As you approach Avila from the outside, it looks spectacular, is it a walled city with some of the most eye-catching fortifications you will see thanks to years of restoration work. It dates back to the 1st century AD. 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. Hopefully, youll understand why I always recommend it as my best day trip from Madrid. Just some of them are Aranjuez, Cuenca, Albacete, and others. Take the AVE train to get there in under half an hour. 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. Madrid, the capital city of Spain, is a perfect starting point for a road trip adventure. 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. One appealing stop is Alarcn, an enchanting village in the province of Cuenca with only 148 inhabitants and one of the best-preserved forts in Spain, originally constructed by Arab conquerors. The road trip starts in the capital of Spain's Basque country - Bilbao. The Sagrada Famlia and Park Gell are the must-visit sights in Barcelona. In around 2.5 hours, you can travel from Madrid to the Costa Blanca. Read 2,616,385 traveler reviews and view photos of different trips from Madrid to various destinations. 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. El Postiguet is the city's main beach, just a short stroll from its old town. The monument itselfan impressive stone cross and basilicawas built by prisoners of the Spanish Civil War, and today serves as Franco's final resting place. 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. Both Iberia and Air Europa offer direct service on this . Road Trip form Madrid to Porto from US$223. Travel Tip: Segovia is famous for its cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). I offer you the top 6 of beautiful destinations where you can go on a day trip from Madrid by car. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. La Sierra de Madrid is a stunning mountain range that offers a scenic drive and a chance to immerse yourself in Spains natural beauty. 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. As a Madrid resident myself, I have spent a lot of time exploring the fringes of the city and the nearby neighbours, so I thought I would put together some of my top recommendations and share the best day trips from Madrid. A huge cross in the mountains marks the site of this basilica that was built during the Franco regime. Also, explore the magnificent Alczar, a stunning castle that offers breathtaking views of the city which was the residence of the kings of Spain. Keep the sea to your right as you go and you're unlikely to go too far wrong. A great route around the region can start and end in Barcelona to make it easy with flights. You can enjoy picnics and bird-watching in the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors. Best Time to visit Madrid Madrid is a city with four lovely seasons, loveliest of which are spring and fall. But this is nearer the beginning of the rivers life. ), but it's definitely one to keep in mind if you want to unwind and keep yourself away from the tourist traps around Spain. Day 2 Madrid Itinerary: Art + Retiro Park + Gran Via. The area of Aranjuez was a traditional strawberry producing powerhouse, and the Strawberry Train tries to take you back to this era. El Escorial & The Valley of the Fallen 14. About the destination: Madrid has a tempo of its own: The dry air of the Castilian plain crackles with its cosmopolitan crowds. Best of all, you can climb nearly 1km of this impressive feat of medieval engineering and enjoy the panoramic views. The citys heart lies in the Plaza Nuestra Seora del Pilar. The majority of the region is set on a plateau with occasional barren hills. Las Setas a modern architectural wonder. It became known for the fact that the author of Don Quixote Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra lived and worked there. Constructed in the 16th century under the orders of King Philip II, the sprawling complex is one of Spain's most fascinating destinations. Next. It is the one that I recommend all of my friends take when they come to visit me. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I would not recommend this as an option. Alcal de Henares 15. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. On this blog, her main goal is to inspire others to travel to under-the-radar places and discover the world while working remotely. However, winter can make your trip toward the northern locations magical and make you feel like you are in a snowy fairy tale. Garlic Soup The town loves its garlic, they even have a festival in honour of the delicious little edible bulb every October. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". While the towering Roman aqueduct may be Segovia's biggest claim to fame, don't just come for the sake of checking it off your list. Segovia Cathedral a gigantic gothic masterpiece with wonderful views from the bell tower. Cuenca 4. A large sculpture of a tomato (perhaps the worlds largest tomato sculpture) sits atop a large pole, greeting visitors to the town, while the annual Tomate Rojo Rock festival, in early July, combines music and a celebration of the local crop. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. Madrid is a world within a city, offering a thriving cultural atmosphere, great shopping and sightseeing, and unforgettable food. Rich in Arab, Jewish and Christian history, the former Spanish capital is a Unesco World Heritage Site. 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. This makes it easy to plan a Spanish holiday that includes time enjoying Madrids museums,restaurants, and nightlife, followed by a few days at the beach. This is a place worth spending a couple of days in to explore its old historic centre, the surrounding mountains and the spectacular world-famous Guggenheim museum. There are also a few very nice cheap restaurants with good food. 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. Besides seaside cities and national parks, there are, Full Article 18 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Northern Spain to Add to Your ItineraryContinue, Valencia in winter is a perfect warm place to visit in Spain where it is easy to recharge and have a stress-free vacation. Forgot your password? Toledo is famous as a blend of Christian, Muslim and Jewish religions and cultures. