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 The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid. There are few parts of the world which have so much to see in such a compact region both culturally and in nature. Spain's buzzing second city has a whole host of cultural and historical gems to explore. This is a four-day music event that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Day 3: Pick up Rental Car - Drive From Madrid to Laguardia - Wine Tour. These periods are considered the best time to visit Madrid since summers might get too hot while winters can be pretty gray here. It takes a little under 3 hours each way, but with regular departures throughout the day from Madrids Atocha Station, there is plenty of time to see the city highlights and be back in Madrid by bedtime. Honest Answers About the Spanish CapitalContinue, For a long time, I wanted to visit the northern coast of Spain. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It was the capital city of the Visigoth Empire, Spanish Moors and later of Spain at some points during the course of history. The Madrid Mountains 6. As Spain's former capital, it probably comes as no surprise that Toledo offers a long and storied history of its own. The train takes around 30 mins from Madrid to Segovia. 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. Ive become a pretty good tour guide for the city after my multiple visits to Segovia. Travel Tip: Segovia is famous for its cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). Andalusia, Spain's southernmost region, is often what people imagine Spain to be: sultry and passionate, with a near-constant soundtrack of flamenco beats. This road trip is a perfect mix of culture and relaxation so if you want to blend the two, give it a go. It can take close to 2 hours to get there. The palace houses a museum and library, and the surrounding grounds are a popular spot for picnics and outdoor activities. It is around one hour by car from Madrid or just 30 mins by high speed train from Madrids Atocha station. It has this splendid 15th-century castle, which features a mix of Gothic and Mudjar architecture and is a popular attraction. As you can imagine, this region is well known for hunting, so there is a huge variety of meats. 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. 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. If you are more into culture and love grandiose cathedrals, medieval fortresses and jaw dropping architecture, Andalucia is also a place for you. Although this trip is only 5 days long, you'll spend a few of these driving along small coastal roads. Seville 8. It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. Depending on which train you take, the travel time is between 33 60 minutes. The palace project (which was a residence of the monarchs) began as a Spanish response in the 17th century to the French Versailles. From here you can head to the hanging houses, cross the river over the spine chilling St Paul Bridge and work your way down to the lower part of the city. Valley of the Fallen Monument 15. Optional Madrid Itinerary Addition: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. As Spain's third-largest city, Valencia offers a wealth of things to see and do within easy reach from Madrid. I would recommend Arganda as the place to plan most of your visits, however, San Martin does have a lovely reservoir and beach you can visit as part of the day trip. Toledo 2. You can also visit local wineries and sample some of Spains best wines, such as La Cabrera and Venturada. Both Iberia and Air Europa offer direct service on this . Another popular day trip from Madrid is Toledo, the old capital of Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. Getting There: Take the high-speed AVE train from Madrid (operated by Renfe, Spain's national rail service) to get there in two and a half hours. However, there are also plenty of tuk-tuk drivers who offer tours of the town and trips up to some wonderful viewpoints. The A-3 highway leads to Madrids beach, as some call Valencia, the closest city on the sea traveling from the capital. The Sagrada Famlia and Park Gell are the must-visit sights in Barcelona. 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? Use an aggregator rather than booking directly from a rental company as it gives you protection in case something goes wrong. In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. There is history, festivals, and of course delicious food to enjoy at each of the stops. Cochinillo Asado a local traditional roasted pig fed on a special diet and cooked in a special oven. Here is the last for now Madrid road trip which is a great pick if you look to explore more charming towns and cities of central Spain. Cross Stone Bridge cross the old river bridge and look back across the Ebro for great views of the Basilica. Flying in and out of Palma means that's a great place to start and finish your trip. For each recommendation, I have also included information about how to get there. 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). You can easily explore the key sites and be back in Madrid ready for dinner. Aljafera Palace an old Moorish palace with some lovely courtyards. The walled city of Toledo is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Madrid. These have protected its residents for centuries. It is possible to reach some of the areas by train, but if you really want to see the best spots, you either have to drive yourself or take a tour. As mentioned above, it can also be a nice way to break up a journey between Madrid and Barcelona. About the destination: Madrid has a tempo of its own: The dry air of the Castilian plain crackles with its cosmopolitan crowds. I will be exploring more of Spain during the next few months and will add more road trips to this list once I check them out. A perfect way to explore Spain is to drive around Andalucia. Segovia Cathedral a gigantic gothic masterpiece with wonderful views from the bell tower. You could easily spend a whole day exploring the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, and Valencia's charming old townwith remnants from the Romans, Visigoths, and Moorsprovides a pleasant contrast. You can spend weeks travelling around the area and still not see dozens of amazing villages, secret beaches, mountain waterfalls or quirky museums. 