Hi Fellow travelers:
We will be staying in Madrid for 5 nights in September. I was thinking of doing a day trip. Any recommendations on best day trip? I have read that Segovia and Toledo are pretty good and an easy train ride away. (We will also be spending time in Seville and Granada before Madrid)
Any preference on best day trips? I doubt we will have time for 2 day trips. Don's want to rush and want to enjoy Madrid as well.
Thanks
Chris
I spent 2 nights in Toledo but did Segovia as a day trip, so hard to advise. Toledo is bigger with more art opportunities. Segovia is more about it's hilltop location and architecture (Roman aqueduct). For me it did win by a margin but I could see it being more crowded on a busy day.
Also, when I was there in 2017, it was a longer train ride and may need a transfer. Then buses to get into town. There are 2 different drain systems that run to Segovia. For an easiest plan logistically, Toledo is simplest.
Best is subjective. Either Toledo or Segovia are popular day trips. Less frequently mentioned is Alcalá de Henares (birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes), but It would come in third to the other two. You can’t go wrong with any of those options.
My top recommendation is Segovia. It’s an easy bus or train ride from Madrid. Last trip, we arrived by train but went back by bus.
I lean towards Segovia. The huge aqueduct leading into the hill town is really unique. I also think it is a bit less crowded than Toledo is nowadays.
I don't think you will find any consensus on which of Toledo or Segovia is a better day trip. I think a differentiating factor might be how close your accommodation in Madrid is to a major train station.
Trains for Segovia leave from the Chamartin station in Northern Madrid, trains for Toledo leave from the main train station Atocha. There's an easy commuter train from Atocha to Chamartin, but see how long it would take to get to either one. If getting to Chamartin is another 20 minutes on either end, that might make Toledo slightly more attractive.
Thank you for all the suggestions. Very helpful information. Looking forward to a fun 2 weeks in Spain
Chris
Both cities are great, but Toledo is my favorite city in Spain. Don't miss it.
