🏰✨ Alcázar of Segovia: A Fairytale Castle Straight from a Storybook

#summervacay **📍 *Why Visit?*** Perched on a rocky cliff, this **12th-century fortress** looks like it leapt from a Disney film—with its **pointed turrets, moat, and throne rooms**. It inspired **Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle** and was a favorite of Spanish royalty like **Isabella I**. --- ### **🗓️ Half-Day Itinerary: Towers, Thrones & Epic Views** #### **Morning: Castle Exploration** - **From Madrid**: 1h high-speed train or drive (park at **Acueducto lot**). - **9:30 AM** – **Arrive Early** (opens at 10 AM; fewer crowds). - **Must-See Rooms**: - **Throne Room**: Velvet-draped chairs under a **Mudejar ceiling**. - **Armory Hall**: Suits of armor and **crossbow collection**. - **Royal Chapel**: Where Isabella prayed before becoming queen. #### **Midday: Tower Climb & Panorama** - **11:30 AM** – **Climb the Tower of Juan II** - **152 narrow steps** lead to **360° views** of Segovia’s red roofs and the **Guadarrama Mountains**. - **12:30 PM** – **Lunch at Mesón de Cándido** - Famous for *cochinillo* (suckling pig)—**ceremonially carved at your table**! #### **Afternoon: Nearby Gems** - **2:30 PM** – **Segovia Aqueduct** - Walk the **2,000-year-old Roman marvel** (15-min from Alcázar). - **4:00 PM** – **Casa de los Picos** - A **facade studded with granite peaks** (great photo stop). --- ### **📜 Fascinating Facts:** ✅ **Film Star**: Featured in *Captain Alatriste* and *Camelot*. ✅ **Secret Passage**: A **hidden tunnel** connects to a nearby monastery. ✅ **Moorish Influence**: Horseshoe arches in the **Hall of Kings**. --- ### **📌 Pro Tips:** - **Tickets**: €9 (castle), +€3 for the tower (buy online to skip lines). - **Guided Tours**: Worth it for **juicy royal scandals** (€15). - **Best Light**: **Sunset** turns the castle golden (but closes at 6 PM). **"This isn’t just a castle—it’s where history and fairytales shake hands."** Ready to channel your inner royalty? 👑🏰