Marvel at Madrid's Royal Palace - the largest in Western Europe. 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. A huge cross in the mountains marks the site of this basilica that was built during the Franco regime. Amarguillos traditional almond flavoured pastries. Spain Road Trip - The Ultimate 2 Week Itinerary, Andalucia road trip - Ultimate 11 day itinerary, 10 amazing European road trips for your travel bucket list, 14 amazing places to see the autumn leaves in Europe, The 14 best Christmas markets in Europe to visit this winter, Driving in Spain: Your guide to Spanish toll roads, rules and parking, Seville weekend trip - The perfect city break itinerary, Best Time to Visit Spain - Full Month by Month Guide, Spain's Mediterranean coast is perfect for a Spanish road trip, Spain's northern coast makes for an amazing road trip, The Arantza Hotela in the foothills of Pyrenees, check out our 40 day trips from Barcelona for inspiration, 3. 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. They are the municipal Cercanas Renfe lines which mean there are a lot of stops, but they are also cheap. Wear comfortable shoes if you plan on doing a lot of walking. The A-3 highway leads to Madrids beach, as some call Valencia, the closest city on the sea traveling from the capital. That hotel room by the sea will still be there, even if you decide to see some of the sights along the way. It is the one that I recommend all of my friends take when they come to visit me. Toledo 2. Toledo 3. Login to continue Create your account Register. They leave from the Madrid Sur bus station but take a little over 3 hours to arrive in Salamanca. The main attractions of Valladolid are the 16th-century Cathedral, the National Sculpture Museum, and the Cervantes House. A road trip from Madrid to Salamanca is the best way to explore the quaint countryside of Spain and discover some of the countrys historic landmarks. Pestana Holidays. Optional Madrid Itinerary Addition: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. These have protected its residents for centuries. Madrid is a great travel destination with a lot to do and see, but sometimes you need to get away and explore the surrounding areas. When you imagine the perfect seaside Basque village, something resembling Zumaia may come to mind. 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. Day 1: Explore Madrid Day 2: Explore Madrid Day 3: Day Trip By Train To Segovia or Cuenca Day 4: Drive To Cordoba, Stop in Toledo Day 5: Explore Cordoba Set in a 12th-century monastery, it is a truly idiosyncratic hotel where to relax and de-stress. The Water Museum covers the topics of irrigation and water management (especially important in arid climates like Nijars), or climb to the Mirador de la Atalaya, with its views of the town below. However, there are also plenty of tuk-tuk drivers who offer tours of the town and trips up to some wonderful viewpoints. 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. ), but it's definitely one to keep in mind if you want to unwind and keep yourself away from the tourist traps around Spain. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Patones de Arriba my favourite village I have found so far. Admire its stunning architecture, and discover its rich cultural heritage. As you approach Avila from the outside, it looks spectacular, is it a walled city with some of the most eye-catching fortifications you will see thanks to years of restoration work. San Ildefonso: A must-visit stop on this road trip from Madrid for anyone who wants to see the luxurious royal residence of the 18th century. The Mediterranean autova, A-7, offers endless tempting detours as it makes its way from Algeciras in the south to Barcelona in the north: You can visit the donkeys of Mijas, explore the whitewashed towns of Granadas Costa Tropical, and take in the sea of plastic, in Almeria (a reference not to ocean pollution, but the miles of greenhouses where much of Spains produce is grown). Don't leave without trying this delectable delicacy at a traditional spot like Restaurante Jos Mara. Also allegedly one of the major inspirations for Walt Disneys castle. 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. It is only 45 minutes by car or a little under an hour by train. Seville 8. The route even takes you behind one of the largest in the park. 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. 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. With its central location, diverse landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, it offers an abundance of breathtaking destinations just a short drive away. It is a huge square where you will find the gorgeous basilica, La SEO Cathedral and the entrance to the historic Roman parts of the city. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. As much as I love the city, there are so many things to do outside Madrid, and it is fun to explore. Castilla - La Mancha is one of the largest regions of Spain and also one of the least well known by tourists. Cuenca 9. We'd love to see how you get on! You will start in the historic city of Segovia itself - famous for some of Spain's best architecture and declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. It really is postcard perfect. You can also visit local wineries and sample some of Spains best wines, such as La Cabrera and Venturada. Dating back to the 15th Century, the houses were built into the cliff overlooking the steep ravine. From El Escorial, take bus 660 to Valle de los Cados o Cruce Cuelgamuros. The roads through the Pyrenees are fantastic and can make for really great road trips with the added bonus of hardly any other cars as you drive around. 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. Aljafera Palace an old Moorish palace with some lovely courtyards. We eat some mushroom burgers, croquettes, migas and much more, if you love your food and drink, you will not want to leave. Those who take the time to venture beyond the roadside restaurants and service stations, however, will find that slowing down pays off. Zaragoza: The capital of Aragon with the heritage of the Roman era and Moorish past is the last stop on this road trip from Madrid. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. However, winter can make your trip toward the northern locations magical and make you feel like you are in a snowy fairy tale. The site has also been carefully landscaped over many years by the monks that live in the monastery on site. Cuenca: a small charming ancient city, perched atop a dramatic gorge. Best Things to do in Madrid Explore Madrid's Art Triangle; the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofa and the Thyssen-Bornemisza are considered the best art galleries. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Check out the tower of the Clerecia for some more great views. Another popular day trip from Madrid is Toledo, the old capital of Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. 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. If you did want to plan your own itinerary, Id recommend reading this post that I have written for the website Winerist, it has all the details you need to know about reaching Madrids vineyards via public transport. There is also an ancient castle in the Mudjar style embodying several architectural styles at once: Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish style. Vineyards lots of them. 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. Zaragoza 10. The road trip starts in the capital of Spain's Basque country - Bilbao. Today the region fervently focuses on its culture. Read My Story Page Here and Take Care! Required fields are marked *. Getting lost in Toledo's tightly-knotted streets is the best way to explore the city, particularly the narrow alleys around Plaza Santa Clara. There are few cities that offer as much as Barcelona so it's a perfect start to the Mediterranean coast trip. After a few days of luxuriating, it's time to drive down from the mountainside and make your way to Pamplona - a historic city famous for its July bull running festival has far more to offer than the medieval tradition. Segovia: As you continue on your journey towards Salamanca, make a stop in Segovia and visit the iconic Roman aqueduct 728 meters long. As with most Spanish cities, there are plenty of churches to visit, and the main cathedral is pretty spectacular. Baslica de Nuestra Seora del Pilar Simply stunning from the outside and home to a dome that was painted by Goya and a tower you can get to the top of for wonderful views. 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. 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. But if you're brave enough, you can start wherever along the route you like as you it goes in a loop. The drive from Madrid city center to La Sierra may vary based on the town you are heading to (since this mountain range surrounds the city), but basically, it can take from 50 minutes to 1 hour and a half. Ill be honest, they are no Alps, but they do offer a wonderful respite from the hectic pace of city life and in fact, many Madrileos own second homes in the area. There is a lot to see in this part of Spain including the infamous windmills made famous by Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote. Travel Tip: Stock up on saffron while in Consuegra. 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. When in Chinchon, pay a visit to Bodega del Nero winery with generous tastings and tapas. 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. If you visit Cuenca, I would recommend starting in the castle area and working your way through the steep cobbled streets down into the main town. A world-known event where the main ingredient is a tomato-throwing festival. Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. If you're flying in and out of Madrid, the Castille and Leon road trip can be an amazing way to explore Spain without having to drive all the way to the coast or spend weeks on the road. The list below, organised by highway, includes a favourite town (followed by its province) for each one. Yes, you read that right, no need to drive so you can sample as much as youd like (although driving is a bit easier). Travel Tip: If you get into town early enough and want to save 10 euros, entrance to the Mezquita is free from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Cuenca is perhaps best known for its gravity-defying hanging houses, which sit perilously on the edge of a steep cliff. Rascafria Close to a reservoir, Rascafria is a great spot for hikes and natural swimming pools. 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. Follow those secondary roads and you may come upon an artisans studio with rows of beautifully glazed ceramic pots, a centuries-old Romanesque chapel, or a field of sunflowers greeting you. There are Roman roads in Astorga and Tarragona, Arab and Romanesque sites, and the landscapes described in Camilo Jos Celas Viaje a la Alcarria (Journey to the Alcarria), perhaps the most celebrated travelogue in Spanish. In this post, I havent even mentioned some of the micro trips and things to do in surrounding towns in Madrid. Barcelona to Madrid drive. You won't want a car in Madrid. The great thing is, all of them are accessible via public transport. Protos is my personal favourite. User or email address Password Remember me. The town also has some wonderful large squares and impressive Mudejar architecture. The town is also famous for its roast lamb, which will provide sustenance as you continue your journey to the sea. Aranda de Duero a nice little town in the area. Valencia 11. 