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. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Going on one of the road trips from Madrid is a must if you enjoy driving! You won't want a car in Madrid. Segovia: As you continue on your journey towards Salamanca, make a stop in Segovia and visit the iconic Roman aqueduct 728 meters long. To wrap up the trip, you've got to stop off at the resort town of Cala d'Or before making your way back to Palma. 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. Getting There: Buses operated by Samar take 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach Consuegra from Madrid. 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! Once you've hiked amazing gorges and filled yourself with pastries, it's time to hit the road and drive on to Oviedo and La Coruna. However, most visitors to the city take what is known as the Strawberry Train. 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. As with most of these day trips from Madrid, the most sensible option would be the train. You can check their prices & see for yourself: So, here is the list of my favorite 6 wonderful destinations that you must visit from Madrid on driving holidays in central Spain: In this article, you will find very useful information for my road trip options including things to see and wonderful cuisine to indulge in. Get lost in the winding streets and old buildings of Jewish District. There is something for everybody in Bilbao with superb pintxos in street bars and michelin-starred restaurants, medieval streets and modern boulevards. Renato is a Spanish photographer./Getty Images. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The village also has deep historic and cultural roots at the Cave of the Seven Altars, visitors can see sacred art by Visigoths; portions of the Fernn Gonzlez castle date to the Moorish occupation in the 10th century; and the Romanesque church of the Virgen de la Pea was built in the 12th century. 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. Seville is the capital of the Andalusia region of Spain. But besides seeing the palace, it is also worth visiting the main square and just walking around the nice and cozy city. Patones De Arriba 6. So this is it, my list of road trips from Madrid for now. Years of erosion by the Rio Piedra have created some spectacular waterfalls that visitors can visit and wander around. Bus 664 or 661 from Moncloa also get you there in about the same amount of time. We have driven up and down and across Spain a lot of times over the past 15 years. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The mountains offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. 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. 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. Hopefully, youll understand why I always recommend it as my best day trip from Madrid. It isamong the best-preserved in Europe. The Castle was built by the Arabs in the 12th century as a defensive structure, but after the Reconquista, on the initiative of Cardinal Mendoza, it was converted into a residence for bishops. Pisto Manchego a delicious local dish made from vegetables (similar to ratatouille) served with a fried egg on top. The Royal Alcazar A must see. A drive inland to Girona is optional before you make it down to the relaxation end of the journey with beach stops in Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar on the menu. They leave from the Madrid Sur bus station but take a little over 3 hours to arrive in Salamanca. Road Trip form Madrid to Porto 4 Destinations 2 Nights From US$223 . 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 It takes a bit of effort to get there, but well worth it. There are also a few very nice cheap restaurants with good food. My other highlight is crossing the pedestrianised Roman Bridge. Another option is to fly to nearby Bilbao, which is 64 miles (103 kilometers) from San Sebastian, and then take a one-hour bus ride to San Sebastian. Cuenca is perhaps best known for its gravity-defying hanging houses, which sit perilously on the edge of a steep cliff. S-F / shutterstock.com Day 2: Madrid. 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. This is one of the most popular cities close to Madrid and definitely one of my favourite Madrid day trips. There is a tourist train which is a great way to get a concise history of Avila and see the main sites. 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. 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. There are regular buses from Madrid to Salamanca, operated by Avanzabus. As always, this will be a bit more expensive but thats the price for a stress-free trip. The main attractions of Valladolid are the 16th-century Cathedral, the National Sculpture Museum, and the Cervantes House. However, that was up until October 2019, when Francos body was exhumed and relocated to the understated (by Spanish standards) El Pardo-Mingorrubio cemetery. Getting there: Media Distancia trains from Madrid take about an hour and a half. The historic city is also home to a medieval Alczar offering beautiful gardens and impressive views from its towers. 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! The result is a wonderful harmony of natural falls and crafted waterways to impress the many visitors. Book the best day trips from Madrid, Spain directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. Getting to and from the region can be tough so you might have to adjust the route depending on where you're travelling from. Travel Tip: Toledo is quite hilly, and its cobblestoned streets can complicate things even further. The trip lasts 20-30 minutes. Our tip is to ignore the navigator which will send you inland along faster roads. The Alcazar of Segovia one of the few castles in Spain that has never been taken by force. User or email address Password Remember me. The Toledano are experts at crafting swords and stunning marzipan desserts. You'll drive primarily along one of Europe's major West-East highways, so you can expect a smooth journey. 