Mayor, Royal Monastery of Santa Mara de Guadalupe, and Aquopolis Villanueva de la Caada. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Youll find it in bakeries throughout the city. Puebla de la Sierra is a nice little village with a very good restaurant and easy hiking routes. A great route around the region can start and end in Barcelona to make it easy with flights. Best stops along Madrid to Valencia drive The top stops along the way from Madrid to Valencia (with short detours) are Parque Warner Madrid, Royal Palace of Aranjuez, and San Pablo Bridge. Pisto Manchego a delicious local dish made from vegetables (similar to ratatouille) served with a fried egg on top. That hotel room by the sea will still be there, even if you decide to see some of the sights along the way. 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 There: Madrid's commuter train, the Cercanas, will get you to El Escorial in about an hour. Segovia 2. Welcome! 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. This road trip is a loop that starts and finishes in Madrid, the capital of Spain, and it's definitely one of the best road trips from Madrid you can choose. After exploring the historic and religiously important city, the route goes back towards the coast and passes Pontevedra on the way to the pretty town of Vigo. If the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal are calling you, the A-5 highway, which crosses the region of Extremadura to the Spanish-Portuguese border, has surprises like the town of Miajadas, in the province of Cceres, not far from Trujillo (famous as the birthplace of many of the men who explored and conquered the Americas). As you make your way toward Valencia, build your road trip itinerary in that way where you visit first Aranjuez and then Cuenca. Salamanca 7. Andalusia, Spain's southernmost region, is often what people imagine Spain to be: sultry and passionate, with a near-constant soundtrack of flamenco beats. My list will be a mixture of cities near Madrid that you can easily reach by public transport as well as things to do in surrounding towns and villages that you may need to hire a car for. Anya is originally from Ukraine but in heart she is a citizen of the world. Make a quick stop there and visit two main attractions the ancient castle and the cathedral. Travel Tip: Keep in mind when booking your train ticket that Cuenca has two stations: Estacin de Cuenca-Fernando Zbel, served by high speed trains, and Estacin de Cuenca for everything else. Toledo is a medieval city located just 70 km from Madrid, the former capital of the country, and one of the most distinctive cities in Spain. On your route across the north of Catalonia, you are spoilt for choice with the Garrotxa volcanic national park and the village of Santa Pau worth visiting, a detour into Andorra and towns like Besalu and Castellfollit de la Roca all great options before you arrive in Figueres. View Map. Wine Country You can enjoy picnics and bird-watching in the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors. This might not be so much of a Spanish road trip as a gentle breeze along the coast (and there will be a lot of breeze! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". And if you go on this drive through Segovia (which I highly recommend doing! The Royal Alcazar A must see. 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. 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. Login to continue Create your account Register. La SEO Cathedral an amazing mix of architectural styles throughout the years. Believe it or not, the famous university city of Salamanca is just a little over two hours away and is certainly possible to visit as a one day trip from Madrid. We have driven up and down and across Spain a lot of times over the past 15 years. 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. This dish is usually made roasted and it refers to a very young lamb. I am Anya, from Ukraine but in heart, I am a citizen of the world. The palace project (which was a residence of the monarchs) began as a Spanish response in the 17th century to the French Versailles. It wont be impossible, but it will be challenging to find vegan options in Guadalajara. 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. As Spain's third-largest city, Valencia offers a wealth of things to see and do within easy reach from Madrid. It is around one hour by car from Madrid or just 30 mins by high speed train from Madrids Atocha station. Table of Contents 1. You will do an abridged version of the Andalucia road trip above, but get a much broader view of Spain having driven from one corner to another. If you want to base yourself in Barcelona, instead of going on a road trip, check out our 40 day trips from Barcelona for inspiration on where you can get to! You can also organise private tours that will take you to both sites with pick up and drop off. Keep the sea to your right as you go and you're unlikely to go too far wrong. Alicante. If you want to just relax and enjoy the day, then tours with pick up and drop off are available and offer good value. 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. If you happen to be traveling in the summer, be sure to attend the Benicassim Festival. So it is truly impressive. 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. 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. I would love to show you, but it is not allowed to take photos. 