Thanks for the nice comment, its just the kind of thing I was thinking. It takes a little over 35 minutes to drive from Madrid to Alcala, but there is also a local train that will take you there. From Madrid, you'll travel south into Andalusia and arrive at Seville, a city renowned for its Gothic . If you would like to read a more in-depth guide, check out my what to see in Zaragoza post to be fully inspired. Set in a 12th-century monastery, it is a truly idiosyncratic hotel where to relax and de-stress. Guadalajara: As you make your way out of Madrid, the historic city of Guadalajara is a great first stop. It is the one that I recommend all of my friends take when they come to visit me. Take the AVE train to get there in under half an hour. The drive back to Bilbao airport is a little under 2 hours to get you back home! The biggest draw in the town is the huge royal palace and expansive gardens. Today the region fervently focuses on its culture. Im lucky to have visited the city on numerous occasions as my wifes family have a place in the Sierra de Francia mountains, one of my favourite places in Spain. Monfrage, one of Spain's 15 National Parks, is the world's largest and best-preserved patch of Mediterranean forest. Paleontological Museum of Cuenca Great for kids and wonderful views back to Cuenca, Hiking there are many routes throughout the mountains. Day 1 Madrid Itinerary: Get Acquainted + Major Sights. However, that was up until October 2019, when Francos body was exhumed and relocated to the understated (by Spanish standards) El Pardo-Mingorrubio cemetery. As you approach Toledo, youll be greeted by the citys ancient walls. It takes just an hour (give or take a few minutes depending on the train you choose) for the high-speed train from Madrid to Cuenca to complete the journey. If you know of anything I may have missed off of this list, drop it in the comments, Id love to check it out myself some time and maybe add it to the list. Valladolid: In the Middle Ages, Valladolid served as the residence of the Spanish and Castilian monarchs. Throw in Spain's excellent network of intercity transportation (particularly the AVE high-speed train), and there's really no excuse not to take one of these day trips from Madrid. Getting There: There is no direct public transport from Madrid to the valleyyou have to make a stop in San Lorenzo de El Escorial (see above for information on reaching the town from Madrid). The Toledano are experts at crafting swords and stunning marzipan desserts. Travel Tip: Due to the required stop in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, many travelers choose to combine the two into a single day trip from Madrid. It takes a bit of effort to get there, but well worth it. There is a whole lot more to Spain's Catalonia region than Barcelona. Its biggest is the impressive medieval city wall, but another main draw is the Convent of Santa Teresa, a magnificent religious structure built on the home where St. Teresa of vila was born. The rest of the road trip follows the Costa Brava back down to Barcelona. La Granja Palace, a highlight of San Ildefonso, is a clear testament to the wealth and grandeur of the Spanish monarchy of the 18th century which led the worlds largest power with colonies around the world. The end of the trip gets you to Pedraza back in the Segovia province before taking a short drive back to Madrid's airport. You can also visit local wineries and sample some of Spains best wines, such as La Cabrera and Venturada. Also, try some other kinds of rice like senyoret (with peeled seafood) or a banda (a very thin layer of rice with seafood). Soak up Madrid's unbeatable atmosphere as you admire the incredible architecture and enjoy strolling along the Calle de Cava Baja. As youd expect, the town is home to the Cervantes Birthplace Museum where you can learn about the life and inspiration of the Spanish Shakespeare. User or email address Password Remember me. The main attraction there are Plaza Mayor from the 18th century in the radical baroque style. El Escorial is a town just to the north of Madrid that most people visit to see the imposing Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, and the nearby Valley of the Fallen, a Catholic basilica and controversial civil war memorial. Once you arrive at the El Escorial train station, it is about a 15 20-minute walk uphill to get to Monastery of El Escorial. 