If you could only take one day trip from Madrid, where would you go?

Toledo... I'd go to Toledo. It's about a two hour train ride from Madrid I believe (Madridman, correct me if I'm wrong) and it's worth every minute. If you can stay overnight, go to Seville!!! Have fun!

roses

Wow! That´s a tough call! I´d have to agree with Roses...my choice would definitely be Toledo closely followed by Segovia then Avila!

Another vote (two, actually--my husband adds his) for Toledo. It's our favorite.

Tara

Yup! I concur. Toledo is TOPS on most everyone's day-trip list. And as stated above, I too would next choose Segovia, Avila, and don't forget El Escorial! (missmadrid98 would kill me/us if we didn't mention HER town! )

Well, I'm going to vote for Segovia. I love everything about it including the drive from Madrid.

I also have to vote for Segovia - the town is fabulous, charming, special and the drive and view are simply fantastic!

Too many great options to choose from. We chose Toledo. Very convenient train ride - the Regional express train out of Atocha (in Madrid) took only an hour each way. Were told the bus station was more convenient, but found a taxi from Toledo train station to central Toledo was only 600psts (3-4 Euros?). For me, Toledo was exciting to experience the history of three (!!!) "civiliztions" (Moors, Jews, and Christians), at one time coexisting with each other. I'd say my vote is for Toledo for the convience and cultural experience - it's a biased vote, though, as I havn't been to the others.

Thank you so much for all of your input!
My husband and I are split. He wants to go to Segovia and I want to go to Toledo. I wish we had time to do both. We might just decide that the place that gets the most votes from all of you is where we will go. That seems fare right? We know you guys have good taste. So far Toledo is the winner! Thanks again for your help.

We solved the problem by going to Segovia on our first visit to Spain (it seemed an easier city to see in a limited time) and are planning to see Toledo in March (we are debating spending the night so we won't miss anything).

ToniG writes:
Toledo usually has an excellent Bullfight Cartel on Palm Sunday (24 Mar), just in case you're planning to be there then. The Hotel Maria Cristina is just adjacent to the Plaza de Toros.

The 6-month old thread " Daytrip: Madrid->Toledo: Best Way? " might be useful too.

Spend the night in Toledo if you can. The atmosphere at night was fantastic & midieval.

Yes, yes--try to spend a night in Toledo. It's SO beautiful in the late afternoon and evening.
Tara

If I absolutely HAD to I'd choose Toledo over Segovia, at least if you've never visited either one. I second the motion to spend the night - you really get the feel for the town after all the day trippers have left in the evening and before they arrive in the morning.

If you could possibly cut any time in Madrid, I'd try to visit Segovia also. Although I really enjoyed Madrid for it's nightlife, tapas, and the Palace, I'd rather spend the time in Segovia and Toledo. That's just my opinion - I'm not a big museum person but if you are Madrid is a real treat too.

My boyfriend is on a plane right now returning from 2 weeks in Spain. He raved about Toledo. He stayed two nights and actually SHOPPED! Now that is saying something for him. He HATES to shop. We are going back together in September or October when I graduate from college.

Wow! You guys are making me want to visit Toledo extensively and very soon! (I've only been there once for a wedding!)

I usually go to Segovia for 'cochinillo asado' at Candido. I love to go on December 28th. for 'el día de los inocentes'(Fool's Day), I don't know why!

Anyway, somebody mentioned Toledo's night-life. Well, I don't know about the present time, but they must have been really lively in the past, because when someone stays up very late and enjoys him/herself a lot we say he/she's had a 'noche toledana'(old saying).