Required fields are marked *. 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. They vaguely reminded me of Plitvice waterfalls in Croatia and Gynk Canyon waterfalls near Antalya in southern Turkey. Day 2 Madrid Itinerary: Art + Retiro Park + Gran Via. There are three main wine subsections in Madrid, San Martin and Navalcarnero to the South East and Arganda, the largest, to the south-west. However, that was up until October 2019, when Francos body was exhumed and relocated to the understated (by Spanish standards) El Pardo-Mingorrubio cemetery. This is one of the most popular cities close to Madrid and definitely one of my favourite Madrid day trips. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The six-hour drive between Madrid and Galicia will feel shorter if you know where to stop along the way. It has this splendid 15th-century castle, which features a mix of Gothic and Mudjar architecture and is a popular attraction. Yet, get your appetite ready for Valladolid, as food options there are endless. Valley of the Fallen Monument 15. Of course, there is always a chance to make them longer than day trips and stay overnight in one of the authentic hotels along the road (I mention some of them in the article) as these places have a high concentration of medieval sights and unique historical monuments that you may want to explore in depth. This road trip through Spain's heartland comes in a loop that starts and ends in the Segovia province. No matter what your political persuasion, there is no doubt the monument is an impressive maker to the bloody past of a dark time in Spains history. The town of Medina del Campo is another point of interest worth a stop. Quick Barcelona to Madrid drive itinerary Distance - 955.7 km (593.8 miles) Time - 7 days Day 1 - Barcelona to Tarragona: 99.6 km (61.8 miles) Day 2 - Tarragona to Valencia: 259 km (160.9 miles) Day 3 - Valencia Day 4 - Valencia to Albacete: 185 km (114.9 miles) Day 5 - Albacete to Cuenca: 160 km (99.4 miles) Day 6 - Cuenca to Toledo: 179 km (111.2 miles) 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. While moving the body proved to be a controversial move that divided opinions across the country, the aim of the government is to see The Valle de Los Cados move away from a site where Spains far-right pay homage to the dictator and become a place of commemoration, remembrance and homage to the victims of the war. Two places in Salamanca stand out to me. Castilla - La Mancha is one of the largest regions of Spain and also one of the least well known by tourists. Hiring a car is really the best option for this day trip. The village also has deep historic and cultural roots at the Cave of the Seven Altars, visitors can see sacred art by Visigoths; portions of the Fernn Gonzlez castle date to the Moorish occupation in the 10th century; and the Romanesque church of the Virgen de la Pea was built in the 12th century. In around 2.5 hours, you can travel from Madrid to the Costa Blanca. A flamenco show in Triana- after all, this district in Seville is the birthplace of this emotional dance. Aranjuez has been one of the Royal Estates of the Crown of Spain since 1560 and for nearly 200 years, until 1752, only the royalty and nobility were allowed to live in the town. User or email address Password Remember me. 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. Coca: Located about halfway between Segovia and Valladolid and a bit away from the main road. Getting lost in Toledo's tightly-knotted streets is the best way to explore the city, particularly the narrow alleys around Plaza Santa Clara. What makes the city particularly unique is its influence by each of the three major world religions. Getting There: AVANT trains operated by Renfe leave Madrid frequently and get you to Toledo in about half an hour. Finally, Spain loves food and everywhere you go is fiercely proud of their local fare, so I have also included what to eat when you there. A huge cross in the mountains marks the site of this basilica that was built during the Franco regime. 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. Wine Country Madrid to Valladolid route is only 200 kilometers long but it is full of pretty and important sites. The city is also home to the Alczar of Toledo. While outside of Spain, there is no doubt Rioja is considered the best wine from the country, however, those in the know also talk about this smaller wine region named Ribera del Duero. The end of the trip gets you to Pedraza back in the Segovia province before taking a short drive back to Madrid's airport. Of course, you must try the authentic Valencian Paella (rabbit and vegetable paella) once in Valencia city. These have protected its residents for centuries. Structuring Your 3 Days in Madrid. Franco claimed that the monument was meant to be a national act of atonement and reconciliation with fighters from both sides of the war buried there, although much of it was built through the forced labour of political prisoners. It takes a little under 3 hours each way, but with regular departures throughout the day from Madrids Atocha Station, there is plenty of time to see the city highlights and be back in Madrid by bedtime. This gives you the most flexibility to see as much as possible in a day. Travel Tip: Keep in mind when booking your train ticket that Cuenca has two stations: Estacin de Cuenca-Fernando Zbel, served by high speed trains, and Estacin de Cuenca for everything else. Set in a 12th-century monastery, it is a truly idiosyncratic hotel where to relax and de-stress. 