Top 9 Day Trips from Madrid, Spain

As of three weeks ago, I’m officially a resident of Alicante, Spain! Which I think means I’m an “Alicantina” now. 🙂 But I’m still working on getting to know the city, especially now that the matter of finding an apartment is settled, so more to come about my life in Alicante. For today’s blog post, I wanted to share a topic that I’ve been meaning to write about for a while, from my days as a “Madrileña” — the 9 best day trips from Madrid, Spain.

All of these are day trips that I actually took while living in Madrid. Some of them are so quick and easy that you could be back in Madrid in less than an hour, while others are probably better suited to being a two-day trip or more. However, all of them are absolutely doable as day trips! So, here are the 9 best day trips from Madrid, Spain. (Listed in order of shortest to longest distance.)

1. Alcalá de Henares

Distance from Madrid: 40 km/24 miles

Autonomous Community: Comunidad de Madrid

Alcalá de Henares is a northeastern suburb of Madrid, but it’s also a college town in its own right. La Universidad de Alcalá was originally founded in the year 1293 as a medieval university for the public, and today the school is attended by 29,000 students. But the city is perhaps most famous for being the hometown of Miguel de Cervantes, renowned author of the Spanish epic novel Don Quixote. In fact, you can visit the home where Cervantes was born in 1547, as it’s now a museum open to the public.

I actually visited Alcalá de Henares twice when I lived in Madrid. The first time, I was attending Alcalá’s annual Mercado Cervantino (Medieval Festival) in October, which is kind of like a Spanish version of the Renaissance Festival. The second time, I just went for a day trip with the two Spanish friends with whom I’d attended the Medieval Festival — one of the girls was from Alcalá — and we just spent the day trying restaurants and exploring the town. We did also go to the Cervantes home/museum!

My Alcalá de Henares Recommendations: Visit Plaza de Cervantes; wander Calle Mayor; have coffee & pastries at Manolo Bakes; check out the University; have drinks at Cafe/Restaurante Hemisferio.

How To Get to Alcalá de Henares from Madrid:

• Cercanías train C-2 or C-7 from station Estación Madrid-Puerta de Atocha; 40-minute train ride
• Private transportation and tour of Alcalá de Henares (Viator)
• Private transportation and tour of Alcalá de Henares (GetYourGuide)

2. Aranjuez

Distance from Madrid: 49 km/30 miles

Autonomous Community: Comunidad de Madrid

Another less-known day trip from Madrid — which also isn’t very far at all — is Aranjuez. One reason that I wanted to check out Aranjuez was that my friend Caitlin was a language assistant there! Located south of Madrid, Aranjuez is famous for its rose-colored royal palace, where kings and queens would spend their spring months. In fact, only royalty and those from noble families were allowed to live in Aranjuez up until 1752.

Besides the royal palace, you can’t miss the Jardín del Príncipe, or the Prince’s Garden. One of the largest gardens in Spain — even bigger than the Retiro in Madrid — the Jardín del Príncipe is built in the traditional Anglo-French style with influences from Versailles. When my friend Ellie and I visited Aranjuez, we found that the garden was absolutely gorgeous, even in January when nothing was in bloom. The garden’s Greek Pavilion, surrounded by dried orange foliage, was still super impressive.

My Aranjuez Recommendations: Go in or around the Royal Palace; visit other museums such as Museo de Falúas Reales or Casa del Labrador; walk through Jardín del Príncipe; look for peacocks (almost anywhere); have menú del día with a view of the river at El Rana Verde.

How To Get to Aranjuez from Madrid:

• Bus line 423 from station Av.Andalucía-Villaverde Bajo Cruce: 22-minute bus ride
• Cercanías train C-3 or MD (media distancia) from station Estación Madrid-Puerta de Atocha: 33-minute train ride

3. San Lorenzo De El Escorial/Valle de los Caídos

Distance from Madrid: 62 km/39 miles

Autonomous Community: Comunidad de Madrid

The next closest day trip from Madrid actually has the potential to be a two-in-one — and I really recommend taking advantage of that. Especially if you’re a history lover. San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a town nestled in the Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains in the northwest of the Community of Madrid, and it’s home to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial. Not only did it serve as a monastery, but it was also the historical residence of the King of Spain. And its official list of functions also included: basilica, pantheon, library, museum, university, school, and hospital.

