Madrid is the glitzy but industrial Spanish capital. Cutting edge and trendy, but famed for being the royal residence of the Spanish Royal Family, it’s a metropolis with one foot in the previous and conventional and the opposite leaping ahead with trendy developments and forward-thinking attitudes. There are many issues to do in Madrid; it is without doubt one of the finest cities to go to in Spain.
Don’t let that dissuade you from the fabulous Madrid day journeys on supply, although. This main metropolis is surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage websites and even the fortress that impressed Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. A day journey from Madrid is without doubt one of the finest methods to raised perceive Spanish tradition and harness a brand new admiration of the nation whereas having fun with a Madrid metropolis break. This information will cowl one of the best day journeys from Madrid, inspiring you on wonderful one-day journey experiences.
Best Day Trips From Madrid
We love Spain, and we’ve already compiled a Spain journey information that you need to use to plan the Spanish vacation of a lifetime. But for Madrid specifics, this information is your bread and butter for one of the best day journeys from Madrid. Weekend journeys are nice, however you don’t want a weekend journey to take pleasure in these high locations close to Madrid – with simply sooner or later, you might be heading to a UNESCO World Heritage Site or a shocking mountain vary. Draw away from Madrid’s Plaza Mayor and revel in a number of of those high 18 day journeys from Madrid.
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Below are a number of the high excursions for Day Trips from Madrid. Don’t overlook to plan forward when visiting Spain!
Top Day Trips and Tours from Madrid:
1. Valencia
If you have a look at Google Maps, Valencia may appear to be an bold day journey from Madrid. It is without doubt one of the most handy mid-length day journeys from Madrid. This is because of the high-speed prepare community that connects the 2, that means you will be in Valencia in as little as 2 hours. Easy.
Valencia is the capital of Spain’s Valencia area and, in truth, was as soon as the Spanish capital. While it suffered heavy harm through the Spanish Civil War, it stays one of many prettiest and most historic locations to go to in Spain for a metropolis break. With a day to benefit from the metropolis, you must see the cathedral (climb to the bell tower), seize meals on the Central Market, and admire the Carmen Street Art. There’s quite a bit to see, so plan your itinerary earlier than departing. Luckily, Valencia is very walkable.
Distance from Madrid: 2 hours by prepare
2. Royal Palace of Aranjuez
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is a stupendous day journey vacation spot from the 18th century. Just an hour away from Madrid’s metropolis heart by public transportation, it is without doubt one of the best but most rewarding day journeys from Madrid. The Spanish Royal Family nonetheless visits this royal website, normally for state ceremonies. While it’s not an official royal residence, guests can tour its inside on set days. The Royal Palace is beautiful and set inside over 100 hectares of manicured gardens. Its magnificence is well-celebrated, and also you received’t be shocked to listen to it holds UNESCO World Heritage Site standing.
Visiting the Royal Palace of Aranjuez is a superb factor to do. Because it’s so near the capital metropolis, you may spend hours exploring the grounds with out fascinated by speeding again. Jump on a guided tour right here.
Distance from Madrid: 1 hour by bus
3. Cuenca
Cuenca is a shocking little metropolis and probably the most wonderful day journeys from Madrid. It is famed for its ‘Hanging Houses’, aka ‘Casa Colgadas de Cuenca’. These Hanging Houses are centuries outdated and hold off the sting of a cliff face, suspended above a gorge. The Hanging Houses have wood balconies and are ridiculously photogenic. For conventional structure with a novelty twist, they’re sensible to go to. Aside from the Hanging Houses, Cuenca additionally has the San Pablo Bridge, the Spanish Abstract Art Museum, and the Cuenca Cathedral. It is a walkable metropolis and the proper sightseeing day journey from Madrid.
Madrid to Cuenca is without doubt one of the best and quickest prepare journeys, taking simply an hour. Catching the prepare is way quicker, so we advocate avoiding driving to Cuenca. The outdated city is tremendous compact, too, so that you’ll simply discover on foot.
Distance from Madrid: 1 hour by prepare
4. Avila
Avila is the capital of its province and is about scenically inside medieval metropolis partitions. With 80 towers and prolonged sections of walkable partitions, it’s stunning to go to and admire the outdated city’s medieval structure. It will get much more stunning at evening as town partitions are lit up. It is without doubt one of the finest day journeys from Madrid if you’d like someplace with a extremely magical ambiance. The drive is cheap, taking up an hour. And you may detour via considered one of two regional parks.
We recommend hitting Avila mid-afternoon in an effort to wander the partitions and benefit from the surroundings after darkish. The journey takes hardly any time when driving. You can take so long as you’d like since you aren’t restricted to a public transportation schedule. For us, Avila has that magical, Disney-style ambiance. Its metropolis partitions and historical structure make it so fashionable amongst different guests.
