We will be travelling to Madrid from Barcelona. We will have 6 nights once we leave Barcelona, and we are trying to figure out the best way to spend that time. It sounds like Madrid is worth at least 3 nights. I think it would be great to spend one night in Segovia. (I would also like to take in El Escorial/Valley of the Fallen. And my wife has read about a boat tour in/around Minorca. So I guess we're down to a few options. 1) Go to Minorca for 1-2 nights before heading to Madrid for 4 nights. Segovia and Es Escorial as day trips from Madrid. 2) Head directly to Segovia for 1-2 nights, then to Madrid for 4 nights and skip Minorca. 3) Maybe head to Salamanca for 1-2 nights, then to Madrid (or 1 night in Segovia on the way back to Madrid, then 3 nights in Madrid). Is Minorca too ambitious (considering the travel time?) Is Minorca (even more) overrun with tourists than Barcelona and Madrid? Thanks for all your help!
Scott
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
I would probably choose three days to see places near Madrid. Here are some options: Segovia has a great aqueduct, Avila has a great wall, Toledo has the best twisty road, medieval city feel in Spain. There are also three great castles not far from Segovia - Coca, Penefiel and La Mota - if that interests you. Going toward the Northeast from Madrid, you could choose to stop in Olite (great little Navarre castle), Pamplona and San Sebastian (great beach town). East of Madrid, you might consider Aranjuez (a smaller palace than El Escorial with great gardens) and Cuenca. South from Toledo is Consuegra. Check out each of those and decide which seems most interesting to you. Getting to the islands and back will consume a good chunk of two days, which is why we didn't visit them during our last trip.
Posted by
OP
Sammamish
38 posts
Thanks for the ideas... Anyone have any thoughts about Salamanca? Or Vallodolid?
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
IMHO Plan 1) is a bit too ambitious for 6 days. After Barcelona head directly to Madrid. At some point take an overnight trip to Salamanca (well worth a visit) with stops at Avila & Segovia on the way back. Stop for the night in Segovia or move on and stay in El Escorial. Return to Madrid for the rest of your days (with maybe a trip to Toledo). These places are all close enough - you will not waste a lot of your valuable time travelling. Hasta la Vista!
Posted by
OP
Sammamish
38 posts
OK, just doing more research and looking at the map. I've seen a lot of people talk about Zaragoza, and also the Costa Brava area. The Costa Brava is intriguing so that we can get some beach time. Does anyone know if it's super-crowded and touristy, like the Costa del Sol area? Anyone have any thoughts about Zaragoza?
Thanks, Scott