Where can you sleep?
If you would like to enjoy of a very complete experience, we recommend you stay for a few days in this region, so that you will have plenty of time to explore the capital and surroundings of it, which means booking an accommodation is your next step.
You need to take into account that this is one of the most visited provinces during the whole year, and accommodation demand here is very high both in summer and winter, especially in the centre. This is the reason why rural tourism here opens its doors to visitors to anyone who would like discover what magical places can be found further away from the city
Some of the most beautiful towns and villages where you can stay are Sotosalbos, right under the mountains of Guadarrama. This is a village that has appeared in some of the most important texts of Spanish literature, such as the “Libro del Buen Amor”. Another one is Turégano, and the impressive castle up there, Pedraza, which we recommend visiting during the Noche de las Velas, or Riaza, Ayllón and Sepúlveda, are some other examples of some of te best locations to enjoy doing turismo in this area.
What to do in the area?
There are many things to do in Segovia fit for all needs, tastes and colours, and many options to enjoy of its tradition and culture.
You can find in the capital the iconic and very photogenic views of the aqueduct, as well as the chance to visit the historical center, both of them part of Segovia's UNESCO world heritage.
Segovia's Alcázar and city walls, dating from the Middle-Ages, and Santa Maria cathedral, are some other visits you mustn't miss.
For those who would like to escape from the city, we recommend doing a tour through the main castles of this area, such as the ones in Coca, Pedraza or Turégano. Also, another visit we recommend is checking out the 'pueblos rojos' and 'pueblos negros' that can be found in this region, which have some of the best views.
Some of the must visits of this province are the Reales Sitios, which belong to the palace complex of La Granja de San Ildefonso, and Castillo de Riofrío, a spectacular example of the local architecture.
For the most adventurous ones, even those coming with their families, there are many options for fun day trips such as Boca del Asno, in the mountains of Navacerrada, fully equipped with picnic facilities and other options to grab a bite in the midst of nature. The views in the Hoces del Duratón are also spectacular, and planning a hiking day trip here is a plan that we are sur you will love.
What typical foods are recommended?
Eating in Segovia is a whole gastronomical experience. The local cuisine is known everywhere in the peninsula, and has many different variations, that are a delight for visitors.
Amongst the local recipes we can find many traditional dishes from the region of Castilla, as well as some more chunky others that have been influenced by the lifestyle and products from the mountains.
One of the pillars of the gastronomy here are agriculture and livestock, which later manifested in the traditional dishes, because if there's something famous to eat in Segovia is the local meat.
And it is of such excellent quality, that is has its own label that certifies it so.
The livestock bred in areas such as Prádena or Villacastín, as well as in Riaza, is then the same used in the local roast dishes such as the 'cochinillo asado', or also used for the traditional slaughtering , which then provides with delicious raw meats such as the famous 'chorizo de Cantimpalos'.
To put an end to such a flavourful meal, Segovia's is also famous for its traditional sweets, such as 'mantecados', and ' ponche segoviano'.
Where are the festivities?
If there is a good way to learn and discover a region as much as possible, that is engaging in the local festivities. Each month of the year there is a party in somewhere in Segovia.
From January 20, the festive season starts in Villaverde de Íscar with the celebrations held honouring its patron saint, San Sebastián.
From the 5th until the 9th of February, the festivities of Santa Águeda are celebrated in Zamarramala, where you see traditional dances and music performed mainly by women, and that is finished with a public dinner held in the town's main square, with 'chorizo' as the main course.
Another festivity that has become popular all over the region is the Noche de las Velas de Pedraza, a special night where the town is filled with small candles that illuminate the streets for everyone, and is celebrated the first and second Saturday, during the month and July.
To wrap these celebrations up, during the month of August, many places celebrate a local festivity honouring Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.
