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. However, that was up until October 2019, when Francos body was exhumed and relocated to the understated (by Spanish standards) El Pardo-Mingorrubio cemetery. Wine Country Pestana Holidays. Toledo 2. During your stay in Salamanca, you could surely take a quick drive to Portugal. The coolest road trips from Madrid Spain's beaches, and its beach towns, are justifiably famous. Find day trips to take today or this coming weekend . Famous for Flamenco and the traditional Spanish pastime of bullfighting. What I love about the city is it is super easy to get to by train and just the perfect size for a day trip. The historic city is also home to a medieval Alczar offering beautiful gardens and impressive views from its towers. 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. It does seem like a lot, but it is certainly a city worth visiting to really enjoy some of the southern Spanish cultures. Take the exit and you can tour some of its olive-oil mills, snap some photos of the nearby Torre del Castillo de Villaverde (which has survived the centuries though the small town that it once protected has not), or simply stroll through the streets of this postcard-perfect Andalusian village. If you choose not to take the strawberry train, other organised tours will take you to the town or you can also drive yourself. The streets of the old Jewish Quarter Great food & great stories, you can really get into the history of Seville in this area. 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. The city was once the capital of Spain and is also known as The City of Three Cultures, a nod to being one of the few places that the Jewish, Muslim and Christian cultures co-existed in relative peace. There are regular buses from Madrid to Salamanca, operated by Avanzabus. 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. Sitting high up in the mountains, you are not allowed to drive into it, so you have to park your car and walk. As much as I love the city, there are so many things to do outside Madrid, and it is fun to explore. Forgot your password? Cuenca 4. El Postiguet is the city's main beach, just a short stroll from its old town. Best stops along Madrid to Seville drive The top stops along the way from Madrid to Seville (with short detours) are Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo, Old Town of Cceres, and Mirador del Valle. However, on my visit to Avila, once I had breached the city walls, I found it a little underwhelming. There are many underground wine cellars to discover in the region, a wonderful mix of famous producers and small family affairs. One key disclaimer is that while this one sits high on our list of bucket list trips, we haven't actually done the full trip - it's a long drive! Aljafera Palace an old Moorish palace with some lovely courtyards. Getting There: Getting to Segovia from Madrid couldn't be easier. 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. The site has also been carefully landscaped over many years by the monks that live in the monastery on site. Before we dive into the ideas, here's the complete list of the best road trip routes with key information. While it is Spains oldest producer of cava (the winery was founded in 1551), it is also known for its elegant Modernista buildings by Barcelona architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, a contemporary of Antoni Gaud. Getting There: You can get to Salamanca from Madrid via bus. Info USD Dollar. Patones De Arriba 6. Pisto Manchego a delicious local dish made from vegetables (similar to ratatouille) served with a fried egg on top. It is the one that I recommend all of my friends take when they come to visit me. Is it a palace, a monastery, a church or a library? Puente de San Martin a picturesque medieval bridge across the River Tagus. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 10 Best Road Trips Near Madrid Escape to the Community of Madrid This Weekend! Spanish travel restrictions explained, This destination is on track to become the most visited country in the world by 2025, The ultimate guide to planning an elopement, The 10 best places to visit in Europe in 2023, The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain association. Just about an hour out of Madrid, you will find the Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra del Norte and the Sierra de Gredos mountain ranges. Salamanca 7. There are many tombs of famous royals from throughout history, but none quite as spectacular as the Panten Real de El Escorial, a small room down a long flight of stairs that only the top of the royal hierarchy can be laid to rest. The trip lasts 20-30 minutes. There are also places to sample cava, Spains famous sparkling wine. This route takes 7 hours to drive, not accounting for any stops or detours. The palace project (which was a residence of the monarchs) began as a Spanish response in the 17th century to the French Versailles. Choose from these 10 stunning routes for your road trip in Spain with our guides, detailed itineraries and insider tips. The best way to see Avila is either by organised tour or driving yourself. There are some fantastic hotels if you want to really relax and go off the grid for a few days - we have stayed at The Arantza Hotela in the foothills of Pyrenees and cannot recommend it highly enough - it is expensive but super luxurious and worth it! Take line C-8 or C-3 which depart every hour and the journey lasts approximately one hour. Coca: Located about halfway between Segovia and Valladolid and a bit away from the main road. The best time to do a road trip from Madrid is during the spring and fall. The wooden balconies are synonymous with the city and certainly not a place for anyone with a fear of heights. Its medieval architecture, including a Roman arch unique for its triple arches and a castle, are a testament to its rich history. However, as amazing as it is, a day trip to Seville from Madrid is not cheap, but it is definitely worth it. Year-round, restaurants serve dishes like tomato soup and jams made from the four varieties of tomatoes commonly grown here. In conclusion, what you have to remember is that all the day trips from Madrid by car allow you to visit local and rural Spain. Its biggest is the impressive medieval city wall, but another main draw is the Convent of Santa Teresa, a magnificent religious structure built on the home where St. Teresa of vila was born. It also boasts a convenient location right in the heart of Spain itself, which makes the city a perfect home base when it comes to exploring the rest of the country. It can take close to 2 hours to get there. Tours will often combine it with a visit to Segovia. If you do end up doing this one, please let us know! The most famous site in Cuenca is the Casas Colgadas the Hanging Houses. La Rioja is a postcard of a province, with rolling green hills, alpine mountains, limestone . The trip then continues around the coast to Santiago de Compostela. La SEO Cathedral an amazing mix of architectural styles throughout the years. Of the countrys eight autovas, its modern toll-free highways, A-1 to A-6, extend out from the capital. 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. It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. Also, be sure to check out my tips on flying with wine, as youll be wanting to take some back home with you! However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Depending on which train you take, the travel time is between 33 60 minutes. 