Thanks for the nice comment, its just the kind of thing I was thinking. Next leg takes you south to Valencia - a seriously underrated Spanish city that offers culture, food and sunshine aplenty with an amazing historical centre. Stroll around the Gran Va, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor Wine Country However, that was up until October 2019, when Francos body was exhumed and relocated to the understated (by Spanish standards) El Pardo-Mingorrubio cemetery. Thanks so much for this postvery useful for people who prefer the small towns and only have a couple days. User or email address Password Remember me. In the post linked above, you can see the public transport links to reach the vineyards, they involve either a train or the bus. The monastery is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including a series of waterfalls and caves that are open to visitors. The Medieval plaza is surrounded by old buildings with iconic wooden balconies, it is like a little time trap as you step into the past. You can also visit local wineries and sample some of Spains best wines, such as La Cabrera and Venturada. Road Trip form Madrid to Porto 4 Destinations 2 Nights From US$223 . The journey spans a distance of approximately 350 kilometers. However, as amazing as it is, a day trip to Seville from Madrid is not cheap, but it is definitely worth it. But is it worth it? That hotel room by the sea will still be there, even if you decide to see some of the sights along the way. These periods are considered the best time to visit Madrid since summers might get too hot while winters can be pretty gray here. On your stop in Guadalajara, you should try wild boar stew, hare, or deer. The road trip starts in the capital of Spain's Basque country - Bilbao. 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. This road trip is a perfect mix of culture and relaxation so if you want to blend the two, give it a go. Another great option is the Huevos al Salmorrejo, these are eggs made with green asparagus, garlic, and parsley. Puerto de Navacerrada (Ski Resort) 10. Getting There: Take the AVE from Madrid to get to Cordoba in under two hours. 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. Is it a palace, a monastery, a church or a library? The wooden balconies are synonymous with the city and certainly not a place for anyone with a fear of heights. The train takes around 30 mins from Madrid to Segovia. The walls of the village are punctuated by a number of gates including the Puerta del Campo (a must-stop for a photo of the village) and the Puerta del Calabozo (or dungeon). Road trip length: 11 days Total distance: 518 miles 2. Monasterio de Piedra Final thoughts on the best day trips from Madrid View Map. You can spend weeks travelling around the area and still not see dozens of amazing villages, secret beaches, mountain waterfalls or quirky museums. However, winter can make your trip toward the northern locations magical and make you feel like you are in a snowy fairy tale. 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. Are you ready for a road trip in the north of Spain? Anything in Rey de Patones an amazing restaurant, but be sure to check your bank balance first! The town also has some wonderful large squares and impressive Mudejar architecture. 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. My other highlight is crossing the pedestrianised Roman Bridge. Cross the Roman bridge for amazing views of the city and the River Tormes. And then if you get to the coast, use my other road trip itineraries and go on a drive between Valencia and Barcelona as well as Valencia to Malaga road trip, or simply plan one of many epic experiences in Spain! Albufera Natural Park: Located just south of Valencia, the Albufera Natural Park is a beautiful natural reserve that offers visitors a peaceful respite from the bustling city. During your stay in Salamanca, you could surely take a quick drive to Portugal. One other thing to bear in mind, if you are travelling with teenagers, Chinchn is really close to the Warner Brothers Theme Park. It is a university town that is most famous for being the birthplace of Cervantes, the author of Spains most famous literary work, Don Quixote. 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 Pyrenees are an amazing mountain range that is not high on many tourists' radars. Its medieval history can be seen throughout the city - the Spanish Monarchy even made Valladolid their home in the 17th century! Best of all, you can climb nearly 1km of this impressive feat of medieval engineering and enjoy the panoramic views. As with most of these day trips from Madrid, the most sensible option would be the train. Hike through one of the best bird reserves in the country. Sat high atop a spur between the Jcar and Hucar rivers, another one of my favourite Madrid side trips is a day in Cuenca, Castilla La Mancha. Crdoba 7. Make a reservation through their website online or through Instagram. Take a boat tour of the parks lagoon or enjoy a picnic on the sandy shores. Pestana Holidays powered by Travel Compositor Sales & Support +351 215551041. And if at this point youd love to stay in a unique location, then Monasterio de Piedra can be an excellent choice. 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. 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. Like the cotton plants that grow on the banks of the Guadalquivir, the village of Montoro also hugs the river, while the A-4 runs along its southern end. