Hello all,
We will be traveling through Spain from north to south and planning on breaking up the trip in either Salamanca (bit out of the way), Segovia or Avila. We will arrive at check in time (2 pm- ish) and will stay that night, the entire next day and night and then leave the following day. Previous blogs have indicated that Avila is probably not worth the overnight stay so perhaps Segovia or Salamanca? We are travelling with two small children so looking for any advice of places that may be better suited to them (if at all possible... ). Happy for any advice.
Segovia, Avila or Salamanca?
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We travelled with children to those 3 places. Their favourite and ours was Segovia, as they enjoyed its castle.
A little info. www.maribelsguides.com
We had been in Segovia and Avila; agree that you will enjoy more 1 and a half day or so in Segovia; if you can, have lunch at José María...beautiful city, also Avila is excelent, but I agree you are done in a little less dan a day.
Enjoy!!!!
P.S. in our report on our stay 2 years ago, you will find that we also visited(and enjoyed) Pedraza de la Sierra, near Segovia.
Each one has its charm, but the charms of Salamanca are more for adults such as the university and one of the nicest plazas in Spain. Segovia has an extraordinary aqueduct that will overwhelm children and a castle while Avila is a well-preseved walled town.
All worthy destinations! Adu has summarized nicely (although I would have said "awe" rather than "overwhelm"). I thought Salamanca worth at least 2 full days, Avila worth a half day, and Segovia a full day plus. Hope that helps!
Tough call---I have done each twice now and prefer Segovia among those.
Segovia has more things to see than Avila especially if you can make it to the Granja palace.
Do make time to go to La Granja-about 15 mins out of Segovia.You will enjoy the gardens w/fountains as will the children!
We went to all three towns in the fall of 2010 and stayed in Segovia and Salamanca. Segovia was nice, but we really liked Salamanca. The huge plaza was lively with restaurants, locals, tourists, and college students. There was a charm to the city that we enjoyed.
Ditto the Granja Palace. Check opening days. Fabulous gardens and grounds.
Wow thanks everyone!. It is great that there is a general consensus here (and it is the feedback I was hoping for!) - Segovia it is! Also, I think my husband is going to love the aqueduct. I will also check out the opening times for the Granja Palace. Thanks!
I would skip the tour inside the Palace-just too long andyou have to listen to the guide go on and on...
The beautiful gardens are free and are open all the time.If you are lucky the fountains will be on-reminded me of those in Versailles.If you get an early start I would go on to La Granja and do lunch there.Lots of lovely little resturants and not as busy as those in Segovia.
Yes.. chapla gives great advice. You'll really enjoy this travel day.
Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately I have looked into Granja Palace and it looks like it is open on the Tuesday... but we leave on the Tues morning!(we are only scheduled to be Segovia for Sunday arrival, all Monday and leave Tues). Oh well, looks like it will be the Aqueduct and the Castle instead.
Salamanca twice over - the kids can have fun looking at the oddities on the cathedral and checking out the Casa de las Conchas.
Segovia is worth a 1/2 day max, and Avila is worth a stop to check out the wall. You can do the latter on the way to Madrid.
Salamanca is worth a detour.
BigRuss-You must have missed out on lots of interesting places in Segovia!Salamanca is know more as a university town-full of students and tourists-just swarming in the Plaza Mayor!
I always recommend La Granja-often overlooked.I loved my stay at the Parador there.The little town grew up around the Palace and has survived in a quiet way ,just minutes away from Segovia.The grounds open to the public are probably the most beautiful I've seen in Spain.The fromal gardens w/fountains and then the natural forest beyond them is wonderful.The streets are intersting to wander and there is an amazing number of lovely restaurants.
http://www.spain.info/en_US/ven/otros-destinos/san_ildefonso_o_la_granja.html
I've been to all and I would rank Salamanca best for me at least for an overnight, then Segovia then Avila, though all are very very nice cities. Salamanca seems to me the most overall romantic city, in part due to the university buildings - watch for the salamander statue embedded in one building if I recall correctly.