Seville, Madrid, Toledo Itinerary

A day trip to Toledo from Madrid is easy to do but many will recommend an overnight in Toledo. Three days in Seville and three or four days in Madrid would be a decent allocation of time for these locations. Cordoba is worth a stop between Seville and Madrid.

Thanks, Frank! Suggestions and advice are so appreciated!

We spent two nights in Toledo on a recent trip and it was one of our favorite parts of the trip. With all the big city time you have on your trip, you might similarly enjoy the peace and quiet, and the beauty of historic Toledo as a place to stay rather than a day trip. We stayed in an apartment in the center, down a narrow pedestrian street from Plaza Zocodovar. It was beautifully restored, very comfortable, and less expensive than a hotel of similar quality. They have apartments for four as well check out Casa de Los Mozarabes. If you adopt this suggestion, then 3 nights Seville, 2 nights Toledo, and 3 nights Madrid.

A lot depends on your tastes. I prefer Seville and Toledo to Madrid, because Madrid is both urban and "new" (by Spanish standards). If museums and urban parks are tops on your list, Madrid would be the best. If medieval Spain excites you, Toledo is the choice. If you want to see Moorish influence, Seville is the best. I'd probably go three nights in Seville, a night in Cordoba, another night in Toledo and three nights in Madrid. If any of these seem like too much, you could add a sidetrip from Seville to Jerez, Arcos, or Cadiz.

Thank you all so much for your ideas and insight. It is so appreciated!! Do any of you have additional suggestions for apartments in any of these cities? Hotel quads are hard to come by!

Thanks, Lola for your suggestion in Toledo. Looks like a great place, but unless I can rearrange nights there, they look pretty full~already!

Definitely spend a night or two in Toledo. I'd rather see Madrid as a day trip from Toledo than vice versa.

One night in Toledo is probably enough. But a day trip is doable. In Seville I suggest you take in a flamenco show and also try to tour the white villages. Madrid Man will be able to suggest great activities for Madrid.

That is too bad. did you check with a third-party booking agent, or send an inquiry right on the website? Teresa is very good at answering those. I noticed when I was booking that th eother sites (like Booking.com) do not show complete availablity.

Ahhh! Thanks for the suggestion Lola! I will try that~ will let you know!

Give at least 3 days for Seville.

Sevilla - check into the http://www.patiosantacruz.com/es.html Have not stayed there but visited it and will likely stay there this summer. Great location. Also:: Really Discover Sevilla Tour - smaller groups than some of the others..Ask them about a flamenco show as well...and if you go, get there early and sit on the first row! At least one night there in Sevilla, and two if possible. Toledo - Hostal Posada de Manolo...near the cathederal, so if you get lost you can find your way back...and it has a great breakfast overlooking the Cathederal as well. Well run. I have stayed there several times.
One night at least. Toledo is a 1/2 hour train from Madrid. Sevilla is 2 1/2 hour trip. Both leave from the Atocha Train Station.

I agree with Brad's suggestions. I'd plan on staying in Sevilla, Toledo, possibly a night in Cordoba (but if not a night, do stop there), and Madrid. Toledo is beautiful. Walking the streets of Toledo at night is magical. In Madrid check to see if Hostal Acapulco has a quad room. We stayed in an ample triple there. Great location and very reasonably priced. It is not a youth hostel but a small hotel. Their website is under construction but they will respond immediately if you email them. We
have stayed here twice.

Thank you all so very much for your insights! If we were to stop in Cordoba (train Seville to Madrid), do you have any suggestions for what to do with luggage (Rick Steves contertable backpacks)? We don't really want to lug them all over, and many places won't let you in with these things! Still working on the adjenda ~ so very much appreciated everyone!

I'd have to agree with Pat on Hostel Acapulco in Madrid.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! Lola~I was able to book a night in Toledo, thanks to your suggestion. Yes, Therese was most helpful! We are staying 3 nights in Seville, probably a day trip to Cordoba, 1 night in Toledo and 4 nights in Madrid. Thanks again!

Take q look at Alfileritos 24 for dinner in Toledo. It was one of our favorite places the whole trip. It is just the next street over from Casa de Los Mozarabes. Plain and unpretentious from the out side, totally modern on the inside, very trendy menu. If you are vegetarian or looking for lighter fare, Madre Tierra is very pretty inside, gracious service, food OK but not as Wow as the other. The only place we paid to enter in Toledo was the cathedral, which was well worth it. Other than that, we wandered, got lost in the narrow streets, walked the riverside path outside the walls, enjoyed watching a wedding party escape from the rain, and otherwise just enjoyed the historic city.

A Second Posting --
Toledo is one of the favorite cities of any place I have traveled. No problems with admission prices or whatever as someone else had. Just off the Plaza Zodocover, through the "keystone arch" is the Santa Clara (think that is the name) Museum. Fantastic tapestries to examine. The Cathedral is inspiring. Be sure to get the hand held audio listening device. St. John monestary, a bit off the tract, but well worth seeing. The Jewish Quarter with the exhibits is amazing. A great restaurant is Restaurantes Case Aurelio - It has three locations, I eat at the one "downtown" - great atmosphere and excellent food. Have a great trip!

Regarding your question about luggage in Cordoba. I've heard that the bus station, across the street from the train station, has lockers to store your luggage while you visit. I prefer day stops to day trips because you don't cover the same ground multiple times (pass Cordoba to get to Seville, go back to Cordoba, go back to Seville) so I think it's a little more efficient. It looks like trains between the two run often, so you don't have to worry about getting stuck.

Thank you so very much for these continuing suggestions! Good food, fewer hassles, and making memories with family, and learning are what this is all about! I really appreciate it!