And if you go on this drive through Segovia (which I highly recommend doing! Use an aggregator rather than booking directly from a rental company as it gives you protection in case something goes wrong. From here you can head to the hanging houses, cross the river over the spine chilling St Paul Bridge and work your way down to the lower part of the city. Admire its stunning architecture, and discover its rich cultural heritage. Travel Tip: While the eponymous royal complex is obviously the big draw for most visitors to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, try and take some time to explore the rest of the charming town if you can. 1. It dates back to the 1st century AD. The small town of Aranjuez is a nice escape from the city of Madrid. Aranda de Duero a nice little town in the area. If you love the mountains, hiking and being off the beaten track, a road trip around Catalonia is definitely the best choice in Spain. In the post linked above, you can see the public transport links to reach the vineyards, they involve either a train or the bus. As you approach Toledo, youll be greeted by the citys ancient walls. Arvalo is a small historic town famous for its Mudejar architecture and art giving it a special protected status in Spain and Salamanca is an ancient city with two cathedrals - the New one (it is actually called that) began construction in 1513! In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. Siguenza: A small ancient city with unique architecture and old as ages historical monuments. It can take close to 2 hours to get there. San Ildefonso: A must-visit stop on this road trip from Madrid for anyone who wants to see the luxurious royal residence of the 18th century. Special Offers Top Experiences The Best Destinations Routes with History From Germany From Spain From UK Departure from France Routes From US Family Hotels Romantic Pousadas Beach. Avila 9. Also, try some other kinds of rice like senyoret (with peeled seafood) or a banda (a very thin layer of rice with seafood). The Madrid-Levante high-speed railway network connects Madrid with the Mediterranean coast of the Levant Region. I know what youre thinking, Seville? Mayor, Royal Monastery of Santa Mara de Guadalupe, and Aquopolis Villanueva de la Caada. The Segovia Aqueduct dating back to 50AD, it is rumoured to have been built by the Devil. 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. Keep the sea to your right as you go and you're unlikely to go too far wrong. Head back to Madrid for the last night of your trip and go out in true Spanish style with a flamenco dinner. Cuenca: a small charming ancient city, perched atop a dramatic gorge. And if at this point youd love to stay in a unique location, then Monasterio de Piedra can be an excellent choice. Getting lost in Toledo's tightly-knotted streets is the best way to explore the city, particularly the narrow alleys around Plaza Santa Clara. My list will be a mixture of cities near Madrid that you can easily reach by public transport as well as things to do in surrounding towns and villages that you may need to hire a car for. This is a place worth spending a couple of days in to explore its old historic centre, the surrounding mountains and the spectacular world-famous Guggenheim museum. Some of the towns worth visiting in La Sierra are Rascafria, Buitrago de Lozoya, Manzanares El Real, and Chinchon. The coffins are vertically lined up the walls with the names of the ex-monarchs. 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. Segovia 2. While highways A-1 to A-6 radiate out from Madrid, the last two highways in the system run along the countrys two coasts. The roads through the Pyrenees are fantastic and can make for really great road trips with the added bonus of hardly any other cars as you drive around. Monasterio de Piedra Final thoughts on the best day trips from Madrid 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. The town also has some wonderful large squares and impressive Mudejar architecture. Depending on which train you take, the travel time is between 33 60 minutes. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Getting There: Take the Renfe-operated AVE from Madrid, which lasts roughly two and a half hours. Other than the Hercules Tower, the main sight here is the light house. And there are so many must-stops along the route that you dont want to miss. The road trip then moves west along the coast to Santander, before further stops in Santillana del Mar, the Picos de Europa national park and Gijon. On this 11-day self-drive adventure you'll visit not only the most historic cities in Spain, bust some of the most beautiful countryside in the Andalusia region. Toledo is a medieval city located just 70 km from Madrid, the former capital of the country, and one of the most distinctive cities in Spain. The A-3 highway leads to Madrids beach, as some call Valencia, the closest city on the sea traveling from