I am interested in visiting the prado and other museums in madrid when I go to Spain next year, but other than that Madrid doesn't interest me as much as the towns around it like toledo and segovia and chinchon. Is it possible to stay in one of these towns and do madrid as a day trip? I.e, park the car in a garage near the prado and make a day of it and then head out? Opinions?

Its doable, but forget about taking the car. You'd spend most of the day getting in and out of the city and finding your way around.
You can train or bus from those cities right to downtown Madrid for what you would pay for parking otherwise.

It's easy and cheap to get around the city with the subway or taxis.

To make the most of your daytrip, I would go straight to the Prado, then take one of the open top touring buses and hop off in Old Madrid near the Plaza Mayor for a tapas lunch and the go see the Palacio Real, before heading back to your homebase.

Olga gave you some excellent guidance about driving into Madrid for a daytrip.
I can't imagine going that far and not spending at least several days in Madrid. Whether you come into Madrid (Puerta de Atocha) from Toledo by car or by train (There's a parking garage above the station - as I recall, it's pretty expensive) the Centro de Arte de la Reina Sofia is just across from the station - to the north. Then you can walk up to the Museo del Prado. If you arrived at the Reina Sofia at 10:00 AM that should just about take you to dinner-time; and there is so much more to see and do: Palacio Real, Plaza de Oriente, Opera, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Cibeles, Puerta de Alcala, etc., etc. I didn't even mention the Thyssen collection. Hey! You just can't do it in a day!

These posters are giving good advice. And, having lived there briefly, I can tell you that Madrid is endlessly fascinating, with lots of beauty and history and culture. I think you could run out of things to do in Segovia or Toledo-- I can't conceive of ever running out of things to do in Madrid.

But, if you do want to concentrate on the older towns and only do Madrid as a day trip, I'd also skip trying to drive and take a train or bus into the city.

Actually, I wish we had done this. While I loved the Prado and Sofia, I think we might have been better off staying at places like Hostal del Cardenal in Toledo (LOVED that place, and they have parking) and going into Madrid for a day trip. I do agree with the others that you'd be best off not trying to drive in Madrid.

I appreciate the input. The issue for me is that I am not really into Cities, I prefer country-side. But I am a major art fan and don't want to miss the prado et. al. So you see my dilema. Artlover, how many days did you spend in toledo and how many in madrid? Did you make it segovia?

Hi Ivy,

We only spent a day and then overnight in Toledo and I wish we had done more, especially as the Hostal Cardenal is so magical and walking distance to the cathedral and main sites. We spent 3 days in Madrid, and it was worth going for the art, and I liked it, but not as much as other places such as Seville and Toledo. We didn't get to Segovia and won't on the next trip either, but someday I plan to...

I completely understand how you feel, and I do love some cities, but IMO I think it's more relaxing to stay in a smaller town.

Ivy, you might consider setting up base in one of the smaller towns and spending one overnight in Madrid. You can usually check out of your small town place and leave your bags for your return. As an art aficianado, between the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen Bornemisza museums alone, plus some leisurely meals, you could easily fill your time, and a typically late night supper in Madrid can be quite enchanting. As others advised, I'd train into Madrid rather than drive unless it was between two other stopping points.

Thanks everyone!