Last month I finally took time to complete my long-planned 5-day trip around Madrid. While the memories are still fresh, I want to share the itinerary and some practical suggestions. Overall, this route is perfect for first-time visitors to Madrid who want to deeply experience the culture of the Castilian region.
Itinerary Overview
This 5-day trip mainly covered three surrounding cities: Segovia, Toledo, and Ávila. All three cities are within one to two hours from Madrid, making transportation very convenient. The first and last days were spent in Madrid city for adjustment, while the middle three days were dedicated to exploring these three ancient cities in depth. I recommend booking train tickets in advance on the Renfe official website - usually booking two weeks ahead gets you good discounts.
Day 2: Segovia Day Trip
Departing from Madrid’s Chamartin station, the high-speed train takes only 27 minutes to reach Segovia. The city’s most famous attraction is undoubtedly the spectacular Roman aqueduct - you really need to see it in person to feel that sense of awe. I suggest taking a train around 8 AM so you can take photos before tour groups arrive. For lunch, you must try the local specialty roast suckling pig. I went to Meson de Candido - although a bit pricey, it truly lives up to its reputation. In the afternoon, you can visit the Alcázar Castle, which reportedly inspired Disney’s castle design.
Day 3: Toledo In-Depth Experience
Toledo was my favorite city on this Madrid surroundings trip - the entire ancient city is like an open-air museum. From Madrid’s Atocha station, the train takes about 30 minutes. I strongly recommend staying overnight in Toledo, because there are simply too many tourists during the day. Only after evening can you truly feel the city’s charm. I stayed at a small inn in the old town, and walking on the empty cobblestone streets at night, hearing distant church bells - that feeling was truly special.
Toledo’s cathedral, El Greco’s famous paintings at Santo Tomé Church, and the Jewish Quarter are all worth exploring slowly. The local marzipan is a specialty - you can buy some as souvenirs. Toledo swords are also famous, though nowadays they’re mainly for display.
Day 4: Ávila City Wall Walk
Ávila has Europe’s best-preserved medieval city walls, and you can walk along them around the entire city. This city is smaller than the previous two - half a day is enough to see the main attractions. I arrived in Ávila at noon, first took photos at the viewpoint outside the walls, walked the walls in the afternoon, and returned to Madrid in the evening. Ávila’s stew beef steak is particularly famous, with many excellent restaurants near Plaza Mayor.
| City | Distance from Madrid | Recommended Stay | Transportation |
|---|
| Segovia | 90 km | 1 day | High-speed train 27 min |
| Toledo | 70 km | 1-2 days | Train 33 min |
| Ávila | 110 km | Half day to 1 day | Train 1.5 hours |
Practical Tips Summary
Transportation: I strongly recommend purchasing Renfe’s train pass - if visiting multiple cities, it’s more economical than buying individual tickets. From each city’s train station to the old town, there are usually buses or walking distance - no need to rent a car.
Accommodation: If budget is limited, you can stay in Madrid and make day trips, but I really recommend staying overnight in Toledo. Day trips work perfectly fine for the other two cities. For those interested in exploring Madrid estates, consider extending your stay.
Dining: Each city has its own specialties - Segovia’s roast suckling pig, Toledo’s partridge stew, and Ávila’s beef steak are all worth trying. However, prices are generally higher than in Madrid city center, so be prepared for that.
Finally, a reminder: May to September is peak tourist season, and these ancient cities will be very crowded. If possible, like visiting Brihuega, try to go during spring or autumn when the weather is comfortable and there are relatively fewer tourists. This 5-day trip cost approximately 600 euros total, including transportation, accommodation, dining, and admission tickets, for your reference.
