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. Depending on which train you take, the travel time is between 33 60 minutes. It isamong the best-preserved in Europe. In conclusion, what you have to remember is that all the day trips from Madrid by car allow you to visit local and rural Spain. Best of all, you can climb nearly 1km of this impressive feat of medieval engineering and enjoy the panoramic views. Travel Tip: Kill two birds with one stone: stop in vila for a few hours on your way to Salamanca to experience two of the region's most breathtaking cities in one day. A day trip? Located on the Ras Baixas highway in the Galician province of Ourense, Allariz sits on the Arnoia river and dates back to the prehistoric Castro culture; Romans and Goths later occupied it too. At present time, she is based in Spain while waiting for the war in Ukraine to be over to be able to return home. The old castle keep now houses a parador that allows access to the buildings courtyard. As mentioned above, it can also be a nice way to break up a journey between Madrid and Barcelona. Some of the most authentic dishes you should try in Zaragoza is the Ternasco de Aragon. 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. Valladolid: In the Middle Ages, Valladolid served as the residence of the Spanish and Castilian monarchs. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Avila 9. If you choose not to take the strawberry train, other organised tours will take you to the town or you can also drive yourself. Getting There: Trains from Madrid get you to Cuenca in about an hour. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. Medina del Campo: It is just a short drive from Coca. 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. As with most of these day trips from Madrid, the most sensible option would be the train. The wall encircles the historic center, outside of which there are seven Romanesque churches. It is a huge square where you will find the gorgeous basilica, La SEO Cathedral and the entrance to the historic Roman parts of the city. Cuenca is perhaps best known for its gravity-defying hanging houses, which sit perilously on the edge of a steep cliff. ), then in this city try the roasted Cochinillo (Pork) or Lechazo (lamb). El Postiguet is the city's main beach, just a short stroll from its old town. Hike through one of the best bird reserves in the country. If you want to base yourself in Barcelona, instead of going on a road trip, check out our 40 day trips from Barcelona for inspiration on where you can get to! Today the region fervently focuses on its culture. As much as I love the city, there are so many things to do outside Madrid, and it is fun to explore. After a couple days of sightseeing, it's time to hit the road and head on south to Ciudad Real via Consuegra and Daimiel. But if you're brave enough, you can start wherever along the route you like as you it goes in a loop. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If you happen to be traveling in the summer, be sure to attend the Benicassim Festival. Hiking Trails Outside of Madrid 12. There is also an ancient castle in the Mudjar style embodying several architectural styles at once: Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish style. 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. The city is also home to the Alczar of Toledo. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. And there are so many must-stops along the route that you dont want to miss. Make a reservation through their website online or through Instagram. The room glows in red and gold with a magnificent chandelier hanging high above your head. If you are visiting with kids, I would certainly recommend allowing a bit of time to visit the Paleontological Museum of Cuenca. Of the countrys eight autovas, its modern toll-free highways, A-1 to A-6, extend out from the capital. Getting There: Take the high-speed AVE train from Madrid (operated by Renfe, Spain's national rail service) to get there in two and a half hours. This road trip through Spain's heartland comes in a loop that starts and ends in the Segovia province. Aranda de Duero a nice little town in the area. 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). Learn how your comment data is processed. The great thing is, all of them are accessible via public transport. Just dripping in decadence and youll never want to leave the garden. The fast train is by far the best option for a day trip to Cuenca. The wooden balconies are synonymous with the city and certainly not a place for anyone with a fear of heights. It's hard to sum up El Escorial in just a few words. El Escorial & The Valley of the Fallen, Final thoughts on the best day trips from Madrid, Best Travel Tripod Under $100 With Buying Tips, What to see in Zaragoza: 12 Unmissable Sites. There are many tombs of famous royals from throughout history, but none quite as spectacular as the Panten Real de El Escorial, a small room down a long flight of stairs that only the top of the royal hierarchy can be laid to rest. La Granja de San Ildefonso: It is just a short drive from Segovia. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. Toledo 2. It takes a little under 3 hours each way, but with regular departures throughout the day from Madrids Atocha Station, there is plenty of time to see the city highlights and be back in Madrid by bedtime. While outside of Spain, there is no doubt Rioja is considered the best wine from the country, however, those in the know also talk about this smaller wine region named Ribera del Duero. About the destination: Madrid has a tempo of its own: The dry air of the Castilian plain crackles with its cosmopolitan crowds. Alongside Madrid, it is one of my favourite plaza mayors in Spain. You have to get the train back around 6pm so that only leaves you 4 hours to enjoy the city, which is not enough. 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. Login to continue Create your account Register. 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. Also allegedly one of the major inspirations for Walt Disneys castle. From Tarragona, this trip goes inland towards Montblanc and all the way to La Seu d'Urgell in the Pyrenees via Solsona. Seville is the capital of the Andalusia region of Spain. Cuenca 9. Barcelona Source: vitalez / shutterstock Barcelona Although a fair hike, Barcelona can be easily reached in the space of a day trip from Madrid. Best stops along Madrid to Valencia drive The top stops along the way from Madrid to Valencia (with short detours) are Parque Warner Madrid, Royal Palace of Aranjuez, and San Pablo Bridge. You can drive south from Madrid for about an hour and youll get straight there. The palace houses a museum and library, and the surrounding grounds are a popular spot for picnics and outdoor activities. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. It was the capital city of the Visigoth Empire, Spanish Moors and later of Spain at some points during the course of history. At first glance, it may seem boring. The six-hour drive between Madrid and Galicia will feel shorter if you know where to stop along the way. Youll see a different side of Spain on your escape to the seashore if you just slow down. This road trip is a perfect mix of culture and relaxation so if you want to blend the two, give it a go. Barcelona and Madrid are likely to be the best hubs for getting in and out of Spain and the route cycles down through Valencia to an Andalucian tour before heading back north from Cordoba. Constructed in the 16th century under the orders of King Philip II, the sprawling complex is one of Spain's most fascinating destinations. Just before or after the visit to Toledo, I also highly recommend you not to missBarrancas de Burujn nature reserve. La Rioja wine country. Day 1 Madrid Itinerary: Get Acquainted + Major Sights. La Rioja is a postcard of a province, with rolling green hills, alpine mountains, limestone . The local variety of castellano is incredibly pure and easy to understand. 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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Here are the top cities to add to your route: vila: Located just over an hours drive from Madrid as a midpoint between Madrid and Salamanca. However, winter can make your trip toward the northern locations magical and make you feel like you are in a snowy fairy tale. The area of Aranjuez was a traditional strawberry producing powerhouse, and the Strawberry Train tries to take you back to this era. 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. It is possible to drive close, but most people leave their car at the bottom in the more modern village of Patones and hike up. Anya is originally from Ukraine but in heart she is a citizen of the world. Just about an hour out of Madrid, you will find the Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra del Norte and the Sierra de Gredos mountain ranges. Further back there is a massive Moorish influence on the city, which most represented the Alcazar of Seville, an amazing palace to visit and even a filming site for the Game of Thrones. Aljafera Palace an old Moorish palace with some lovely courtyards. As you would expect, this gives the city a rather sophisticated feel of one steeped in academic history. Head back to Madrid for the last night of your trip and go out in true Spanish style with a flamenco dinner. 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 best way is by far to drive yourself, but there are bus and train options. The mountains offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Getting There: Take the AVE from Madrid to get to Cordoba in under two hours. Once again were back on the train. Here are the 15 best day trips from Madrid. The Ribera del Duero wine route runs along the Duero river, the same one that flows all the way through Portugal and is famous for Port wine. The Madrid Mountains 6. 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. However, that was up until October 2019, when Francos body was exhumed and relocated to the understated (by Spanish standards) El Pardo-Mingorrubio cemetery. The perfect Andalucia road trip will take you on a loop including coastal destinations such as Nerja, Malaga, Marbella, Gibraltar and Cadiz before going inland to discover Ronda, Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Getting there: The AVE train from Madrid takes about an hour and 40 minutes. The rest of the road trip follows the Costa Brava back down to Barcelona. 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. It is only 45 minutes by car or a little under an hour by train. 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. 383 mi Toledo 3. 