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Depending on which train you take, the travel time is between 33 60 minutes. The easiest way is by high-speed train from Madrid Chamartin station. Madrid has plenty more cultural attractions and activities that you could spend the day exploring, but so do the surrounding parts of Spain. 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. Whether you want a relaxing drive along the coast or drive around the entire country of Spain, here are the 10 amazing options for a Spain road trip to pick from. Benicassim: Known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant music scene, Benicassim is a popular destination for young travelers. We'd love to see how you get on! The main landmark for visitors to Aranjuez is the town's Royal Palace, a royal estate for the Spanish royal family since 1560. 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. 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. The Water Museum covers the topics of irrigation and water management (especially important in arid climates like Nijars), or climb to the Mirador de la Atalaya, with its views of the town below. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Im lucky to have visited the city on numerous occasions as my wifes family have a place in the Sierra de Francia mountains, one of my favourite places in Spain. You won't want a car in Madrid. Secreto Iberico a cut of pork that just melts in your mouth. As Spain's former capital, it probably comes as no surprise that Toledo offers a long and storied history of its own. After passing the Vixia Herbeira cliffs, you'll arrive in A Corua. The full circle - A complete road trip around Spain. 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. 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. This blog post will explore the various destinations you can drive to and will help you plan the ultimate road trip experience from Madrid. They vaguely reminded me of Plitvice waterfalls in Croatia and Gynk Canyon waterfalls near Antalya in southern Turkey. There are some fantastic hotels if you want to really relax and go off the grid for a few days - we have stayed at The Arantza Hotela in the foothills of Pyrenees and cannot recommend it highly enough - it is expensive but super luxurious and worth it! 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. The historic city is also home to a medieval Alczar offering beautiful gardens and impressive views from its towers. Do not leave the city without trying first the garlic soup, the Tudela de Duero white asparagus, and the roast lamb. After some cultural sightseeing, head on to Cadaques on the coast - there are some great beaches and a Salvador Dali House Museum. Im sorry to say though, wherever you eat it, it wont be as good as my mother-in-laws. 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. Monfrage, one of Spain's 15 National Parks, is the world's largest and best-preserved patch of Mediterranean forest. If you are more into culture and love grandiose cathedrals, medieval fortresses and jaw dropping architecture, Andalucia is also a place for you. The perfect Andalucia road trip will take you on a loop including coastal destinations such as Nerja, Malaga, Marbella, Gibraltar and Cadiz before going inland to discover Ronda, Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Info USD Dollar. 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. The A-1 autova connects Madrid with Irn, in Guipzcoa (a province in Spains Basque country, next to the French border). As you can imagine, this region is well known for hunting, so there is a huge variety of meats. Along the way, you'll get to experience the tapas culture of Andalusia. 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. Nevertheless, Zaragoza is among the interesting historical and cultural places in Spain. 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. Probably the least famous town on this list, Chinchn is home to one of Spains prettiest Plaza Mayors. Ribera del Duero 12. Once you arrive at the El Escorial train station, it is about a 15 20-minute walk uphill to get to Monastery of El Escorial. 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. You can also visit local wineries and sample some of Spains best wines, such as La Cabrera and Venturada. 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. During your visit to Toledo, delight yourself with some local dishes such as Perdiz Estofada (Stewed Partridge) and Carcamusa (beef or pork stew). However, there are also plenty of tuk-tuk drivers who offer tours of the town and trips up to some wonderful viewpoints. The wooden balconies are synonymous with the city and certainly not a place for anyone with a fear of heights. You get on the train at the old railway station which is now the Madrid Train Museum and an old school (read: uncomfortable) train carriage will take you to the town. Seeing it and touring around is a number one activity. Take line C-8 or C-3 which depart every hour and the journey lasts approximately one hour. It is famous for having the oldest University of Spain built in the 13th century which is also one of the four oldest universities in Europe. The distance of this trip is approximately 320 kilometers, but with so many places to stop at, you may want to take it slow and enjoy the ride. Structuring Your 3 Days in Madrid. 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. Alczar of Toledo An imposing castle on the cities highest point and home to an Army Museum. A must for fans of eye-popping architecture, Avila is a road trip to remember. Thanks for the nice comment, its just the kind of thing I was thinking. Monasterio de Piedra: Just a short drive from Zaragoza, the Monasterio de Piedra is another breathtaking stop on your road trip. This road trip through Spain's heartland comes in a loop that starts and ends in the Segovia province. It will take around 45 minutes heading south from Madrid. The best way is by far to drive yourself, but there are bus and train options. 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. Protos is my personal favourite. As you make your way toward Valencia, build your road trip itinerary in that way where you visit first Aranjuez and then Cuenca. I have been there a few times now and it is such a picturesque little village. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Just about an hour out of Madrid, you will find the Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra del Norte and the Sierra de Gredos mountain ranges. Fans of eye-popping architecture, Avila is a huge cross in the and! 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