Burgos vs Leon, Avila vs Segovia
 

This will be a 23-night trip, beginning and ending in Madrid, in September. We are non-drivers, and have visited Spain several times. This time, we want to try something new.

We've already booked lodgings in Madrid (4 nights), Santiago de Compostella (5 nights) and Porto (5 nights). We'll take daytrips from the latter two places, and head to Salamanca before returning to Madrid.

We'll have 3 nights between Madrid and Santiago, and want to visit both Burgos and Leon (this would be by train). Which one should get the most time?

On the way back from Salamanca (maybe 3 nights there,after a bus trip from Porto), would you devote more time to Segovia than to Avila? The general opinion I'm getting favors Segovia, but I have fond memories of Avila - from many years ago.

Thanks for advice -- Steve

I spent a lot more time in the cathedral in Burgos than I did in the cathedral in Leon. It is bigger and has more to see. Much more magnificent. The Museum of Evolution is also very good. The town of Burgos was simpy very beautiful, with the river running through it, so that would be my choice.

What a difficult decision to make between Leon and Burgos! I loved them both. Anyway to see them both?

Here is a link to my pictorial TR in case it may help you decide. Burgos is the first stop and Leon is closer towards the end. The first pic in each town/city has the name written on it.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-pictures.cfm

I also loved both Avila and Segovia but I think I would spend the time in Segovia since you won't have a car to get out of Avila proper to see the other sites such as St. Teresa's convent, etc. Everything in Segovia is within walking distance.

On the other hand, I much preferred Leon to Burgos, but I am not fond of baroque.

For my posts on both start here and use the links at the top of the page:

mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2015/11/25/leon-got-popular/

Can't help with Avila and Segovia, but I just loved Salamanca, give it plenty of time. Have you already been to Toledo?

Thanks for the quick responses, and the links. It will be Segovia.

Burgos and Leon are on the same railway line in the direction of Santiago de Compostella. It wouldn't make much sense to take a daytrip from Burgos, so I'm leaning towards two nights in Burgos, and one in Leon.

(We've been to a number of places in Spain, but not to this general region.)

-- Steve

I would make it two nights in Leon and one in Burgos. (I actually made it three in Leon and one in Burgos and didn't regret it.) But YMMV.

“Burgos and Leon.... Which one should get the most time?”

Leon! Burgos is, IMO, charming, but there is MUCH more to see in Leon. Of course, though, it depends on your interests! I spent 1 night in Burgos and 2 in Leon and that worked very well for my interests.

“would you devote more time to Segovia than to Avila?”

Segovia, no question! (AndI say that as someone who thoroughly enjoyed Avila.)