Segovia or Toledo Day Trips from Madrid

Segovia is fast by train and slower by bus, but the train station is outside of the
city and you have to shuttle in, whereas the bus station is close to the aqueduct.

Train station in Toledo is outside the city but there are lots of buses that can take
you up the hill (for a day trip, you don't want to walk up the hill or find the escalator).

Segovia is smaller and easier to navigate. Toledo is bigger and has hills, even when you
are up in the old town.

The bus station in Madrid for going to Segovia is Moncloa, which is not close to Atocha,
and can be a confusing place on its own. So where you are staying in Madrid is a small
factor.

I happen to think that there are sights to see and check off in Segovia, and Toledo may
be a bit more about the experience (I'm sure there will be differing opinions).

If you can get to Moncloa, then I think the bus to Segovia is the easiest one since you
don't have a second transport need at the other end, and Segovia has things to see
and not that many hills.

My wife and I prefer Toledo, but you can’t go wrong with either. Both have hills and are easy to navigate. For walking narrow, back streets, Toledo wins. The main sites in Segovia are the Alcázar, Roman aqueduct, and cathedral. Toledo has a couple very picturesque bridges, a number of museums, its Alcázar, and the ruins of a Roman Circus. In Segovia the Alcázar is up a hill from the main plaza. In Toledo the historic center is up a hill. The Roman circus and bridges are at the bottom of the hill.

We’ve always spent a night in the towns so can’t speak to visiting them as a day trip.

In Toledo the Remonte mecánico de Safont escalator is a mile from the train station. There is a second escalator just past the Bisagra gate; Escalera mecánica del Parque Recaredo. It is just over a mile from the train station. Both can be searched on Google maps.

Thank you Shoeflyer and Jaimeelsabio for taking time to reply.

I really liked both but if I had to choose between the two, I'd probably go to Segovia. I loved seeing the Roman Aquaduct and walking around the town. Toledo was very interesting and I'm glad that I went, but I think it might be better for an overnight trip. As a previous poster said, you can't go wrong with either one.

DO BOTH, the cities are great.

Thank you Sherry, Geovagriffith, and History Traveler for your replies. I only have time for one this time. However, the one missed out on this trip will be on the Future itinerary. I would definitely go back. Cheers!

Been to both and both Cities are worth visiting. But I did a one day trip to Segovia through a bus tour from Madrid. The tour also stopped at Avila. My vote is for Segovia because the aqueduct is the attraction and worth seeing.

Thank you Derek!

You will probably second-guess your decision either way. I ended up choosing Segovia because I'm an Ancient Rome nerd, and the Aqueduct took precedence over everything else. Also, our small-group tour from Madrid included a visit to Pedraza.

We were there in October 2017 - excellent weather throughout the trip.

If you haven't seen an aqueduct somewhere else, I would go to Segovia. For me, Toledo was mostly just a city with pretty buildings.

Are you trying to do this on your own, or with a tour?

There are many one day tours from Madrid that include both cities--it will be a long and busy day, but you should be able to get inside both the famous Alcázar in Segovia and the Cathedral in Toledo. As a tourist, at least you can say you visited both places, and you will have an increased appreciation for the beauty, history, and architecture of Spain. For first-timers, I would recommend Segovia, as the city is very lovely and there is plenty to see and do, and it is easy to navigate.

However, I am a Toledo fanatic--the cathedral there is beautiful, the sword-making history enchants me, and the damascene jewelry always calls my name. Toledo is also stunning to see from different views. There may be a tiny bit more walking, but still very doable.

Again, if you go independently you should have ample time to see some of the main sights in either city during a day trip.

Have fun planning!

If you have an interest in quality swords, visit Mariano Zamorano Swords Factory in Toledo. Believe it is the only remaining forge in the city. Those one sees in the tourist shops and not quality swords and are factory made. I was once at the Zamorano forge and it was making swords for the Spanish military. On another occasion the owner went out of his way to explain the entire process for my wife and I. It isn’t a site most tourists visit.

Thank you Estimated Prophet, Cala, Phila Lady, Jamieelsabio for your replies. Based on all of your responses and time availability, I chose Segovia. It was tough to decide, but there will definitely be another trip, and Toledo will be a part of next trip.

@Phila Lady, I am planning my own itinerary. It's fun planning and I prefer to do things at my own pace.

Cheers!