Madrid, segovia and Toledo planning

Madrid has beautiful parks and one of Europe's finer palaces. The Naval Museum is very interesting (take passports if you go), especially the Spanish age of exploration . . . think Columbus ☺ Toledo is a great day trip, but buy train tickets a couple days in advance as trains do sell out.

Agree with Chani about the parks great places to relax and have a picnic if that is your cup of tea

We bought tickets on the HoHo bus and toured the city. It was a decent way to get around and see the highlights. As others mentioned, Retiro Park is really nice and we really enjoyed touring the palace (lots of old weapons and armor). Your teens might enjoy a tour of the Real Madrid stadium. They get to go out on the pitch and see the locker rooms. You can get there using the HoHo bus or public transportation. Try Mercado San Miguel for tapas and a nice (though crowded) market experience. You can also do a self-guided walking tour for a taste of the old city: Almudena Cathedral > Plaza Oriente > Plaza Mayor > Puerta del Sol > Gran Via > Cibeles > Puerta de Alcala. I recommend a day trip to Toledo as well.

Thank you for the info. I checked out the naval museum and will definitely go there! As far as Toledo, I keep seeing that I need to prebook because it will sell out. Is it something that I can do the day before or do I need to book now? We will be there June 8-11. Where to I go to book?

In Madrid you have to go to Mercado de San Miguel and sample eat stuff and drink wine
http://www.mercadodesanmiguel.es/en/

No reservations needed.

Segovia is great day trip from Madrid to see the Roman Aquaduct: a masterpiece.
Also try the Colchinila (suckling pig) a regional dish with Rioja red wine.
We had a traditional two hour lunch with locals there near the cathedral

El Escorial is worth a visit on the way to Segovia.

Toledo could be a challenge of a day trip;
it is hilly and it will be hot there in June (we were there in July though)
so maybe go very early or late no late morning afternoon stuff.
The "experts" say it should be seen it at night so maybe spend a night there?

The usual warnings about pre-booking Toledo involve the return trip to Madrid. Those can sell out. My guess is that this is more of an issue on weekends, but it is only a guess. I think Rick suggests that you buy your return ticket (both bus and train are available) at the same time you buy your outbound ticket. I have no personal experience with this since I spent several nights in Toledo and knew I would be moving on in the morning.

You can buy your train tickets to/from Toledo when you arrive in Madrid.

Great, thanks for info:))

The Alcázar of Toledo contains the Spanish Army Museum which is very good! When my wife and I visited Toledo we took taxis several times. We were a little embarrassed by how inexpensive they were.

I keep seeing that Toledo is great at night but I already have my apartment rented in Madrid. What is the best means of transportation to get from Madrid to Toledo and would it be possible to stay until nighttime and the head back or does the train/bus only come back at certain time? Can anyone advice on this? Also, is renting a car to take this day trip totally silly? I have no idea how parking, tolls, cost of car etc might be. We love to explore and have rented a car for a day in many other European cities and had a blast exploring and going on an adventure but I know it is not advised in all cities.

Same question for Segovia? Best means of transportation and what about a car rental for here? Some of our best memories are exploring on our own with our kids.

Thank you!

You "could"... not returning by train anyway -your last fast train from Toledo departs at 9:30ish- but there are several buses after that, the latest departing Toledo at 10:30 or so. HOWEVER, note sunset in that area this time of the year is after 9:30pm, so that means it doesn't really get dark -the best scenario to see Toledo lighten up- a while after that. In short, you'd be only enjoying Toledo by night for hardly 30-45'.... is the whole thing worth then?

If you decide to stay to see it lighten up, here some tips for some vantage points.

Ah Enric, even helping with my other cities! Can you advice on renting a car for Toledo or Segovia. It looks like I can rent a car for a day for less than $75, with insurance. I know with Toledo I will have to park and maybe taxi or walk into the city as not to drive on the narrow streets. What about Segovia?

This might be a bit of a stretch and a silly idea as far as tolls, parking etc. We were in Nice 2 years ago and rented a car to drive to Monte Carlo and stopped at each little town along the way. We had the best time and discovered Eze, which ended up being one of the hilights of our trip. My husband lived in Portugal and England so driving in Europe does not scare us. Mainly concerned about the practicality of it in Spain.

Driving in Spain is like driving anywhere else in Europe... and indeed having a car gives you a greater flexibility and, if you're up for it, go for it girl you'll be able to enjoy the area around Madrid and discover other things.

As per Segovia...
City Tourism Board: http://www.turismodesegovia.com/
What to see: https://www.mochileandoporelmundo.com/que-ver-y-hacer-en-segovia-un-dia/
Where to park: http://guias-viajar.com/madrid/viajes-excursiones/donde-aparcar-coche-segovia/

Am in Madrid now and saw your post after looking for information. We have been here there nights and find it the most stimulating city we have visited in spain (haven't been to Barcelona yet). If you love hanging with the locals, this is your place. Active day and night. Endless places to explore. Restaurants? Just walk around and see what looks inviting. Also, you like history but not museums? The Picasso Guernica Pity and Terror exhibit at the Reina Sofia museum is a powerful history lesson your kids deserve. Check it out. Regarding Toledo: hot and crowded with tourists and you will not miss anything if you don't spend the night. It is practically deserted by 8 PM and teenagers would be bored. Renting a car: We parked below the bus station in Toledo, it's a huge free lot. Then walk up to town or take a cab or bus. Parked in the underground lot in Segovia near the Roman bridge and that was simple.. Dropped the car in Madrid and the only problem was finding the hotel garage for Hertz (our fault for not verifying), but overall having the car was easy, convenient and cheaper than trains or tours.. Have fun!

The Royal Botanical Garden is very nice, suggest going there earlier in the day. http://www.rjb.csic.es/jardinbotanico/jardin/?len=en

We found it a nice break from museums. It's adjacent to Retiro Park and just north of Atocha Train Station.

I enjoyed our day trip to Toledo, but it was during late September, so the weather wasn't too hot. The cathedral there is wonderful. We took a train from Madrid, I bought the tickets in the States about a month before we left.

@ kathy and jolo... Thank you for the info. Joel... I am really thinking that we might rent a car in Cordoba and leisurely make our way to Toledo and then Madrid. We love road trips so good to know it has been easy for you. My husband is headed to AAA today to get his IDP. That is required in Spain correct? We have never gotten one before but I have seen some posts that people were fined $250 is Spain if caught. I'm assuming this is correct information and don't want to take a chance.

Yes, you need an IDP to drive practically anywhere outside your own country -certainly you do to drive in Europe.

There are indeed penalties because without an IDP is like if you were driving without a permit... but I am not sure that would be the figure you'd be fined with... it sounds very low to me.

I think you are looking at a drive time of 4-5 hours for Cordoba to Toledo, no stopping, and no getting lost. The drive, mostly across the central plains of Spain, is not particularly interesting. A car in Toledo is not necessary, even more probably a hindrance.

Train (via change in Madrid) can be done in less than 3 hours.

AVE 2083
Dep 08:56 CORDOBA-CENTRAL (Spain)
Arr 10:40 MADRID-PUERTA DE ATOCHA (Spain)
AVN 8312
Dep 11:20 MADRID-PUERTA DE ATOCHA (Spain)
Arr 11:53 TOLEDO (Spain)

@ David, thanks for chiming in. Good to know that it's not a very scenic drive. Once in Seville, we were planning to talk to our tour guide and get opinions on it. We can possibly pick up a car for just a day trip if we decide then. I wasn't too keen on the long drive to Madrid but we thought if there were interesting places to see on the way, it might be interesting.

Thanks again,
Kristalynn