How long in Madrid?

[OZDUCK]

We are sorting out our city stays for our Sept/Oct. trip to Spain. Currently we have our first 4 nights in Barcelona sorted and will then probably stay for 2 nights in Zaragoza - anyone been there?

We then plan to go to Madrid and are currently thinking about a 6 night stay - probably walking distance from the Atocha Train Station as that is where we will arrive and depart. This will give us a chance to do two "day trips" to Segovia and probably Toledo. Thus we would have 3 full days plus some evenings to spend in Madrid. Does that seem like a reasonable amount of time? (Obviously we will not see everything.)

 

[juddles]

OZDUCK, have not been to Zaragoza, but I really liked Segovia. What are you planning in Barcelona?

As for Madrid, again I am no expert there as I go through it not to it, but I am sure that there is much to do for at least a week. Are you going anywhere else in Spain? Further south?

 

[amaroo]

Love Spain. Madrid more than Barcelona, so IMO you've got the ratio spot on. We did a day trip to Toledo - sensational!

I've not done it as a day trip, but you could also manage Sevilla - we spent 4 days there and loved it.

Look forward to the TR.

 

[VPS]

Depends on what your interests are but if you can I’d stretch it to at least four. I did the HOHO bus the Prada, the Thyssen Bornemiza and some time wandering the Botanic gardens and could have easily filled 5 full days. Lovely city. Just be aware some trains don’t leave from Atocha as we discovered while we were waiting for our train to San Sebastián. Luckily we had plenty of time to catch the taxi about 25 minutes away

 

[opusman]

6 nights is a good amount of time. There's plenty to do in Madrid and lots of possible day trips. You could easily spend a day in the Prado, not to mention Reina Sofia and Thyssen Bornemisza, plus lots of smaller galleries which are also interesting (and usually quite cheap).

The palace and gardens at Aranjuez are worth a half day and you can get there easily by Cercanias. Segovia and Toledo are definitely worth seeing, as is Avila. Also Alcala de Henares is a lovely university town reminiscent of Salamanca, also reachable by Cercanias.

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks for all the responses and advice. The 6 night stopover looks like it will definitely not be too long. We will be in Spain for about 23 days and intend to head south after Madrid,exactly where is still a matter of argument - Sevilla is on my list.

Barcelona will be our entry and departure point and we will have our last night there. While there we just intend to do the major sites and wander around a bit. We were last there in 1976 so there may have been some changes - the Sagrada Familia may have grown somewhat.

Unlike all our previous trips to Europe we will mainly use trains for getting around. I think the distances between the major sites are just too far for a car to be sensible especially with the parking problems in the major historical cities - maybe one for a couple of days at our later stops.

I had noticed that lots of the trains, especially for the day-trips do not leave from Atocha, but there is also a Metro nearby so transfers should be relatively easy - I hope.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Ozduck: I like your style. IMHO Madrid is often underrated and snubbed by so many Tourists, who will often claim Barcelona has more going for it. I disagree, whilst Barcelona is a beautiful coastal city, Madrid really does pack a punch for being right in the heart of spain with so much to see and do in the city and of course countless cheap day- trips are extremely accessible from Madrid by train, bus and Plane. And the food in Madrid.... I’m salvitating just thinking about it

Whilst I haven’t been to Zaragoza, it does look absolutely beautiful, and no doubt you’ll have a wonderful time.
If you have the spare time, check out LaGuardia, in the Rioja Region.
It’s located half way between Zaragoza & Bilbao, and is a picture postcard little village complete with a laberinth of cobbled lanes and a number of underground wine cellars to explore. The village is located on a commanding hill complete with great views of the Rioja wine region which makes for a great day trip.
We travelled to LaGuardia on a day Trip on the public bus from Bilbao for just a couple of Euro’s, so I would think it shouldn’t be too hard from Zaragoza.

As for Segovia, we did a brilliant Hot Air ballon ride over Segovia at sunrise, and all i can say is WOW. Segovia won’t dissapoint either for beautiful scenery and architecture.

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks Cool Cat Phil - I am not really that well acquainted with Spanish food, only the basic ones that are served world-wide as "Spanish", so it will be interesting to try. And especially to see the regional variations.

I am afraid there will be no hot air balloons for this little black duck as I have a definite dislike of heights. My wife took the helicopter ride over Niagara Falls while I saw a Lavender Farm.

 

[RooFlyer]

Spain! Don't get me started (too late, you have ).

Prado - how much Velázquez and El Greco can you take . Personally, I'd be happy with two days in Madrid, and spend more time outside it.

But seriously, Sergovia - if you think you'll like that, have a look also at Avila and Salamanca. I'd suggest spending a couple of nights in Salamanca so you can do the whole town over the course of a day. Find the astronaut carved into the front of the old cathedral, and play 'spot the frog' at the University. The Plaza Mayor alone will blow you away. Huge G&T scene - the ones that come bucket-sized. The centre of Jamón ibérico.

