Itinerary for 4 days in Madrid

Old Nov 21st, 2017, 08:12 AM
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Itinerary for 4 days in Madrid

We will be in Madrid on New Years Eve and then have 4 days there before flying home. We'll go to the Prado museum on New Years Eve and celebrate the new year, probably in Puerta del Sol as it is close to our hotel. Any other suggestions would be great!

We'd like to take 3 day trips out from Madrid. We will visit Toledo for sure. The other 3 towns I've seen over and over again are Segovia, Avila and Salamanca. Cuenca has been mentioned as well, but the train ticket is quite expensive. We would be willing to pay the price if it's worth it, though. Any thoughts?

Any feedback on which towns to see as well as the best itinerary and transportation there would be greatly appreciated!!
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Old Nov 21st, 2017, 08:14 AM
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Just to clarify, I haven't been to any of these towns, but I've seen they've been suggested as day trips from Madrid. Thank your for any help you can provide in narrowing down what to see.
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Old Nov 21st, 2017, 08:31 AM
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From what you say, you are not there to see Madrid.

Toledo and Segovia are easy to reach. Salamanca is 1:30 min from Madrid by fast train ( 2-3 times a day ), other trains and buses take almost 3 hours.
Check Renfe for trains.

The train station for Segovia and Salamanca is Chamartin

For Toledo, Atocha. Ticket for early trains to Toledo are often sold out.

From the train station in each city , one has to take a bus or taxi to the centre.
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Old Nov 21st, 2017, 09:24 AM
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Three days trips in 4 days is two too many, in my opinion. I'd choose either Segovia or Toledo and spend the rest of the time in the city of Madrid. The walls are the draw in Avila but I don't think the city itself is worth leaving Madrid for.
El Escorial is also a popular day trip but whether you would want to go depends on your interests.

What about other Madrid museums?
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Old Nov 21st, 2017, 09:43 AM
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Thank you for your speedy responses.

No, we really are not there to see Madrid but want to spend one day there and then use it as a base for day trips. We are active and enjoy being on the go when traveling. We want to visit Retiro Park and visit the Prado for a couple of hours, but otherwise aren't compelled to stay rooted in the city. My teenage daughter will get bored quickly if we go to too many museums or stay too long at any one. I'm interested in seeing a bull fight, but my husband and daughter not so much!

@danon Thank you for the specifics about the trains! How far in advance should we purchase tickets to Toledo?
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Old Nov 21st, 2017, 10:47 AM
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Well, you'll be there at the wrong time of year for bullfights. The season starts at the Fallas in Valencia in March and continues thru Oct. Too bad ! You'll have to make a return trip. Leave your husband and kid at home - just joking !
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Old Nov 21st, 2017, 04:11 PM
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1-2 day ( depending on the hours of departure and return you plan on ) ... you can purchase tickets on line .
There is also a direct bus line from Madrid to Toledo...55 min.

Of the places you listed, Salamanca is my favourite.
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Old Nov 21st, 2017, 04:54 PM
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Are you sure you’ll have time to see what you want in this timeframe? People differ, of course, but 1 felt hard pressed to see what I wanted to see in Toledo and Salamanca with “just” 48 hours for each.

For transportation, consult rome2rio.com and then follow through with the links you find there.

And if you haven’t already done so, please consult a good guidebook or two. The cost will be minimal in comparison to the cost of your trip, and you will find a wealth of information at your fingertips.

Good luck!
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Old Nov 21st, 2017, 07:03 PM
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Madrid during the Christmas season can be magicial if only you try. The city is alive with special events and celebrations, but you don’t seem interested. So let’s see what’s possible.

The days are short and nights long, not great for taking any long day trips. And it’s bound to be a little on the cold side once the sun sets, so be sure to bundle up.

As mentioned, there are number of outstanding small to medium size museums worth visiting during you limited time in Madrid.

If you want to sit down to enjoy a meal, lunch or dinner, reservations are a must. And restaurants will be closed tight on NYs day. Eating a bocadio at the Museum of Jamon doesn’ t sound all that appealing or appetitzing, now does it. But then again...
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Old Nov 21st, 2017, 07:08 PM
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I went to Toledo and Segovia as day trips from Madrid last month. For Toledo I took the train from Atocha Renfe. For Segovia I took the La Sepulvedana bus from Moncloa Station because it takes you to within walking distance of the town while the train from Charmatin will require another bus transfer.

I didn't even see the alcazar (closed on a Wednesday) or the cathedral (church fatigue) but the general sights in Toledo are amazing. After you've had your share of walking, go to Plaza de Zodocover and hop on the train. It will take you to the other side of the river where you can see a panoramic view of the city.

