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Palace · Segóvia, Castela e Leão
Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso
Summer palace of Filipe V, about 13 km from Segóvia, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The French-style gardens have monumental fountains with lead sculptures.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso
The Real Sitio de La Granja is located in the village of San Ildefonso, on the north slope of the Sierra de Guadarrama, about 13 km from Segóvia. The name comes from a farm that the Hieronymite monks of El Parral had on the site. Filipe V, the first Bourbon king of Spain, grandson of Louis XIV, bought the property from the monks and had a palace built there.
Work began in 1721, to a design by Teodoro Ardemans. At the same time the gardens were laid out by René Carlier and Étienne Boutelou, in the French classical style of Versailles. From 1724, La Granja became the summer residence of the king and the court. The palace belongs to Patrimonio Nacional and remains one of the residences of the Spanish royal family.
The monumental fountains are the highlight of the gardens. The sculptures, which were intended to be of bronze, ended up being made of lead for cost reasons. The fountains do not operate every day: there is an annual season with set days and times. Inside the palace, the tour goes through rooms with paintings and sculptures from the royal collections.
Nearby, also part of Patrimonio Nacional, is the Palacio Real de Riofrío, set in a wood with deer.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour for the palace and 1 to 2 hours for the gardens. Allow half a day, including travel from Segóvia.
Best time
From April to October, when the gardens are green and the days are long. The palace is closed on Mondays all year; the gardens are open every day. The fountains operate only on specific days of the season, which is announced each year.
How to get there
From Segóvia, it's about a 20-minute drive via the CL-601. There are Linecar buses between Segóvia bus station and San Ildefonso. The visitor entrance is through the Patio de Coches, on the village's Plaza de España.
Tip
Check the fountains calendar on the Patrimonio Nacional website beforehand: if you go on a day without fountains you'll see only the gardens. There is a guided tour and a separate audio guide. Part of the internal route may be altered by improvement works; confirm before you go.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso
Is La Granja far from Segóvia?
It's about 13 km away, in the village of San Ildefonso. By car it's around 20 minutes, and there are regular buses from Segóvia's bus station.
Do the fountains at La Granja operate every day?
No. There is a fountain season once a year, with days and times set by Patrimonio Nacional. Check the calendar before you go.
When does the Palácio de La Granja close?
The palace is closed on Mondays year-round. The gardens are open every day, with hours that vary depending on the month.
Why does La Granja resemble Versalhes?
Philip V grew up at his grandfather Louis XIV's court and wanted gardens in the French classical style, with fountains and sculptures, like those at Versalhes.