I am looking at staying a week in Toledo with a daytrip to Madrid in March. Something like this:
Is it too much back and forth to Madrid? Would it be better to do the first 4 nights in Toledo and last 2 nights in Madrid? I am interested in quiet and lazy.
Two day trips that come to mind from Toledo are Segovia and Cordoba. Segovia would mean a couple transfers. Segovia, I think, works as a day trip. I love Cordoba and think its worth at least 3 nights, but, you can do the top sights in a day. I like that you are overnighting in Toledo. Its a great city and nice to be able to be there with fewer tourists.
With Madrid a half hour a way, it is a good day trip, and if you felt you needed more, you can easily go back. If the train ticket hasn't increased in price, it was a bit over 10euro one way Toledo to Madrid.
We took a taxi from the city center to the other side of the river for "the view" of Toledo. It was worth the 5euro.
I would keep your Madrid days together at the end. That would eliminate some back and forth. Not knowing how you intend on traveling, maybe San Lorenzo Del Escorial as a day trip. If you had a rental car, there are all sorts of small towns not too terribly far away. Using public transportation may limit where you can go depending on bus and train schedules.
The location of the train station in Toledo makes multiple day-trips by train less than convenient.
I agree that decamping to Madrid for the end of the trip would make much more sense. And San Lorenzo de Escorial would be a great day trip if you have a car.
I agree with jaimeelsabio. Madrid/Toledo day trip is easy, but if you're traveling through Madrid save it for one end of the trip of the other.
And like everyone on this forum, we all have different opinions. For our family, Toledo was only okay -- and not worth much more than a day trip from Madrid. (But that's me. I'm sure others will disagree.) That said, if "quiet and lazy" are your goals, four days in Toledo is certain to ensure you'll achieve that.
Have fun!
We concur on making Madrid your last days if you depart from there. Madrid has so-o-o much more than Toledo. We day tripped to Toledo on a Sunday and next time we will stay for longer. BUT, we suggest you avoid weekends in Toledo due to the crowds.
Thanks all for your helpful comments. We decided on 3 nights Toledo/ 3 nights Madrid. Most likely, Toledo will be a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Along with the many things to do in Madrid, I see Real Madrid plays March 10 (not much of a futbol fan but who knows). Planning is such fun!
