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. As Spain's second-largest city and a thriving hub of culture and history in its own right, Barcelona has made a name for itself as one of Europe's most exciting destinations. La Rioja wine country. The easiest way is by high-speed train from Madrid Chamartin station. The Hanging Houses of Cuenca the iconic site across the gorge. Madrid is a world within a city, offering a thriving cultural atmosphere, great shopping and sightseeing, and unforgettable food. Segovia 3. It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. In fact, it is the only stop between Madrid and Barcelona, so if you are travelling between the two cities, I would highly recommend breaking your ride up a bit and spending a few hours exploring Zaragoza. 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 what about further afield? The city is home to one of the finest surviving Roman Aqueducts in the world, as well as an impenetrable castle and a stunning cathedral. Old stone houses and lush gardens line the banks of the Arnoia, as it makes its way through town. 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. The small town of Aranjuez is a nice escape from the city of Madrid. I have been there a few times now and it is such a picturesque little village. Hunt for the spaceman on the Cathedral and the frog on the University. A world-known event where the main ingredient is a tomato-throwing festival. This is one of the most popular cities close to Madrid and definitely one of my favourite Madrid day trips. Guadalajara: As you make your way out of Madrid, the historic city of Guadalajara is a great first stop. 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. Toledo is famous for its beautiful churches. 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. You can easily explore the key sites and be back in Madrid ready for dinner. A small number of rooms have stunning views of the surrounding hills with morning fog climbing towards the peaks and you can relax in a jacuzzi looking out over the landscape before having an amazing dinner in the hotel's gastro restaurant. 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. Today the region fervently focuses on its culture. Next leg takes you south to Valencia - a seriously underrated Spanish city that offers culture, food and sunshine aplenty with an amazing historical centre. The Church of Nuestra Seora de la Asuncin sits atop a hill, overlooking the town and is home to a piece of early work by Goya, one of Spains most famous artists. Probably the least famous town on this list, Chinchn is home to one of Spains prettiest Plaza Mayors. El Escorial & The Valley of the Fallen 14. Vineyards lots of them. 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. If you have enough time to also explore the trails in the foothills of the Parque Natural Sierra de Cardea y Montoro (a half-hour north of town), you may even cross paths with an Iberian lynx. Im lucky to have visited the city on numerous occasions as my wifes family have a place in the Sierra de Francia mountains, one of my favourite places in Spain. Alcala de Henares is in zone B-3 which means a return ticket can be bought for less than 5. The Pyrenees are an amazing mountain range that is not high on many tourists' radars. In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. It really is postcard perfect. 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. Aside from hiking, there are some fantastic little villages to be explored. The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid. The coolest road trips from Madrid Spain's beaches, and its beach towns, are justifiably famous. There is a bus option, but it takes a bit longer, or you can hire a car and drive yourself which will take around an hour and a half. 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. It does seem like a lot, but it is certainly a city worth visiting to really enjoy some of the southern Spanish cultures. This drive will scale mountains with breathtaking views and take you to the mesmerising Mezquita cathedral in Cordoba and the unique Moorish Alhambra complex in Granada. The walk around the top of the walls was a really nice experience, but other than that, I didnt find a whole lot more that really stands out about the city. If you don't know it by name, you've definitely seen pictures of giant rocks and archways on the sandy beach before. After exploring the historic and religiously important city, the route goes back towards the coast and passes Pontevedra on the way to the pretty town of Vigo. Zaragoza is on the high-speed train route between Madrid and Barcelona meaning there are loads of departures from Atocha station throughout the day. The train guards dress up in traditional clothing and on your return to the city you get given a serving of strawberries. The storied medieval town is also home to an incredible cathedral and a castle (the Alczar) said to have inspired that of Disney's Sleeping Beauty. Getting There: Getting to Segovia from Madrid couldn't be easier. Narrow streets, beautiful stone buildings and fantastic local coffee shops are great for unwinding in late morning. Another popular day trip from Madrid is Toledo, the old capital of Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. 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. Also, try some other kinds of rice like senyoret (with peeled seafood) or a banda (a very thin layer of rice with seafood). Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Medina del Campo: It is just a short drive from Coca. This gives you the most flexibility to see as much as possible in a day. You will see the world's finest architecture in Barcelona, La Mezquita in Cordoba, the Seville Cathedral and Granada's Alhambra fortress but have time to relax in Puerto Banus, lay on the beach in Nerja and roam the narrow streets of Andalucian white villages. The coffins are vertically lined up the walls with the names of the ex-monarchs. 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. If the illuminated shop windows along the Gran Va, and the unrelenting elegance of Paseo de la Castellana are overwhelming, retreat to Old Madrid. It is home to some of Spains top winemakers and, unlike Rioja, is within reach of a day trip from Madrid. The mountains offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. If you would like to read a more in-depth guide, check out my what to see in Zaragoza post to be fully inspired. Salamanca boasts a rich academic heritageits university is one of the oldest in Europe. Definitely visit the Prado museum, walk around the Retiro Park and the . Lindsey Zimmerman is a freelance writer and travel expert who has lived in southern Spain since 2015. Im sorry to say though, wherever you eat it, it wont be as good as my mother-in-laws. The Royal Alcazar A must see. Welcome! Also allegedly one of the major inspirations for Walt Disneys castle. 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. Thanks for the nice comment, its just the kind of thing I was thinking. Be sure to visit the 15th-century Palace of the Infantado, the citys stunning Gothic cathedral, and the Teatro Buero Vallejo, a modern theater with a striking design. After exploring central Spain with stops in Toledo and surrounding towns and a tour of Madrid, the drive continues into Spain's Duero valley, Valladolid and on to Galicia's Vigo, Santiago de Compostela and A Coruna while taking in breathtaking views of ocean-facing cliffs and huge waves. The Art Walk Pass gives you entrance and queue jump at all three. 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. 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. Make a reservation through their website online or through Instagram. Cuenca 9. 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. Cross Stone Bridge cross the old river bridge and look back across the Ebro for great views of the Basilica. Throw in Spain's excellent network of intercity transportation (particularly the AVE high-speed train), and there's really no excuse not to take one of these day trips from Madrid. Ultimate Southern Spain Road Trip: Madrid to Andalusia - 10 days. Sitting high up in the mountains, you are not allowed to drive into it, so you have to park your car and walk. If you want to just relax and enjoy the day, then tours with pick up and drop off are available and offer good value. There are quite a few stops to make and foods to try. But my favourite I have discovered (so far) is Patones de Arriba. 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. There is something for everybody in Bilbao with superb pintxos in street bars and michelin-starred restaurants, medieval streets and modern boulevards. As Spain's third-largest city, Valencia offers a wealth of things to see and do within easy reach from Madrid. The drive back to Bilbao airport is a little under 2 hours to get you back home! Plaza de Toros one of the oldest in Spain. 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 full circle - A complete road trip around Spain. Honest Answers About the Spanish Capital, Northern Coast of Spain Travel Guide Best Places to Visit, Things to See & Do, 20 Coolest Stops to Make On Barcelona to Valencia Drive. Choose from these 10 stunning routes for your road trip in Spain with our guides, detailed itineraries and insider tips. Travel Tip: Due to its appearance on a recent season of Game of Thrones, Seville's Alcazar has become more popular than ever. On day two you have the chance to shape your Spain itinerary however most interests you. It covers a length of over 70 miles through Castile-Len. ), but it's definitely one to keep in mind if you want to unwind and keep yourself away from the tourist traps around Spain. Seville 8. Here are the 15 best day trips from Madrid. The road trip starts in the capital of Spain's Basque country - Bilbao. However, my highlight is a network of alleyways called El Tubo. 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. There are many underground wine cellars to discover in the region, a wonderful mix of famous producers and small family affairs. A must for fans of eye-popping architecture, Avila is a road trip to remember. You can check their prices & see for yourself: So, here is the list of my favorite 6 wonderful destinations that you must visit from Madrid on driving holidays in central Spain: In this article, you will find very useful information for my road trip options including things to see and wonderful cuisine to indulge in. The trip lasts 20-30 minutes. Say though, wherever you eat it, it wont be as good my... Travel expert who has lived in southern Spain road trip to remember Arnoia as. Are an amazing mountain range that is not high best road trip from madrid many tourists ' radars the Basilica lush gardens line banks! 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