Distance from Madrid: 1 hour and quarter-hour
5. Toledo
Toledo is nicknamed town of ‘three cultures’. This couldn’t be extra correct, as the traditional metropolis was shaped with Christian, Jewish, and Arab influences, and you may nonetheless see traces of every all through the compact metropolis heart. Toledo dates again to the Middle Ages, and it’s no surprise it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contemplating all its historical past and remaining structure. You can cease by the Jewish Quarter, near its beautiful Gothic cathedral, or go to the El Greco Museum. There are many issues to do in Toledo – together with visiting the attractive Toledo Cathedral.
Just one hour away from Madrid by automobile or 35 minutes by prepare, Toledo is without doubt one of the finest day journeys from Madrid if you’d like a simple journey. It is fashionable due to its proximity to Madrid and engaging mix of three cultural influences. History buffs will love at the present time journey vacation spot, and we simply had so as to add it due to all its historical past.
Distance from Madrid: 1 hour by automobile or 35 minutes by prepare
6. Salamanca
Salamanca is definitely among the finest day journeys from Madrid, so what precisely earns that grand title? Well, firstly town has tons of Celtic historical past. Secondly, it has been a part of the mental motion in Spain for the reason that Fifteenth century. The University of Salamanca is considered one of Spain’s oldest universities and was based in the 1100s. Today, it offers town a ‘university town’ really feel, with pleasant and sociable vibes. The University of Salamanca attracts loads of Spanish and worldwide college students.
As a day journey from Madrid, Salamanca is simply a type of Spanish cities that welcomes you with open arms. It has a stupendous historic heart with points of interest like Casa de las Conchas – a stupendous Sixteenth-century Gothic constructing lined in seashells that’s used for exhibitions. However, it additionally has an easygoing café tradition and likewise nice nightlife. Its riverside location can be stunning, and there are various points of interest to take pleasure in mooching round. If you need one of many least daunting day journeys from Madrid, Salamanca is without doubt one of the most ‘gentle’ day journeys to interrupt your enamel on.
Distance from Madrid: 1 hour and 40 minutes by direct prepare
7. Colmenar Viejo
Colmenar Viejo is without doubt one of the most spiritual day journeys you may take from Madrid. It is a superb day journey selection in case you are intrigued by spiritual historical past. There’s a shocking Fifteenth or Sixteenth century-built basilica referred to as the Basilica de la Asuncion de Nuestra Senora. To go to an precise Spanish hermitage, you may go to Ermita de Nuestra Senora de los Remedios, which dates again to the seventh century. Colmenar Viejo is someplace most individuals overlook, and it’s predominantly surrounded by cattle farms – even working a standard cattle migration competition at first of the 12 months. However, it provides uncooked and distinctive perception into rural Spanish tradition. For those that wish to dig deeper than superficial vacationer points of interest, it is without doubt one of the finest day journeys from Madrid.
Getting to Colmenar Viejo is surprisingly a breeze. It is both a half-hour’s journey on the prepare or a 40-minute drive. The selection is yours.
Distance from Madrid: half-hour by prepare or 40 minutes by automobile
8. Manzanares el Real
Manzanares de Real is a shocking little city set in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama, which we additionally point out as a day journey vacation spot in this information. The city is most well-known for its stunning Manzanares El Real Castle, which dates again to the Fifteenth century. The fortress is so eye-catching and a number one motivation for individuals to go to. It is decked out in quite a few vintage furnishings and has an onsite museum.
Aside from the fortress, Manzanares de Real has an enormous synthetic lake that fishermen use for carp and pike fishing. There are additionally river seashores simply exterior its city heart, making it one of many closest ‘beach’ locations to Madrid. Just 50 minutes away by automobile, it’s an absolute breeze to achieve.
Distance from Madrid: 50 minutes by automobile or 1.5 hours by public transport.
9. Siguenza
Many describe Siguenza as sleepy. Its centuries-old structure has certainly fallen into retirement in many circumstances – its fortress is now only a vacationer attraction. However, regardless of its retired heritage websites and laidback ambiance, we’d argue that Siguenza is something however sleepy. The sheer scale of vacationer points of interest means you’ll have a full day of motion in case you select this as considered one of your day journeys from Madrid. You may also go to extra energetic points of interest exterior town heart, like Barranco del Rio Dulce Natural Park, which has trails linking limestone rock formations and waterfalls.
Siguenza is out of the way in which however undoubtedly value a detour as a day journey vacation spot. This is the proper journey in case you fancy stunning structure, refreshing waterfalls, and loads of heritage websites.
