The Best Day Trips From Madrid – Toledo & Segovia

Are you planning a visit to Madrid soon and are looking for the best day trips from Madrid then may I recommend two of our favourites, Toledo and Segovia. We recommend these two historical cities because they are 30 minutes away by train but there are several tour companies that offer these two destinations as day trips. On our recent visit to Madrid, we booked a day trip with getyourguide.com and we had the best time.

Both Toledo and Segovia are historic cities located in central Spain and are cities in the autonomous communities of Castile–La Mancha and Castile and León respectively. Prior to visiting these two ancient cities, we did not know that Segovia is famous for the aqueduct and Toledo for being the city that was shaped by three different religions Arabs, Jews and Christians in terms of architecture and Culture.

Thanks to getyourguide.com I was able to visit both Toledo and Segovia on the same day and whilst it doable, it is very tiring and I would recommend allocating 2 days to these day trips. But since I did not have much time in Madrid, I chose to see both of these cities on the same day and I had an enjoyable journey.

The Best Day Trips From Madrid – Toledo & Segovia

Toledo and Segovia make the best day trips from Madrid because both cities have so much history and charm to keep you amazed throughout your visit. Whilst visiting the cities is possible without a tour, I wouldn’t advise it if you’re not driving as public transport as good as it is, will be your limiting factor. But if you’re determined to the best day trips from Madrid on your own, then make sure to use this guide as an itinerary.

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Travelling from Madrid to Toledo is very easy, on a high-speed train you can arrive in the historical city within 33 minutes. Trains run from 6.50 in the morning until 21.50 in the evening with over 8 trains running a day. Segovia is also the same distance as Toledo on high-speed trains but there are other regional trains that take over an hour. If you chose the tour buses, these take approximately 1hr but they get you closer to places of interest.

Toledo – Best Day Trips From Madrid

Toledo is an ancient city north of Madrid and is known as the city of three cultures, Arabic, Jewish and Christianity. If you’re arriving in the city by train then take buses 5, 6 and 22 and get off at the Plaza de Zocodover square {aka MacDanauld Square} as this is the perfect starting point. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 thanks to its extensive monumental and cultural heritage, Toledo is a must-visit city.

If you took the earliest train from Madrid and arrived in the city before 8 then you would have plenty of time to explore without the crowds. Though most things won’t be open before 9, you can still wander around uninterrupted. There are several must-visit places in the city that we recommend and should not be missed.

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Plaza de Zocodover

Main Square and acted as the nerve centre of the city as well as a Tuesday market place, today it’s the best place to start your visit of the city and is the main square.

Alcázar de Toledo

Located on the highest point the city, the stone fortification of Alcázar was once a Roman palace and have been restored several times with the last being after the Spanish civil war. Today the building is home to the Museum of the Army and is worth a visit.

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Iglesia de San Ildefonso, Toledo

The Church of San Idelfonso or Iglesia de San Ildefonso is a church located in the historical centre of the city and took over 100 years to create. This baroque-style church offers the best views of the old town and its possible to climb to the top for a birds-eye view.

Museo del Greco

The El Greco museum is a museum located in the Jewish quarter dedicated to the mannerist painter El Greco. It was opened in 1911 and consists of two buildings, one the 16th century with a courtyard and another a 20th-century building with a garden and together form a museum.

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Toledo Cathedral

The Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo or Toledo Cathedral is the most impressive churches in all of Toledo and one of three High-Gothic cathedrals in Spain. When you see the cathedral, you will be amazed at the sheer size of it, construction of the church was started in 1226 and it featured both 12th and 15th-century Gothic styles.

Mosque of Cristo de la Luz

The mosque was built around 999, Mosque of Cristo de la Luz is one the 10 mosques that were built in Toledo during the Moorish period. Today, its the only one left in the same state as when it was built and is located near Puerta del sol. Even though this mosque is small is size {8m x 8m} it is beautiful in design with four columns.

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Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is one of the six city gates and fortification built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 14th century. After the guided tour of the city ended, I made a point of walking the city perimeter and loved it all.

Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes

The Monastery of Saint John of the Monarchs was built in 1504 in Isabelline style and was founded by King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella to commemorate the birth of their son Prince John.

Segovia – Best Day Trips From Madrid

Segovia is a historical city and was designated a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site in 1985 and lies 60miles northwest of Madrid. The city is full of charm and monumental history, the 200-year-old aqueduct, the cathedral and the Alcazar are just a few of these historical monuments.

Like Toledo, you can reach the city of Segovia via bus, train or drive but I personally recommend booking a day tour from Madrid. With the tour bus, most pick you up from your hotel and drop you off so you don’t have to start looking for transport take at night. The city has a lot of offer, here are a few places that we highly recommend checking out on your next visit.

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The Roman Aquaduct

Made up of 166 arches which span 17 kilometres, this spectacular legacy from the Roman Empire was built to transport water from the mountains to the city. Architecturally, the aqueduct is the main point of interest in Segovia which has been preserved for over 2,000 years.

The Cathedral

Also known as The Lady of Cathedrals, the Segovia Cathedral is considered an architectural masterpiece and is the last Gothic cathedrals built in Europe. The construction of the cathedral started in 1525 and marks the boundaries of the Plaza Mayor and the Jewish Quarter. Inside the cathedral are 18 chapels all decorated with important sculptures and paintings.

The Alcázar

The Alcázar is a medieval fortress once a Royal residence in the 13th century and is located in the city of Segovia which dates back to the year 1120. It was once the residence of Alfonso VIII and was built on a rock for military purposes. I wish I had climbed all the way to the top but did not have enough time during the visit.

The Jewish Quarter

The Jewish quarter is one of the most beautiful places you have to visit when in Segovia, it is unfortunate that after many years of cohabitation. Around the 15th century, the Jews were forced to live in a specific area as decreed by the Catholics and then forced out of the city if they refused to renounce their religion. Today the Jewish quarter is well preserved and you can see the remnants of the palaces, synagogues and museums.

Outside of these four main areas that you must check out when in Segovia, make sure to also visit the many churches and museums as you explore the city. It is absolutely fascinating seeing this UNESCO city and all the historical heritage it possesses.