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). After passing the Vixia Herbeira cliffs, you'll arrive in A Corua. Many don't associate Mallorca with a road trip, but the island has a huge amount to offer beside the beaches and clubs. Royal Palace of Aranjuez 8. The biggest draw in the town is the huge royal palace and expansive gardens. Madrid has plenty more cultural attractions and activities that you could spend the day exploring, but so do the surrounding parts of Spain. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 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. Needless to say, sampling the winerys products should be limited to the cars passengers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The only real way is driving. The room glows in red and gold with a magnificent chandelier hanging high above your head. The A-1 autova connects Madrid with Irn, in Guipzcoa (a province in Spains Basque country, next to the French border). Those who take the time to venture beyond the roadside restaurants and service stations, however, will find that slowing down pays off. 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. 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 Going on one of the road trips from Madrid is a must if you enjoy driving! Seville 13. Other popular stops include Europe Park, Cuenca Cathedral, and Castell de Xtiva. Marvel at Madrid's Royal Palace - the largest in Western Europe. 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. Another great option is the Huevos al Salmorrejo, these are eggs made with green asparagus, garlic, and parsley. Also, explore the magnificent Alczar, a stunning castle that offers breathtaking views of the city which was the residence of the kings of Spain. Narrow streets, beautiful stone buildings and fantastic local coffee shops are great for unwinding in late morning. As mentioned above, it can also be a nice way to break up a journey between Madrid and Barcelona. 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. They leave from the Madrid Sur bus station but take a little over 3 hours to arrive in Salamanca. 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. Drive Spain's Mediterranean coast Travel Tip: Toledo is quite hilly, and its cobblestoned streets can complicate things even further. It can take close to 2 hours to get there. Also, be sure to check out my tips on flying with wine, as youll be wanting to take some back home with you! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Castilla - La Mancha is one of the largest regions of Spain and also one of the least well known by tourists. 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 city was once a melting pot of cultures, and its rich history is evident in its architecture and monuments, including the Synagogue of Santa Mara la Blanca and the Church of San Roman. 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. From the unfinished masterpiece that is the Sagrada Familia church and the quaint Catalan charm of picturesque Gracia, to a diverse drinks and dining scene and dozens of fabulous beaches, you're guaranteed to never be bored in the Catalan capital. When you reach the far side there are wonderful views back to the city and you can even find a little stony beach on the shore of the river to relax by. It also is much better for families with kids who are better entertained hiking and doing active things than going to museums all day. Ive become a pretty good tour guide for the city after my multiple visits to Segovia. Cuenca is perhaps best known for its gravity-defying hanging houses, which sit perilously on the edge of a steep cliff. 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. Once you've been left sufficiently breathless, get a taste of culture at the Museum of Abstract Art, or learn more about Spain's robust Holy Week celebrations at the Semana Santa Museum. In this post, I havent even mentioned some of the micro trips and things to do in surrounding towns in Madrid. Secreto Iberico a cut of pork that just melts in your mouth. Madrid to La Sierra de Madrid Road Trip, Highlights of Madrid to La Sierra de Madrid Drive, Highlights of Madrid to Toledo Day Trip by Car, Highlights of Madrid to Salamanca Road Trip, Highlights of Madrid to Zaragoza Scenic Drive, More Inspiration for Travels Around Spain, 18 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Northern Spain to Add to Your Itinerary, Valencia in Winter Quick Guide: Weather, Christmas, Things to Do & Travel Tips. Don't leave without trying this delectable delicacy at a traditional spot like Restaurante Jos Mara. In conclusion, what you have to remember is that all the day trips from Madrid by car allow you to visit local and rural Spain. How to Travel From Madrid to Cordoba by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel from Madrid to Valladolid by Train, Bus, and Car, Madrid to Valencia by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, The Most Popular Cities to Visit in Spain, How to Travel From Seville to Cordoba by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel From Porto to Madrid by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane. Travel Tip: Due to the required stop in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, many travelers choose to combine the two into a single day trip from Madrid. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There are few parts of the world which have so much to see in such a compact region both culturally and in nature. N'T leave without trying this delectable delicacy at a traditional spot like Restaurante Jos.. Easy hiking routes be stored in your mouth can enjoy picnics and bird-watching in the town is huge! 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