to the alcazar to secure the support she would need to be crowned Queen. Once on the throne, she leveraged the many riches held in the palace’s treasury to fund the expeditions of Christopher Columbus to the Americas.
In the 1700s the primarily purpose of the alcazar changed, and it became one of the most important military colleges in Spain. Promising young recruits were brought to the palace for training, strategizing and military research. By the late 1800s the alcazar was no longer serving as a royal residence and was converted fully to a military facility.
Over the years, as with many old European palaces, the alcazar experienced a number of catastrophic fires. Consequently, much of what you can visit today is a result of extensive reconstruction work in the 1840s and later upgrades in the 1950s, after local governments decided to open the building to the public as a museum.
#5 Things To See at the Alcazar of Segovia
There are three different sections to the Alcazar of Segovia: the restored royal palace rooms, the Artillery Museum and the Juan II Tower.
Royal Palace Rooms
Your visit to the Alcazar of Segovia will begin with a self-guided tour of the rooms of the former Royal Palace. You’ll enter through the Old Palace Room and then pass through a series of other rooms and halls, each one restored to represent a particular era of the castle’s history. Be on the lookout for the Pine Cone Room, featuring almost 400 intricately-carved pine cones, and the Cord Room, where the intricate gold decor mimics the tied cords worn on the belts of Franciscan monks.
Juan II Tower
Your ticket will included a scheduled entrance slot for the Juan II Tower. There are 152 stairs in the narrow, steep, spiral staircase that lead to the top, where you’ll have panoramic views of the historic town center (including the Cathedral, but not the aqueduct). At the time of my visit (March 2024) the tower was closed, unfortunately.
Royal Artillery School Museum
The Royal Artillery School Museum is located across the courtyard from the palace rooms. The collections here showcase the years that the palace served as a military training center, although the signage is primarily in Spanish. The collection of weapons and armory is divided between this section of the castle and the Armoury room in the palace.
#6 Segovia Alcazar Tickets
You will want to buy your Alcazar of Segovia tickets online because they often sell out (especially in high season). This is one of Spain’s most-visited tourist attractions, and it draws major crowds. There are two types of tickets that you can buy online:
- Castle and Artillery Museum
- Castle, Artillery Museum and Tower
Personally, I recommend buying the ticket that includes all three sections of the historic sites, so that you won’t miss out on anything. However, if you have a mobility impairment then it makes sense to save money and skip the tower.
Your ticket will include a timed entry to the site – you have thirty minutes from the time shown on the ticket to arrive at the Alcazar and enter the historic site.
If you purchase a tickets that includes a tower ascent, that will automatically be scheduled for 60 minutes after your entrance time. Arrive punctually at the base of the tower as they can only allow a limited number of people to climb the 152 spiral steps every 25 minutes.
The Alcazar of Segovia is one of the most affordable attractions in Spain. A regular adult admission including the fortress, museum and tower is priced at €13.50 as of early 2026.
#7 Visiting the Aqueduct of Segovia
The Alcazar of Segovia is located only 1.5 kilometers (just less than one mile) from Segovia’s other famous attraction: The Aqueduct of Segovia. You definitely have to make a stop here on your way to or from the Alcazar, as it is truly spectacular.
Dating back to about 100 AD, during the Roman Empire, Segovia’s aqueduct stands 28 meters tall and runs for nearly 800 meters, straight through the historic town center. No ticket is required to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it literally cuts right through the middle of town!
An interpretive center has been built in the town’s former 15th-century mint, which is located on the riverbanks near the Alcazar. Inside, multimedia and interactive exhibits explain the history, construction and usage of the aqueduct.
#8 Other Attractions in Segovia
Aside from the Segovia Alcazar and the Aqueduct, there are several other things to see in Segovia:
- Segovia Cathedral – Dating back to the 1500s, this Gothic cathedral is situated on the city’s main square. Admission also includes access to the nearby Bishop’s Palace.
- Town Walls – More than two kilometers of historic walls still surround the Old Town neighborhood of Segovia. Visit the information office (Google Maps: Punto de Información Turística La Muralla) to get the access code for the secret walkway along the top.
- Museum of Segovia – At publication time (Spring 2026) it only costs €1 to enter this small museum that displays artifacts from Segovia’s 2500+ years of human settlement.
- Miradors of Segovia – On the opposite side of the Erasma River, a number of panoramic lookout points (miradors) offer fantastic views of the alcazar.
- Semana Santa – My trip to Segovia was during Semana Santa, and I was in the town center during the elaborate Palm Sunday procession. Stake out a spot along the route through the old town early if you want a good view of the procession.
#9 Where to Eat in Segovia
I recommend checking out some different menus as you walk from the train or bus station to the Alcazar, so that you’ll know which restaurants you might to want to return to at lunch or dinner. In case you don’t have time to compare menus, however, here are a few to check out:
- La Almuzara – A family-owned restaurant with a mostly-vegetarian menu, plus a few meat, vegan and gluten-free options. Ideal for groups who have varied dietary needs.
- Restaurant Jose Maria – Book online to secure a table at this typical Spanish restaurant, which is famous for its suckling pig (available roasted or deep-fried).
- Bar Los Tarines – More on the casual side, this local sports bar serves up salads, tapas and grilled meat dishes at reasonable prices.
- Cafeteria Casa de la Quimica – There is a small cafe beside the ticket office at the Alcazar. Service is hit-or-miss (and be careful – prices are higher for table service than for standing at the bar) but if you just need a drink and a snack it doesn’t get much more convenient.
#10 Hotels in Segovia
Because Segovia is a historic walled city, there are only a few hotels directly in the historic center. These are three I would look at first for my next trip:
- Hotel Infanta Isabel – Situated directly on Plaza Mayor, Segovia is at your doorstep when you stay in this bright, breezy hotel.
- Hotel Don Felipe – One of the best values in town, this popular hotel in Segovia has a central location and a sunny rooftop terrace.
- Hotel Spa La Casa Mudejar – I’m a sucker for any hotel with a good spa, and this hotel has a unique spa built amongst actual archeological ruins from the Roman Empire.
#11 Is Segovia Worth Visiting?
If you’re in the area, Segovia is definitely worth visiting! I recommend planning to spend a whole day here on an excursion from Madrid (half a day just isn’t enough time to see everything).
In my article about whether or not to visit Madrid, I talk about how the Spanish capital doesn’t necessarily have the “wow” factor that other Spanish cities deliver. A day trip to Segovia is a great way to easily and inexpensively experience that sense of wonder, awe and history that you otherwise might not get while you’re in Madrid.
Have you been to Segovia? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!
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