Years of erosion by the Rio Piedra have created some spectacular waterfalls that visitors can visit and wander around. 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. Thanks so much for this postvery useful for people who prefer the small towns and only have a couple days. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Take a day to see the city and its surroundings - seafood here is amazing as it's a functioning port supplying much of the region and beyond. 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. 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. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. If you don't know it by name, you've definitely seen pictures of giant rocks and archways on the sandy beach before. Getting There: Getting to Segovia from Madrid couldn't be easier. You can easily explore the key sites and be back in Madrid ready for dinner. 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. This route takes 7 hours to drive, not accounting for any stops or detours. Probably the least famous town on this list, Chinchn is home to one of Spains prettiest Plaza Mayors. Book your tickets online in advance to avoid long queues. Seville is the capital of the Andalusia region of Spain. Madrid has plenty more cultural attractions and activities that you could spend the day exploring, but so do the surrounding parts of Spain. The large wooden structure fills a plaza and you can get on top of it for some fantastic views. Nevertheless, Zaragoza is among the interesting historical and cultural places in Spain. . It is a university town that is most famous for being the birthplace of Cervantes, the author of Spains most famous literary work, Don Quixote. Salamanca 5. Many don't associate Mallorca with a road trip, but the island has a huge amount to offer beside the beaches and clubs. The route even takes you behind one of the largest in the park. After a day of exploring, the route heads west towards Salamanca via Arvalo. Definitely visit the Prado museum, walk around the Retiro Park and the . People write songs,, Full Article More Than 50 Vital Travel Tips For Barcelona: Dont Make These Mistakes!Continue, Is Madrid worth visiting? It will take around 45 minutes heading south from Madrid. 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. Perhaps the most controversial inclusion on this list of day trips from Madrid, Valle de los Cados (Valley of the Fallen) is a remnant from Spain's fascist years under dictator Francisco Franco. This gives you the most flexibility to see as much as possible in a day. Getting there: The AVE train from Madrid takes about an hour and 40 minutes. There are regular buses from Madrid to Salamanca, operated by Avanzabus. And relish taking your time amid small Spanish villages, far from the crowds. They vaguely reminded me of Plitvice waterfalls in Croatia and Gynk Canyon waterfalls near Antalya in southern Turkey. Once you've navigated the tourists, a short drive down the coast takes you to Cala Agulla where the beaches are empty and the sun is just as hot for some relaxation. For history lovers, Toledo is a treasure trove. 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. The main landmark for visitors to Aranjuez is the town's Royal Palace, a royal estate for the Spanish royal family since 1560. An incredibly popular day trip from Madrid is Avila. 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. Thanks for the nice comment, its just the kind of thing I was thinking. In around 2.5 hours, you can travel from Madrid to the Costa Blanca. It's hard to sum up El Escorial in just a few words. Castille Leon - visit the heart of Spain, 7. The royal palace and gardens of La Granja de San Ildefonso are another must-see. It is the one that I recommend all of my friends take when they come to visit me. You don't need to pick up your rental car until day 4. A mini Catalonia tour to end the trip wraps up the route that will take at least a month to complete if you want to do things other than driving. And the gardens offer a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the road. Its about a 20-minute walk from the centre or a quick taxi ride, but youll find a nice museum with lots of dinosaurs to entertain the little ones. El Escorial & The Valley of the Fallen 14. Marzipan A local speciality. Hiring a car is really the best option for this day trip. 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. One thing that you will certainly notice on a Toledo day trip are the many shops that sell awesome swords. 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! It is a simple drive, motorways all the way (with a toll), but leaving Madrid can get busy at peak times. Alcala de Henares is a town that is one of the more popular side trips from Madrid as it can easily be visited using Madrids Cercanas rail system. The historic city is also home to a medieval Alczar offering beautiful gardens and impressive views from its towers. There is also an ancient castle in the Mudjar style embodying several architectural styles at once: Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish style. A day trip? How to Travel From Madrid to Cordoba by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel from Madrid to Valladolid by Train, Bus, and Car, Madrid to Valencia by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, The Most Popular Cities to Visit in Spain, How to Travel From Seville to Cordoba by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel From Porto to Madrid by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane. While it is regions such as Rioja and Ribera Del Duero that dominate the Spanish wine fame, Madrid actually has their very own Denominacin de Origen Vinos De Madrid. The Pyrenees are an amazing mountain range that is not high on many