Spain’s capital is a hotbed of remarkable things to do, but there’s even more to explore beyond the city limits. If you’re planning a trip to Madrid, Spain, you’ll be able to plan one, if not more, day trips to other fantastic locations within the region. Here are ten of the best day trips from Madrid, as well as information to help you plan your travels.
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1. Toledo
Toledo is one of the best day trips from Madrid and one of the famed destinations in Spain due to its unique cultural history. It’s often referred to as “The City of Three Cultures” because so much of the architecture and art was inspired by the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish populations that inhabited Toledo. When you visit, you can visit synagogues, mosques, and cathedrals that date back hundreds if not thousands of years. For example, the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, the oldest synagogue in Europe that is still standing, dates back to 1180.
You can easily get to Toledo from Madrid by hopping on a train at the Atocha train station and traveling the 33-minute journey to the Toledo train station. A bus route is also available, and will take you just over an hour of traveling time before you reach your destination.
2. Segovia
Segovia is a great option and one of the best day trips from Madrid due to its rich history and well-preserved cultural heritage. See the famous well-preserved Roman aqueduct in person – this famous monument is considered to be one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Roman engineering. The city is also home to the stunning Segovia Cathedral and the Alcázar of Segovia, a castle-palace that served as a model for the design of Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Additionally, Segovia offers a unique blend of historical and cultural experiences, with charming streets, quaint plazas, and delicious local cuisine.
The quickest way to get to Segovia from Madrid is by train – the journey from Madrid’s Sol train station to Segovia-Guiomar railway station takes just over 30 minutes. A bus route or a drive in a rental car is also an option, but will take almost twice the time.
3. Royal Palace of Aranjuez
Located just south of Madrid, the Royal Palace of Aranjuez is an imposing testament to the opulence and elegance of Spain’s monarchy. The palace, which was built in the 16th century, has an extensive collection of ornate rooms and gardens to explore. From the stunning Salón de Embajadores to the lush gardens of the Parterre, you’ll get to step back in time and discover the grandeur of Spain’s royal history.
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is one of the great day trips from Madrid. Your quickest route would be to take bus 423 from Paseo del Molino y Plaza de Legazpi in Madrid to Infantas-Estación De Autobuses in Aranjuez. You can also catch train C3 from Madrid-Sol to Aranjuez – it will take you about the same time as the bus. Note that the bus journey will be just a few dollars, making it the more cost effective option.
4. Guadalajara
Guadalajara’s well-preserved old town and stunning architecture offer a glimpse into the country’s rich history. Admire the magnificent Santa Maria Cathedral, stroll through the picturesque cobblestone streets, and marvel at the elegant Santo Domingo Palace.
Guadalajara is also well-known for its culinary traditions. You’ll find plenty of examples of Castilian-Manchego cuisine throughout the region, such as pisto manchego which is sometimes described as a local equivalent to ratatouille. Manchego cheese is one of the most popular of the Spanish cheeses – in fact, 30% of the cheese produced in Spain is this variety.
The fastest way to get to Guadalajara from Madrid is by taking the bus. The bus is run by ALSA and will cost you the equivalent of around $10. The 55-minute journey starts at Madrid’s Avenida de América metro station and drops you off at the bus station in Guadalajara near the Parque de Coquin and the zoo. You can catch a bus to the city center or you can hire a taxi or walk.
5. Alcalá de Henares
A charming and picturesque destination, Alcalá de Henares is just about 45-minutes away from Madrid by train, making it a great option for a day trip. There are also multiple trains scheduled for departure every hour, so you’ll have plenty of wiggle room to extend your day trip if you would like.
When you’re visiting Alcalá de Henares, you can explore the narrow cobblestone streets, tranquil plazas, and medieval and Renaissance architecture, such as the 16th-century Palacio Arzobispal. Alcalá de Henares is also the birthplace of one of the most famous and influential Spanish writers of all time, Miguel de Cervantes. Cervantes wrote Don Quixote, which is often considered one of the most important foundational works in western literature, and you can visit the Cervantes Birthplace Museum to learn more about his life.
6. Colmenar Viejo
For an escape to the countryside, consider a day trip to Colmenar Viejo. Although it’s just a 38-minute train journey away from Madrid, it allows you to experience the natural beauty of Spain. Located in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, this destination offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside as well as well-preserved historic structures.
Colmenar Viejo is also known for its excellent local cuisine, including traditional dishes such as roast lamb and cheese from the nearby La Mancha region. De Lucas Restaurante and Lamadrid are two of the most popular restaurants in the city for a sit-down meal, but be sure to browse the food stalls throughout the town as they offer food that’s as authentic as you can get.
7. Ávila
Ávila is a beautiful walled city located in central Spain and is a popular destination for day trips from Madrid. The most convenient option is to travel by train, catching the Renfe Viajeros train from the Principe Pio station in Madrid. The journey takes an hour and a half, and is typically inexpensive and a comfortable ride. Bus routes are also available, but may take longer due to traffic.
