We will have 3 full days in Madrid in early May, and plan 1 for sure in town. The other 2 we would like to visit Salamanca, Avila and Segovia. What advice do you have for the 3 cities in 2 days? Thinking would like the most time in Salamanca. What about transportation? Bus, trains? Y'all are the best, and I thank you in advance.
Posted by
Washington DC
28106 posts
I'm on the record as thinking Avila is by far the least interesting of the major side-trips to be made from Madrid (though I haven't been to El Escorial). To me, Toledo, Segovia, Cuenca, Salamanca and Alcala de Henares are all more appealing. Avila has a wall; walls are cool; it's still just a 90-minute or so destination for me. By comparison, there is much more to see in Segovia and Salamanca (not to mention Toledo, which is on a different level). I would try my darnedest to make Avila the last stop so I could have as much time as I needed for Segovia and Salamanca.
This would be considerably easier by rental car, though I have no idea how much time you'd burn at the rental-car counter completing the pick-up and drop-off. I've never rented a car in Europe, and I understand the process is often not as efficient as in the US.
There seem to be limited decent train options into and out of Salamanca. I see trains from Segovia to Salamanca departing at 9:23 AM, 1:08 PM, 4:23 PM and 9:08 PM. I looked at the weekday schedule; it may be different on weekends/holidays, so you should check renfe.com for your anticipated travel dates.
Trains heading from Salamanca to Avila depart (again this is on a weekday) at 7:32 AM, 9:45 AM, 12:28 PM, and 4:44 PM.
I would hope not to have to buy all my transportation tickets in advance, because I'd hate to be rushed through three cities (or even two). You may find the train schedule doesn't work for you, so I'd also consider a bus from Salamanca to Avila. Avanza has departures (weekdays) at 1:15 PM, 3:30 PM and 8:30 PM. However, I have occasionally seen buses sell out in Spain, so I cannot guarantee that it's safe just to show up at the bus station and count on buying a ticket for the next bus.
Posted by
Laval, Québec, Canada
336 posts
Agree with araven that, Avila was also for us the least interesting of all mentioned. Impressive wall but the rest of the city has nothing that special compared to beautiful Salamanca segovia and toledo.
Posted by
OP
23 posts
I think we will skip Avila, and spend whole days in Salamanca, Segovia and Madrid. What were/are your favorite places to go there?
Posted by
Laval, Québec, Canada
336 posts
As far as Madrid, only one day you'll have to priorityse.
Plaza Mayor and 2 minutes away, if you like markets, Mercado San Miguel is just fantastic. Puerta del sol which is the center of the city.
Then either west with the royal palace, or east with Retiro park and the Museums(I enjoyed Prado a lot)
Gran Via is the main boulevard, going from west to east
Close to the museums and the park is Puerta de Alcala and Cybeles plaza, 2 major landmarks
We enjoyed La Latina district a lot, we were staying there. Lots of restaurants, bars, etc. This is fairly close to Plaza Mayor
Segovia: 1800 year old aqueduc, the Alcazar(Palace) The cathedral and just wander in the city
Salamanca: The most beautiful Plaza in Spain, Caza de la conchas, San Esteban convent, the roman bridge, 2 cathedrals, the university, etc, etc.
Such a wonderful town