Few castles in Spain capture the imagination quite like the Alcázar of Segovia. Rising dramatically from a rocky ridge between the city's ancient walls and the surrounding Castilian plains, this fortress looks almost like something from a fairy tale. Its distinctive towers and slate roofs helped inspire castles in popular culture.
Few castles in Spain capture the imagination quite like the Alcázar of Segovia. Rising dramatically from a rocky ridge between the city's ancient walls and the surrounding Castilian plains, this fortress looks almost like something from a fairy tale. Its distinctive towers and slate roofs helped inspire castles in popular culture. Originally built as an Arab fortress and later transformed into a royal residence by Christian monarchs, the Alcázar played a major role in Spanish history. It was one of the favourite residences of Queen Isabella I of Castile, who left the castle to be crowned queen in Segovia in 1474. Visitors can explore the royal rooms, armour collections and medieval halls before climbing the tower for spectacular views. The nearby Roman aqueduct, forest trails and Sierra de Guadarrama mountains make this an excellent base for walkers.