Segovia was overrun by tour groups when I went so I don't have fond memories of it despite the very impressive aqueduct. I found walking to its source away from the crowds was a highlight (the grand entrance is actually its terminus). Eat cochinillo here too if your god or doctor doesn't forbid.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2017, 10:17 PM
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Thank you all! Your responses are duly noted.

@Hnh6 is the train you're referring to a different train from the one that travels Madrid to Toledo? Does it leave from a central location in Toledo? My understanding is that the train stations in most of these towns are not close to the town center. Can you please tell me how long this journey takes? And we would be happy to try the dish you recommend!!
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Old Nov 22nd, 2017, 10:55 PM
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Trains from Madrid to Toledo only leave from Atocha station. And yes, the station is located outside of Toledo so you will have to take the local bus or taxi into Toledo. The train, regular commuter run, takes 33 minutes.

Cochinillo asado is roast suckling pig.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2017, 03:25 AM
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@richmich6 the train at Plaza de Zodocover I referred to is a children choo choo type for touristy purposes. There is also a HOHO bus that will take you to the panoramic mirador.

The bullet train that takes you from Atocha to Toledo arrives at the Toledo Station which IMO is walkable to the town. We had GPS on our phone but it is easy enough following others who also choose to walk. Of course, I like walking so YMMV. It is a hilltop city, so you'll have an upward climb to enter it, but there are also escalators if you wish to use them.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2017, 03:56 AM
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We took the train that hnh6 recommends from Plaza de Zocodover. It's a lot of fun, and the view from across the river is stunning. The ride is about 40 minutes. Cost is about 6 euros, I think.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 01:16 PM
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Thanks again!

We are looking for places to eat, things to do on New Years Eve. Our hotel has a reasonably priced dinner. We'll probably check out Puerta del Sol for midnight festivities with grapes in hand. Any other suggestions? I may start a new thread about this, but if you want to chime in with suggestions, please do so!!

And yes,Robert@2016, Madrid does look to be a festive place for the holiday and we may stick around to enjoy it more than we'd planned to. Just more into smaller towns than big cities for the most part.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 04:43 PM
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I will echo what others have said , that 3 day trips in 3 days is a bit much. I wouldn't recommend Salamanca as a day trip, its about 2+ hrs to get there. Its a beautiful city with lot to see and at the very least merits an overnight. Cuenca I did as a day trip, and frankly I wasn't that taken with it. Maybe part of it was that it was scorching hot when I went, obviously you will not have that problem. Of your list , in addition to Toledo I would do Segovia. And yes, try the cochinillo there. My preferred places are Meson Duque and Jose Maria

I really would urge you to reconsider about not planning more time in Madrid , which is a fabulous city, not only for its museums (which are world class), but for its plazas, restaurants, nightlife. Ive been to Madrid with my kids when they were young teens , young adults and in between ,and they loved it. Old Madrid is spectacular, there's no more beautiful square than Plaza Mayor. And then nearby the Mercado San Miguel, so fun. Well, I could go on and on.

If you do decide to go to Puerto del Sol to wait for New Years do leave all valuables in your hotel. You couldn't pay me to do do that! But I would love to be on one of the balconies of the Hotel Europa eating my grapes while I countdown!
Enjoy your trip!
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 06:02 PM
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Keep in mind that getting to train stations in Madrid takes a bit of travel( especially Chamartin in the north of the city)
Often, there is a luggage control so you need to be there in good time.
As mentioned , from train stations in Toledo, Segovia and Salamanca , you have to take a bus ( or taxi) .
You might wish to plan accordingly.

I love Madrid, but Sol is the place I usually avoid.
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Old Nov 24th, 2017, 10:31 PM
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What's on in Madrid
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...850104236&z=14
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Old Nov 26th, 2017, 03:35 PM
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Wish our time wasn't so short in Madrid! Will skip Salamanca and Cuenca. But I'm also really drawn to Córdoba, which is less than two hours away. So we need to narrow down to two day trips, Toledo and either Segovia or Córdoba.

@cruiseluv We'll definitely try to visit the Mercado San Miguel. We are not into the bar scene, which is what I think of when nightlife is mentioned. Or Is there something I'm missing? Any particular areas you would tecommend to visit with our teen to enjoy the nightlife in Madrid?

@Revulgo thank you I will check out the link you provided
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Old Nov 26th, 2017, 04:08 PM
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I'm glad I saw delightful Segovia, but it doesn't belong to the same class as either Toledo or Cordoba, IMO. OTOH, Segovia is the right size for a day trip; Toledo and Cordoba both easily warrant 2 full days IMO.
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