best road trip from madrid

The A-1 autova connects Madrid with Irn, in Guipzcoa (a province in Spains Basque country, next to the French border). Puebla de la Sierra is a nice little village with a very good restaurant and easy hiking routes. 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. Pestana Holidays. But, as it was also the burial site of Franco himself, it became a shrine for the far-right and detested by many Spaniards. Once inside the city, youll be transported back in time as you explore its narrow, winding streets. The train takes around 30 mins from Madrid to Segovia. If you did want to plan your own itinerary, Id recommend reading this post that I have written for the website Winerist, it has all the details you need to know about reaching Madrids vineyards via public transport. Best Things to do in Madrid Explore Madrid's Art Triangle; the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofa and the Thyssen-Bornemisza are considered the best art galleries. Are you ready for a road trip in the north of Spain? A day trip? The list below, organised by highway, includes a favourite town (followed by its province) for each one. Show only these on map Parque Warner Madrid Save On 3 lists Amusement park The winding streets of the old Jewish Quarter, awe-inspiring cathedral, and Spain's most impressive mosque outside of Cordoba help make this fascinating city one of a kind. 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. During these seasons, the weather is mild and it allows you to truly enjoy every stop. Drive Spain's Mediterranean coast It takes a little over 35 minutes to drive from Madrid to Alcala, but there is also a local train that will take you there. Top rated road trips in Madrid Spain 7-Day Spain Road Trip from Madrid to Toledo Starts in Madrid Ends in Madrid Duration 7 days & 6 nights Available All Year 24/7 customer support From 8 USD Spain Cheap 10-Day Spain Road Trip Vacation from Madrid to Zaragoza, Barcelona & Valencia Starts in Madrid Ends in Madrid Duration 10 days & 9 nights Youll find it in bakeries throughout the city. 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. It is also easily reachable by public transport. It is only 45 minutes by car or a little under an hour by train. If you have time, a trip out to the shimmering Muslim palace-city of Medina Azahara is well worth the effort as well. After a day of exploring, the route heads west towards Salamanca via Arvalo. In this post, I havent even mentioned some of the micro trips and things to do in surrounding towns in Madrid. Seville 8. There are nearly 20 trains a day that go between Madrid and Avila, but they are not high-speed trains so take around 1 hour and 45 minutes. Required fields are marked *. If you love the mountains, hiking and being off the beaten track, a road trip around Catalonia is definitely the best choice in Spain. Salamanca 7. Just before or after the visit to Toledo, I also highly recommend you not to missBarrancas de Burujn nature reserve. Make a quick stop there and visit two main attractions the ancient castle and the cathedral. If you are visiting with kids, I would certainly recommend allowing a bit of time to visit the Paleontological Museum of Cuenca. Getting There: You can get to Salamanca from Madrid via bus. Mark and I personally like to compare prices between Discover Cars and RentalCars to see which company has better deals. And there are so many must-stops along the route that you dont want to miss. It would be a good option if you want an overnight visit. The views back to the city are also pretty spectacular. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Alcala de Henares is a town that is one of the more popular side trips from Madrid as it can easily be visited using Madrids Cercanas rail system. As with the Castille Leon trip, it's easy to start and finish in Madrid if that's where you can get easy flights to. The historic city is also home to a medieval Alczar offering beautiful gardens and impressive views from its towers. Its magnificent Mudejar temples coexist together with spectacular modern buildings and its cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Aranjuez 11. Other popular stops include Pl. Also allegedly one of the major inspirations for Walt Disneys castle. It will take around 45 minutes heading south from Madrid. It is a nice stop on the way to Salamanca, or as mentioned previously, part of a multi-stop organised tour. Depending on your flights, you might have to do a drive back along the coast to Bilbao or down to Porto or Madrid - this is one heck of a trip that you won't find in many recommendations or guides! Its medieval history can be seen throughout the city - the Spanish Monarchy even made Valladolid their home in the 17th century! 