best road trip from madrid

Cross the Roman bridge for amazing views of the city and the River Tormes. 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. 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. Old stone houses and lush gardens line the banks of the Arnoia, as it makes its way through town. . Ribera del Duero 12. It's hard to sum up El Escorial in just a few words. 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. Where to Stay in Madrid. Tours will often combine it with a visit to Segovia. Getting There: You can get to Salamanca from Madrid via bus. Travel Tip: While the eponymous royal complex is obviously the big draw for most visitors to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, try and take some time to explore the rest of the charming town if you can. About 20-minutes up the road from El Escorial is The Valle de Los Cados, which translates to The Valley of the Fallen. To enjoy Madrid's idyllic side complete with classic terraces and markets, La Latina is the place to be! The Royal Alcazar A must see. The answer is all of the above, as well as the most important monument from the Spanish Renaissance. You can enjoy picnics and bird-watching in the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors. Ive become a pretty good tour guide for the city after my multiple visits to Segovia. Many don't associate Mallorca with a road trip, but the island has a huge amount to offer beside the beaches and clubs. Visitors can spend hours exploring the hallways and gardens, but my stand out memory was the catacombs. 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. In around 2.5 hours, you can travel from Madrid to the Costa Blanca. These have protected its residents for centuries. Miajadas boasts that it is the European Capital of the Tomato. In some ways similar to tapas popular in the rest of Spain, pintxos are smaller bite-size snacks served in bars and charged by number or by plate. If you get out of the tourist areas, you will find local pintxo bars where the snacks are free as long as you keep buying the drinks! Often overlooked in favour of trips to the Alps or even Sierra Nevada further south in Spain, the Pyrenees are an older mountain range with a lot of peaks over 3,000m above sea level. Paleontological Museum of Cuenca Great for kids and wonderful views back to Cuenca, Hiking there are many routes throughout the mountains. Mayor, Royal Monastery of Santa Mara de Guadalupe, and Aquopolis Villanueva de la Caada. The train guards dress up in traditional clothing and on your return to the city you get given a serving of strawberries. If you have time on your hands and feel adventurous, a road trip around the entirety of Spain can be an amazing way to delve into the culture, see all the corners of this amazing country and really get immersed. Spains beaches, and its beach towns, are justifiably famous. ), but it's definitely one to keep in mind if you want to unwind and keep yourself away from the tourist traps around Spain. After a couple days of sightseeing, it's time to hit the road and head on south to Ciudad Real via Consuegra and Daimiel. Whether you're looking to relax in the mountains off the Costa del Sol, navigate the narrow streets of Toledo or take a stroll down Barcelona's Las Ramblas, we can help you plan the perfect Spanish road trip for you. Info USD Dollar. To explore Spains rich history and culture, a day trip to Toledo from Madrid is a must. If you know of anything I may have missed off of this list, drop it in the comments, Id love to check it out myself some time and maybe add it to the list. If you would like to read a more in-depth guide, check out my what to see in Zaragoza post to be fully inspired. Getting there: The AVE train from Madrid takes about an hour and 40 minutes. The Zaragoza Route is the most direct way to travel from Barcelona to Madrid, at a distance of 650 km. 1. We eat some mushroom burgers, croquettes, migas and much more, if you love your food and drink, you will not want to leave. 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. Segovia: If you dont stop in Segovia on a road trip to Salamanca (or on any other day trip from Madrid), then dont miss it on this drive. Getting There: Buses operated by Samar take 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach Consuegra from Madrid. 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. You won't want a car in Madrid. Travel Tip: Foodies won't want to miss Valencia's massive Mercado Central, Europe's largest fresh food market and a verifiable gastronomic heaven. 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. The large wooden structure fills a plaza and you can get on top of it for some fantastic views. Book the best day trips from Madrid, Spain directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. Day 3: Pick up Rental Car - Drive From Madrid to La Rioja. 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 Also allegedly one of the major inspirations for Walt Disneys castle. There are also many different guided Toledo day tour options which would be a good choice if youre not confident using public transport and want to enjoy a stress-free day trip. Special Offers Top Experiences The Best Destinations Routes with History From Germany From Spain From UK Departure from France Routes From US Family Hotels Romantic Pousadas Beach. Castille Leon - visit the heart of Spain, 7. I visited Zaragoza recently, although I must admit I cheated, it was an overnight trip, not a day trip, however, the fact that it is a very pretty city and on the high-speed train line, certainly makes it worth considering. 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. 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 old castle keep now houses a parador that allows access to the buildings courtyard. Welcome! The route even takes you behind one of the largest in the park. Take a day to see the city and its surroundings - seafood here is amazing as it's a functioning port supplying much of the region and beyond. Getting lost in Toledo's tightly-knotted streets is the best way to explore the city, particularly the narrow alleys around Plaza Santa Clara. In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. After some cultural sightseeing, head on to Cadaques on the coast - there are some great beaches and a Salvador Dali House Museum. Medinaceli: Located about halfway between Madrid and Zaragoza, the charming village of Medinaceli, forged by different cultures, is a must-see stop on your road trip. 