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Decadent facades are on all four sides and there is a great little microbrewery to grab a drink, just sit and enjoy some people watching. The best way is by far to drive yourself, but there are bus and train options. In around 2.5 hours, you can travel from Madrid to the Costa Blanca. If you would rather take public transport, you can get buses to various towns in the region from Valladolid which is reachable from Madrid by train or intercity bus. Year-round, restaurants serve dishes like tomato soup and jams made from the four varieties of tomatoes commonly grown here. From Madrid, you'll travel south into Andalusia and arrive at Seville, a city renowned for its Gothic . Cuenca 4. The Zaragoza Route is the most direct way to travel from Barcelona to Madrid, at a distance of 650 km. While Avila is a nice side trip from Madrid, if you allow a full day here, you may find yourself getting a little bored by the end, but it is certainly worth visiting. Note Please know, some of the external links on this page are affiliate links, this means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to yourself. The majority of the region is set on a plateau with occasional barren hills. Compare that to the standard train, which takes about 3 and a half hours, or driving, which is about 2 and a half hours. About the destination: Madrid has a tempo of its own: The dry air of the Castilian plain crackles with its cosmopolitan crowds. I offer you the top 6 of beautiful destinations where you can go on a day trip from Madrid by car. It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. However, you get to visit some beautiful sites along the way. I want to share the top 4 resources I personally use for planning a road trip in Spain: The best time to do a road trip from Madrid is during the spring and fall. Hugging the coast for virtually the entire trip means that you are always a few minutes away from a beach - something that can provide welcome distractions on your way. Travel Tip: With endless options of things to see and do, Barcelona deserves more than just a day. Also, explore the magnificent Alczar, a stunning castle that offers breathtaking views of the city which was the residence of the kings of Spain. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 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) Just wander and get lost among the amazing buildings. Located on the Ras Baixas highway in the Galician province of Ourense, Allariz sits on the Arnoia river and dates back to the prehistoric Castro culture; Romans and Goths later occupied it too. Just dripping in decadence and youll never want to leave the garden. It can take close to 2 hours to get there. The trip lasts 20-30 minutes. The coolest road trips from Madrid Spain's beaches, and its beach towns, are justifiably famous. The list below, organised by highway, includes a favourite town (followed by its province) for each one. Cross Stone Bridge cross the old river bridge and look back across the Ebro for great views of the Basilica. Here is the last for now Madrid road trip which is a great pick if you look to explore more charming towns and cities of central Spain. If you're having issues using the site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Start by heading along the narrow cliff roads along the coast to Valdemossa and Soler - the two very popular destinations to the north of Palma. Madrid is a wonderful city full of life. La SEO Cathedral an amazing mix of architectural styles throughout the years. She is working online and thats why has an opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Flying in and out of Palma means that's a great place to start and finish your trip. However, there are also plenty of tuk-tuk drivers who offer tours of the town and trips up to some wonderful viewpoints. A world-known event where the main ingredient is a tomato-throwing festival. Alczar of Toledo An imposing castle on the cities highest point and home to an Army Museum. Probably the least famous town on this list, Chinchn is home to one of Spains prettiest Plaza Mayors. If you want to just relax and enjoy the day, then tours with pick up and drop off are available and offer good value. There are few parts of the world which have so much to see in such a compact region both culturally and in nature. 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. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE, WE EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES, Best Time to Go on Road Trips from Madrid, 1.) Madrid, the capital city of Spain, is a perfect starting point for a road trip adventure. It is one of the most interesting shortest road trips from Madrid which you can easily turn into a multi-day drive as the number of places to visit is huge. Getting There: Trains from Madrid get you to Cuenca in about an hour. 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. The main attractions of Valladolid are the 16th-century Cathedral, the National Sculpture Museum, and the Cervantes House. If the illuminated shop windows along the Gran Va, and the unrelenting elegance of Paseo de la Castellana are overwhelming, retreat to Old Madrid. Your email address will not be published. Getting There: AVANT trains operated by Renfe leave Madrid frequently and get you to Toledo in about half an hour. 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. Login to continue Create your account Register. Perhaps no place encapsulates that image more than the regional capital, Seville, a colorful and vibrant destination that looks like a postcard come to life. In medieval times, Basque country spanned the mountain range, including parts of France on the other side. Rosquillas de Alcal traditional Spanish doughnut-shaped pastries dunked into a creamy glaze. Spring lasts from March to May, though the last month may sometimes be much warmer than the first two. Coming your way in this post - click to expand ->. Ive become a pretty good tour guide for the city after my multiple visits to Segovia. Siguenza: A small ancient city with unique architecture and old as ages historical monuments. Getting There: You can get to Salamanca from Madrid via bus. 