383 mi Hugging the coast for virtually the entire trip means that you are always a few minutes away from a beach - something that can provide welcome distractions on your way. Get lost in the winding streets and old buildings of Jewish District. Toledo is famous for its beautiful churches. You get on the train at the old railway station which is now the Madrid Train Museum and an old school (read: uncomfortable) train carriage will take you to the town. Here is the last for now Madrid road trip which is a great pick if you look to explore more charming towns and cities of central Spain. The coolest road trips from Madrid Spain's beaches, and its beach towns, are justifiably famous. Castille Leon - visit the heart of Spain, 7. Im sorry to say though, wherever you eat it, it wont be as good as my mother-in-laws. I would love to show you, but it is not allowed to take photos. The biggest thing in the city is the university, it was the first one in Spain and is widely recognised as one of the best in the world with students from around the globe. Day 3: Pick up Rental Car - Drive From Madrid to Laguardia - Wine Tour. The city actually has a lot to offer so it's great to spend the first or last night here depending on your flight times. Info USD Dollar. Check out the tower of the Clerecia for some more great views. You can extend this road trip to include the historic Spanish cities of Leon and Burgos in the north of the province, but that will add a lot of mileage and time to your trip and southern Castille and Leon has a huge amount to see already - you can easily spend 2 weeks exploring this part of Spain and see new places every day. It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. Is Madrid Worth Visiting? Barcelona to Madrid drive. Whether you stop there on your way to Barcelona or Cadiz or if you are planning to continue on and spend a few days exploring Almerias Cabo de Gata, a visit to Nijar is a must. And if you go on this drive through Segovia (which I highly recommend doing! Andalusia, Spain's southernmost region, is often what people imagine Spain to be: sultry and passionate, with a near-constant soundtrack of flamenco beats. If you travel the A-8 along the Cantabrian coast, youll want to make a stop in this small town whose historic heart still retains its medieval layout and walks along the coast offer views of the moody seas and skies. If you are visiting with kids, I would certainly recommend allowing a bit of time to visit the Paleontological Museum of Cuenca. It also boasts a convenient location right in the heart of Spain itself, which makes the city a perfect home base when it comes to exploring the rest of the country. While it is Spains oldest producer of cava (the winery was founded in 1551), it is also known for its elegant Modernista buildings by Barcelona architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, a contemporary of Antoni Gaud. The city walls are some of the best around from the outside and walking along the top. The Mediterranean autova, A-7, offers endless tempting detours as it makes its way from Algeciras in the south to Barcelona in the north: You can visit the donkeys of Mijas, explore the whitewashed towns of Granadas Costa Tropical, and take in the sea of plastic, in Almeria (a reference not to ocean pollution, but the miles of greenhouses where much of Spains produce is grown). Salamanca 5. Its a simple motorway so little chance of getting lost, although the road does get pretty busy at rush hour. A huge cross in the mountains marks the site of this basilica that was built during the Franco regime. Whether you are in Madrid for a week or a year, I hope you have found some inspiration in this post and are ready to explore some amazing places. The result is a wonderful harmony of natural falls and crafted waterways to impress the many visitors. If you have a car it is about 45 minutes to drive to Chinchn from Madrid. La Granja de San Ildefonso: It is just a short drive from Segovia. Read My Story Page Here and Take Care! The village also has deep historic and cultural roots at the Cave of the Seven Altars, visitors can see sacred art by Visigoths; portions of the Fernn Gonzlez castle date to the Moorish occupation in the 10th century; and the Romanesque church of the Virgen de la Pea was built in the 12th century. The C-2 Cercanas line runs from Atocha to Alcala de Henares. A drive inland to Girona is optional before you make it down to the relaxation end of the journey with beach stops in Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar on the menu. As you approach Avila from the outside, it looks spectacular, is it a walled city with some of the most eye-catching fortifications you will see thanks to years of restoration work. Madrid to La Sierra de Madrid Road Trip, Highlights of Madrid to La Sierra de Madrid Drive, Highlights of Madrid to Toledo Day Trip by Car, Highlights of Madrid to Salamanca Road Trip, Highlights of Madrid to Zaragoza Scenic Drive, More Inspiration for Travels Around Spain, 18 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Northern Spain to Add to Your Itinerary, Valencia in Winter Quick Guide: Weather, Christmas, Things to Do & Travel Tips. If Theme Parks are not your thing, just drop your kids there for the day while you explore the town. For the biggest selection of cars and the most