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. 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. ), then in this city try the roasted Cochinillo (Pork) or Lechazo (lamb). 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. As Spain's former capital, it probably comes as no surprise that Toledo offers a long and storied history of its own. The winding streets of the old Jewish Quarter, awe-inspiring cathedral, and Spain's most impressive mosque outside of Cordoba help make this fascinating city one of a kind. If Theme Parks are not your thing, just drop your kids there for the day while you explore the town. Once you've crossed over the Sierra Nevada mountains, your trip continues to Granada, Costa del Sol, Seville and Cordoba. It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. Travel Compositor in some cases conditions the use of the Service to the previous completion . The drive back to Bilbao airport is a little under 2 hours to get you back home! There are nearly 20 trains a day that go between Madrid and Avila, but they are not high-speed trains so take around 1 hour and 45 minutes. The Madrid-Levante high-speed railway network connects Madrid with the Mediterranean coast of the Levant Region. But if you're brave enough, you can start wherever along the route you like as you it goes in a loop. Anyone who read Don Quijote in their high school Spanish class may remember how the titular character famously confused the giant windmills of Consuegra for monsters with flailing arms. The cathedral, designed by French architects, is a building of different styles as the building process lasted over a few centuries. Seeing it and touring around is a number one activity. The main attractions of Valladolid are the 16th-century Cathedral, the National Sculpture Museum, and the Cervantes House. 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. It does seem like a lot, but it is certainly a city worth visiting to really enjoy some of the southern Spanish cultures. Siguenza: A small ancient city with unique architecture and old as ages historical monuments. In medieval times, Basque country spanned the mountain range, including parts of France on the other side. The biggest draw in the town is the huge royal palace and expansive gardens. My other highlight is crossing the pedestrianised Roman Bridge. The citys heart lies in the Plaza Nuestra Seora del Pilar. The San Sebastian Airport is just 14 miles (22 kilometers) from the city center and it takes about a half-hour to get there by cab or bus. Dating back to the 15th Century, the houses were built into the cliff overlooking the steep ravine. About the destination: Madrid has a tempo of its own: The dry air of the Castilian plain crackles with its cosmopolitan crowds. As youd expect, the town is home to the Cervantes Birthplace Museum where you can learn about the life and inspiration of the Spanish Shakespeare. After a couple days of sightseeing, it's time to hit the road and head on south to Ciudad Real via Consuegra and Daimiel. If you are visiting with kids, I would certainly recommend allowing a bit of time to visit the Paleontological Museum of Cuenca. There are also places to sample cava, Spains famous sparkling wine. View Map. However, don't leave without snapping at least one photo in its breathtaking Plaza Mayor, or marveling at both of the city's two cathedrals. Best of all, you can climb nearly 1km of this impressive feat of medieval engineering and enjoy the panoramic views. . Cuenca is perhaps best known for its gravity-defying hanging houses, which sit perilously on the edge of a steep cliff. Your email will not be provided to third parties. It dates back to the 1st century AD. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. They leave from the Madrid Sur bus station but take a little over 3 hours to arrive in Salamanca. It takes about 45 minutes and trains leave every half hour or so. It is possible to drive close, but most people leave their car at the bottom in the more modern village of Patones and hike up. After passing the Vixia Herbeira cliffs, you'll arrive in A Corua. 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. 