Side Trip From Madrid
 

We only have one day trip open for us during our stay in Madrid. We were thinking of going by bus? To: Segovia or Toledo...I would love to hear your comments..

Thanks Fodor friends!!

Toledo is richer in culture, Segovia more beautiful. I always amazed that they stopped using the Roman aqueduct in Segovia about 25 years ago.

Love both.

But if you can only choose one I, Segovia because of the Alcazar & the aqueduct but mostly because of the dining & suckling lamb.

Though from an the standpoint of art appreciation, Toledo.

Some of the tour companies (TrapSATur, for example) have a 'midday meal included' to both places. Take that only if you don't mind 'family style' dining with strangers in a not-so-great restaurant and being treated like Soldiers in a military mess hall.

I love Toledo! The Cathedral / Basilica is unique and quite beautiful. There's much to see including El Greco's Burial of the Conde de Orgaz in San Tomé (formerly a Synagog?).

Segovia has its attractions too: excellent cuisine that includes roast suckling pig or lamb in 2-or-3 restaurants.

If you get an early start, it is conceivable that you can do both in one day: High speed Train to Toledo in the morning; back to Madrid around noon and Cercanias to Segovia for your midday meal. Segovia's Alcazar was a model for one of Disney's early animated movies. It was also the site of a tragic accident in which the Nanny dropped a baby to its death and was so remorseful she plunged to her own death.

Thanks, is there train service to both cities? You mentioned traing to Toledo?

jb

johnb writes: "Thanks, is there train service to both cities? You mentioned traing to Toledo?"

Yes! There's a new AVE service from Madrid Puerta de Atocha that takes about 30-min and runs quite often during the day. http://www.renfe.es

You may have to go to Chamartin Station for the train to Segovia. I am told that the new high-speed rail line Station is distant from the attractions, so you may have to take a taxi.

In Toledo you can take a local City Bus up the hill to the Alcazar area; but Taxis will take you on a Panoramic tour (several Photo-opps) and drop you off where you tell them (the Cathedral, for example).

I'm a believer in full sightseeing days, but even I'm not a fan of trying to see Segovia and Toledo in one day, especially via public transporatation. There's just too much to see and they're in opposite directions from each other. And part of the fun of both cities is wandering the streets. I'd probably pick Toledo if I could only pick one, but you can't go too far wrong with either.