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. When in Chinchon, pay a visit to Bodega del Nero winery with generous tastings and tapas. But if you are coming on a trip to Madrid for 5 days or longer, then you can create a more action-packed itinerary and see the surroundings after renting a car and going for a drive. Login to continue Create your account Register. During these seasons, the weather is mild and it allows you to truly enjoy every stop. And if at this point youd love to stay in a unique location, then Monasterio de Piedra can be an excellent choice. This medieval castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. However, my highlight is a network of alleyways called El Tubo. From El Escorial, take bus 660 to Valle de los Cados o Cruce Cuelgamuros. Segovia 2. More Than 50 Vital Travel Tips For Barcelona: Dont Make These Mistakes! You don't need to pick up your rental car until day 4. A huge cross in the mountains marks the site of this basilica that was built during the Franco regime. Make a quick stop there and visit two main attractions the ancient castle and the cathedral. There you can try the famous wines mentioned above. 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 covers a length of over 70 miles through Castile-Len. Spring lasts from March to May, though the last month may sometimes be much warmer than the first two. Once you've hiked amazing gorges and filled yourself with pastries, it's time to hit the road and drive on to Oviedo and La Coruna. Road Trip form Madrid to Porto from US$223. Do not leave the city without trying first the garlic soup, the Tudela de Duero white asparagus, and the roast lamb. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to explore the best that central Spain has to offer! The road trip starts in the capital of Spain's Basque country - Bilbao. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. You'll relax in the world famous Andalucian white villages of Mijas, Benahavis and Casares and mingle with new money in Puerto Banus' marina full of expensive supercars, people with too much plastic surgery and the world's biggest yachts. If you're going on a road trip from Madrid to Barcelona, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Salou, Zaragoza, Sitges, Tarragona, Alcala De Henares, Soria, Lleida, and Reus and top places to visit like Castle Calatravo and Hotel Guadalope, or the ever-popular Ciudad del Motor de Aragn. The royal palace and gardens of La Granja de San Ildefonso are another must-see. Often overlooked in favour of trips to the Alps or even Sierra Nevada further south in Spain, the Pyrenees are an older mountain range with a lot of peaks over 3,000m above sea level. She is working online and thats why has an opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries. While highways A-1 to A-6 radiate out from Madrid, the last two highways in the system run along the countrys two coasts. Needless to say, sampling the winerys products should be limited to the cars passengers. The Granjilla de La Fresneda expansive gardens. I would not recommend this as an option. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Chinchn 13. Just wander and get lost among the amazing buildings. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". In medieval times, Basque country spanned the mountain range, including parts of France on the other side. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. During the summer, the Madrid Mountains offer some excellent hiking opportunities and in a good Winter, there are even some pretty decent ski ports. Find day trips to take today or this coming weekend . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Travel Tip: If you get into town early enough and want to save 10 euros, entrance to the Mezquita is free from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Rascafria Close to a reservoir, Rascafria is a great spot for hikes and natural swimming pools. How to Get From Madrid to Toledo by Train, Bus, and Car, Spain's Must-See Sights and Attractions: City by City, How to Get From Madrid to Cuenca and What to Do There, How to Travel From Madrid to Salamanca by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel from Madrid to vila by Train, Bus, and Car. It is around one hour by car from Madrid or just 30 mins by high speed train from Madrids Atocha station. I want to share the top 4 resources I personally use for planning a road trip in Spain: The best time to do a road trip from Madrid is during the spring and fall. The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid. Flying in and out of Palma means that's a great place to start and finish your trip. As with most Spanish cities, there are plenty of churches to visit, and the main cathedral is pretty spectacular. On this road trip from Madrid to Zaragoza, you will explore the beauty and history of central Spain. After a visit to the city that shares its name with the Castile and Leon region, the trip ends with a drive through the Ribera del Duero wine region - hugely underrated relative to Rioja and the Portuguese Douro wine further down the same river valley. And youll get straight there just before or after the visit to,... One steeped in academic history during the Franco regime, including parts of France on the other side the air. 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