Hi, we are going to Madrid in March, will have 4 days before we're supposed to be in Barcelona to board a cruise ship. We were thinking about trying to visit (overnight) one other city between Madrid and Barcelona. What are your recommendations? Thanks.

I would recommend that you do 1 or 2 day trips from Madrid and then fly to Barcelona. The day trips could be to Toledo, Segovia or Avila. Actually, with only 4 days, 2 daytrips might be too much. Madrid has a lot to offer, so unless you have visited before you could fill 3 days.

No we've never been to Spain before, if you had to pick one place to go for a day trip from Madrid what would it be?
Thanks.

I guess another way to ask this is: Is there a nice village or town between Madrid and Barcelona that would be good for an overnight?

living in valencia, i think valencia has more to offer than zaragoza, however, an overnight is not going to get you into much.

hopefully you can come in the morning and leave latish the next day, thus awarding you with two full days.

4 hrs on the bus from madrid. if taking the bus, buy tickets for the express bus.. wider, reclineable seats and they have taken out an entire row so it is very very ample.

the train takes about 3.5 hours. first class tickets will give you free food/drink and access to a vip lounge with drinks and snacks before departure.

to barcelona from valencia you have the same options: a first class bus now.. and also the high speed train. train is 3 hours, and the bus will be closer to 3.5.

i do agree with the side trips in madrid. there is so much to see around the hub that it would be a shame to miss some of that.

lincasanova I was really hoping you'd reply to my question--I've learned a lot reading your comments, thank you.
Based on the responses here I think we'll stay in Madrid 3/24-28, then go directly to Barcelona on the 28th. We'll have to save Valencia for another trip (which I'm already looking forward to!).
Regarding both Madrid and Barcelona, are there recommendations for the best (i.e., most central for sightseeing & accessing transportation for day trips) locations to rent an apartment/hotel? Our preference would be an apartment, particularly in Barcelona as we are meeting another couple there and could share a 2-bedroom. Good, reliable sites for renting apartments?
Thank you and others for responding!

i am sorry i do not have much experience in apt. rentals in mad and bcn.

however, a few websites i like for hotels are

www.solmelia.com
www.gtahotels.com
www.bancotel.com
www.talonotel.com
www.easyjet.com
www.ryanair.com

if you state your budget i am sure you will get lots of responses.

Spain Select has a few apt. in central Madrid, they rent for , I think, min. 4 days.

There are many rental outfits in
Barcelona

www.rent4days.com
www.friendlyrentals.com
www.habitatapartments.com

Some posters have recommended habitat.