Madrid is a vibrant, exciting city, and art and culture lovers will love the array of museums and art galleries. Optional Madrid Itinerary Addition: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. It is also easily reachable by public transport. However, winter can make your trip toward the northern locations magical and make you feel like you are in a snowy fairy tale. 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. Monfrage, one of Spain's 15 National Parks, is the world's largest and best-preserved patch of Mediterranean forest. Plaza de Toros one of the oldest in Spain. What makes the city particularly unique is its influence by each of the three major world religions. If the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal are calling you, the A-5 highway, which crosses the region of Extremadura to the Spanish-Portuguese border, has surprises like the town of Miajadas, in the province of Cceres, not far from Trujillo (famous as the birthplace of many of the men who explored and conquered the Americas). 10 Best Road Trips Near Madrid Escape to the Community of Madrid This Weekend! I know, a lot of people prefer the southern region with its Moorish sights, flamenco, stunning beaches, whitewashed villages, milder winters,, Full Article Northern Coast of Spain Travel Guide Best Places to Visit, Things to See & DoContinue, While Barcelona and Valencia on their own have so much to offer that youd need to spend at least a few days in each city, Barcelona to Valencia drive is no less spectacular. Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. No matter what your political persuasion, there is no doubt the monument is an impressive maker to the bloody past of a dark time in Spains history. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to explore the best that central Spain has to offer! If not, you should definitely plan one since this region is full of wonders! 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. The result is a wonderful harmony of natural falls and crafted waterways to impress the many visitors. Getting There: You can get to Salamanca from Madrid via bus. Aranjuez 11. This is one of the most popular cities close to Madrid and definitely one of my favourite Madrid day trips. It covers a length of over 70 miles through Castile-Len. Perhaps no place encapsulates that image more than the regional capital, Seville, a colorful and vibrant destination that looks like a postcard come to life. However, from our experience, we noticed that Discover Cars has much better offers, especially in the winter season in Madrid. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. So it is truly impressive. Alongside Madrid, it is one of my favourite plaza mayors in Spain. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. There are some fantastic hotels if you want to really relax and go off the grid for a few days - we have stayed at The Arantza Hotela in the foothills of Pyrenees and cannot recommend it highly enough - it is expensive but super luxurious and worth it! 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. Now, personally, I hate the sport of killing a bull and I dont feel it has a place in the modern world, but there is quite a history and prestige to it and, it is said that as a Matador if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. Well, stick with me here as it is totally possible to take day trips from Madrid to Seville, in fact, I have a whole post about it complete with a Seville in a day itinerary. The trip lasts 20-30 minutes. Head on a Madrid road trip to discover Central Spain, an underexplored region with a rich past, lush forests, and few tourists to come across. Login to continue Create your account Register. Seville is also home to the worlds largest cathedral, a tower of gold, delicious tapas and weird architecture in the shape of mushrooms. If you plan to come to Madrid for 2 or 3 days only, then you will hardly have enough time to see the sights of the capital itself. We have driven up and down and across Spain a lot of times over the past 15 years. Depending on your flights, you might have to do a drive back along the coast to Bilbao or down to Porto or Madrid - this is one heck of a trip that you won't find in many recommendations or guides! The train guards dress up in traditional clothing and on your return to the city you get given a serving of strawberries. Aranda de Duero a nice little town in the area. Crdoba 7. The full circle - A complete road trip around Spain. 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. The main attraction there are Plaza Mayor from the 18th century in the radical baroque style. For history lovers, Toledo is a treasure trove. As with the Castille Leon trip, it's easy to start and finish in Madrid if that's where you can get easy flights to. A quickcortadocoffee served in a glass, a baked treat, and a glance at the souvenirs by the register that may be all that some holiday-goers see of small-townSpainas they drive fromMadridto the sea. The Water Museum covers the topics of irrigation and water management (especially important in arid climates like Nijars), or climb to the Mirador de la Atalaya, with its views of the town below. Spain's buzzing second city has a whole host of cultural and historical gems to explore. So often overlooked in favour of Costa Brava, Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca, Spain's northern coast makes for an amazing road trip exploring the mix of cultures, fantastic food and rocky shore scenery. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to Zaragoza. If you have time, a trip out to the shimmering Muslim palace-city of Medina Azahara is well worth the effort as well. During your stay in Salamanca, you could surely take a quick drive to Portugal. The Sagrada Famlia and Park Gell are the must-visit sights in Barcelona. Ultimate Southern Spain Road Trip: Madrid to Andalusia - 10 days. From the unfinished masterpiece that is the Sagrada Familia church and the quaint Catalan charm of picturesque Gracia, to a diverse drinks and dining scene and dozens of fabulous beaches, you're guaranteed to never be bored in the Catalan capital. If you happen to be traveling in the summer, be sure to attend the Benicassim Festival. Here are the 15 best day trips from Madrid. Royal Palace of Aranjuez 8. The San Sebastian Airport is just 14 miles (22 kilometers) from the city center and it takes about a half-hour to get there by cab or bus. Castilla - La Mancha is one of the largest regions of Spain and also one of the least well known by tourists. Barcelona Source: vitalez / shutterstock Barcelona Although a fair hike, Barcelona can be