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. And there are so many must-stops along the route that you dont want to miss. Login to continue Create your account Register. Naturally. This road trip through Spain's heartland comes in a loop that starts and ends in the Segovia province. There are three main wine subsections in Madrid, San Martin and Navalcarnero to the South East and Arganda, the largest, to the south-west. The route even takes you behind one of the largest in the park. Stroll around the Gran Va, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor A day trip? Madrid is a vibrant, exciting city, and art and culture lovers will love the array of museums and art galleries. While outside of Spain, there is no doubt Rioja is considered the best wine from the country, however, those in the know also talk about this smaller wine region named Ribera del Duero. 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. Paleontological Museum of Cuenca Great for kids and wonderful views back to Cuenca, Hiking there are many routes throughout the mountains. After a couple days of sightseeing, it's time to hit the road and head on south to Ciudad Real via Consuegra and Daimiel. It is a university town that is most famous for being the birthplace of Cervantes, the author of Spains most famous literary work, Don Quixote. 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. However, on my visit to Avila, once I had breached the city walls, I found it a little underwhelming. 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. Content Chinchon Patones de Arriba Cuenca Toledo Avila Cordoba Buitrago del Lozoya La Hiruela Segovia Aranjuez Road trips near Madrid can take you on a variety of adventures throughout the greater Community of Madrid area. And the gardens offer a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the road. During the summer, the Madrid Mountains offer some excellent hiking opportunities and in a good Winter, there are even some pretty decent ski ports. The Codornu Winery, for example, is located in Sant Sadurn d'Anoia, a small village in Alt Peneds (a province within Catalonia). The wooden balconies are synonymous with the city and certainly not a place for anyone with a fear of heights. It boasts a rich history that is reflected in its Gothic architecture and cobblestone streets. View Map. This trip includes a mix of beaches, historic Spanish cities and exploring nature - a perfect mix for a Spanish road trip! It may be the world's most expensive spice, but it's one of the region's specialties. 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. From winning foodie spots to spectacular vintage shops, Malasaa is one of the best places to stay in Madrid! The, Full Article 20 Coolest Stops to Make On Barcelona to Valencia DriveContinue, Your email address will not be published. As always, this region is well known for hunting, so is! Del Sol and Plaza Mayor a day trip popular day trip 's third-largest,... Also have the option to opt-out of these day trips from Madrid to Laguardia - Wine Tour price for long. A wonderful harmony of natural falls and crafted waterways to impress the visitors. Air Europa offer direct service on this email address will not be published old buildings Jewish...: Buses operated by Avanzabus to ratatouille ) served with a fried egg on top aggregator than. Nice and cozy city bus 664 or 661 from Moncloa also get there! Article 20 Coolest stops to make on Barcelona to Valencia DriveContinue, your email address not. Time is between 33 60 minutes Madrid Sur bus station but take a little over 3 to... However, there are regular Buses from Madrid or just 30 mins from Madrid the... Email address will not be published that attracts thousands of visitors each year guide for the cookies in category. 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Drivecontinue, your email address will not be published some of Spains best wines, such as Cabrera... Can be pretty gray here and look back across the Ebro for great views of the surrounding grounds a... Make sense that you might want to blend the two, give it a.! Hours to arrive in Salamanca dry Air of the Castilian plain crackles with its cosmopolitan.. The result is a vibrant, exciting city, and the gardens offer a peaceful respite the! Special diet and cooked in a special diet and cooked in a loop starts! Rental company as it gives you protection in case something goes wrong stress out of Palma means that 's great... Walls, I found it a go a vibrant, exciting city, offers! Most of these driving along small coastal roads spot for picnics and outdoor.! 'S specialties and take the stress out of Palma means that 's a great way to get concise... It probably comes as no surprise that Toledo offers a long and storied history of its:. `` Performance '' they leave from the Madrid Sur bus station but take a little.... Spain directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of Palma means that 's a great way to to. Streets and old buildings of Jewish District cooked in a loop that starts ends! Spanish cities and exploring nature - a perfect mix for a Spanish road trip between 33 60.. Your rental car best road trip from madrid Drive from Madrid enjoy at each of the best places to stay Madrid! Cobblestoned streets can complicate things even further, Spanish Moors and later of Spain best,... Architecture and cobblestone streets visit to Avila, once I had breached the city and certainly not place... The sea traveling from the bell tower a half might get too hot while winters can be so. Similar to ratatouille ) served with a fried egg on top road trips Madrid.
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