Segovia and Toledo from Madrid day tour + Avila (optional)
In just one day, enjoy an excursion to Toledo and Segovia, authentic jewels of Spanish heritage. Two historic cities declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, which, due to their proximity to the capital of Spain, we can visit in just one day.
If you want to make the most of your day, you have the option to add a visit to Ávila to this excursion to these two cities, another historic city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The excursion option to Toledo, Segovia, and Avila can also be selected when booking.
Toledo Tour
During your visit to the city, we offer you a walking tour of Toledo to introduce you to its main attractions. After the tour, you will have free time to explore the places that interest you the most at your own pace.
In Toledo, we find monuments built by Christians, Jews, and Muslims, who lived together in peace and harmony, which is why this city is known as “The City of the Three Cultures.”
Walking through the old town of Toledo is a real privilege, as we will pass through cobbled, narrow, and steep streets, almost identical to how they were in the 16th century. This is part of the charm of the itinerary through Toledo, but for people with limited mobility, it can be quite difficult, so it is not recommended if you have this issue.
The first point of contact we will have with Toledo will be from the Mirador del Valle (Valley Lookout). Enjoy fantastic views of the city surrounded by the Tajo River, where the Alcázar and the Cathedral stand out.
We begin our walking tour of Toledo by crossing one of the most beautiful entrances to the city, the San Martín Bridge, which will allow us to cross the Tajo River, which surrounds the town. The bridge, which was part of the city’s defensive complex, has a tower on each side, where we can see the coat of arms of Emperor Charles V presiding over the entrance.
From San Martín Bridge, we will head toward the Jewish District and to our first stop, the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument. This Gothic-style monastery was built in 1477 at the initiative of Queen Isabella I of Castile as a sign of gratitude to God for her victory at the Battle of Toro. In fact, both on its façade and inside, we will find representations of the Crown of Castile.
During your free time, you can explore its cloister, considered a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic-Renaissance architecture, and its church, famous for its intricate royal emblems and impressive high altar.
Also, in the Jewish Quarter, we will come across the facades of the only two historical synagogues remaining out of the nine that once existed: Transito Synagogue (14th century) and Santa María la Blanca Church (formerly a synagogue, 12th century, declared a National Monument).
Both synagogues have Mudejar-style interiors, as they were built by Mudejar craftsmen. You can also visit them on your own in your free time.
Before leaving the Jewish Quarter, we will stop by the small Church of Santo Tomé, the most visited place in Toledo, where El Greco’s masterpiece, “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz,” is located. Take advantage of your free time, if you are interested, to see this magnificent painting.
Our next stop is Plaza del Ayuntamiento, where you will find the City Hall, the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Cathedral of Santa María.
The Toledo Cathedral is considered the jewel of Gothic architecture in Spain, and on its main façade, its unique three-tiered tower, standing at 92 meters high, and the Puerta del Perdón (Gate of Forgiveness) stand out.
You can visit the interior of the cathedral in your free time with an audio guide.
Once the guided tour of Toledo is over, you will have free time. You can go back to any of the places seen from the outside and enter them, go shopping, or have something to eat.
Walking tour in Segovia
During our visit to Segovia, you will see three of the greatest monuments in Spain. The first of them, the Roman Aqueduct, will be the starting point of our visit to Segovia.
The aqueduct (water channel) was used to transport water from the Guadarrama Mountains to Segovia, 15 km away. Built during the Roman presence in Spain in the 2nd century, its most visible section is 800 meters long and reaches a height of 28 meters at its highest point. Take a close look at how the aqueduct is held together stone by stone, without any type of mortar to hold it together.
This will be our first introduction to Segovia’s heritage, but before continuing, we will give you time for lunch.
We recommend going to Mesón de Cándido or Casa Duque, the most famous restaurants in Segovia, to try the city’s most typical dish, roast suckling pig. This dish, along with another local specialty, “Judiones” (giant white beans), can also be found in almost every restaurant in the city.
After lunch, on our walk to the Alcázar, we will come across many other important landmarks in the city. Observe some of the palatial houses of the former nobility, such as Casa de los Picos or Torre de los Lozoya.
Discover two important examples of Romanesque churches, declared National Monuments: San Martín Church and San Andrés Church
Strolling through the Jewish Quarter, we will see the House of Abraham Seneor, the former Chief Rabbi of Segovia.
Our tour will take us to Segovia Cathedral, the second major attraction of the city. Admire the façade of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Fructus, built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and considered the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain.
We will end our guided visit to Segovia by entering the spectacular Alcazar, the other great symbol of the city and former residence of the Kings of Castile until the Catholic Monarchs.
Inside, visit magnificent rooms such as The Throne Room, The Hall of Kings, The Armory Room and the Royal Chamber
Avila tour
Our journey to Avila begins at the Mirador de los Cuatro Postes, where we will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its iconic medieval walls.
Once in Ávila, we will head to its impressive city walls, which stretch for 2.5 kilometers. This remarkable fortification, featuring nine entrance gates, rises 12 meters high and is up to 3 meters thick, completely enclosing the city.
Before entering, take a moment to admire two beautiful Romanesque churches near the walls: the Basilica of San Vicente and San Pedro Church.
Once inside the city, we will see the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. This Romanesque and Gothic temple also served as a fortress, as its apse is part of the city walls.
After our guided tour of Avila, enjoy some free time to explore the places in the city that interest you the most before returning to Madrid.
Once back at your accommodation, we hope you feel like you’ve experienced a day filled with unforgettable historical and cultural memories from these UNESCO World Heritage cities—memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
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