Distance from Madrid: 2 hours by prepare or 1.5 hours by automobile
10. Chinchon
Chinchon is a way more rural day journey from Madrid. Instead of a giant metropolis ambiance, it’s a small city set on a hilltop. Its points of interest embody museums like Museo Etnologico La Posada, which preserves conventional farming instruments and methods. So, in case you fancy embracing Spanish countryside tradition, a day journey from Madrid to Chinchon is ideal. Remember to go to the medieval sq., Playa Mayor, too. The sq. is surrounded by conventional buildings with wood balconies – a photogenic spot to take pleasure in a takeout espresso or cooling ice cream.
Chinchon is fashionable as a result of it showcases a unique tempo of life. You simply can’t get that very same expertise in metropolitan Madrid, so including it to our information was a no brainer.
Distance from Madrid: 1 hour by automobile or simply over 1 hour by bus
11. El Alcazar
Are you prepared for an journey? Seville may not be probably the most basic day journeys from Madrid, however it’s undoubtedly possible. As an instantaneous disclaimer, this can contain round 6 hours of touring. However, you’ll be sat on a direct prepare, the place you may take pleasure in WiFi, deliver books, and obtain motion pictures forward of time. Besides, many guided day journeys have you ever on coaches all day, so what’s the distinction? If you’re up for the problem, you must catch a 6 a.m. prepare to get to Seville good and early.
Seville is the capital of Andalusia and is broadly praised for being probably the most genuine place to expertise Spanish tradition. While there, you may take pleasure in issues like El Alcazar – the Royal Alcazar of Spain – the attractive Plaza de Espana, and dozens of museums starting from trendy artwork museums to area of interest historical past museums. It is straightforward to see why everybody loves Seville. And in case you fancy a change from Madrid, it’s a stunning day journey vacation spot.
Distance from Madrid: Just underneath 3 hours by prepare
12. Caceres
Caceres is an extended distance from Madrid however is so aesthetic that it warrants the drive. In 3 hours, you’ll head west in the direction of the Portuguese border and have arrived in the attractive city of Caceres. It seems to be like one thing straight out of Game of Thrones or some medieval fantasy movie, and its historical outdated city has lingering Gothic and Renaissance structure. You’ll be strolling via cobbled streets and in the shadow of looming Twelfth-century metropolis partitions, the place in case you look rigorously, you may spot nesting storks. The entire metropolis is a ready-made movie set, particularly in the outdated city.
Caceres is definitely considered one of Spain’s most historic cities. The additional journey time is worth it you probably have a number of drivers on the rental automobile insurance coverage. Set off early and go away as late as potential to maximise your day journey to Caceres.
Distance from Madrid: 3 hours drive
13. Zaragoza
Zaragoza is Aragon’s capital and has over 2,000 years of historical past squeezed into its metropolis heart. Zaragoza is the proper day journey for Roman historical past, with ruins that embody boards, metropolis partitions, and an historical theater. This is a perfect answer if you’d like a slice of Roman historical past with out really visiting Italy. We love what number of Roman-related points of interest you may see in such a small Zaragoza space; it looks like a incredible strategy to broaden your sightseeing expertise. As a aspect be aware, Zaragoza can be recognized to have scrumptious delicacies – and who doesn’t love tucking into Spanish meals?
Zaragoza is simply 1 and a half hour’s prepare experience from Madrid, a lot quicker than the choice driving time of over 3.5 hours. We recommend catching the prepare as a substitute.
Distance from Madrid: 1.5 hours by prepare
14. El Escorial
El Escorial is a shocking little city. It was primarily constructed for its monastery and royal palace. It is considered one of Spain’s most well-known royal websites, with some small neighborhoods of residential areas round it. El Escorial’s Casita del Principe is good if you’d like an alternative choice to the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. It is slightly quieter, rather less well-known, and is open to vacationers on set days. You can admire manicured royal gardens and personal vintage shows of high-quality arts. It is without doubt one of the finest day journeys from Madrid for a royal time out.
Just an hour from Madrid by prepare or automobile, El Escorial is tremendous simple to squeeze right into a busy metropolis break itinerary. It is a much-loved choice for royal sightseeing for these in the know.
Distance from Madrid: 1 hour by prepare or automobile
15. Ciudad Real
Beautiful Ciudad Real is a hotspot for literary historical past and structure. You can wander the compact metropolis’s streets simply on foot, admiring a Thirteenth-century cathedral, Gothic church buildings, and 14th-century gates. And whenever you fancy extra of a museum-style expertise, there’s the Quixote Museum – devoted to the novel Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes. Ciudad Real is a extremely diversified day journey from Madrid. Still, it’s particularly suited to followers of Cervantes’ work, structure, and historical past followers. For such a small metropolis, it actually packs a punch.
