Venture northwest of Madrid to spend the day exploring fairy-tale alcázars, Gothic cathedrals, and Roman aqueducts in the ancient cities of Ávila and Segovia. Start with a hotel pick-up and a scenic drive to Ávila, marveling at its 12th-century fortified walls and wandering its historic streets as you pass religious landmarks like Catedral del Salvador. Continue north to UNESCO-listed Segovia for more Spanish history, discovering ancient Roman aqueducts and Gothic cathedrals. Finally, you’ll visit the hilltop Alcázar de Segovia, with its Disney-like turrets and towers, before returning to Madrid.

On this day trip with a private guide, you’ll escape the capital to explore two of Spain’s historic gems, Ávila and Segovia. The adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Madrid, followed by a scenic hour-long drive through lush countryside to Ávila. Make your first stop just outside the city at Los Cuatro Postes (The Four Posts) viewpoint for aerial views of medieval Ávila and its imposing 12th-century walls. Studded with 88 watchtowers, eight grand gates, and 2,500 turrets, the walls are renowned as some of the best-preserved in the world.

After taking photos, drive into Ávila to explore its religion-steeped Old Town, dotted with churches, cathedrals, and monasteries that attract pilgrims from the cult of Santa Teresa de Ávila. Your guide will highlight the city’s top monuments, which may include the 12th-century Catedral del Salvador with its Gothic architecture, bell tower, and paintings by famous artists like El Greco.

Next, you’ll drive an hour northeast to Segovia, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ancient monuments. Enjoy some free time to wander the atmospheric streets independently, perhaps stopping for tapas or a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, you’ll rejoin your guide to visit some of Segovia’s iconic landmarks, which could include a mammoth Roman aqueduct built at the start of the second century and the 16th-century Catedral de Segovia, one of the last Gothic cathedrals built in Spain.

Continue to the hilltop Alcázar de Segovia, whose fairytale-like turrets are said to have inspired Walt Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” castle. As you wander its grand halls, learn about the palace’s history as a site for royal weddings and the Castilian court, and marvel at its ornate architectural details. You can also choose to scale the Alcázar’s imposing Torre de Juan II or visit the on-site Real Colegio de Artillería (Royal Artillery College), where you can learn about the Alcázar’s role in Spanish military history. Afterward, hop back in the van for the hour-long drive back to Madrid, where your driver will drop you off at your hotel.