Hi
First trip to Spain and we have a couple extra days in our itinerary. Should we use them to do a couple day trips from Madrid (Toledo and another area...suggestions appreciated)? Or should we head down to Seville? I've read that Seville is beautiful and to some extent a "must see"? But the transportation down there is actually pretty expensive. So I want to make sure it's worth the cost. I'd also like to see a flamenco show down there but I'm assuming I could see one in Madrid or Barcelona?
If we haven't been to any of these places, are we better off just sticking close to Madrid?

We're brother and sister in our late 20's, have traveled extensively, not huge on museums or art. We're interested more in just an interesting area to wander and eat/drink.
Thanks in advance for your advice!

How many days do you have planned for Madrid?

Toledo is definitely worth a day visit if you decide against Seville. It's very quick and easy to get to by bus. Seville is in the complete opposite direction of Barcelona, so I don't know how that will fit into your schedule as far as travel time, etc.

You can get cheap flights if you book ahead from Seville NS to BCN; actually you can get cheap flights MAD to BCN, too.

I enjoyed my visit to Seville last year but IMO there are places closer to Madrid which are just as interesting, architecturally and otherwise. Also IMO, the biggest sites in Seville are the cathedral and the Alcazar.

If you've been to Southern California and/or the southwestern part of the US the Seville architecture is going to look VERY familiar.

Toledo is nice, but it is just a quick day trip. There is another airline in Spain apart from Spannair that does good deals if youre thinking of flying to Seville. I think its called air europa.We flew to Madrid to Barcelona with them at a fraction of the train price.
I hope you are going to Barcelona as well as Madrid as it will be your kind of place

Toledo is a good daytrip. Some tour bus operators even have half day tours Madrid-Toledo. Another area?? How about Segovia or La Granja (I think there are tour bus operators that hit both of those in a daytrip). Avila is a bit farther afield.

When are you going? The reason I ask is there is a Bienal de Flamenco in Sevilla from mid-Sep to early Oct. I avoid Sevilla during Jul/Aug because it is so HOT.

Thanks! Answers to a couple of your questions.... We're in Madrid 2-3 days and in Barcelona for 5 during the first half of June...we're beach people who want a little culture This leaves us with 2 days to do something else. (We start in Madrid and end up in Barc)
The train trip from Madrid to Seville is the expensive part, around 70 euros one way. (The train to Toledo is 10). Then we can fly up to Barcelona on Vueling for 40 euros. But if we skip Seville, we can fly Madrid to Barcelona for 10 euro!!

Given your situation is there maybe a beach area near barcelona you can spend a couple of days at. I personally can't give you any specific info, but it may be worth investigating.

I love Seville, but since you're doing Madrid & Barcelona you're right that Seville's pretty far out of your way, and the AVE high-speed train isn't cheap. I'd stick with Madrid & day trips, and save Seville for another time. I'm sure you ARE going to want to go back to Spain!

I wouldn't go to Seville given your schedule, either. You just don't have enough time, and the train fare is expensive for just a day or two.

I loved visiting Segovia from Madrid. There is plenty of good flamenco in Madrid, actually.

I just returned from my trip to Spain and visited Toledo, Madrid and Sevilla. I would recommend doing a trip to Toledo. We really liked Toledo, very different. It's supereasy to get there from Madrid; it's only 25 min on the AVE train.

I think a trip to Sevilla may be rushed.

Thank you so much! You've all made my decision much easier to stay in Madrid. We'll plan to check out Toledo and Segovia and save Seville for another time. Thanks again!

Hermie, I didn't think the AVE runs from Madrid to Toledo. I believe it's a fast train, but not as fast as the AVE.

ave to toledo started a few months ago.

When I look on RENFE, they list Sevilla to Madrid as AVE, but Madrid to Toledo (and visa versa) as "Alta Velocidad" so I assumed that wasn't AVE.

That's good to know, as I'll be doing that route in October! Unfortunately, when I go from Sevilla to Toledo, it looks like I'll still have to change trains in Madrid. Oh well!

Another great day trip from Madrid is a visit to Avila. A beautiful medieval town surrounded by an impressive wall, several churches, a cloister and quaint plazas to see, and friendly locals. This is the town where Santa Teresa lived, and there is plenty of history. The famous "yemas de Santa Teresa" are a delicious treat known all over the region.
See http://www.travelinginspain.com/Avila.htm

you spiked my curiousity to why the new toledo line does not have the "E". i found out why it is now called only "alta Velocidad". AV

The original AVE " Alta Velocidad Española" was later substituted for "Alta Velocidad-Renfe" to coincide with Renfe's other train systems ("cercanías-Renfe",) etc.

Contrary to what some thought was an effort by present government to eliminate the word "española" from the title to please the ERC catalán nationalist group.

learn something everyday!

remember also that these trains usually have discounted tickets for non rush hour times.

You can get a 25% 'same day return' discount on AVE; but if you buy your tix at the Renfe Office in Barajas sirport, you must ASK FOR IT! The lady at the Renfe Office in Terminal 1 doesn't automatically give those discounts as do the ticket agents at the AVE Counter in Puerta de Atocha.

Yes, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a Tablao Flamenco in Madrid.