the capital. Although this trip is only 5 days long, you'll spend a few of these driving along small coastal roads. We have driven up and down and across Spain a lot of times over the past 15 years. The monument itselfan impressive stone cross and basilicawas built by prisoners of the Spanish Civil War, and today serves as Franco's final resting place. At the confluence of the Tagus and Tietar Rivers, the park is home to 280 . If you don't know it by name, you've definitely seen pictures of giant rocks and archways on the sandy beach before. Along the way, you'll get to experience the tapas culture of Andalusia. A great route around the region can start and end in Barcelona to make it easy with flights. Zaragoza is on the high-speed train route between Madrid and Barcelona meaning there are loads of departures from Atocha station throughout the day. Buitrago de Lozoya, for example, is particularly a special town as it is surrounded by water and ancient authentic walls built by the Moors in the 11th century. The palace houses a museum and library, and the surrounding grounds are a popular spot for picnics and outdoor activities. Coming your way in this post - click to expand ->. Narrow streets, beautiful stone buildings and fantastic local coffee shops are great for unwinding in late morning. 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. 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. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Getting There: Trains from Madrid get you to Cuenca in about an hour. Getting There: You can get to Salamanca from Madrid via bus. Suckling pig roasted in a traditional wood oven. If you are looking to get the most out of your time in Spain, that could be a really good option. Bus 664 or 661 from Moncloa also get you there in about the same amount of time. Of course, you may want to check your airline baggage rules before buying that 15th-century replica broadsword that would have had William Wallace running in fear! 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 have time on your hands and feel adventurous, a road trip around the entirety of Spain can be an amazing way to delve into the culture, see all the corners of this amazing country and really get immersed. Naturally. This might not be so much of a Spanish road trip as a gentle breeze along the coast (and there will be a lot of breeze! If you are visiting with kids, I would certainly recommend allowing a bit of time to visit the Paleontological Museum of Cuenca. The only real way to enjoy a day trip from Madrid to Salamanca is by driving yourself, it takes about two hours to drive to the city. There are few parts of the world which have so much to see in such a compact region both culturally and in nature. The wooden balconies are synonymous with the city and certainly not a place for anyone with a fear of heights. Day 3: Pick up Rental Car - Drive From Madrid to Laguardia - Wine Tour. The A-1 autova connects Madrid with Irn, in Guipzcoa (a province in Spains Basque country, next to the French border). There you can try the famous wines mentioned above. Just wander and get lost among the amazing buildings. A road trip from Madrid to Lisbon through Salamanca is a wonderful way to see two countries without spending too much time on driving and seeing some eminent highlights. Other attractions include the serene Convento de Santa Teresa and beautiful Catedral del Salvador. Also allegedly one of the major inspirations for Walt Disneys castle. Benicassim: Known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant music scene, Benicassim is a popular destination for young travelers. It is possible to get the train, however, the first departure from Madrid leaves just after 11 am and you dont arrive in Salamanca until nearly 2 pm. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. A large sculpture of a tomato (perhaps the worlds largest tomato sculpture) sits atop a large pole, greeting visitors to the town, while the annual Tomate Rojo Rock festival, in early July, combines music and a celebration of the local crop. Patones de Arriba my favourite village I have found so far. Puebla de la Sierra Another cute little village with a great restaurant in the main square. Tours will often combine it with a visit to Segovia. Cuenca Cathedral Located in the main square surrounded by colourful houses, San Pablo Bridge You may be OK, but it made me feel very uneasy. Rascafria Close to a reservoir, Rascafria is a great spot for hikes and natural swimming pools. Next. One key disclaimer is that while this one sits high on our list of bucket list trips, we haven't actually done the full trip - it's a long drive! Trains to El Escorial leave from Atocha or Chamartn station. The distance of this trip is approximately 320 kilometers, but with so many places to stop at, you may want to take it slow and enjoy the ride. In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. Segovia Cathedral a gigantic gothic masterpiece with wonderful views from the bell tower. A favourite stop is a nestled in the mountains by the sea: Nijar. The local variety of castellano is incredibly pure and easy to understand. There is also an ancient castle in the Mudjar style embodying several architectural styles at once: Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish style. The Medieval plaza is surrounded by old buildings with iconic wooden balconies, it is like a little time trap as you step into the past. Just before or after the visit to Toledo, I also highly recommend you not to missBarrancas de Burujn nature reserve. 