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. From the world-class museums and art galleries to the lively plazas and cafs, there is plenty to keep visitors in the city entertained for way more than a weekend. Spain's buzzing second city has a whole host of cultural and historical gems to explore. As always, this will be a bit more expensive but thats the price for a stress-free trip. Take a boat tour of the parks lagoon or enjoy a picnic on the sandy shores. As with the Castille Leon trip, it's easy to start and finish in Madrid if that's where you can get easy flights to. We have driven up and down and across Spain a lot of times over the past 15 years. Ultimate Southern Spain Road Trip: Madrid to Andalusia - 10 days. El Greco Museum one of Spains most iconic artists. The only real way is driving. Compare that to the standard train, which takes about 3 and a half hours, or driving, which is about 2 and a half hours. 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. The small town of Aranjuez is a nice escape from the city of Madrid. At the seaside enclave where the Urola and Narrondo rivers meet, steep streets lead down to the harbour, the centre of activity and life. A mini Catalonia tour to end the trip wraps up the route that will take at least a month to complete if you want to do things other than driving. Often overlooked in favor of nearby Segovia and Salamanca, the beautifully preserved historic town of vila gives the more popular destinations a run for their money. Alczar of Toledo An imposing castle on the cities highest point and home to an Army Museum. 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. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Along the way, you'll get to experience the tapas culture of Andalusia. These periods are considered the best time to visit Madrid since summers might get too hot while winters can be pretty gray here. If budget allows and you are ready to take it slowly, stop for a night in the elegant Parador de Alarcon set in an 8th-century castle. It would be a good option if you want an overnight visit. Some of the towns worth visiting in La Sierra are Rascafria, Buitrago de Lozoya, Manzanares El Real, and Chinchon. A day trip? Escape for the holiday of a lifetime with this 10-day luxury road trip in Spain!Spain offers the ultimate luxury holiday experience for anyone up for an unforgettable adventure, in The old castle keep now houses a parador that allows access to the buildings courtyard. But if you are coming on a trip to Madrid for 5 days or longer, then you can create a more action-packed itinerary and see the surroundings after renting a car and going for a drive. The tickets cost in the region of 100 each way, but If you can book tickets early, there is a good chance you can save up to 25%. The large wooden structure fills a plaza and you can get on top of it for some fantastic views. The best time to do a road trip from Madrid is during the spring and fall. If you happen to be traveling in the summer, be sure to attend the Benicassim Festival. Is it a palace, a monastery, a church or a library? If you wish to tie in a visit to The Valley of the Fallen, you can either take a taxi from El Escorial or a tour. Day 3 Madrid Itinerary: Barrio de la Latina + A Day Trip to Toledo. Top rated road trips in Madrid Spain 7-Day Spain Road Trip from Madrid to Toledo Starts in Madrid Ends in Madrid Duration 7 days & 6 nights Available All Year 24/7 customer support From 8 USD Spain Cheap 10-Day Spain Road Trip Vacation from Madrid to Zaragoza, Barcelona & Valencia Starts in Madrid Ends in Madrid Duration 10 days & 9 nights It is around one hour by car from Madrid or just 30 mins by high speed train from Madrids Atocha station. The Madrid to Toledo train runs on average 8 times a day, leaving approximately every two and a half hours, between 6:50 am and 9:50 pm from Madrids Atocha station. The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid. It might have a reputation for its packed resorts, but Alicante is a pretty port in the shadow of Mount Benacantil, a rocky hill where Santa Barbara Castle sits. Take the C3 line from Atocha or Nuevos Ministerios. The streets of the old Jewish Quarter Great food & great stories, you can really get into the history of Seville in this area. From here you can head to the hanging houses, cross the river over the spine chilling St Paul Bridge and work your way down to the lower part of the city. Spains beaches, and its beach towns, are justifiably famous. Travel Tip: With endless options of things to see and do, Barcelona deserves more than just a day. If you don't know it by name, you've definitely seen pictures of giant rocks and archways on the sandy beach before. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Marzipan A local speciality. Travel Tip: Foodies won't want to miss Valencia's massive Mercado Central, Europe's largest fresh food market and a verifiable gastronomic heaven. Day 3: Pick up Rental Car - Drive From Madrid to La Rioja. 13. And there are so many must-stops along the route that you dont want to miss. Seeing it and touring around is a number one activity. Bus 664 or 661 from Moncloa also get you there in about the same amount of time. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It is possible to reach some of the areas by train, but if you really want to see the best spots, you either have to drive yourself or take a tour. 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. Constructed in the 16th century under the orders of King Philip II, the sprawling complex is one of Spain's most fascinating destinations. You can easily explore the key sites and be back in Madrid ready for dinner. If the illuminated shop windows along the Gran Va, and the unrelenting elegance of Paseo de la Castellana are overwhelming, retreat to Old Madrid. And make you feel like you are in a loop as much as Barcelona so it 's a perfect to. Offer tours of the towns worth visiting in La Sierra are Rascafria, de. Are accessible via public transport, but they are also plenty of churches to me... Want an overnight visit lines which mean there are so many must-stops along way! 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