I suggest making your trip to El Escorial in the morning so you have the rest of the morning and early afternoon to explore. Then, around 3 p.m., make your way to the city’s bus station to grab your tickets to one of Spain’s eeriest monuments: Valle de los Caídos, or “Valley of the Fallen.”

This war memorial, nestled in the mountains, is where 40,000 civil war soldiers are buried — and former dictator Francisco Franco himself was buried there until October 2019, his body resting ceremoniously at the altar inside the basilica. Above stands a 500-foot-tall stone cross. It’s the tallest cross in the world and can be seen from miles away. The truth is that Spain is not really sure how it feels about the whole place, and there is a suspicious lack of information about anything at all once you’re there. I recommend reading up on the Valley of the Fallen before your visit — you’re sure to get even more out of it.

My San Lorenzo De El Escorial/Valle de los Caídos recommendations: Visit El Escorial; marvel at the Royal Library; creep around the basement crypts; wander the mazes and fountains in the Royal Garden; grab your bus ticket to Valle de los Caídos; feel uneasy while staring up at the giant cross; look out over the mountains and reflect on the horrors that have occurred in recent Spanish history.

How To Get To San Lorenzo De El Escorial from Madrid:

• Bus line 661 from station Moncloa: 50-minute bus ride
• Various Cercanías trains from several Madrid stations: 53-minute train ride

How To Get To Valle de los Caídos from San Lorenzo De El Escorial:

• Bus line 661A from Estación de Autobuses San Lorenzo de El Escorial, once daily at 3:15 p.m. (October to March) or 4 p.m. (April to September): 20-minute bus ride

Private transportation and tour of El Escorial (Viator)

Private transportation and tour of El Escorial (GetYourGuide)

4. Toledo

Distance from Madrid: 73 km/46 miles

Autonomous Community: Castilla-La Mancha

If there had to be an award for the #1 most popular day trip from Madrid, the winner would be Toledo. (By the way, Americans, it’s pronounced “Toe-lay-doe,” with the “d” making a soft “th” sound… it is not pronounced the same way as the city in Ohio. 😊) Toledo is a hilltop city famous for its medieval charm, crowned by the Alcázar, an impressive old fortress. In every shop along the city’s cobbled streets, you’ll find replica suits of armor and giant silver swords. Because, you know. Who doesn’t need those?

Toledo’s nickname is the “City of Three Cultures” or the “City of Three Religions.” For many years, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism coexisted peacefully. One interesting cultural site proving this is the Synagogue of St. Mary the White: it was constructed under the direction of the Christian kingdom, by Islamic architects, for Jewish use.

My Toledo Recommendations: Cross the Puente de Alcántara for a gorgeous city view; check out the military museum in the Alcázar or the Museo del Greco (El Greco Museum); look for the red hats hanging above the cardinals’ crypts in the Cathedral of Toledo; pose with the statue of Miguel de Cervantes; try Toledo’s famous dessert, mazapán (marzipan).

How To Get to Toledo From Madrid:

• RENFE train from station Madrid Puerta de Atocha – Almudena Grandes: 36-minute train ride
• Various private bus companies (such as ALSA): 50-minute bus ride
• Private transportation and tour of Toledo (Viator)
• Private transportation and tour of Toledo (GetYourGuide)

5. Segovia

Distance from Madrid: 90 km/56 miles

Autonomous Community: Castilla y León

While Toledo may be the most popular day trip from Madrid, Segovia is my personal favorite day trip, and it’s where I always took my visitors when they came to visit me in Madrid. When you arrive in the old city center, it won’t be hard to see why — you’ll be greeted by the massive Roman aqueduct, THE symbol of Segovia, towering above you like a town gate. Estimated to have been built in the year 112 A.D./C.E., it’s one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts in the world, and the best-preserved Roman ruin on the Iberian peninsula.