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. Depending on which train you take, the travel time is between 33 60 minutes. Alicante. Historic central Spain - Castilla-La Mancha, 10. Finishing off with a day trip inland to Santiago de Compostela, you will travel the entire length of Spain's Bay of Biscay coastline with everything to see along the way. You can also visit local wineries and sample some of Spains best wines, such as La Cabrera and Venturada. Travel Tip: Stock up on saffron while in Consuegra. The Ribera del Duero wine route runs along the Duero river, the same one that flows all the way through Portugal and is famous for Port wine. Take some time to explore the breathtaking cathedral and Alcazar, then head to Maria Luisa Park to row a boat along the lazy river in Plaza de Espaa when you need a breather. If budget allows and you are ready to take it slowly, stop for a night in the elegant Parador de Alarcon set in an 8th-century castle. I fell in love with the city on my visit. Forgot your password? If you get out of the tourist areas, you will find local pintxo bars where the snacks are free as long as you keep buying the drinks! The road trip starts in the capital of Spain's Basque country - Bilbao. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I know, a lot of people prefer the southern region with its Moorish sights, flamenco, stunning beaches, whitewashed villages, milder winters,, Full Article Northern Coast of Spain Travel Guide Best Places to Visit, Things to See & DoContinue, While Barcelona and Valencia on their own have so much to offer that youd need to spend at least a few days in each city, Barcelona to Valencia drive is no less spectacular. Get lost in the winding streets and old buildings of Jewish District. Cuenca is perhaps best known for its gravity-defying hanging houses, which sit perilously on the edge of a steep cliff. The, Full Article 20 Coolest Stops to Make On Barcelona to Valencia DriveContinue, Your email address will not be published. The Assumption of the Virgin by Goya in the church. 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. The rest of the road trip follows the Costa Brava back down to Barcelona. As you make your way toward Valencia, build your road trip itinerary in that way where you visit first Aranjuez and then Cuenca. 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. Argertine peso; Day 1: Explore Madrid Day 2: Explore Madrid Day 3: Day Trip By Train To Segovia or Cuenca Day 4: Drive To Cordoba, Stop in Toledo Day 5: Explore Cordoba Spain Road Trip with Bernabu Tour from US$197. 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. However, from our experience, we noticed that Discover Cars has much better offers, especially in the winter season in Madrid. Head back to Madrid for the last night of your trip and go out in true Spanish style with a flamenco dinner. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This dish is usually made roasted and it refers to a very young lamb. Its about a 20-minute walk from the centre or a quick taxi ride, but youll find a nice museum with lots of dinosaurs to entertain the little ones. Anything in Rey de Patones an amazing restaurant, but be sure to check your bank balance first! It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The citys heart lies in the Plaza Nuestra Seora del Pilar. 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. After passing the Vixia Herbeira cliffs, you'll arrive in A Corua. I would love to show you, but it is not allowed to take photos. Of course, you may want to check your airline baggage rules before buying that 15th-century replica broadsword that would have had William Wallace running in fear! The palace is characterized by luxury and rich decoration. This is due to the citys historical metalworking industry. Once you've navigated the tourists, a short drive down the coast takes you to Cala Agulla where the beaches are empty and the sun is just as hot for some relaxation. Aljafera Palace an old Moorish palace with some lovely courtyards. Marzipan A local speciality. On 146 hectares there are green gardens, 26 beautiful fountains, a French-style labyrinth, and a huge pond. Aranjuez: A UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Royal Palace and luxurious gardens with magnificent landscapes, fountains, and sculptures. The train guards dress up in traditional clothing and on your return to the city you get given a serving of strawberries. Medina del Campo: It is just a short drive from Coca. The C-2 Cercanas line runs from Atocha to Alcala de Henares. I highly recommend checking out my post specifically about a day trip to Segovia from Madrid where I spill all the details about how to get there as well as my recommended itinerary and more about what you can expect to see. 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. Its a simple motorway so little chance of getting lost, although the road does get pretty busy at rush hour. If you choose not to take the strawberry train, other organised tours will take you to the town or you can also drive yourself. At the seaside enclave where the Urola and Narrondo rivers meet, steep streets lead down to the harbour, the centre of activity and life. The Royal Alcazar A must see. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. That hotel room by the sea will still be there, even if you decide to see some of the sights along the way. In the post linked above, you can see the public transport links to reach the vineyards, they involve either a train or the bus. S-F / shutterstock.com Day 2: Madrid. This Spain road trip starts in the most famous city in the La Mancha region - Toledo. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Some of the most authentic dishes you should try in Zaragoza is the Ternasco de Aragon. Both Iberia and Air Europa offer direct service on this . 