Ciudad Real is simply an hour away from Madrid by prepare, so getting there’s a breeze. The prepare is way faster than driving (which takes 2.5 hours). Stick to the quicker and extra environmentally pleasant choice; you’ll be in Ciudad Real in no time.
Distance from Madrid: 1 hour by prepare
16. Sierra de Guadarrama
Ready for a extra pure time out? Sierra de Guadarrama is your reply. This mountain vary is a stupendous day from Madrid, and you may attain the foothills in simply an hour. Sierra de Guadarrama is most well-known for mountaineering alternatives, however with that comes spectacular photograph alternatives. The mountain vary is one hour from Madrid by automobile, so it’s simple sufficient to be a full-day journey. You may also spot some unimaginable animals, together with lovely mountain goats and iconic birds like vultures and a number of sorts of eagles.
Regarding day journeys from Madrid, Sierra de Guadarrama is your best option for a day of immersion in nature. It is without doubt one of the solely day journeys from Madrid the place you may spot animals like vultures and mountain goats. For that motive, it’s vastly fashionable and deserves a spot on our checklist.
Distance from Madrid: 1 hour drive
17. Alcalá de Henares
Alcalá de Henares is the proper sooner or later journey for anybody on the lookout for noteworthy points of interest associated to academia and literature. The Cervantes Birthplace Museum is the place the creator of Don Quixote lived, and the King of Spain presents a literary prize in Alcalá de Henares yearly. It can be seen as a college city regardless of its metropolis standing. The University of Alcalá is without doubt one of the most esteemed Spanish universities. It is in town’s outdated city, set amongst a set of Sixteenth-century buildings.
You can attain Alcalá de Henares in simply 40 minutes by prepare from the capital metropolis. It is vastly fashionable as a day journey vacation spot for lecturers and people with an curiosity in literature. And for us, it simply provides a unique view of Spain than Madrid’s extra metropolis-style introduction.
Distance from Madrid: 40 minutes by prepare
18. Segovia
Segovia is one for the historical past buffs. As a UNESCO-listed metropolis, Segovia attracts probably the most consideration from its Roman aqueducts. You can snap stunning pictures of town, particularly its major aqueduct, which has 160 arches. It is unquestionably value visiting as considered one of your Madrid day journeys. This metropolis catches everybody’s eyes, us included. And between the medieval metropolis partitions, Romanesque church buildings, and the aqueduct, you may see why historical past lovers like Segovia a lot.
Besides sightseeing, guests also needs to take a look at the weird however stunning Casa de los Picos. The Fifteenth-century constructing is filled with spikes – 617 to be exact. It is only one instance of how Segovia is strange. And in case you like sightseeing, it truly is heaven. Everything is tremendous shut collectively too, you received’t be greater than a half hour’s stroll between every attraction.
Distance from Madrid: 50 minutes by public transport
Day Trips From Madrid: FAQs
Day journeys from Madrid are among the many finest issues you may indulge in in your metropolis break. Some of those locations are perfect for an in a single day keep you probably have the possibility, however even only a day will open your thoughts to new experiences. Before you head off in your day journeys from Madrid, although, take a look at these widespread FAQs.
What is one of the best day journey to take from Madrid?
The finest day journey from Madrid is both the Royal Palace or Toledo. These day journeys from Madrid supply quite a lot of historical past, and Toledo has UNESCO World Heritage Site standing.
Is it higher to go to Toledo or Segovia?
Both locations are nice, however Toledo takes the sting. There is simply extra to see, and whereas Segovia has the Roman ruins, Toledo has that distinctive mix of Arab, Christian, and Jewish affect.
Where are you able to journey to from Madrid?
You can journey to a whole bunch of locations from Madrid. You can entry sensible day journey locations by hopping on a high-speed prepare or renting a automobile.
Can you do a day journey from Madrid to Valencia?
Yes, a day journey from Madrid to Valencia is straightforward. Just hop on the prepare, and also you’ll be there in round 2 hours – loads of time to depart you with a full day of exploring.
One of one of the best issues about day journeys from Madrid is the general public transport system; it makes day-tripping simple. You may uncover the historical past of the Spanish Civil War or head to see the Hanging Houses, and there’ll seemingly be a high-speed prepare to get you there. Madrid is without doubt one of the best day-tripping cities, so profit from it and maximize your metropolis break with a number of of those journey concepts.
Looking for some extra inspiration forward of your journey to Spain? We’ve bought a information on the finest Spanish dishes to attempt, so undoubtedly test that out. Spanish meals is notoriously scrumptious. Make certain you’re clued up on one of the best dishes earlier than heading to Madrid.