best road trip from madrid
Getting There: AVANT trains operated by Renfe leave Madrid frequently and get you to Toledo in about half an hour. Years of erosion by the Rio Piedra have created some spectacular waterfalls that visitors can visit and wander around. 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. Lindsey Zimmerman is a freelance writer and travel expert who has lived in southern Spain since 2015. Exploring this region brings a mix of natural sights and beautiful historic Spanish cities. A great route around the region can start and end in Barcelona to make it easy with flights. Just before or after the visit to Toledo, I also highly recommend you not to missBarrancas de Burujn nature reserve. The Hanging Houses of Cuenca the iconic site across the gorge. This gives you the most flexibility to see as much as possible in a day. The monastery is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including a series of waterfalls and caves that are open to visitors. The Basque country is a unique part of Spain - they have a prominent local language, cities that make up two prominent medieval kingdoms (Basque and Navarre) and a unique link to the Pyrenees. However, a tour would be my recommended option, or if you have a partner who is willing to drive, this is by far the easiest way. 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. If you are looking for the perfect Toledo souvenirs then a sword would be the right choice. However, most visitors to the city take what is known as the Strawberry Train. Madrid is a wonderful city full of life. 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 rest of the road trip follows the Costa Brava back down to Barcelona. Toledo is famous as a blend of Christian, Muslim and Jewish religions and cultures. 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. At the confluence of the Tagus and Tietar Rivers, the park is home to 280 . Madrid to Valladolid route is only 200 kilometers long but it is full of pretty and important sites. Castille Leon - visit the heart of Spain, 7. To enjoy Madrid's idyllic side complete with classic terraces and markets, La Latina is the place to be! Of the countrys eight autovas, its modern toll-free highways, A-1 to A-6, extend out from the capital. User or email address Password Remember me. Cuenca is perhaps best known for its gravity-defying hanging houses, which sit perilously on the edge of a steep cliff. 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. Once again were back on the train. Be sure to visit the 15th-century Palace of the Infantado, the citys stunning Gothic cathedral, and the Teatro Buero Vallejo, a modern theater with a striking design. The palace is famous for its ornate Baroque architecture and lovely fountains. This is a four-day music event that attracts thousands of visitors each year. As Spain's former capital, it probably comes as no surprise that Toledo offers a long and storied history of its own. The Granjilla de La Fresneda expansive gardens. You can take the direct short cut but you will miss out on a whole lot of stunning scenery, ocean-facing cliffs and spectacular locations for light houses - on the shoreline, on cliffs and even on their own islands. First the Plaza Mayor. Interested to learn more? Day 2 Madrid Itinerary: Art + Retiro Park + Gran Via. The town of Medina del Campo is another point of interest worth a stop. Seeing it and touring around is a number one activity. Getting lost in Toledo's tightly-knotted streets is the best way to explore the city, particularly the narrow alleys around Plaza Santa Clara. You can also organise private tours that will take you to both sites with pick up and drop off. Thanks for the nice comment, its just the kind of thing I was thinking. Next. You can read more advice about getting to Segovia from Madrid here. 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. Make a quick stop there and visit two main attractions the ancient castle and the cathedral. 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. There is a lot to see in this part of Spain including the infamous windmills made famous by Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Trains to El Escorial leave from Atocha or Chamartn station. La Granja de San Ildefonso: It is just a short drive from Segovia. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Protos is my personal favourite. 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. Other attractions include the serene Convento de Santa Teresa and beautiful Catedral del Salvador. 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. If you have enough time to also explore the trails in the foothills of the Parque Natural Sierra de Cardea y Montoro (a half-hour north of town), you may even cross paths with an Iberian lynx. El Escorial & The Valley of the Fallen 14. While I do love living in the city of Madrid, one of my favourite things to do is leave it behind for a day and explore further afield. 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 People write songs,, Full Article More Than 50 Vital Travel Tips For Barcelona: Dont Make These Mistakes!Continue, Is Madrid worth visiting? Day 3: Pick up Rental Car - Drive From Madrid to La Rioja. Toledo 3. Aranjuez: A UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Royal Palace and luxurious gardens with magnificent landscapes, fountains, and sculptures. Miajadas boasts that it is the European Capital of the Tomato. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. A huge cross in the mountains marks the site of this basilica that was built during the Franco regime. Welcome! 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. Naturally. Royal Palace of Aranjuez 8. 