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. The small town of Aranjuez is a nice escape from the city of Madrid. 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. Just wander and get lost among the amazing buildings. Vineyards lots of them. Flying in and out of Palma means that's a great place to start and finish your trip. 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. It is a fantastic destination for a laid-back yet surprising trip, Full Article Valencia in Winter Quick Guide: Weather, Christmas, Things to Do & Travel TipsContinue, Barcelona is a special city. 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. It is home to many small bars and restaurants, each specialising in a different type of tapas. In the post linked above, you can see the public transport links to reach the vineyards, they involve either a train or the bus. 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. You can visit sites such as the unique cathedral in Mejorada Del Campo or eat olives in Campo Real. 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. 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. A huge cross in the mountains marks the site of this basilica that was built during the Franco regime. Seeing it and touring around is a number one activity. Pisto Manchego a delicious local dish made from vegetables (similar to ratatouille) served with a fried egg on top. This road trip is a perfect mix of culture and relaxation so if you want to blend the two, give it a go. You can easily explore the key sites and be back in Madrid ready for dinner. Table of Contents 1. 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. The Castle not much of a castle left, but wonderful views and lots of restaurants. 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. Another popular day trip from Madrid is Toledo, the old capital of Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. For each recommendation, I have also included information about how to get there. Your email will not be provided to third parties. The Madrid Mountains 6. 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. From Barcelona, head south along the coast to Tarragona with a stop in Sitges and the option of relaxing in one of a few great beaches along the way. I am Anya, from Ukraine but in heart, I am a citizen of the world. 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. You can enjoy picnics and bird-watching in the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors. It is only a short detour from Toledo where Martian-like mountains are located right next to the reservoir. You can read more advice about getting to Segovia from Madrid here. Garlic Soup The town loves its garlic, they even have a festival in honour of the delicious little edible bulb every October. It dates back to the 1st century AD. If you are looking to get the most out of your time in Spain, that could be a really good option. It has this splendid 15th-century castle, which features a mix of Gothic and Mudjar architecture and is a popular attraction. Zaragoza 10. I would love to show you, but it is not allowed to take photos. Coca: Located about halfway between Segovia and Valladolid and a bit away from the main road. Is Madrid Worth Visiting? The coffins are vertically lined up the walls with the names of the ex-monarchs. The goal for many traveling along A-3 is to dip their toes in the Mediterranean as quickly as possible, but the fragrance of orange groves and the scent of stewed partridges, opportunities to shop for colourful ceramics, and Roman ruins waiting to be explored may tempt you to slow down. Madrid, the capital city of Spain, is a perfect starting point for a road trip adventure. A perfect way to explore Spain is to drive around Andalucia. Best Time to visit Madrid Madrid is a city with four lovely seasons, loveliest of which are spring and fall. Embarking on a road trip from Madrid to Valencia is an excellent way to explore the diverse landscapes and cultural landmarks of this area. The wooden balconies are synonymous with the city and certainly not a place for anyone with a fear of heights. Youll see a different side of Spain on your escape to the seashore if you just slow down. There are regular buses from Madrid to Salamanca, operated by Avanzabus. 10 Best Road Trips Near Madrid Escape to the Community of Madrid This Weekend! During these seasons, the weather is mild and it allows you to truly enjoy every stop. 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. 1. Years of erosion by the Rio Piedra have created some spectacular waterfalls that visitors can visit and wander around. Puente de San Martin a picturesque medieval bridge across the River Tagus. 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! The streets of the old Jewish Quarter Great food & great stories, you can really get into the history of Seville in this area. Start your road trip with a mini-break in Barcelona where you can visit sights such as La Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas and unique buildings designed by Gaudi. Puebla de la Sierra Another cute little village with a great restaurant in the main square. It is famous for its medieval castle, which was the site of the marriage of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand in 1469. We have driven up and down and across Spain a lot of times over the past 15 years. The list below, organised by highway, includes a favourite town (followed by its province) for each one. 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. ), then in this city try the roasted Cochinillo (Pork) or Lechazo (lamb). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The royal palace and gardens of La Granja de San Ildefonso are another must-see. We eat some mushroom burgers, croquettes, migas and much more, if you love your food and drink, you will not want to leave. Hopefully, youll understand why I always recommend it as my best day trip from Madrid. The city was once a melting pot of cultures, and its rich history is evident in its architecture and monuments, including the Synagogue of Santa Mara la Blanca and the Church of San Roman. Hop on a train in Madrid and you can be standing beneath the arches of Cordoba's Moorish-area Mezquita in two hours. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The towns rich history is reflected in churches like the 12th-century San Pedro and the 13th-century Convent of Santa Clara. 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 monument itselfan impressive stone cross and basilicawas built by prisoners of the Spanish Civil War, and today serves as Franco's final resting place. 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. If you visit Cuenca, I would recommend starting in the castle area and working your way through the steep cobbled streets down into the main town. Cross Stone Bridge cross the old river bridge and look back across the Ebro for great views of the Basilica. Cuenca 9. Narrow streets, beautiful stone buildings and fantastic local coffee shops are great for unwinding in late morning. 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. Salamanca boasts a rich academic heritageits university is one of the oldest in Europe. There are also a few very nice cheap restaurants with good food. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The palace project (which was a residence of the monarchs) began as a Spanish response in the 17th century to the French Versailles. After some cultural sightseeing, head on to Cadaques on the coast - there are some great beaches and a Salvador Dali House Museum. I spent almost 10 years in the US just to realize that I wanted to see more of the world and live in other countries. But, as it was also the burial site of Franco himself, it became a shrine for the far-right and detested by many Spaniards. 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. Although this trip is only 5 days long, you'll spend a few of these driving along small coastal roads. A world-known event where the main ingredient is a tomato-throwing festival. If you choose not to take the strawberry train, other organised tours will take you to the town or you can also drive yourself. Note Please know, some of the external links on this page are affiliate links, this means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to yourself. You can also organise private tours that will take you to both sites with pick up and drop off. Required fields are marked *. The palace is famous for its ornate Baroque architecture and lovely fountains. The tickets cost in the region of 100 each way, but If you can book tickets early, there is a good chance you can save up to 25%. Additionally, trains are available, but travel times differ depending on the type. While the towering Roman aqueduct may be Segovia's biggest claim to fame, don't just come for the sake of checking it off your list. There are many underground wine cellars to discover in the region, a wonderful mix of famous producers and small family affairs. La Rioja is a postcard of a province, with rolling green hills, alpine mountains, limestone . 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. You won't want a car in Madrid. Other popular stops include Europe Park, Cuenca Cathedral, and Castell de Xtiva. 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. It may be the world's most expensive spice, but it's one of the region's specialties. 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! Valladolid: In the Middle Ages, Valladolid served as the residence of the Spanish and Castilian monarchs. As with most of these day trips from Madrid, the most sensible option would be the train. The easiest way is by high-speed train from Madrid Chamartin station. Postcard of a province, with rolling green hills, alpine mountains, limestone and small family affairs your will... 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