easily reached in the space of a day trip from Madrid. Make a reservation through their website online or through Instagram. The fast train is by far the best option for a day trip to Cuenca. The trip continues along the north coast stopping off at Santander, Bilbao and San Sebastian before detouring off into the Pyrenees and the historic cities of Pamplona and Zaragoza. This medieval castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Hiring a car is really the best option for this day trip. Next leg takes you south to Valencia - a seriously underrated Spanish city that offers culture, food and sunshine aplenty with an amazing historical centre. You will see the world's finest architecture in Barcelona, La Mezquita in Cordoba, the Seville Cathedral and Granada's Alhambra fortress but have time to relax in Puerto Banus, lay on the beach in Nerja and roam the narrow streets of Andalucian white villages. Coming your way in this post - click to expand ->. So, in 2017 I left America and went remote to be able to spend more time in my home country, travel to exotic places, and experience life in other destinations. First the Plaza Mayor. The best way to see Avila is either by organised tour or driving yourself. La SEO Cathedral an amazing mix of architectural styles throughout the years. They are the municipal Cercanas Renfe lines which mean there are a lot of stops, but they are also cheap. The A-3 highway leads to Madrids beach, as some call Valencia, the closest city on the sea traveling from the capital. The Madrid Mountains 6. Aranjuez has been one of the Royal Estates of the Crown of Spain since 1560 and for nearly 200 years, until 1752, only the royalty and nobility were allowed to live in the town. There are regular buses from Madrid to Salamanca, operated by Avanzabus. Additionally, trains are available, but travel times differ depending on the type. This route takes 7 hours to drive, not accounting for any stops or detours. Next. With this stay, youll spend a night in a real castle and have time to explore the historical village it is located in. It became known for the fact that the author of Don Quixote Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra lived and worked there. Two places in Salamanca stand out to me. Bus 664 or 661 from Moncloa also get you there in about the same amount of time. If Theme Parks are not your thing, just drop your kids there for the day while you explore the town. If you're flying in and out of Madrid, the Castille and Leon road trip can be an amazing way to explore Spain without having to drive all the way to the coast or spend weeks on the road. Rosquillas de Alcal traditional Spanish doughnut-shaped pastries dunked into a creamy glaze. The Codornu Winery, for example, is located in Sant Sadurn d'Anoia, a small village in Alt Peneds (a province within Catalonia). Monasterio de Piedra: Just a short drive from Zaragoza, the Monasterio de Piedra is another breathtaking stop on your road trip. Im sorry to say though, wherever you eat it, it wont be as good as my mother-in-laws. The palace houses a museum and library, and the surrounding grounds are a popular spot for picnics and outdoor activities. Puerto de Navacerrada (Ski Resort) 10. However, my highlight is a network of alleyways called El Tubo. Madrid is a wonderful city full of life. Nevertheless, Zaragoza is among the interesting historical and cultural places in Spain. Rich in Arab, Jewish and Christian history, the former Spanish capital is a Unesco World Heritage Site. You will do an abridged version of the Andalucia road trip above, but get a much broader view of Spain having driven from one corner to another. 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. The wall encircles the historic center, outside of which there are seven Romanesque churches. One appealing stop is Alarcn, an enchanting village in the province of Cuenca with only 148 inhabitants and one of the best-preserved forts in Spain, originally constructed by Arab conquerors. 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. The plan with this road trip is to go all the way round the Galician coastline starting from As Catedrais beach. Puente de San Martin a picturesque medieval bridge across the River Tagus. Hidden away in plain sight right next to Madrid, it stretches almost as far as Valencia and Murcia in Spain's south east. Both Iberia and Air Europa offer direct service on this . It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. Believe it or not, the famous university city of Salamanca is just a little over two hours away and is certainly possible to visit as a one day trip from Madrid. The most famous site in Cuenca is the Casas Colgadas the Hanging Houses. In this little white town famous for its crafts (especially jarapa, a fabric that has been created with scraps of other fabrics a centuries-old recycling tradition), colourful balconies overlook the streets of the historic centre. 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. There are also places to sample cava, Spains famous sparkling wine. A must for fans of eye-popping architecture, Avila is a road trip to remember. The monastery is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including a series of waterfalls and caves that are open to visitors. 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. As you approach Toledo, youll be greeted by the citys ancient walls. Use an aggregator rather than booking directly from a rental company as it gives you protection in case something goes wrong. This historic city is a must-see stop as it is famous for its impressive defensive medieval walls, which stretch over two kilometers with 87 towers and nine gates. While moving the body proved to be a controversial move that divided opinions across the country, the aim of the government is to see The Valle de Los Cados move away from a site where Spains far-right pay homage to the dictator and become a place of commemoration, remembrance and homage to the victims of the war. Travel Tip: Keep in mind when booking your train ticket that Cuenca has two stations: Estacin de Cuenca-Fernando Zbel, served by high speed trains, and Estacin de Cuenca for everything else. At present time, she is based in Spain while waiting for the war in Ukraine to be over to be able to return home. Seville 13. It takes about 45 minutes and trains leave every half hour or so. Argertine peso; The Granjilla de La Fresneda expansive gardens. The best time to do a road trip from Madrid is during the spring and fall. La Rioja is a postcard of a province, with rolling green hills, alpine mountains, limestone . 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