Roman Empire Tour from Madrid
- 5 / 5 2 reviews
- 11 hours
- Easy
Discover Roman Spain on this immersive tour from Madrid. Walk ancient streets, visit mines, and admire the largest Roman mosaic at Noheda Villa.
We depart from Plaza de Conde de Casal (Madrid) at 8:30 AM, accompanied by our expert guide. Our first stop will be Segóbriga, one of the most important Roman cities in inland Spain, where you’ll find well-preserved structures such as the forum, baths, theater, and amphitheater.
Next, we’ll head to one of the region’s most fascinating highlights: the Lapis Specularis mines. The Romans once extracted this mineral, used mainly as window glass and exported throughout the empire as a true luxury item, bringing great wealth to the area.
We’ll stop for lunch in the city of Cuenca, where you’ll also enjoy some free time to explore or relax.
In the afternoon, we’ll visit the spectacular mosaics of the Roman Villa of Noheda. This site is home to the largest and most intricate narrative mosaic preserved from the Roman Empire, covering an area of around 300 square meters.
After this final visit, we’ll return to Madrid, arriving back around 7:30 PM.
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Duration
Language
Rewiews
Included
Bus ticket
Tickets
Specialized guide
Excluded
Tips
Food and beverages
What do I need to bring?
Warm clothing in winter
Comfortable footwear
Hat and water in summer
Cancellation Policy
Free! Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. If you cancel under this time or do not show up, you will not be refunded.
When to book?
Cut off: 1 hour before the start of the activity
Roman City of Segóbriga
This archaeological site is one of the most important and best-preserved Roman remains in Spain. The Roman city of Segóbriga was the economic and commercial center of the Lapis Specularis mining industry. This mineral, a naturally crystallized form of gypsum, was the first known material used as window glass. It became a luxury item highly sought after by the wealthiest families of the Roman Empire, generating great prosperity in the mining region and enabling the monumental development of Segóbriga.
Only seven cities in Roman Hispania had a theater, amphitheater, and circus — and Segóbriga was one of them. The city’s economy eventually collapsed when Romans developed laminated glass production techniques, ending the demand for Lapis Specularis.
During our visit, we’ll walk through the ancient streets of Segóbriga and explore its buildings and temples. The site features an extraordinary forum, a Roman theater, and an amphitheater with a capacity of over 5,000 spectators. You’ll even have the chance to step into the arena and imagine yourself as a gladiator from the 1st century — like Maximus Decimus himself. We’ll also explore the monumental Roman baths, where locals bathed and socialized, and see the location of the circus, once home to thrilling chariot races.
Roman Lapis Specularis Mines
We will visit two of the mines that made Segóbriga and its surrounding area a prosperous and monumental region. Here, you’ll discover what Lapis Specularis looks like, how it was extracted, and what daily life was like for the Roman miners who worked these underground galleries.
Roman Mosaic of the Villa of Noheda
The archaeological site of the Roman Villa of Noheda reveals a significant Roman estate inhabited between the 1st and 4th centuries AD.
Our guided visit includes:
Pars Urbana – The residential area of the villa, where the most impressive narrative mosaic of the Roman era has been discovered.
Grand Baths – Covering over 900 m², this bathing complex includes several distinct rooms and facilities.
Pars Rustica – The working area of the villa, featuring walls and remains of various structures.
6, Plaza del Conde de Casal,
28007 Madrid, ES
