We only have time for one day trip so I'm wondering if we should hit Segovia and skip Toledo or vice versa. Any thoughts?

I think either city would be a worthwhile day trip. Each city is easy to reach from Madrid. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo_Spain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segovia

I loved both but Toledo to me is the best Spanish town I've ever been to.

Toledo. Not even close.

Well each person has their own opinion. We have been to Segovia on a day trip from Madrid in the late nineties. Don't remember too much.

Our last stop that trip we stayed overnight in Toledo and it was a cold February day. I know we liked the town, BUT?

In August we will stay two nights in each town so we can sit, watch people, sip wine and enjoy. And we will enjoy each town.

Whatever your decision, have fun and enjoy.

Each has merits, they are different, and with just a day trip, you'll only be able to see the highlights of whichever you visit. So you might want to figure out which suits your interests most or best compliments the rest of your destinations. For example, is visiting Segovia's aquaduct a priority? or dining on suckling pig? Or would you rather see El Greco's work in Toledo? or see the few remnants of Toledo's synagogues and mosques?

Toledo.

Toledo.
I visited both. I was at Segovia plus La Granja de San Ildefonso last year. Toledo has that medieval city ambiance disappearing from many semi modernized cities including Segovia. La Granja was worth visiting, but I don't think it is possible as a part of a day trip.

Toledo - again not even close even though Segovia has some outstanding sights - the town itself is not nearly so all through and through a Mudejar delight as Toledo is. Even the train station is in a Mudejar motif. Plus I believe Toledo is closer time-wise by train than Segovia. I enjoyed Avila as much as Segovia, which means I really enjoyed Avila too and El Escorial and Aranjuez too - so many great day trips from Madrid - Salamanca is also possible and to me ranks 2nd behind Toledo.

Been to both as day trips from Madrid. Either would be great but if forced to choose only one I'd go with Toledo.

Toledo is more for the serious history buffs.
Segovia makes for a lovely day trip out of Madrid-get an early start and you can take a short-10 minute bus ride out to La Granja and see the fountains and beautiful gardens of the plalace.
It depends on your mood of the day!

> Toledo is more for the serious history buffs.

I'm not sure I agree with that generalization. Both have a lot of history - just different histories. And both have some things of remarkable beauty. The parts of Segovia I visited had more open areas, but the interiors of places I visited in Toledo were generally more artistically or architecturally noteworthy.

Toledo=somber (Inquisition............)
Segovia=light hearted (suckling pig.........)
I usually take certain friends to Segovia for a fun visit to see the aqueduct and castle and then lunch in La Granja!
Other friends visit Toledo because they are interested in the fact that Toledo was a vibrant center for 3 religions-Catholic,Jewish and Muslim.They also want to visit the museum of torture used during the inquisition!Then we go off to visit the el Greco house and his painting.We drink lots of wine to lighten our mood!