Besides the aqueduct, which I can literally never get over every time I visit, you won’t want to miss the Alcázar de Segovia. Many cities in Spain have alcázares, but Segovia’s is one of the best. This castle was used as partial inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Originally it was a fortress, but in the years since it was built in 1120, it’s been used as a palace, a prison, and a military academy. You can climb to the top for a great view of this fairytale city, or even see it by hot air balloon!

My Segovia recommendations: Marvel at the aqueduct; take 1,000 photos of the cathedral and alcázar; trek along the old city walls; look for the “Capitoline Wolf” statue; eat traditional cochinillo (suckling pig); get lost wandering the old cobblestone streets.

How To Get to Segovia from Madrid:

• RENFE train from station Chamartín-Clara Campoamor: 25-minute train ride
• Various private bus companies (such as ALSA): 1 hour, 20-minute bus ride
• Private transportation and tour with hot air balloon ride (Viator)
• Private transportation and tour with hot air balloon ride (GetYourGuide)

6. Ávila

Distance from Madrid: 109 km/68 miles

Autonomous Community: Castilla y León

The small city of Ávila, famous for its impressive medieval city walls, is known as the “City of Saints and Stones.” While the “stone” part is self-explanatory, the “saint” refers to St. Teresa of Ávila, who was born in the town in the year 1515. You can find a statue of Teresa, who was a mystic writer in addition to being a nun, in Ávila’s Plaza de la Santa, next to the Convent of Saint Teresa. And one more Teresa-adjacent note: a dessert called “Yemas de Santa Teresa,” which is specific to Ávila. My friend Sarah and I tried them, not knowing what they were, and it was safe to say that we were not fans. 😂

Now… back to those famous walls, or las Murallas de Ávila. The walls, which were originally used as fortification against enemy attacks upon the town, cover a perimeter of 2516 meters with 87 different turrets. And most of the old town exists within these city walls. The cathedral, la Catedral de San Salvador, is even built into the walls as a cathedral-fortress — and it’s the oldest Gothic cathedral in Spain. Right by the cathedral is Puerta de la Catedral, one of the best places to start your trek on top of the walls.

My Ávila recommendations: Check out the Catedral de San Salvador; walk on top of the walls; snap a selfie with Santa Teresa; find out whether you like yemas; decide if Ávila deserves its reputation as the “most 16th-century city in Spain.”

How To Get to Ávila from Madrid:

• RENFE train from station Estación de Príncipe Pío: 1 hour, 28-minute train ride
• Private transportation and tour of Ávila — includes Segovia (Viator)
• Private transportation and tour of Ávila — includes Segovia (GetYourGuide)

7. Salamanca

Distance from Madrid: 176 km/109 miles

Autonomous Community: Castilla y León

Salamanca is a city that is very popular to visit, though maybe not typically as a day trip from Madrid. However, with the quickest trains taking only 1 hour and 30 minutes, you can definitely make it work. So, why is Salamanca so popular? One reason is that it’s one of Spain’s biggest “college towns.” La Universidad de Salamanca, the oldest university in Spain and the third-oldest in the world, was founded in the year 1134. It’s world-renowned for its humanities programs, particularly its Spanish courses for non-native speakers. With all the young people living in Salamanca, there are lots of shops, bars, and activities.

Besides being a college town, Salamanca is full of impressive architecture. There’s the Plaza Mayor, which is widely considered to be one of the best in Spain, and the Casa de las Conchas, which is a building covered in more than 300 stone shells. Salamanaca also has two cathedrals, fittingly named the Catedral Vieja and the Catedral Nueva — the old, and the new. The Old Cathedral is one of the grandest, most beautiful Romanesque buildings in all of Europe, while the New Cathedral contrasts with its Gothic-style architecture. Oh, and they’re joined together.