competitive rate in any season, I recommend you look for a car rental at Madrid Airport. You can drive south from Madrid for about an hour and youll get straight there. And the gardens offer a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the road. The main attractions of Valladolid are the 16th-century Cathedral, the National Sculpture Museum, and the Cervantes House. The Segovia Aqueduct dating back to 50AD, it is rumoured to have been built by the Devil. Interested to learn more? The easiest way is by high-speed train from Madrid Chamartin station. The storied medieval town is also home to an incredible cathedral and a castle (the Alczar) said to have inspired that of Disney's Sleeping Beauty. War in Ukraine forced me change my life again. Getting There: Madrid's commuter train, the Cercanas, will get you to El Escorial in about an hour. While the massive white structures are certainly the town's biggest draw, the Moorish castle should not be overlooked, either. It is only 45 minutes by car or a little under an hour by train. The site has also been carefully landscaped over many years by the monks that live in the monastery on site. Segovia: If you dont stop in Segovia on a road trip to Salamanca (or on any other day trip from Madrid), then dont miss it on this drive. Barcelona Source: vitalez / shutterstock Barcelona Although a fair hike, Barcelona can be easily reached in the space of a day trip from Madrid. Pestana Holidays. Optional Madrid Itinerary Addition: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The answer is all of the above, as well as the most important monument from the Spanish Renaissance. There are few parts of the world which have so much to see in such a compact region both culturally and in nature. If you love the sun, beaches and perfect mountain hideaways overlooking the sea, Andalucia is the place for you. Cross Stone Bridge cross the old river bridge and look back across the Ebro for great views of the Basilica. Quick Barcelona to Madrid drive itinerary Distance - 955.7 km (593.8 miles) Time - 7 days Day 1 - Barcelona to Tarragona: 99.6 km (61.8 miles) Day 2 - Tarragona to Valencia: 259 km (160.9 miles) Day 3 - Valencia Day 4 - Valencia to Albacete: 185 km (114.9 miles) Day 5 - Albacete to Cuenca: 160 km (99.4 miles) Day 6 - Cuenca to Toledo: 179 km (111.2 miles) The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial can get confusing as it is also known as the Monasterio del Escorial, is a large palace that dates back to the 16th century. Another popular day trip from Madrid is Toledo, the old capital of Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. It was the capital city of the Visigoth Empire, Spanish Moors and later of Spain at some points during the course of history. A small number of rooms have stunning views of the surrounding hills with morning fog climbing towards the peaks and you can relax in a jacuzzi looking out over the landscape before having an amazing dinner in the hotel's gastro restaurant. Of course, there is always a chance to make them longer than day trips and stay overnight in one of the authentic hotels along the road (I mention some of them in the article) as these places have a high concentration of medieval sights and unique historical monuments that you may want to explore in depth. It is the pearl of the Spanish coast and one of the most visited cities not only in Spain but in Europe and the entire world. Seville 8. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Honest Answers About the Spanish Capital, Northern Coast of Spain Travel Guide Best Places to Visit, Things to See & Do, 20 Coolest Stops to Make On Barcelona to Valencia Drive. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Hopefully, youll understand why I always recommend it as my best day trip from Madrid. Day 3: Pick up Rental Car - Drive From Madrid to La Rioja. Whether you're looking to relax in the mountains off the Costa del Sol, navigate the narrow streets of Toledo or take a stroll down Barcelona's Las Ramblas, we can help you plan the perfect Spanish road trip for you. Top rated road trips in Madrid Spain 7-Day Spain Road Trip from Madrid to Toledo Starts in Madrid Ends in Madrid Duration 7 days & 6 nights Available All Year 24/7 customer support From 8 USD Spain Cheap 10-Day Spain Road Trip Vacation from Madrid to Zaragoza, Barcelona & Valencia Starts in Madrid Ends in Madrid Duration 10 days & 9 nights Getting There: Buses operated by Samar take 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach Consuegra from Madrid. However, my best recommendation when visiting vineyards while tight on time is enjoying one of the day tours from Madrid and let someone else do the thinking. Once you've been left sufficiently breathless, get a taste of culture at the Museum of Abstract Art, or learn more about Spain's robust Holy Week celebrations at the Semana Santa Museum. Sitting high up in the mountains, you are not allowed to drive into it, so you have to park your car and walk. Aside from hiking, there are some fantastic little villages to be explored. