SEGOVIA - AN OVERNIGHT FOOD TRIP FOR COCHINILLO

Miguel Renoir Spanish Guides
Oct 30
4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

SEGOVIA

During our visit to Madrid, we stayed one night in Segovia (it is also an easy day trip from Madrid; it's a short 25-minute ride by high-speed train, but feels like a world away the minute you arrive).

We stayed at

ÁUREA CONVENTO CAPUCHINOS Five Stars

Plaza de Capuchinos, 2, 40001 Segovia

+34 921 41 52 50

www.eurostarshotels.com

The hotel is in a beautiful old convent, absolutely stunning, comfortable, in an excellent location in the old town, a short walk from the major sights, but with views over the surrounding Countryside.

This historic building's original features are maintained, and the rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated. The staff are helpful.

Segovia is known for its amazingly well-preserved 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct.

egovia is The ancient structure is composed of huge stones held together without mortar.

At one end, there remains one slight arch attached to a stone building. Follow the 167 arches to the other end, and you will find a mammoth structure that reaches over 93 feet at its highest point.

The awe-inspiring structure is easy to find. The bus from the train station will take you right to the centre of town. Once there, you can't miss it.

After the aqueduct, take in more of the sights that this medieval city has to offer. Wander up to the old Jewish Quarter passing by tiny passageways where you will see wrought-iron balconies filled with colourful plants or the day's washing.

A must-visit is the Alcázar de Segovia (castle).

Sometimes it is said that the Disneyland Castle resembles this fairy-tale-like Alcázar in Segovia and was actually modelled on it, which is questionable.

Touring this Alcazar is exciting because of the stunning views you have from its terrace and its grand architecture (particularly of its ceilings).

Next to visit would be the equally impressive 16th-century Cathedral de Santa María.

A tour of this Gothic and Renaissance-style Cathedral never disappoints. Also, being located in the Plaza Mayor it a convenient visit after your lunch. It has a stunning exterior and interior.

Regarding food, there are four famous Segovian dishes to try.

Cochinillo

Suckling pig has succulent meat, crispy skin (crackling), and a skinny layer of fat. It is served with a thin gravy. The meat is so tender that it will fall apart when cooked correctly. The piglet should not weigh more than 5kg and not be older than 3 weeks. They are roasted in large, open-faced brick ovens. One suckling pig can easily feed a party of four or usually six in a Restaurant.

We had the Suckling Pig at Restaurante Jose Maria, click HERE to read the review.

Lechazo

Suckling lamb. To be classified as lechazo, it must weigh between 5 and 7 kg and be no more than 20 to 30 days old. The lamb is fed only on its mother's milk, hence the name lechazo, from the word Leche, meaning milk. The lambs are roasted in the traditional wooden stoves, which are known as Hornos de Leña.

Judiones de la Granja

These enormous white broad beans (butter beans) are the key ingredient in a Segovian stew. They are creamy, almost purée-like. They easily hold their own with the spicy chorizo and rich Tocino (bacon), which accompany this signature dish of Segovia.

Ponche Segoviano

This is a traditional Spanish cake originating in Segovia. It is a layer cake of custard and marzipan, topped with caramelised sugar and decorated with a criss-cross design. The recipe of the original cake is a well-kept secret, but anyone with a good nose would detect the lemon peel, cinnamon and almonds that accompany the combination of eggs, sugar, milk and flour.

The invention of the cake is attributed to 1926 to a confectioner named Frutos García Martín at the El Alcázar cafe. It did not take long for it to become popular in the town, and King Alfonso XIII told Martín to take the cake to the Universal Exhibition in Barcelona, where it won the gold medal in 1929.

On leaving our hotel, we walked past

BAR CORREOS

Plaza de San Facundo 3, 40001 Segovia

+34 921 48 79 32

It looked busy, so we decided to pop in for a caña,

With which, you got a free tapa of tortilla.

We then spied some piping hot albondigas arriving at the bar,

So we decided to try them,

And they were excellent.

Unlike other places with high prices, the value for money here is excellent, with a variety of pinchos and tapas. We had good service in a busy and very friendly atmosphere.

From there we wandered around town passing,

CASA DUQUE

Calle Cervantes 12, 40001 Segovia

+34 921 462 487

www.restauranteduque.es

A classic address open since 1895. Duque boasts a bar and several dining rooms on different floors, all decorated with numerous awards and press cuttings. Regionally inspired à la carte offerings, as well as two set menus.

It is connected to the Cuevas de Duque next door, with a separate entrance. There, you can enjoy an extensive menu of tapas and raciones amid typical décor, including an old roasting oven.

We then walked up to the Plaza Mayor, to

Calle de Escuderos 4, 40001 Segovia

+34 921 46 07 43

Finding coat hooks under the bar is always the sign of a good bar, and Bar Rubi didn't disappoint.

It is an incredible place to drink craft beer, with constantly updated IPAs, pales, sours, and stouts, especially from the province of Segovia.

It is well worth going if you are passionate about craft beer! Their free jamón tapa is also delicious.

There was decent music playing as well. The bar is well-situated just off the Plaza Mayor.

After leaving, we went to

LA CONCEPCIÓN

Plaza de Mayor 15, 40001 Segovia

+34 921 46 09 30

www.restaurantelaconcepcion.com

A good spot to sit in the sun in the Plaza Mayor and enjoy a slice of the famous ponche de Segoviano (€6 a slice). Probably more expensive here because you are in the very touristic Plaza Mayor.

Segovia is an excellent place for a weekend trip. There are hotels for all budgets, plenty of historical places to visit, and good restaurants and bars.