I’m looking for recommendations for towns to visit and places to stay for our July trip flying in/out of. Madrid with two 18 year olds. At the moment we are planning to get around by train. We know it’s a short trip so maybe 1 or 2 towns in addition to Madrid and Toledo. We also like to spend time at the beach or pool in the afternoons. The only big thing we have planned is a wedding we will be attending in Toledo, July 1st and 2nd. Thank you!
Posted by
9986 posts
You have one week and are flying into Madrid, which is in the middle of the country no were near a beach.
I suggest these choices:
1) Stay in the Madrid area, do day trips to Toledo; Segovia; Avila or Cordoba.
2) Madrid for 2-3 nights, a day trip to Segovia, then head south to, then to Cordoba (1 day), then Seville for 2 days, then back to Toledo (1 day there) returning to Madrid for flight.
Posted by
6791 posts
You could change your flight or just enjoy Madrid and close in cities. Are you staying in Toledo and flying out on the 2nd?
Posted by
new york
1524 posts
You already know that the coastal beaches are out, so I'd suggest booking a hotel in Madrid with a pool. (although you could take a train to Barcelona or Valencia but it's probably not the wisest use of your limited time)
If you want to minimize time in (hot) Madrid and are willing to rent a car, you could get up to the Sierra de Gredos, not far from Avila, for walks and swimming in the natural pools, some of which are ringed by beaches.
There is the PARADOR DE GREDOS, and also at least one good rural hotel in the area, with an excellent restaurant.
If you've been to Madrid, or if you don't want to do the usual sightseeing routine, the heat might send me out of the city to a higher elevation, like that one....
Another option but only if you decide to rent a car, is to drive two hours towards the Ribera del Duero wine region in the valley of the Duero River. ABADIA RETUERTA is located in a former monastery in the Duero River Valley, with a lovely pool and two excellent restaurants; it's set in the middle of vineyards and they have a spa...I can't think of a better way to spend a few nights if you are a wine- or architecture-lover. This is the finest hotel in the area, but there are other winery hotels not far away; some of Spain's finest (red) wines come from this region. The route from Madrid is all on very good highways, so it's an easy drive.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
We will be leaving Madrid 7/3. I am wondering if it’s convenient to travel by train to the towns and sights you mentioned or is it better uber or rent a car? Also, looking for recommendations for places to stay in walking distance of shops and restaurants in Madrid and Toledo. We will be staying in Toledo for a wedding 7/1 through 7/2 and then heading to the airport 7/3. Any recommendations to ensure a smooth trip would be appreciated! Thank you!! Lois
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
8568 posts
Toledo, Segovia, Ávila, and Córdoba are easily reached from Madrid by train. However, if you wanted to go directly from Toledo to Ávila, then on to Segovia without going back into Madrid, a rental car would be the better option.
If you wanted to go to the Sierra de Gredos area, a rental car is the only viable option. The pools are in the mountains and not necessarily near any civilization. The Parador de Gredos is very rural, but nice. There are a number of hiking trails from it. We spent ne night there and we should have spent an additional night.
In Toledo, we most recently stayed at the Parador outside of town, but on other trips we stayed at Hotel María Christina. It’s not in the historic center, but it does have its own parking garage. From it to the escalator up to the historic center, by the Bisagra gate, is a 15-20 minutes walk.