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! There is also an ancient castle in the Mudjar style embodying several architectural styles at once: Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish style. So it is truly impressive. Barcelona Source: vitalez / shutterstock Barcelona Although a fair hike, Barcelona can be easily reached in the space of a day trip from Madrid. The Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial can get confusing as it is also known as the Monasterio del Escorial, is a large palace that dates back to the 16th century. For each recommendation, I have also included information about how to get there. The road trip then moves west along the coast to Santander, before further stops in Santillana del Mar, the Picos de Europa national park and Gijon. It is a simple drive, motorways all the way (with a toll), but leaving Madrid can get busy at peak times. The fast train is by far the best option for a day trip to Cuenca. Set in a 12th-century monastery, it is a truly idiosyncratic hotel where to relax and de-stress. As a Madrid resident myself, I have spent a lot of time exploring the fringes of the city and the nearby neighbours, so I thought I would put together some of my top recommendations and share the best day trips from Madrid. Login to continue Create your account Register. 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. 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. There is a whole lot more to Spain's Catalonia region than Barcelona. 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. My list will be a mixture of cities near Madrid that you can easily reach by public transport as well as things to do in surrounding towns and villages that you may need to hire a car for. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. 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. Next. If you love the sun, beaches and perfect mountain hideaways overlooking the sea, Andalucia is the place for you. 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. In around 2.5 hours, you can travel from Madrid to the Costa Blanca. If the illuminated shop windows along the Gran Va, and the unrelenting elegance of Paseo de la Castellana are overwhelming, retreat to Old Madrid. 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. The Sagrada Famlia and Park Gell are the must-visit sights in Barcelona. In order to get a change of pace, a road trip to La Sierra de Madrid is the perfect escape from the citys fast-paced life. Spains extensive network of highways, freeways and smaller roads make it easy for travellers to explore and let serendipity set the agenda for the day. The road trip starts in the capital of Spain's Basque country - Bilbao. Two places in Salamanca stand out to me. Hop on a train in Madrid and you can be standing beneath the arches of Cordoba's Moorish-area Mezquita in two hours. When in Chinchon, pay a visit to Bodega del Nero winery with generous tastings and tapas. 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. You will do an abridged version of the Andalucia road trip above, but get a much broader view of Spain having driven from one corner to another. Some of the most authentic dishes you should try in Zaragoza is the Ternasco de Aragon. The drive back to Bilbao airport is a little under 2 hours to get you back home! A royal resort town, Aranjuez offers travelers something a little different making it one of the best side trips from Madrid. Trains to El Escorial leave from Atocha or Chamartn station. If you are visiting with kids, I would certainly recommend allowing a bit of time to visit the Paleontological Museum of Cuenca. The trip continues along the north coast stopping off at Santander, Bilbao and San Sebastian before detouring off into the Pyrenees and the historic cities of Pamplona and Zaragoza. Rich in Arab, Jewish and Christian history, the former Spanish capital is a Unesco World Heritage Site. 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. In addition to the magnificent architecture, the adjacent park area will certainly impress. You can visit sites such as the unique cathedral in Mejorada Del Campo or eat olives in Campo Real. Seplveda belongs toThe Most Beautiful Villages of Spain association, and you wont have to spend long wandering the streets of the hillside town before you will agree the superlative fits. In this little white town famous for its crafts (especially jarapa, a fabric that has been created with scraps of other fabrics a centuries-old recycling tradition), colourful balconies overlook the streets of the historic centre. Barcelona and Madrid are likely to be the best hubs for getting in and out of Spain and the route cycles down through Valencia to an Andalucian tour before heading back north from Cordoba. To explore Spains rich history and culture, a day trip to Toledo from Madrid is a must. Structuring Your 3 Days in Madrid. Buitrago de Lozoya, for example, is particularly a special town as it is surrounded by water and ancient authentic walls built by the Moors in the 11th century. The towns here, however, are worth a short detour as you make your way to the seashore By Alberto Piernas Medina 17 May 2022 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. Once you set off, the best way to see the island is to drive all the way around. Miajadas boasts that it is the European Capital of the Tomato. Once you reach La Sierra de Madrid, you can hike through its lush forests, go rock climbing, or simply relax and soak up the stunning scenery. The Castle was built by the Arabs in the 12th century as a defensive structure, but after the Reconquista, on the initiative of Cardinal Mendoza, it was converted into a residence for bishops. If you have a car it is about 45 minutes to drive to Chinchn from Madrid. Best Time to visit Madrid Madrid is a city with four lovely seasons, loveliest of which are spring and fall. Siguenza: A small ancient city with unique architecture and old as ages historical monuments. They leave from the Madrid Sur bus station but take a little over 3 hours to arrive in Salamanca. A great route around the region can start and end in Barcelona to make it easy with flights. Madrid has plenty more cultural attractions and activities that you could spend the day exploring, but so do the surrounding parts of Spain. However, from our experience, we noticed that Discover Cars has much better offers, especially in the winter season in Madrid. 1. ), then in this city try the roasted Cochinillo (Pork) or Lechazo (lamb). But the charming town of Coca is a true hidden gem in central Spain. If you do drive to Patones de Arriba, be sure to leave time to go a little further up the road and check out El Atazar so you get some awesome views over the Atazar Reservoir (Madrids largest reservoir) and drive across the dam. Book the best day trips from Madrid, Spain directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. From Seville you can take easy self-drive day trips to Cadiz, Jerez, Huelva, or Ronda. 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. Authentic dishes you should try in Zaragoza is the one that I recommend all of my take! Bilbao airport is a true hidden gem in central Spain the city & # x27 ; s beach... 7 hours to get there it would make sense that you might want to get you back home Cuenca the. 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