4 days around Madrid

We did a similar trip before actually staying in Madrid although we then were in Madrid for a week. We love museums though. We landed in Madrid and immediately drove to Avila. It is a good plan especially with your interests. We also stayed in the mountains one night at a ski area, off season.

Given your interests (scenery, architecture, the outdoors) this looks like a good itinerary and a reasonable (albeit slightly hurried) plan.

My only comment otherwise is that it appears you are missing all of the other great things in southern Spain that would be great given your priorities (Granada, Seville, Cordoba, white hill towns, etc.). You don't really have time for those (certainly not for all of them, and they are all very worth doing), so if you are really constrained to about 3.5 days, then sticking close to Madrid make sense. That said, what you're missing nearby are some of the very best things in Europe, so...any chance you could carve off a few more days from your "3 week trip to Europe"? Otherwise, you'll need to come back...

All those places are worth visiting (perhaps excepting the "Valley of the Fallen" which I wouldn't want to visit, but each to their own). Nevertheless, I think you might be trying to squeeze a quart into a pint pot. For example, in practice despite spending two nights there you won't have much time to explore Segovia - although visiting the aqueduct and walking/eating in the evenings might be sufficient highlights. I know Madrid isn't everyone's favourite Spanish city (nor mine either), but it is at least worth a whole day. And whilst not logical perhaps, knowing the upcoming long flight home, personally I'd prefer two nights settled in one hotel beforehand.

Recognising there is no perfect answer, a couple of suggestions:

• airport to Toledo, overnight there, then three nights in Madrid including a day-trip to Avila or Segovia (I prefer the former, very scenic, but no question the latter's aqueduct is stunning too), or

• airport to Avila, then Segovia and stay two nights, then early start to Toledo before going to Madrid for two nights.

But, there's definitely nothing "wrong" with your plan either. So if it appeals to you, then go for it!

I hope you enjoy your holiday.

I think you're trying to cram too much into the Avila-Salamanca day-trip from Segovia. You'll be driving 200 miles and searching for parking in two different cities (plus possibly in Segovia on your return). Salamanca has a large historic district that deserves a good bit of wandering-around time. If you want to go inside the university, that will take longer. As very much a non-fan of Avila (I agree with all those guidebooks that sort of brush it off as a brief stop), I'd urge you to drive straight to Salamanca and stay there as long as you like. You can stop in Avila on the way back to Segovia if you have time to do so. To me, Avila is not much more than a wall. It doesn't hold a candle to Toledo; it's too bad the proposed Avila time can't be transferred to Toledo, but the geography doesn't work.

I'll mention a couple of other possible side-trips that are faster than Avila/Salamanca and do not require a rental car:

• Cuenca: medieval old town built along a ravine. Two good, small modern-art museums (though it does not appear they would interest you). This is a budget-friendly trip only if you purchase the AVE tickets early enough to snag them at the promotional fare. Otherwise, it will be too expensive for a day-trip. The non-AVE trains are far too slow for day-tripping. You'd need to budget for a taxi from the AVE station to the old town (around 3 miles) in case the bus schedule doesn't work for you.

• Alcala de Henares: pretty, historical university town that has very frequent rail service on a commuter line, even on Sundays. Great for walking around. It seemed quite flat; perhaps biking would be viable. But I don't know that there's a local bike-rental spot.

Thanks for the feedback. I should add that this is our 3rd time to Spain. We have previously spent time in the Barcelona area, biked and cruised the Balearic Islands and have visited the sites in southern Spain. We have never been to the Madrid area and find ourselves here for a few days as it was the 'on sale' departure point to get home.

Rather than road trip, I would probably stay near Atocha and day trip, as a more efficient use of your time. I would also advise against Valley of the Fallen as it’s generally regarded as a tribute to Spain’s fascist past, and to visit is considered disrespectful by many. Prioritise El Escorial instead.

Day 1/am - arrive at 10:40am in Madrid (4 nights)
Day 1/pm - Madrid
Day 2 - day trip to Segovia
Day 3/am - visit El Escorial
Day 3/pm - Madrid
Day 4 - day trip to Toledo
Day 5 - depart at 12:10pm from Madrid