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It is around one hour by car from Madrid or just 30 mins by high speed train from Madrids Atocha station. In some ways similar to tapas popular in the rest of Spain, pintxos are smaller bite-size snacks served in bars and charged by number or by plate. Just about an hour out of Madrid, you will find the Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra del Norte and the Sierra de Gredos mountain ranges. As with most Spanish cities, there are plenty of churches to visit, and the main cathedral is pretty spectacular. I visited Zaragoza recently, although I must admit I cheated, it was an overnight trip, not a day trip, however, the fact that it is a very pretty city and on the high-speed train line, certainly makes it worth considering. However, there are also plenty of tuk-tuk drivers who offer tours of the town and trips up to some wonderful viewpoints. In medieval times, Basque country spanned the mountain range, including parts of France on the other side. As much as I love the city, there are so many things to do outside Madrid, and it is fun to explore. If you are looking for the perfect Toledo souvenirs then a sword would be the right choice. It takes about 45 minutes and trains leave every half hour or so. After exploring central Spain with stops in Toledo and surrounding towns and a tour of Madrid, the drive continues into Spain's Duero valley, Valladolid and on to Galicia's Vigo, Santiago de Compostela and A Coruna while taking in breathtaking views of ocean-facing cliffs and huge waves. El Greco Museum one of Spains most iconic artists. The trip continues east to Cuenca and Siguenza - both stunning towns but in completely different ways and both very different from a lot of typical Spanish destinations. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Travel Tip: Segovia is famous for its cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). Naturally. The Pyrenees are an amazing mountain range that is not high on many tourists' radars. Spain Road Trip - The Ultimate 2 Week Itinerary, Andalucia road trip - Ultimate 11 day itinerary, 10 amazing European road trips for your travel bucket list, 14 amazing places to see the autumn leaves in Europe, The 14 best Christmas markets in Europe to visit this winter, Driving in Spain: Your guide to Spanish toll roads, rules and parking, Seville weekend trip - The perfect city break itinerary, Best Time to Visit Spain - Full Month by Month Guide, Spain's Mediterranean coast is perfect for a Spanish road trip, Spain's northern coast makes for an amazing road trip, The Arantza Hotela in the foothills of Pyrenees, check out our 40 day trips from Barcelona for inspiration, 3. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Want to experience an amazing Spain road trip but not sure where to go? I offer you the top 6 of beautiful destinations where you can go on a day trip from Madrid by car. Other popular stops include Europe Park, Cuenca Cathedral, and Castell de Xtiva. You can enjoy picnics and bird-watching in the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors. As a Madrid resident myself, I have spent a lot of time exploring the fringes of the city and the nearby neighbours, so I thought I would put together some of my top recommendations and share the best day trips from Madrid. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Travel Tip: Toledo is quite hilly, and its cobblestoned streets can complicate things even further. The drive from Madrid to Toledo takes you through rolling hills and authentic local countryside life. Alczar of Toledo An imposing castle on the cities highest point and home to an Army Museum. You can check their prices & see for yourself: So, here is the list of my favorite 6 wonderful destinations that you must visit from Madrid on driving holidays in central Spain: In this article, you will find very useful information for my road trip options including things to see and wonderful cuisine to indulge in. This dish is usually made roasted and it refers to a very young lamb. Next leg takes you south to Valencia - a seriously underrated Spanish city that offers culture, food and sunshine aplenty with an amazing historical centre. Take a boat tour of the parks lagoon or enjoy a picnic on the sandy shores. The town is also famous for its roast lamb, which will provide sustenance as you continue your journey to the sea. Valencia 11. The drive from Madrid city center to La Sierra may vary based on the town you are heading to (since this mountain range surrounds the city), but basically, it can take from 50 minutes to 1 hour and a half. 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