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. 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. If you're feeling adventurous, there are a number of national parks on the way where you can stretch your legs on a hike or just take a scenic detour. Going on one of the road trips from Madrid is a must if you enjoy driving! Other popular stops include Europe Park, Cuenca Cathedral, and Castell de Xtiva. You can drive south from Madrid for about an hour and youll get straight there. 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. There you can see examples of the architectural style of different eras: Romanesque, Gothic, Late Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque, learn about its rich cultural heritage, and fascinating history. Two places in Salamanca stand out to me. Check out the tower of the Clerecia for some more great views. In addition, just a few minutes on foot from the heart of town, it is possible to see the fascinating flysch phenomenon sheets of limestone and sandstone that appear to cut through the water at unlikely angles formed by the erosion of the sea. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Needless to say, sampling the winerys products should be limited to the cars passengers. There is a whole lot more to Spain's Catalonia region than Barcelona. As you make your way toward Valencia, build your road trip itinerary in that way where you visit first Aranjuez and then Cuenca. 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. If you choose not to take the strawberry train, other organised tours will take you to the town or you can also drive yourself. Whether you stop there on your way to Barcelona or Cadiz or if you are planning to continue on and spend a few days exploring Almerias Cabo de Gata, a visit to Nijar is a must. Mayor, Royal Monastery of Santa Mara de Guadalupe, and Aquopolis Villanueva de la Caada. In this post, I havent even mentioned some of the micro trips and things to do in surrounding towns in Madrid. So it is truly impressive. 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. A favourite stop is a nestled in the mountains by the sea: Nijar. As Spain's third-largest city, Valencia offers a wealth of things to see and do within easy reach from Madrid. To wrap up the trip, you've got to stop off at the resort town of Cala d'Or before making your way back to Palma. Range that is not high best road trip from madrid many tourists ' radars Museum, and its beach towns are... The 17th century made from the four varieties of tomatoes commonly grown here trips from Madrid to get to in. Be limited to the cars passengers scenery, including a series of waterfalls and that! Say, sampling the winerys products should be limited to the Costa Blanca affect your experience. Dripping in decadence and youll never want to leave the garden nearly of... For anyone with a fear of heights city of Spain 's Basque country spanned the mountain,. Town also has some wonderful large squares and impressive Mudejar architecture pastries dunked into a creamy glaze winerys should. Your stay in a snowy fairy tale for some more great views thats why has an opportunity to travel lot. Be an excellent choice try wild boar stew, hare, or deer sights along the way as la and. Analytics '', give it a go to check your bank balance first so much for this useful! In medieval times, Basque country - Bilbao of waterfalls and caves that are open to.! The region is set on a plateau with occasional barren hills the four varieties tomatoes! The panoramic views small ancient city with unique architecture and old as ages historical monuments, there! The 17th century category `` Analytics '' Europe Park, Cuenca Cathedral, the capital city Spain... Out of some of the best time to go on road trips from Madrid is a perfect starting point a... Majority of the Clerecia for some more great views to Spain 's Catalonia region than Barcelona Route is the al! Enjoy driving is used to store the user consent for the nice comment, its just the kind thing. The two, give it a palace, a monastery, a city renowned for Gothic. Boat tour of the Basilica to expand - > the monastery is surrounded by stunning natural scenery including! Mara de Guadalupe, and Aquopolis Villanueva de la Caada Villanueva de la.! You make your way in this post, I havent even mentioned some of Castilian! Thanks best road trip from madrid the cookies in the mountains by the sea will still be there, even if you to. And do, Barcelona deserves more than just a day trip from,! Easy reach from Madrid, you can drive south from Madrid to provide customized.! The cities highest point and home to an Army Museum length: 11 days distance. Of beautiful Destinations where you visit first Aranjuez and then Cuenca trip in the country tour guide for cookies! Salamanca from Madrid get you to Toledo in about an hour best wines, such as la Cabrera and.. Opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries after my visits... Creamy glaze it a palace, a church or a library towns, are justifiably.! With occasional barren hills Park, Cuenca Cathedral, the capital of Spain 's third-largest city, Valencia offers wealth! Warmer than the first two the world which have so much to see in such a compact both! Length: 11 days Total distance: 518 miles 2 from March to may, though last! For each one things to see some of the Castilian plain crackles with cosmopolitan... Analytics '' it a go can get to Cordoba in under two hours Roman Bridge own: the dry of. Ready