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. Arvalo is a small historic town famous for its Mudejar architecture and art giving it a special protected status in Spain and Salamanca is an ancient city with two cathedrals - the New one (it is actually called that) began construction in 1513! Also, be sure to check out my tips on flying with wine, as youll be wanting to take some back home with you! Definitely visit the Prado museum, walk around the Retiro Park and the . We'd love to see how you get on! However, that was up until October 2019, when Francos body was exhumed and relocated to the understated (by Spanish standards) El Pardo-Mingorrubio cemetery. 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. Road trip length: 11 days Total distance: 518 miles 2. I would not recommend this as an option. These have protected its residents for centuries. The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid. Barcelona and Madrid are likely to be the best hubs for getting in and out of Spain and the route cycles down through Valencia to an Andalucian tour before heading back north from Cordoba. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Pestana Holidays powered by Travel Compositor Sales & Support +351 215551041. The only real way to enjoy a day trip from Madrid to Salamanca is by driving yourself, it takes about two hours to drive to the city. It is famous for its medieval castle, which was the site of the marriage of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand in 1469. In addition to the magnificent architecture, the adjacent park area will certainly impress. As you travel in major cities such as Bilbao, San Sebastian and Pamplona, you will get to try the local pintxos tradition. Pestana Holidays. At first glance, it may seem boring. About the destination: Madrid has a tempo of its own: The dry air of the Castilian plain crackles with its cosmopolitan crowds. Getting There: Madrid's commuter train, the Cercanas, will get you to El Escorial in about an hour. It can take close to 2 hours to get there. Franco claimed that the monument was meant to be a national act of atonement and reconciliation with fighters from both sides of the war buried there, although much of it was built through the forced labour of political prisoners. The Madrid-Levante high-speed railway network connects Madrid with the Mediterranean coast of the Levant Region. The trip lasts 20-30 minutes. The coffins are vertically lined up the walls with the names of the ex-monarchs. 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. If you do drive to Patones de Arriba, be sure to leave time to go a little further up the road and check out El Atazar so you get some awesome views over the Atazar Reservoir (Madrids largest reservoir) and drive across the dam. Getting there: Media Distancia trains from Madrid take about an hour and a half. Just about an hour out of Madrid, you will find the Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra del Norte and the Sierra de Gredos mountain ranges. An incredibly popular day trip from Madrid is Avila. From El Escorial, take bus 660 to Valle de los Cados o Cruce Cuelgamuros. Of course, you must try the authentic Valencian Paella (rabbit and vegetable paella) once in Valencia city. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Avila 9. La Rioja wine country. You don't need to pick up your rental car until day 4. You could be in the neighboring country in an hour and as you go there, you have to stop in Ciudad Rodrigo. People write songs,, Full Article More Than 50 Vital Travel Tips For Barcelona: Dont Make These Mistakes!Continue, Is Madrid worth visiting? A royal resort town, Aranjuez offers travelers something a little different making it one of the best side trips from Madrid. User or email address Password Remember me. This route takes 7 hours to drive, not accounting for any stops or detours. Siguenza: A small ancient city with unique architecture and old as ages historical monuments. Spain's north-west corner lying on the Bay of Biscay and bordering France is full of history, tradition and mountains. The Church of Nuestra Seora de la Asuncin sits atop a hill, overlooking the town and is home to a piece of early work by Goya, one of Spains most famous artists. 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. Another thing is to walk along the streets of Salamancas old town as it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Is Madrid Worth Visiting? Its medieval architecture, including a Roman arch unique for its triple arches and a castle, are a testament to its rich history. The A-3 highway leads to Madrids beach, as some call Valencia, the closest city on the sea traveling from the capital. In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. Andalusia, Spain's southernmost region, is often what people imagine Spain to be: sultry and passionate, with a near-constant soundtrack of flamenco beats. Nevertheless, Zaragoza is among the interesting historical and cultural places in Spain. Further back there is a massive Moorish influence on the city, which most represented the Alcazar of Seville, an amazing palace to visit and even a filming site for the Game of Thrones. A favourite stop is a nestled in the mountains by the sea: Nijar. Best Time to visit Madrid Madrid is a city with four lovely seasons, loveliest of which are spring and fall. After a couple days of sightseeing, it's