Have Time for 2 Day Trips during week long stay in Madrid; one day will be a day trip to Toledo the other is either to El Escorial or to Segovia. Any Opinions? Coming from a week in Andalusia to Madrid both El Escorial and Segovia look interesting.
Posted by
shingle springs, CA, USA
782 posts
We day tripped to El Escorial and loved it,I have never seen so much marble in my life,we stayed two nights in Toledo and that was perfect for Toledo.
Mike
Posted by
Washington DC
27175 posts
And I loved Segovia (but did not go to El Escorial). You get to choose! Surely we have some folks who have been to both places and can compare.
Posted by
16 posts
They are both fantastic options and I am sorry that it has to be one or the other. They will both take up a full day and I guess it just depends on what is more appealing to you. El Escorial is the closest to Madrid and will take about 25-30 minutes by train (super easy). The history of EE is amazing and you will enjoy countless hours roaming the property and gardens. If you are interested (which we were), you can also time it just so so that in the afternoon you can take a but trip over to El Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen). A lot of controversy surrounds this monument, but it doesn't detract from the amazing sight you will encounter. Well worth the few extra euros and time.
We also visited Segovia (if memory serves, it was about an hour or so away by train) and absolutely loved it. You will need to take a bus to the main area you want to explore which includes the amazing aqueduct, church and jaw dropping beauty of the Alcazar. Invest a little extra to go up to the tower of the Alcazar, the views and photo ops are breathtaking. Definitely stop by Limon y Menta and savor the deliciousness that is Ponche Segoviano (a heavenly dessert!).
I am thankful to have visited both places (back in June of 2013), but having written this reply I have convinced myself that if you can only do one of the two, Segovia will fill more of your day with a variety of sights and experiences.
I hope you enjoy whichever option you select!
Posted by
Port St Joe Florida
513 posts
Another daytrip you may want to consider is to Avila, the walled city of Santa Teresa. Avila is a bit more of a train journey (about a 1 1/2 trip from Madrid's Chamartin station) but it is a most worthwhile destination. There are still sections of the wall that you can walk. I went up in the morning, did my touring, had a great lunch, and then a little shopped some in the Old Town before taking the train back to Madrid. A very enjoyable day!