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. I know what youre thinking, Seville? Sitting high up in the mountains, you are not allowed to drive into it, so you have to park your car and walk. Do not leave the city without trying first the garlic soup, the Tudela de Duero white asparagus, and the roast lamb. Benicassim: Known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant music scene, Benicassim is a popular destination for young travelers. Of course, you must try the authentic Valencian Paella (rabbit and vegetable paella) once in Valencia city. In fact, it is the only stop between Madrid and Barcelona, so if you are travelling between the two cities, I would highly recommend breaking your ride up a bit and spending a few hours exploring Zaragoza. The historic city is also home to a medieval Alczar offering beautiful gardens and impressive views from its towers. The biggest thing in the city is the university, it was the first one in Spain and is widely recognised as one of the best in the world with students from around the globe. You could be in the neighboring country in an hour and as you go there, you have to stop in Ciudad Rodrigo. 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. Aranda de Duero a nice little town in the area. Hiking Trails Outside of Madrid 12. More Than 50 Vital Travel Tips For Barcelona: Dont Make These Mistakes! Here are the top cities to add to your route: vila: Located just over an hours drive from Madrid as a midpoint between Madrid and Salamanca. User or email address Password Remember me. It is only a short detour from Toledo where Martian-like mountains are located right next to the reservoir. . For those interested in history, La Sierra de Madrid is home to the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, an impressive Renaissance-style palace and monastery built by King Philip II in the 16th century. The mountains offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. 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. Its medieval history can be seen throughout the city - the Spanish Monarchy even made Valladolid their home in the 17th century! Salamanca boasts a rich academic heritageits university is one of the oldest in Europe. La Sierra de Madrid is a stunning mountain range that offers a scenic drive and a chance to immerse yourself in Spains natural beauty. Getting There: There is no direct public transport from Madrid to the valleyyou have to make a stop in San Lorenzo de El Escorial (see above for information on reaching the town from Madrid). The A-1 autova connects Madrid with Irn, in Guipzcoa (a province in Spains Basque country, next to the French border). It wont be impossible, but it will be challenging to find vegan options in Guadalajara. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. 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. From Madrid, you'll travel south into Andalusia and arrive at Seville, a city renowned for its Gothic . It is the one that I recommend all of my friends take when they come to visit me. 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. However, winter can make your trip toward the northern locations magical and make you feel like you are in a snowy fairy tale. 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. Spain's north-west corner lying on the Bay of Biscay and bordering France is full of history, tradition and mountains. Scroll down to see more detail on each one. A flamenco show in Triana- after all, this district in Seville is the birthplace of this emotional dance. Drive Spain's Mediterranean coast La SEO Cathedral an amazing mix of architectural styles throughout the years. Mark and I personally like to compare prices between Discover Cars and RentalCars to see which company has better deals. 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. A road trip from Madrid to Lisbon through Salamanca is a wonderful way to see two countries without spending too much time on driving and seeing some eminent highlights. Getting There: Buses operated by Samar take 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach Consuegra from Madrid. To explore Spains rich history and culture, a day trip to Toledo from Madrid is a must. 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. The manufacture of swords in the city goes back to Roman times, but it was under Moorish rule and the reconquest years, 15th to 17th centuries, that the citys sword-makers were widely recognised as the most talented around and Toledo swords came to be regarded as the best in Europe. 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. It is possible to get the train, however, the first departure from Madrid leaves just after 11 am and you dont arrive in Salamanca until nearly 2 pm. 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? Show only these on map These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. However, my highlight is a network of alleyways called El Tubo. Once you set off, the best way to see the island is to drive all the way around. Head on a Madrid road trip to discover Central Spain, an underexplored region with a rich past, lush forests, and few tourists to come across. For each recommendation, I have also included information about how to get there. From Barcelona, head south along the coast to Tarragona with a stop in Sitges and the option of relaxing in one of a few great beaches along the way. Seville is also home to the worlds largest cathedral, a tower of gold, delicious tapas and weird architecture in the shape of mushrooms. Alicante. 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. However, that was up until October 2019, when Francos body was exhumed and relocated to the understated (by Spanish standards) El Pardo-Mingorrubio cemetery. 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. You don't need to pick up your rental car until day 4. 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. 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. Writer and travel expert who has lived in southern Spain since 2015 drive all the way around I also... Toledo, I have also included information about how to get there, its just kind. 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