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. Here are the 15 best day trips from Madrid. Its known for its Old Town, 12th-century city walls, and many other medieval constructions. Getting There: Trains from Madrid get you to Cuenca in about an hour. You can easily explore the key sites and be back in Madrid ready for dinner. Yes, you read that right, no need to drive so you can sample as much as youd like (although driving is a bit easier). Drive Spain's Mediterranean coast The coffins are vertically lined up the walls with the names of the ex-monarchs. Plaza de Toros one of the oldest in Spain. Login to continue Create your account Register. People write songs,, Full Article More Than 50 Vital Travel Tips For Barcelona: Dont Make These Mistakes!Continue, Is Madrid worth visiting? Rich in Arab, Jewish and Christian history, the former Spanish capital is a Unesco World Heritage Site. This is a four-day music event that attracts thousands of visitors each year. You can read more advice about getting to Segovia from Madrid here. A large sculpture of a tomato (perhaps the worlds largest tomato sculpture) sits atop a large pole, greeting visitors to the town, while the annual Tomate Rojo Rock festival, in early July, combines music and a celebration of the local crop. Seville is also home to the worlds largest cathedral, a tower of gold, delicious tapas and weird architecture in the shape of mushrooms. However, my best recommendation when visiting vineyards while tight on time is enjoying one of the day tours from Madrid and let someone else do the thinking. User or email address Password Remember me. Take some time to explore the breathtaking cathedral and Alcazar, then head to Maria Luisa Park to row a boat along the lazy river in Plaza de Espaa when you need a breather. . However, there are also plenty of tuk-tuk drivers who offer tours of the town and trips up to some wonderful viewpoints. Zaragoza is on the high-speed train route between Madrid and Barcelona meaning there are loads of departures from Atocha station throughout the day. It would be a good option if you want an overnight visit. Salamanca 7. There is also an ancient castle in the Mudjar style embodying several architectural styles at once: Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish style. The Alcazar of Segovia one of the few castles in Spain that has never been taken by force. Take a boat tour of the parks lagoon or enjoy a picnic on the sandy shores. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. 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. The highway that connects Madrid with Cadiz, on Spains southwestern coast, has as many colours as it has detours: the indigo blue doors of La Mancha, the green mantle of the olive groves of Jan, and the white villages that sit on hilltops and which become more common after you pass the Despeaperros National Park, in the north of Andalusia. Medina del Campo: It is just a short drive from Coca. A drive inland to Girona is optional before you make it down to the relaxation end of the journey with beach stops in Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar on the menu. Madrid is a world within a city, offering a thriving cultural atmosphere, great shopping and sightseeing, and unforgettable food. From Salamanca, you can check out other beautiful historic towns of Ledesma and Zamora before a stop in Valladolid - the assumed capital of the Castille and Leon province. Puerto de Navacerrada (Ski Resort) 10. Aranda de Duero a nice little town in the area. Interested to learn more? The most famous site in Cuenca is the Casas Colgadas the Hanging Houses. Other attractions include the serene Convento de Santa Teresa and beautiful Catedral del Salvador. So often overlooked in favour of Costa Brava, Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca, Spain's northern coast makes for an amazing road trip exploring the mix of cultures, fantastic food and rocky shore scenery. Cross Stone Bridge cross the old river bridge and look back across the Ebro for great views of the Basilica. And if you go on this drive through Segovia (which I highly recommend doing! If you happen to be traveling in the summer, be sure to attend the Benicassim Festival. During these seasons, the weather is mild and it allows you to truly enjoy every stop. Madrid is a vibrant, exciting city, and art and culture lovers will love the array of museums and art galleries. Naturally. A favourite stop is a nestled in the mountains by the sea: Nijar. This route takes 7 hours to drive, not accounting for any stops or detours. From the unfinished masterpiece that is the Sagrada Familia church and the quaint Catalan charm of picturesque Gracia, to a diverse drinks and dining scene and dozens of fabulous beaches, you're guaranteed to never be bored in the Catalan capital. The journey spans a distance of approximately 350 kilometers. This road trip is a perfect mix of culture and relaxation so if you want to blend the two, give it a go. It takes just an hour (give or take a few minutes depending on the train you choose) for the high-speed train from Madrid to Cuenca to complete the journey. It isamong the best-preserved in Europe. 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