tourists' radars. Some of the towns worth visiting in La Sierra are Rascafria, Buitrago de Lozoya, Manzanares El Real, and Chinchon. At present time, she is based in Spain while waiting for the war in Ukraine to be over to be able to return home. This blog post will explore the various destinations you can drive to and will help you plan the ultimate road trip experience from Madrid. The small town of Aranjuez is a nice escape from the city of Madrid. You'll drive primarily along one of Europe's major West-East highways, so you can expect a smooth journey. But this is not about that, this is about Salamanca. The list below, organised by highway, includes a favourite town (followed by its province) for each one. On your stop in Guadalajara, you should try wild boar stew, hare, or deer. Wear comfortable shoes if you plan on doing a lot of walking. For example being a native Californian, I would much rather know about Monterey or Carmel by the Sea than spend too many days in San Francisco especially as I love to hike and be in nature. The biggest draw in the town is the huge royal palace and expansive gardens. It would be a good option if you want an overnight visit. Those who take the time to venture beyond the roadside restaurants and service stations, however, will find that slowing down pays off. There are tonnes of great places to stop including Roses resort, the canals of Empuriabrava, L'Escala and Begur. Alcal de Henares 15. This road trip is a loop that starts and finishes in Madrid, the capital of Spain, and it's definitely one of the best road trips from Madrid you can choose. The Sagrada Famlia and Park Gell are the must-visit sights in Barcelona. Year-round, restaurants serve dishes like tomato soup and jams made from the four varieties of tomatoes commonly grown here. 1. The palace is characterized by luxury and rich decoration. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. There is a tourist train which is a great way to get a concise history of Avila and see the main sites. 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. During these seasons, the weather is mild and it allows you to truly enjoy every stop. Check out the tower of the Clerecia for some more great views. I will be exploring more of Spain during the next few months and will add more road trips to this list once I check them out. A perfect way to explore Spain is to drive around Andalucia. We have driven up and down and across Spain a lot of times over the past 15 years. Lindsey Zimmerman is a freelance writer and travel expert who has lived in southern Spain since 2015. 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. 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. Going on one of the road trips from Madrid is a must if you enjoy driving! Toledo is famous as a blend of Christian, Muslim and Jewish religions and cultures. Along the way, you can stop at traditional Spanish taverns to sample local cuisine, such as lechazo (roast lamb) and cochinillo (suckling pig). La Rioja is a postcard of a province, with rolling green hills, alpine mountains, limestone . Palma is the capital and often overlooked by visitors who go straight from airport to their preferred corner of the island. Soak up Madrid's unbeatable atmosphere as you admire the incredible architecture and enjoy strolling along the Calle de Cava Baja. Getting There: Madrid's commuter train, the Cercanas, will get you to El Escorial in about an hour. The wall encircles the historic center, outside of which there are seven Romanesque churches. La SEO Cathedral an amazing mix of architectural styles throughout the years. Next leg takes you south to Valencia - a seriously underrated Spanish city that offers culture, food and sunshine aplenty with an amazing historical centre. When you reach the far side there are wonderful views back to the city and you can even find a little stony beach on the shore of the river to relax by. Decadent facades are on all four sides and there is a great little microbrewery to grab a drink, just sit and enjoy some people watching. Best Time to visit Madrid Madrid is a city with four lovely seasons, loveliest of which are spring and fall. Welcome! It does seem like a lot, but it is certainly a city worth visiting to really enjoy some of the southern Spanish cultures. The Madrid Mountains 6. However, from our experience, we noticed that Discover Cars has much better offers, especially in the winter season in Madrid. . 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. The palace houses a museum and library, and the surrounding grounds are a popular spot for picnics and outdoor activities. Two places in Salamanca stand out to me. 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. Other popular stops include Pl. So this is it, my list of road trips from Madrid for now. Segovia 3. Today the region fervently focuses on its culture. Getting There: Trains from Madrid get you to Cuenca in about an hour. 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. Where to Stay in Madrid. Aranda de Duero a nice little town in the area. Once you've crossed over the Sierra Nevada mountains, your trip continues to Granada, Costa del Sol, Seville and Cordoba. In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. Aranjuez 11. Pestana Holidays. After passing the Vixia Herbeira cliffs, you'll arrive in A Corua. The journey spans a distance of approximately 350 kilometers. I know what youre thinking, Seville? As you make your way toward Valencia, build your road trip itinerary in that way where you visit first Aranjuez and then Cuenca. The train takes around 30 mins from Madrid to Segovia. This trip includes a mix of beaches, historic Spanish cities and exploring nature - a perfect mix for a Spanish road trip! 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