Do Toledo and Seville of course, but Salamanca shades them, I think. The 'new Cathedral' (Catedral Nueva) dates from about 1550, IIRC .

Do you know about the Paradore hotel chain in Spain (at that link, click on 'Find my Parador' to see the map)? Government owned, and is often converted palaces, monasteries, castles etc, so you stay like a king (but not a monk!). A grading of each hotel, so you can get the price bracket you want. Some of the fancier ones are - or were - not the most expensive. Unfortunately the Salamanca Parador is a new building, but with a fabulous view over the old city.

You wouldn't want to drive? I did a few driving trips and managed to get hotels just outside the old towns so I could park (except in Granada, IIRC - that was bad), then just walk the towns.

 

[juddles]

There is a place in Segovia, trying to recall name, that has slow-cooked lamb to die for!!

 

[VPS]

I loved Seville so would recommend it and also Cadiz was an interesting little town. Getting more ideas for my next trip to Spain.

Yes there is a Metro from Atocha to Chamartin but we didn’t have time to risk it

And the food - fantastic

Enjoy

 

[OZDUCK]

Once again thanks for more useful information from everyone. Really Spain had been a bit of a secondary thought for us until the QATAR specials bought it mind, but they were for shoulder periods After our time in Helsinki and Ireland last year I didn't want to spend another few weeks holidaying in a cold and wet climate. As my research has gotten into full swing I am more and more looking forward to this trip.

Juddles - I have read a lot about the roast suckling pig in Segovia but looking around the roast lamb is also mentioned - perhaps one of Meson de Candido, Meson Duque and Meson Jose Maria rings a bell?

VPS - glad to hear you also liked Seville. Unfortunately I don't think we will have time for Cadiz. And yes the food is now starting to stir my interest as it becomes more obvious that it is not just tapas and paella.

Rooflyer - thanks for the tip about the Paradore chain - it is now bookmarked. I had vaguely remembered something about these and seen the name in other sites but hadn't put them together. I am normally happy to do a whole month driving - through France, Germany NZ etc. But this is a shorter trip than usual. I think it might be a "greatest hits" type trip stopping at major sites which are often a bit far apart. We do hope to stop somewhere that we can use as a base for a few days driving around the local area.

Salamanca had attracted my interest but I think we will probably be heading south from Madrid. However, nothing is yet set in stone, except that we fly into and out of Barcelona. All my bookings are/will be able to be cancelled.

 

[RB]

Also have a look at the travel options offered by the many Spanish buses. We found the services to be very reliable and comfortable-a few details in my trip reports

 

[OZDUCK]

Also have a look at the travel options offered by the many Spanish buses. We found the services to be very reliable and comfortable-a few details in my trip reports

Thanks - will do.

 

[Austman]

I've lived in Madrid.

By that I mean it was for several extended terms (but each one was for months not years) with my own apartment and car, driving to work each day.

It's a great city.

I wouldn't describe it as the most picturesque city in Europe but it has its pretty places. It can be stiflingly hot in the middle of summer and hence my understanding of the (modern version of the?) siesta. A nap after work followed by dinner at ca 10pm (or even later) is what many locals do. Whole families, children and all. So a sort of siesta in the afternoon or early evening followed by tapas and later by dinner. And it was the only way I survived Madrid's intense lifestyle! My Madrid friends actually refused to meet for dinner at 9pm - it was far too early, they said!

Personally I found Toledo very touristy - a shame really as it's a beautiful city. And Segovia with it's famous suckling pig was a bit of a worry! (I'm thinking of the poor young pig). Still, both are definitely worth visiting.

The food in Madrid and Spain in general can be sensational. Don't shy away from seafood in Madrid - although it's far away from the sea, it can be fresher in Madrid than in the coastal cities. The standards in Madrid are high.

The Spanish are really passionate about food, drink and enjoyment. It's hard for that not to be contagious. In the evenings in Madrid you probably have to be prepared to be out late to get a true taste of it.

Oh - a tip on ordering drinks and tapas at a bar (which is great to do): If you stay at the same spot at a bar you don't pay each time you order drinks/tapas - you pay at the end. They automatically run up a tab. My Madrid friends always criticised me as being embarrassing to them when I automatically wanted to pay with each order!

Enjoy it! It's hard not to, really.

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks for the tips Austman - especially about the Tapas rules.

With regards to Salamanca, I was telling my wife about the suggestions so far and she said "Actually, i would like to go to Salamanca". She has been quietly working her way through our Lonely Planet Guide and has been coming up with some good suggestions.

 

[Boca68]

yes there is a Metro from Atocha to Chamartin but we didn’t have time to risk it

I can vouch for this!

Last time in Madrid, after a long night of ...hic!... tapas the night before, catching the train in the morning to Sevilla, turned up at the wrong station. Now, off the top of my head, can't remember which way around it was, but caught the train between the two, done in about 20 minutes. Made the Sevilla train with a good 10 to spare.

Got to love European trains.