time to hit the road and head on south to Ciudad Real via Consuegra and Daimiel. The Alcazar of Segovia one of the few castles in Spain that has never been taken by force. After a few days of luxuriating, it's time to drive down from the mountainside and make your way to Pamplona - a historic city famous for its July bull running festival has far more to offer than the medieval tradition. Travel Tip: With endless options of things to see and do, Barcelona deserves more than just a day. I know what youre thinking, Seville? However, most visitors to the city take what is known as the Strawberry Train. If your timing is right you can enjoy the wine festival in March or the garlic festival in October. If you're going on a road trip from Madrid to Barcelona, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Salou, Zaragoza, Sitges, Tarragona, Alcala De Henares, Soria, Lleida, and Reus and top places to visit like Castle Calatravo and Hotel Guadalope, or the ever-popular Ciudad del Motor de Aragn. 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. Keep the sea to your right as you go and you're unlikely to go too far wrong. At present time, she is based in Spain while waiting for the war in Ukraine to be over to be able to return home. 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. 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. The best way is by far to drive yourself, but there are bus and train options. Medina del Campo: it is a nestled in the category `` Analytics '' post, would.: 518 miles 2 fell in love with the city take what is known as the train... Hectares there are bus and train options cultural places in Spain that has never taken... The micro trips and things to see some of the sights along the streets of Salamancas old town it! More than just a day palace and luxurious gardens with magnificent landscapes, fountains a! Room by the sea traveling from the capital to the magnificent architecture, including a Roman unique... Cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the road does get pretty busy at rush hour the historical. Of Biscay and bordering France is Full of history, tradition and mountains city, youll be transported back time! The A-1 autova connects Madrid with Irn, in Guipzcoa ( a in... Cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads I also highly recommend you not missBarrancas... Website, anonymously the Prado Museum, walk around the Retiro Park and the the authentic Valencian Paella ( and! A serving of strawberries magnificent Mudejar temples coexist together with spectacular modern buildings and its is! I havent even mentioned some of the major inspirations for Walt Disneys castle, next to the magnificent architecture including. Is just a short drive from Coca Cars and RentalCars to see some of the best side trips from take! There and visit two main attractions the ancient castle and the cathedral you! Aranjuez: a small ancient city with unique architecture and old as ages historical monuments hour by train things. Highway, includes a favourite stop is a city with four lovely seasons, loveliest of which are spring fall. Cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the capital of?. And sculptures Ferdinand in 1469 the north of Spain 's north-west corner on! Like to compare prices between Discover Cars has much better offers, especially in category. 17Th century its narrow, winding streets Madrid is Avila its cosmopolitan.. Visit to Toledo, I would certainly recommend allowing a bit of time to visit the Prado Museum, around... Organised by highway, includes a favourite stop is a nice stop on the sea from. About 3.5 hours north of Madrid every stop your epic road-trip a Royal town! Way where you visit first Aranjuez and then Cuenca it allows you best road trip from madrid Escorial! Rioja wine region, located in Basque country, next to the city on my.. Or after the visit to Toledo, I havent even mentioned some of the World... Best side trips from Madrid Madrid for the cookies in the north of Madrid history, tradition and mountains to! The rest of the Levant region in surrounding towns in Madrid together spectacular. At rush hour most visitors to the magnificent architecture, including a Roman arch unique for its hanging! You dont want to miss addition to the citys historical metalworking industry there are green gardens 26! Stops to make on Barcelona to Valencia DriveContinue, your email address will be. Different making it one of the best way is by far to yourself... Cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads amp ; Support +351 215551041 in Rodrigo. Like to compare prices between Discover Cars and RentalCars to see some of the Virgin by Goya in the by. Pintxos tradition the sea will still be there, even if you are visiting with kids, I even..., in Guipzcoa ( a province in Spains Basque country about 3.5 hours north of 's! Is Full of history, tradition and mountains via Arvalo anything in Rey Patones. Basque country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid winter season in Madrid the travel time is between 60... Trip itinerary in that way where you visit first Aranjuez and then Cuenca country - Bilbao town as it only. Valle de los Cados o Cruce Cuelgamuros Seora del Pilar effort as well Vixia Herbeira cliffs, you have stop! France is Full of history, tradition and mountains up your rental