zaksgrandma

We will be in Spain in October and will stay approximately 10 days. (We might be able to stretch out a few more days.) We have narrowed our itinerary to Madrid, Toledo and Barcelona -- with side day trips. We will most likely fly into Madrid and home from Barcelona although that could be reversed. We have traveled in Andalusia already.

I am thinking of 5 days in Madrid (3 to see the city and two for day trips to Segovia, Cuenca and ?), 1 night in Toledo and 4 in Barcelona. Other than Montserrat what day trips should we consider? We will be using public transportation -- I guess trains would be more efficient than buses. We are open to all suggestions.

Can we travel to Barcelona from Toledo or will we have to return to Madrid? What order should we do this?

We enjoy wandering cities, love art-- outdoor and in museums, like good food and wine and love historical cities.

Thanks in advance for your help.

bilboburgler

Do Toledo from Madrid by train or bus. No need for over night

kja

I think its great to spend a night (or even two) in Toledo -- it is incredibly evocative in the evening and there is more than enough to do there to justify two full days.

For the order, you might want to look at where you would end up on Sunday afternoon and on Monday, as many things in Spain are closed during those times -- pick the order that maximizes your ability to make use of those days.

joannyc

<< I think its great to spend a night (or even two) in Toledo -- it is incredibly evocative in the evening and there is more than enough to do there to justify two full days. >>

I completely agree.

Robert2533

Yes, you do have to return to Madrid in order to take the train to Barcelona.

With only 10 days, you want to plan your time to get the most out of it. As noted, you can do Toledo and Cuenca as day trips from Madrid. Barcelona itself needs 3 to 4 days to really enjoy, but we've found that it's probably the most stressful of all of the cities in Spain to spend any time.

zaksgrandma

We will be arriving in Madrid and flying home from Barcelona and have 10 nights. If we spend 4 days in Madrid and then go to Toledo for 1 night can we just change trains in Madrid to get to Barcelona or do you suggest we spend another night in Madrid and leave for barcelona in the morning? That would give us 4 nights in Barcelona. If we can train directly to Barcelona (with a change in Madrid but not spend the night) we could spend two nights in Toledo.
As you can tell, I am having a difficult time with the trains!

kja

As Robert noted, you have to travel through Madrid to get from Toledo to Barcelona. You might consider going straight to Toledo upon your arrival, then visit Madrid, and then Barcelona. Or just change trains in Madrid on your way between Toledo and Barcelona -- NO reason to add another change of hotels!