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. 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. Its magnificent Mudejar temples coexist together with spectacular modern buildings and its cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Madrid, the capital city of Spain, is a perfect starting point for a road trip adventure. Take the exit and you can tour some of its olive-oil mills, snap some photos of the nearby Torre del Castillo de Villaverde (which has survived the centuries though the small town that it once protected has not), or simply stroll through the streets of this postcard-perfect Andalusian village. Hike through one of the best bird reserves in the country. Madrid is a world within a city, offering a thriving cultural atmosphere, great shopping and sightseeing, and unforgettable food. Just dripping in decadence and youll never want to leave the garden. Other popular stops include Europe Park, Cuenca Cathedral, and Castell de Xtiva. If you would like an in-depth look about how to get there, you can find it near the top of the post as well as some more tips about what to expect from the park. Toledo is famous as a blend of Christian, Muslim and Jewish religions and cultures. 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. There are quite a few stops to make and foods to try. 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. 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. Puerto de Navacerrada (Ski Resort) 10. Famous for Flamenco and the traditional Spanish pastime of bullfighting. Whether you want a relaxing drive along the coast or drive around the entire country of Spain, here are the 10 amazing options for a Spain road trip to pick from. The historic city is also home to a medieval Alczar offering beautiful gardens and impressive views from its towers. Barcelona to Madrid drive. I offer you the top 6 of beautiful destinations where you can go on a day trip from Madrid by car. Pestana Holidays powered by Travel Compositor Sales & Support +351 215551041. It is a nice stop on the way to Salamanca, or as mentioned previously, part of a multi-stop organised tour. Alczar of Toledo An imposing castle on the cities highest point and home to an Army Museum. You can enjoy picnics and bird-watching in the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors. There are also places to sample cava, Spains famous sparkling wine. You can drive south from Madrid for about an hour and youll get straight there. Seeing it and touring around is a number one activity. Anyone who read Don Quijote in their high school Spanish class may remember how the titular character famously confused the giant windmills of Consuegra for monsters with flailing arms. It may be the world's most expensive spice, but it's one of the region's specialties. Hornazo A local speciality which is an oven-baked meat pie, but a bit more like bread than pastry, usually stuffed with pork loin, spicy chorizo, and hard-boiled eggs. The great thing is, all of them are accessible via public transport. Toledo Cathedral A gothic masterpiece dating to the 13th century. Follow those secondary roads and you may come upon an artisans studio with rows of beautifully glazed ceramic pots, a centuries-old Romanesque chapel, or a field of sunflowers greeting you. Book your tickets online in advance to avoid long queues. After that the road trip continues all the way to Port de Pollena before heading across the island to Cala Mesquida. Take a boat tour of the parks lagoon or enjoy a picnic on the sandy shores. Day 2 Madrid Itinerary: Art + Retiro Park + Gran Via. While Avila is a nice side trip from Madrid, if you allow a full day here, you may find yourself getting a little bored by the end, but it is certainly worth visiting. Our tip is to ignore the navigator which will send you inland along faster roads. The room glows in red and gold with a magnificent chandelier hanging high above your head. Madrid Wine Tour 5. Summers are very hot and while driving is not a problem, getting out of the car and spending time outdoors can be a real challenge for some people when temperatures are high. 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. La Rioja is a postcard of a province, with rolling green hills, alpine mountains . 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