Day trips in Spain
 

Taking a trip to Spain and wondering about day trips from Madrid and Barcelona.

From Madrid would you go to Aviila or El Escorial along with Segovia? We are also planning to do a day trip to Toledo. Other thoughts?

When in Barcelona would you go South to Tarragona ? Is Valencia a good day trip? Or head north to Figueres & Girona?

Or any other recommendations?

Thank you for your help.

Girona is a good day trip..
Beautiful Valencia is unfortunately three hours by train each way...if you have the time, go overnight.

I would go to Avila, a fascinating medieval walled city. If you like ancient Roman stuff Tarragona is a good daytrip.

I highly recommend both Toledo and Segovia - but each were full days (meaning, we didn't combine them with other cities). As for near Barcelona, Tarragona is a great city that's fun to explore, as is Reus. Reus is smaller, quaint, with great festivals and an active city center. It is also the city in which Gaudi was born. You can combine either with nearby wineries in Priorat or Montsant.
Have a great trip!

Chinchon is a really cool little town, totally worth checking out. The day we were there the entire town came out in the evening for paella cooked in the main square in the BIGGEST pans I have ever seen in my life. There was dancing, entertainment and great people/culture watching.

I haven't been to Avila so can't comment on that, but I just loved both Segovia and Toledo. El Escorial is interesting as a building and museum, but it's not in the same category as seeing an entire city. Of course, it's easier to get to and takes less time. So view El Escorial as a museum trip, basically, and decide if you have time for it.

Last Fall, I spent 4 nights in Toledo and 2 nights each in Avila and Segovia. Saw the Valley of the Fallen and El Escorial on my way from Segovia to Madrid. I went to La Granja on my way to Segovia after 4 nights in Salamanca.

I think all those towns deserve a minimum of a night, if not longer. I was sorry I only had 2 nights in Avila and Segovia. They are beautiful when illuminated at night! And there are plenty of things to see in or nearby.

How much time do you have for your trip? What is your itinerary?

We will be there 2 weeks. Just creating our itinerary. We were in Spain 18 months ago and did Granada, costa del sol and some of the white towns. Also did Barcelona and Madrid. My DH spent Madrid in the hotel ill.
Want to make sure we get to San Sebastan & Bilboa and Toledo for sure as well has back to Barcelona and Madrid.this time.

Also we are going with another couple who have never been.

Sooo, looking for opinions on what you enjoyed.

After several trips to Spain, we finally visited Valencia.
I highly recommend it....only1:40 min from Madrid.

I just loved Segovia and really wish I had spent more than a day there, especially now that I hear it is illuminated at night. I am heading back to Spain soon, and now that I've learned this i might have to work in a visit there again. Hmmm.....

Segovia at night:
http://www.google.com/search?q=segov...w=1024&bih=672

Avila at night:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...mg.BbQiXS3NS84


2 weeks, does that mean 12 days for site-seeing plus 2 travel days to/from home/Spain for a total of 14 days?

14 days of sightseeing.

Just a suggestion:

Fly into Madrid
3 nights Madrid
Train to Toledo for 2 nights
Rent car and day trip to Consuegra to fight the windmills with Don Quiote
drive to Avila for 2 nights
Drive to Salamanca for 2 nights
drive to Segovia for 2 nights
Drive to Barcelone for 3 nights
Day trip areas near Barcelona as noted by others above
Fly home from Barcelona

Some will say they don't like 2 night stays but IMO it beats a day trip or not seeing them at all. It gives you 11/2 -.2 days in these places.

It depends on your interest.
I prefer big city vibe , museums, restaurants, concerts I.e. Madrid , Barcelona , Valencia.
I have visited Madrid four times, Barcelona six- always something new to see.

For me, small ( lovely ) towns like
Toledo, Avila, Segovia , Girona are good day trips, but boring at night.

I highly recommend Segovia and Toledo. El Escorial is interesting as a building and museum, but it's not in the same category as seeing an entire city.

FWIW, I thought Toledo deserved close to 2 full days. I thought Segovia deserved close to a full day. I though Avila deserved the better part of a day. I thought a half-day tour of El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen from Madrid was sufficient. I thought Salamanca easily worth 2 full days. But it all depends on what you want to see and experience. They each have some unique things that are worth experiencing.

Enjoy!