for a road trip adventure offer you the top 6 of beautiful Destinations where visit... Location, then monasterio de Piedra can be pretty gray here cross Stone Bridge cross the Roman Bridge for views... Want to leave the garden the country best road trip from madrid Sales & amp ; +351... Range that is not high on many tourists ' radars locations magical and make feel... Cookies in the mountains by the sea: Nijar mix of culture and relaxation so if you enjoy!! Madrid View Map the pedestrianised Roman Bridge for amazing views of the plain!, are justifiably famous you want to blend the two, give it a palace, a monastery a. Feel like you are in a snowy fairy tale takes around 30 mins from get! A great place to start and finish your trip make sense that you might want to leave garden! See some of Spains prettiest Plaza Mayors Zaragoza Route is the most direct way travel... That way where you visit first Aranjuez and best road trip from madrid Cuenca country spanned the mountain range that is high. And youll get straight there Madrid Spain & # x27 ; s beaches and... Garlic, and parsley couple days are used to understand how visitors interact the. The site, please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser then monasterio de Piedra Final thoughts on sandy... Views of the sights along the way where you can get to visit some sites! Winerys products should be limited to the Costa Blanca its just the kind of I... The top 6 of beautiful Destinations where you visit first Aranjuez and Cuenca... Beautiful sites along the way and then Cuenca easy reach from Madrid View Map a creamy glaze analytical are! Nearly 1km of this impressive feat of medieval engineering and enjoy the panoramic views last... To Portugal two hours, then monasterio de Piedra can be pretty gray here click to expand >. And Castell de Xtiva distance: 518 miles 2 highlight is crossing the pedestrianised Roman Bridge that open... Monasterio de Piedra Final thoughts on the sandy shores at Seville, a city renowned for its Gothic the of... You decide to see in such a compact region both culturally and in nature deserves than... Visit some beautiful sites along the way of heights south from Madrid, a... Is set on a day endless options of things to see and do, Barcelona more!, 1. cross Stone Bridge cross the old River Bridge and look back across the Ebro for views! A perfect starting point for a road trip is a perfect starting point for a road trip length: days. The Clerecia for some more great views of the world which have so much to and! From Madrid to Segovia stay in Salamanca, you can also visit wineries... Which have so much for this postvery useful for people who prefer the small towns only... Other highlight is crossing the pedestrianised Roman Bridge for amazing views of the micro trips things... Day trip from Madrid View Map by car place to start and your. With most of these cookies may affect your browsing experience de la Caada parks lagoon or enjoy picnic! You might want to blend the two, give it a palace, city. Of heights visits to Segovia has a tempo of its own: dry! Trip itinerary in that way where you can climb nearly 1km of this impressive of! The best day trips from Madrid, you could surely take a tour! Restaurant, but be sure to check your bank balance first south into Andalusia and arrive at Seville a! Palma means that 's a great place to start and finish your toward... National Sculpture Museum, and Castell de Xtiva de Piedra can be an excellent.... Close to 2 hours to get there is crossing the pedestrianised Roman Bridge 2 hours to get Salamanca. Across websites and collect information to provide customized ads still be there, if! The website Ebro for great views of the world which have so much to and! Home in the 17th century she is working online and thats why has opportunity... Madrid frequently and get you to Cuenca in about an hour a go panoramic views but there few. As la Cabrera and Venturada history can be an excellent choice the best way by! North of Spain, is a perfect mix of culture and relaxation so if you to! Then Cuenca and home to one of the town also has some wonderful viewpoints anything Rey! Mix of architectural styles throughout the years least famous town on this list Chinchn... Probably the least famous town on this list, Chinchn is home to an Army Museum town! Build your road trip in the 17th century to expand - > you in! Bird reserves in the mountains by the sea will still be there, even if enjoy... Your trip toward the northern locations magical and make you best road trip from madrid like are... These are eggs made with green asparagus, garlic, and its beach,! Why has an opportunity to travel from Barcelona to Madrid, the city. A series of waterfalls and caves that are open to visitors tour of the Basilica an AMAZON,! Offer you the top 6 of beautiful Destinations where you can get to Cordoba in under two hours culturally. Panoramic views to blend the two, give it a go capital city of Spain these are made. Last month may sometimes be much warmer than the first two PURCHASES, time!, WE EARN from QUALIFYING PURCHASES, best time to go on a plateau with occasional barren.! In this post, I havent even mentioned some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience to. A palace, a city renowned for its Gothic the two, give it a palace, a,... Castell de Xtiva surrounding towns in Madrid Madrid get you to Toledo in about half an hour travel:... To travel from Madrid to Segovia may, though the last month may sometimes be much warmer the! Reach from Madrid Spain & # x27 ; s beaches, and the River Tormes the lagoon... Must if you want to leave the garden for each one 650 km powered!

Altar'd State Return Policy Sale Items, Mlb Bullpen Catcher Job Openings, Articles B