The city walls of Ávila are the main attraction and are considered one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Europe. Take a walk around the walls and enjoy the stunning views of the city and the surrounding countryside.
Another must-see attraction is the Gothic-style Cathedral of Vila. Its magnificent architecture and intricate details are great examples of the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. Another well-known religious site in Vila is the Convent of Saint Teresa, which is dedicated to the famous Spanish saint Teresa of Ávila. Visitors can tour the convent and learn about its history while admiring its beautiful gardens.
8. Salamanca
Salamanca is a historic university city located in western Spain that is renowned for its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant student life. The Plaza Mayor is the heart of Salamanca and is one of the most beautiful squares in Spain. Admire its stunning baroque architecture and enjoy a coffee or drink at one of the many cafes and restaurants that surround it. You can also explore the historic University of Salamanca, which dates back to the 12th century, by taking a tour of the stunning lecture halls and buildings.
There are several ways to get to Salamanca from Madrid, but your best option is to take the high-speed rail operated by Renfe Viajeros. The train runs three times daily from Madrid’s Chamartin station and takes just over an hour and a half. Be sure to plan your route carefully so you can take the first train of the day to Salamanca, and catch the last train of the day back to Madrid.
9. San Lorenzo de El Escorial
One of the easiest ways to get to San Lorenzo de El Escorial from Madrid is by taking the train run by Renfe Viajeros, which runs hourly from Madrid-Principe Pio station. The journey takes about 40 minutes, and costs anywhere from $7-$11 on a normal day.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a historic town located in the mountains of central Spain and is famous for its magnificent Royal Palace of El Escorial. The Royal Palace of El Escorial is the main attraction of the town and is considered one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the Spanish Renaissance. Take a tour of the palace to admire its stunning architecture, beautiful paintings, and intricate details.
10. Madrid’s Wine Country
If you’re a fan of fine wines, you’ll love a day trip to Madrid’s Wine Country. Located just a short drive from the city center, this region is home to some of the finest vineyards in Spain and you’ll have the opportunity to sample some of the best local wine, tour the wine-making facilities, and learn more about how the experts make the wines you’re sampling.
Although driving is an option, if everyone in your group wants to indulge, your best bet is to take a guided tour of Madrid’s wine country. There are several bus tours available that will take you from Madrid to a selection of vineyards and tasting rooms, so you have transportation and at least your first glass of wine covered. Some guided tours will also include small bites to go with your wine, like delicious local cheese or olives!
Video Guide: 10 Best Day Trips from Madrid
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Travel resources for planning a trip to Madrid
To make planning your trip to Madrid easier, we included some of our recommended travel resources below. You can search and find the best flights, transportation options, hotels to stay in, tours/activities, and things you can do at each destination during your trip.
Flights:
Agoda: Search thousands of destinations around the world & quickly compare prices to find amazing deals on the best flights.
CheapOAir: You can find airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and vacation packages all on one site!
Kiwi.com: What we like about Kiwi is the fact that they are able to create combinations of flight, train, and bus tickets and offer them in a single itinerary. Also, Kiwi has what they called “Nomad” which helps you find the best way of visiting multiple destinations, saving you time and money.
JetRadar: You can search and compare airfares from 726 airlines and dozens of travel agencies and systems.
Hotels:
Agoda: Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.
Hotellook: They have more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.
Transportations:
Airport Transfers: KiwiTaxi, Viator
Train: EuroRail, Trainline or RailEurope
Bus: Flixbus: Very affordable (as low as $6) and convenient way to transfer between cities in Europe.
Car Rentals: AutoEurope, EconomyBookings, or GetTransfer (transfers & car rentals with a personal driver)
Bike Rental: BikesBooking (Bikes & scooter rentals)
Transportation Comparison: Omio (search, compare, and book tickets for buses, trains, and flights all in one site)
Tours & Activities:
TakeWalks (WalkofItaly): This is our favorite site for walking tours & day trips.
Tiqets: Great site for entrance tickets. It offers directly bookable, instantly available, and completely mobile tickets for museums, shows, and attractions all over the world.
Musement: They have good activities and tours in Italy and Spain, also many great day trips you can choose from.
GetYourGuide: A large number of tours, excursions, and other travel activities
Viator: The largest one. It has everything from tours, attractions, shore excursions, and private guides in over 2,700 destinations worldwide. It also has many transportations and transfers options and some unique experiences we didn’t find anywhere else.
Need help planning a trip to Madrid Spain?
Planning a trip to Madrid or looking for the best day trips from Madrid but don’t know where to begin? If you find this type of trip planning to be too complicated to plan on your own, we’re here to help!
At MultiCityTrips, multi-destination travel and complicated itineraries such as a trip to Madrid and to some of the best day trips from Marid are our specialties. Contact us today to learn more about how one of our experienced travel experts/destination specialists can personalize your multi-city vacations at the best price.
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Have questions for us? Schedule a FREE Call with us here or contact one of the travel experts/destination specialists at [email protected], call/text us at (888)223-2316 today.