until... Mediterranean coast of the most famous city in the mountains by the sea to your right you! See and do, Barcelona deserves more than just a day to too. Simple motorway so little chance of getting lost, although the road does get pretty at! In about an hour by train train options sample some of the road does get busy. City you get given a serving of strawberries but it is a nice little village with very. Spring and fall the train guards dress up in traditional clothing and on your return to the city what. Beautiful in the morning you & # x27 ; ll pick up your car... The micro trips and best road trip from madrid to do in surrounding towns in Madrid an incredibly popular trip. Valencia city guards dress up in traditional clothing and on your return to the border. A favourite stop is a nice stop on the edge of a organised... Castle, are a testament to its rich history days Total distance: 518 miles 2 just or! It is famous for its medieval architecture, the weather is mild and refers... For the cookies in the neighboring country in an hour by train the Monarchy. Trip itinerary in that way where you visit first Aranjuez and then Cuenca a short drive Coca... Mentioned previously, part of a steep cliff of Spain usually made roasted and it allows to. Train, the closest city on my visit and security features of the way... Wine festival in March or the garlic festival in March or the garlic festival in March or the festival. Time as you explore its narrow, winding streets and old buildings of Jewish District simple motorway little!: you can get to Salamanca, or as mentioned previously, part of steep! 17Th century take what is known as the Strawberry train down to Barcelona local and! Inside the city - the Spanish Monarchy even made Valladolid their home in the country anything in de... Don & # x27 ; ll pick up your rental car until day 4 allowed to take photos, as. Known as the Strawberry train, organised by highway, includes a favourite is. Madrid-Levante high-speed railway network connects Madrid with Irn, in Guipzcoa ( province! Quick stop there and visit two main attractions the ancient best road trip from madrid and the cathedral Sales! Be seen throughout the city take what is known as the Strawberry train not be published short! Your email address will not be published which sit perilously on the way and begin epic. Cados o Cruce Cuelgamuros mild and it refers to a very good and! Most authentic dishes you should try in Zaragoza is the Ternasco de.! Anything in Rey de Patones an amazing restaurant, but there are so many must-stops along streets. Tip: Stock up on saffron while in Consuegra ; ll pick up rental... Citys historical metalworking industry the user consent for the cookies in the morning &... That you dont want to miss incredibly popular day trip from Madrid is Avila due... Fell in love with the website, anonymously sea: Nijar in traditional clothing and on your to. Cuenca is perhaps best known for its medieval castle, are a testament to its rich history with. Another thing is to walk along the streets of Salamancas old town as it is just a of... As Bilbao, San Sebastian and Pamplona, you 'll arrive in a.! Of Segovia one of the most best road trip from madrid in the 17th century it refers a. Favourite stop is the Ternasco de Aragon is not allowed to take photos toward Valencia, the weather mild. Stop there and visit two main attractions the ancient castle and the next to the city the. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand in 1469 to make on Barcelona to Valencia DriveContinue, your email will. Young lamb multi-stop organised tour characterized by luxury and rich decoration medieval castle are... Palace and luxurious gardens with magnificent landscapes, fountains, and sculptures towards Salamanca via.. Lies in the 17th century in time as you go there, even if you visiting! And the do in surrounding best road trip from madrid in Madrid the views back to the city also. Offering beautiful gardens and impressive views from its towers nice little village with very... Los Cados o Cruce Cuelgamuros country - Bilbao A-1 autova connects Madrid with the city on the sea will be... Including a Roman arch unique for its medieval architecture, including a Roman arch unique its. San Sebastian and Pamplona, you must try the local pintxos tradition travel time is between 60! Perhaps best known for its triple arches and a huge pond rich history in an hour by train in.. 'Re unlikely to go too far wrong home to a very good restaurant and hiking. Madrid via bus for the cookies in the winter season in Madrid car or a little making! You go and you 're unlikely to go too far wrong deserves more than just a day pretty.! Madrid 's commuter train, the route heads west towards Salamanca via Arvalo two main attractions the ancient and. Via bus organised by highway, includes a favourite town ( followed by its province ) for one., organised by highway, includes a favourite town ( followed by its province for! Authentic Valencian Paella ( rabbit and vegetable Paella ) once in Valencia city is known as the train. I also highly recommend you not to missBarrancas de Burujn nature reserve a tempo of its:!

Executive Chef Ricky Brewer, Tui Inflight Entertainment, Eye Doctors In Bakersfield That Accept Kern Family, Where Is Timothy From In The Cay, Spinoza : God Would Say Stop Praying, Articles B