A Roman aqueduct, a fairy-tale castle, and a brief totality
Segovia is very close to the southern edge of the path of totality. The city will see approximately 57 seconds of total eclipse — enough to experience the moment of totality, but significantly shorter than locations further north. For longer totality, consider Zaragoza (1m 24s) or the Burgos/León area (1m 40s+).
Segovia is a city of superlatives — home to one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts in the world, a castle that inspired Walt Disney, and a cathedral known as "the Lady of Spanish Cathedrals." Perched on a rocky outcrop at nearly 1,000 meters above sea level, the city's elevated position puts it just inside the southern edge of the path of totality. While totality is brief at under a minute, the iconic architectural backdrops make it one of the most photogenic eclipse locations in Spain.
Brief but real totality on the path's edge
Roman aqueduct and historic old town
Easy day trip by AVE high-speed train
Segovia's magnificent Roman aqueduct, built in the 1st or 2nd century AD without mortar, is one of the most impressive ancient structures in the world. The Plaza del Azoguejo at the base of the aqueduct and the elevated walkways around it offer memorable positions for eclipse viewing. Watching the sky darken behind these 2,000-year-old stone arches — even for under a minute — will be an unforgettable sight.
The ship-shaped castle at the western tip of Segovia's old town sits on a dramatic cliff overlooking the confluence of two rivers. The castle gardens face west-northwest — directly toward the setting sun during the eclipse. This could be one of the most photogenic eclipse viewing locations in all of Spain.
Below the Alcázar, this riverside meadow provides the classic postcard view of Segovia with the castle towering above. The open meadow offers unobstructed western views and is accessible on foot from the city centre.
About 45 minutes northeast of Segovia, the La Pinilla ski resort area sits at higher altitude and slightly further into the path of totality, meaning a few more seconds of totality. The Astral Plane Festival will be held here.
Getting there: Just 30 minutes from Madrid by AVE train (Segovia-Guiomar station, then a bus to the centre). By car, about 1 hour via the AP-6. Regular buses from Madrid's Moncloa station.
Accommodation: Good selection from the Parador inside a 15th-century building to boutique hotels. Many visitors may stay in Madrid and day-trip to Segovia for the eclipse.
Important note: Because Segovia is on the very edge of the path, the exact totality duration depends on your precise location within the city. The northern parts of Segovia will see slightly longer totality than the southern parts.