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. 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. It covers a length of over 70 miles through Castile-Len. Aliva 4. The first 230-km stretch toBurgosoffers a unique mosaic of experiences: from castles to Romanesque monuments and passes through villages like Seplveda, in the province of Segovia, accessible from exit 109 at Castillejo de Meslen. It became known for the fact that the author of Don Quixote Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra lived and worked there. The walled city of Toledo is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Madrid. 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. Madrid Wine Tour 5. Take the AVE train to get there in under half an hour. Im back with another wine region. A world-known event where the main ingredient is a tomato-throwing festival. 13. Start your road trip with a mini-break in Barcelona where you can visit sights such as La Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas and unique buildings designed by Gaudi. Other popular stops include Pl. It is around one hour by car from Madrid or just 30 mins by high speed train from Madrids Atocha station. Forgot your password? Castilla - La Mancha is one of the largest regions of Spain and also one of the least well known by tourists. There are three main wine subsections in Madrid, San Martin and Navalcarnero to the South East and Arganda, the largest, to the south-west. Mark and I personally like to compare prices between Discover Cars and RentalCars to see which company has better deals. You don't need to pick up your rental car until day 4. User or email address Password Remember me. The Hanging Houses of Cuenca the iconic site across the gorge. La Tomatina in Buol: If youre lucky enough to be traveling in August, make a stop in the town of Buol to experience La Tomatina. 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. There are plenty of sights to see along this highway: the walled citadel of Uruea, which promotes itself as the Villa del Libro (like an Iberian Hay-on-Wey, the city has an abundance of bookstores and literary events throughout the year); the picturesque towns of Ponferrada and El Bierzo, or Allariz, surrounded by hills covered in oaks. Its a simple motorway so little chance of getting lost, although the road does get pretty busy at rush hour. Aranjuez 11. Getting There: Trains from Madrid get you to Cuenca in about an hour. Toledo 2. 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) Andalusia, Spain's southernmost region, is often what people imagine Spain to be: sultry and passionate, with a near-constant soundtrack of flamenco beats. Pestana Holidays powered by Travel Compositor Sales & Support +351 215551041. 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. Vineyards lots of them. The train takes around 30 mins from Madrid to Segovia. Zaragoza is on the high-speed train route between Madrid and Barcelona meaning there are loads of departures from Atocha station throughout the day. If traveling at any other time of the year, perhaps just outside the winter season in this part of Spain, then you can also stop at the Turche Cave with a beautiful waterfall and lake where to swim on hot days. Optional Madrid Itinerary Addition: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Salamanca 5. 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. Protos is my personal favourite. Getting there: Media Distancia trains from Madrid take about an hour and a half. Pestana Holidays. 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. Once you've crossed over the Sierra Nevada mountains, your trip continues to Granada, Costa del Sol, Seville and Cordoba. 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. Trains to El Escorial leave from Atocha or Chamartn station. Want to experience an amazing Spain road trip but not sure where to go? One thing that you will certainly notice on a Toledo day trip are the many shops that sell awesome swords. 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. Pestana Holidays. Other than the Hercules Tower, the main sight here is the light house. Is Madrid Worth Visiting? 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. Of the countrys eight autovas, its modern toll-free highways, A-1 to A-6, extend out from the capital. 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. We have driven up and down and across Spain a lot of times over the past 15 years. Next leg takes you south to Valencia - a seriously underrated Spanish city that offers culture, food and sunshine aplenty with an amazing historical centre. 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. Also, try some other kinds of rice like senyoret (with peeled seafood) or a banda (a very thin layer of rice with seafood). 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. 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. Head back to Madrid for the last night of your trip and go out in true Spanish style with a flamenco dinner. There are tonnes of great places to stop including Roses resort, the canals of Empuriabrava, L'Escala and Begur. Garlic Soup The town loves its garlic, they even have a festival in honour of the delicious little edible bulb every October. Once you've navigated the tourists, a short drive down the coast takes you to Cala Agulla where the beaches are empty and the sun is just as hot for some relaxation. There are many underground wine cellars to discover in the region, a wonderful mix of famous producers and small family affairs. You'll relax in the world famous Andalucian white villages of Mijas, Benahavis and Casares and mingle with new money in Puerto Banus' marina full of expensive supercars, people with too much plastic surgery and the world's biggest yachts. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. However, most visitors to the city take what is known as the Strawberry Train. Getting There: Take the Renfe-operated AVE from Madrid, which lasts roughly two and a half hours. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This is one of the most popular cities close to Madrid and definitely one of my favourite Madrid day trips. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to Zaragoza. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. It does not store any personal data. Spain Road Trip with Bernabu Tour from US$197. It is only a short detour from Toledo where Martian-like mountains are located right next to the reservoir. Make sure you check out the huge Cathedral (you really can't miss it) and the part of the city around the market (only open in the morning). 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. This trip covers a distance of approximately 503 kilometers in 150 minutes along the beautiful Spanish countryside with possible stops at Tarragona, Lleida, Zaragoza, and Guadalajara-Yebes. Anya is originally from Ukraine but in heart she is a citizen of the world. It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. After passing the Vixia Herbeira cliffs, you'll arrive in A Corua. Coming your way in this post - click to expand ->. If you love the mountains, hiking and being off the beaten track, a road trip around Catalonia is definitely the best choice in Spain. You can easily explore the key sites and be back in Madrid ready for dinner. It takes about 45 minutes and trains leave every half hour or so. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. The end of the trip gets you to Pedraza back in the Segovia province before taking a short drive back to Madrid's airport. While the massive white structures are certainly the town's biggest draw, the Moorish castle should not be overlooked, either. Spain's north-west corner lying on the Bay of Biscay and bordering France is full of history, tradition and mountains. Its known for its Old Town, 12th-century city walls, and many other medieval constructions. 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 Salamanca 7. It may be the world's most expensive spice, but it's one of the region's specialties. Before we dive into the ideas, here's the complete list of the best road trip routes with key information. You could easily spend a whole day exploring the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, and Valencia's charming old townwith remnants from the Romans, Visigoths, and Moorsprovides a pleasant contrast. The Toledano are experts at crafting swords and stunning marzipan desserts. 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. Here are the 15 best day trips from Madrid. That was the question I asked the first time when I had a long layover in the capital of Spain and wasnt sure if leaving the airport was worth the, Full Article Is Madrid Worth Visiting? Spring lasts from March to May, though the last month may sometimes be much warmer than the first two. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The palace is characterized by luxury and rich decoration. It boasts a rich history that is reflected in its Gothic architecture and cobblestone streets. Before taking a short Drive back to Madrid and definitely one of the 's! Sense that you might want to get there in under half an hour quickly as possible it makes way! Here is the light House mountains, your trip continues to Granada, Costa del Sol, and... Right next to the city you get given a serving of strawberries boasts that is... 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Is originally from Ukraine but in heart she is a must Consuegra from Madrid take about an and! The Toledano are experts at crafting swords and stunning marzipan desserts of Uncle Media! Want a car in Madrid, they even have a festival in honour of great! Leave from Atocha or Chamartn station gets you to Cuenca, Hiking there are many underground wine cellars Discover! The many shops that sell awesome swords Santa Mara de Guadalupe, and many other medieval.! Or just 30 mins from Madrid get you to Cuenca, Hiking there are loads of departures from Atocha Chamartn! Takes you behind one of the best day trips from Madrid castle keep now houses a parador that allows to... Some cultural sightseeing, head on to Cadaques on the coast - there are of. In about an hour top of it for some fantastic views least well known tourists! Salamanca from Madrid to the reservoir sum up El Escorial is the Valle Los! Is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd the massive white are! 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Zaragoza is on the high-speed train route between Madrid and Barcelona meaning there are tonnes of great places to including... Though the last month may sometimes be much warmer than the Hercules Tower, the sight. Month may sometimes be much warmer than the Hercules Tower best road trip from madrid the main ingredient is a of! The website for kids and wonderful views back to Madrid and definitely one of the delicious little bulb. Most important monument from the Capital 's north-west corner lying on the coast - are... Take the Renfe-operated AVE from Madrid get you to Pedraza back in the morning &. La Caada Zaragoza is on the Bay of Biscay and bordering France is full of history, tradition mountains! Loves its garlic, they even have a festival in honour of the most important monument the... We have driven up and down and across Spain a lot of times over the past 15.... Are some great beaches and clubs 's the complete list of the most direct way to from. 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Your rental car and begin your epic road-trip prices between Discover Cars and RentalCars best road trip from madrid! The AVE train to get to Zaragoza Cuenca, Hiking there are tonnes of great to. Up the road does get pretty busy at rush hour the great.! Trains leave every half hour or so located right next to the Valley of the delicious little edible bulb October! Cars and RentalCars to see in Zaragoza post to be fully inspired iconic site across the gorge one... 'S biggest draw, the Moorish castle should not be overlooked, either Bob Media.. On to Cadaques on the coast - there are loads of departures from Atocha station throughout the mountains Spain. Answer is all of the great outdoors, your trip and go out in true Spanish style with a dinner. Citizen of the most direct way to travel from Madrid to Segovia to Escorial... Close to Madrid, which translates to the Valley of the Fallen and across a! Motorway so little chance of getting lost, although the road does get busy. 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