My Salamanca Recommendations: Relax with a drink in Plaza Mayor; look for the famous frog carved into the Puerta de Salamanca; climb to the top of La Clerecía church for a history lesson and a view; enjoy cheap tapas at Restaurante Jero; walk across the Puente Romano.

How To Get to Salamanca From Madrid:

• RENFE train from station Chamartín-Clara Campoamor: 1 hour, 40-minute train ride
• Various private bus companies (such as Avanza): 2 hour, 25-minute bus ride
• Private transportation and tour of Salamanca (GetYourGuide)

8. Valladolid

Distance from Madrid: 217 km/135 miles

Autonomous Community: Castilla y León

Valladolid seems to be a forgotten city in a way — which is strange, because it’s the capital of the geographically largest autonomous community in Spain, Castilla y León. I guess the reason it feels a little bit forgotten is because there seemed to be almost no tourists when I visited, despite the fact that it was June. But to me, that can be an awesome thing! Valladolid is perhaps most famous for having previously been the capital of Spain — twice — throughout its 950-year history, as well as being the birthplace of King Felipe II, who would one day boast Spain’s largest-ever empire.

Like Salamanca, Valladolid has an impressive Plaza Mayor, which is actually the oldest in all of Spain. It also has two famous churches: the Iglesia de San Pablo, which was designed by Queen Isabella (like, the one who sent Christopher Columbus to America), and the Catedral de Valladolid. Far from being a crowning jewel of the city, Valladolid Cathedral has a quite unfortunate appearance — and story. When Valladolid was Spain’s capital, the cathedral was intended to become the largest in all of Europe. But a lack of resources and an attention shift toward Madrid meant that less than 50% of the project would ever be completed.

My Valladolid Recommendations: Wander through Campo Grande and make friends with the peacocks; visit the famous sculpture museum; go shopping on Calle de Santiago; find Valladolid’s “beach” along the Pisuerga River; check out the fountains at Plaza de Zorrilla; see if you can figure out which part of the Catedral de Valladolid is missing.

How To Get to Valladolid From Madrid:

• RENFE train from station Chamartín-Clara Campoamor: 58-minute train ride
• Various private bus companies (such as Avanza): 2 hour, 30-minute bus ride

9. Zaragoza

Distance from Madrid: 313 km/195 miles

Autonomous Community: Aragón

Zaragoza is the fifth-largest city in Spain by population, so it’s definitely got bigger city vibes compared to many of the places on this list of day trips from Madrid. But I personally feel like you can still see most of it in a day, and it’s a very walkable city, so it still gets my vote as a good day trip option! So, the most iconic sight in Zaragoza is the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, a stunning baroque cathedral situated next to the Ebro River. From the Puente de Piedra and Puente de Santiago bridges, you can get some really great shots of the cathedral and the river.

Another can’t-miss in Zaragoza is the Palacio de la Aljafería, a former Islamic palace built during the 11th century. While there are palaces such as these scattered throughout Spain, many of them are down in Andalucía, so this one being in Aragón is a bit unique. The Palacio de la Aljafería became the residence of the royal family of Aragón after Zaragoza was recaptured by the Christians in the 12th century. These days, the palace is a museum as well as home to Aragón’s regional parliament.

My Zaragoza Recommendations: Climb the basilica’s bell tower and admire the colorful tile domes; grab drinks and tapas in El Tubo; explore the Palacio de la Aljafería; visit the lions at the Puente de Piedra; learn about the art of paper folding at Europe’s only origami museum.

How To Get to Zaragoza From Madrid:

• RENFE train from station Madrid Puerta de Atocha – Almudena Grandes: 1 hour, 14-minute train ride
• Various private bus companies (such as ALSA): 3 hour, 40-minute bus ride

 

Hopefully now you have an idea of some of the amazing day trips from Madrid you can take! Especially if Madrid is the only place you’re visiting in Spain, it can be great to get some perspective on what other cities and towns are like.

Which city are you most interested in? Have you ever taken any of these day trips from Madrid? Let me know in the comments!

-Cathy

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