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. As Spain's former capital, it probably comes as no surprise that Toledo offers a long and storied history of its own. The citys heart lies in the Plaza Nuestra Seora del Pilar. Just some of them are Aranjuez, Cuenca, Albacete, and others. Road Trip form Madrid to Porto 4 Destinations 2 Nights From US$223 . 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 road trip starts in the capital of Spain's Basque country - Bilbao. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. If Theme Parks are not your thing, just drop your kids there for the day while you explore the town. You won't want a car in Madrid. 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. 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. 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! Getting to and from the region can be tough so you might have to adjust the route depending on where you're travelling from. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Naturally. We eat some mushroom burgers, croquettes, migas and much more, if you love your food and drink, you will not want to leave. If you are more into culture and love grandiose cathedrals, medieval fortresses and jaw dropping architecture, Andalucia is also a place for you. 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. A road trip from Madrid to Lisbon through Salamanca is a wonderful way to see two countries without spending too much time on driving and seeing some eminent highlights. However, that was up until October 2019, when Francos body was exhumed and relocated to the understated (by Spanish standards) El Pardo-Mingorrubio cemetery. The Assumption of the Virgin by Goya in the church. Valencia 11. There are three main wine subsections in Madrid, San Martin and Navalcarnero to the South East and Arganda, the largest, to the south-west. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. People write songs,, Full Article More Than 50 Vital Travel Tips For Barcelona: Dont Make These Mistakes!Continue, Is Madrid worth visiting? While it is Spains oldest producer of cava (the winery was founded in 1551), it is also known for its elegant Modernista buildings by Barcelona architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, a contemporary of Antoni Gaud. 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. As you would expect, this gives the city a rather sophisticated feel of one steeped in academic history. The biggest thing in the city is the university, it was the first one in Spain and is widely recognised as one of the best in the world with students from around the globe. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Travel Tip: Segovia is famous for its cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). Las Setas a modern architectural wonder. I want to share the top 4 resources I personally use for planning a road trip in Spain: The best time to do a road trip from Madrid is during the spring and fall. Depending on which train you take, the travel time is between 33 60 minutes. The train guards dress up in traditional clothing and on your return to the city you get given a serving of strawberries. The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid. Just about an hour out of Madrid, you will find the Sierra de Guadarrama, Sierra del Norte and the Sierra de Gredos mountain ranges. The cathedral, designed by French architects, is a building of different styles as the building process lasted over a few centuries. Wine Country On this 11-day self-drive adventure you'll visit not only the most historic cities in Spain, bust some of the most beautiful countryside in the Andalusia region. Madrid is a vibrant, exciting city, and art and culture lovers will love the array of museums and art galleries. 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. However, winter can make your trip toward the northern locations magical and make you feel like you are in a snowy fairy tale. How to Get From Madrid to Toledo by Train, Bus, and Car, Spain's Must-See Sights and Attractions: City by City, How to Get From Madrid to Cuenca and What to Do There, How to Travel From Madrid to Salamanca by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel from Madrid to vila by Train, Bus, and Car. Castilla - La Mancha is one of the largest regions of Spain and also one of the least well known by tourists. 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. If you have time, a trip out to the shimmering Muslim palace-city of Medina Azahara is well worth the effort as well. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Barcelona Source: vitalez / shutterstock Barcelona Although a fair hike, Barcelona can be easily reached in the space of a day trip from Madrid. It will take around 45 minutes heading south from Madrid. The end of the trip gets you to Pedraza back in the Segovia province before taking a short drive back to Madrid's airport. If you choose not to take the strawberry train, other organised tours will take you to the town or you can also drive yourself. It may be the world's most expensive spice, but it's one of the region's specialties. 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. Getting There: Trains from Madrid get you to Cuenca in about an hour. The Madrid Mountains are full of traditional villages, Spains wine country is not far away, and with the high-speed trains, it may surprise you what you can fit into a day trip. More Than 50 Vital Travel Tips For Barcelona: Dont Make These Mistakes! If you visit Cuenca, I would recommend starting in the castle area and working your way through the steep cobbled streets down into the main town. Travel Tip: Toledo is quite hilly, and its cobblestoned streets can complicate things even further. 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. Info USD Dollar. Aranda de Duero a nice little town in the area. 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. Probably the least famous town on this list, Chinchn is home to one of Spains prettiest Plaza Mayors. Chinchn 13. The goal for many traveling along A-3 is to dip their toes in the Mediterranean as quickly as possible, but the fragrance of orange groves and the scent of stewed partridges, opportunities to shop for colourful ceramics, and Roman ruins waiting to be explored may tempt you to slow down. Marzipan A local speciality. The large wooden structure fills a plaza and you can get on top of it for some fantastic views. The main attractions of Valladolid are the 16th-century Cathedral, the National Sculpture Museum, and the Cervantes House. 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. In order to get a change of pace, a road trip to La Sierra de Madrid is the perfect escape from the citys fast-paced life. The museum is a recreation of the artists home. Monfrage, one of Spain's 15 National Parks, is the world's largest and best-preserved patch of Mediterranean forest. Zaragoza is on the high-speed train route between Madrid and Barcelona meaning there are loads of departures from Atocha station throughout the day. 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. If you would like an in-depth look about how to get there, you can find it near the top of the post as well as some more tips about what to expect from the park. Of the countrys eight autovas, its modern toll-free highways, A-1 to A-6, extend out from the capital. 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. Cuenca: a small charming ancient city, perched atop a dramatic gorge. 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. Before we dive into the ideas, here's the complete list of the best road trip routes with key information. Cuenca 4. Other popular stops include Europe Park, Cuenca Cathedral, and Castell de Xtiva. You can easily explore the key sites and be back in Madrid ready for dinner. With its central location, diverse landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, it offers an abundance of breathtaking destinations just a short drive away. 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. The trip then continues around the coast to Santiago de Compostela. Some of the most authentic dishes you should try in Zaragoza is the Ternasco de Aragon. Old stone houses and lush gardens line the banks of the Arnoia, as it makes its way through town. Rich in Arab, Jewish and Christian history, the former Spanish capital is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Madrid is a wonderful city full of life. El Postiguet is the city's main beach, just a short stroll from its old town. Road Trip form Madrid to Porto from US$223. It does seem like a lot, but it is certainly a city worth visiting to really enjoy some of the southern Spanish cultures. If you plan to come to Madrid for 2 or 3 days only, then you will hardly have enough time to see the sights of the capital itself. The fast train is by far the best option for a day trip to Cuenca. Travel Tip: Stock up on saffron while in Consuegra. Alongside Madrid, it is one of my favourite plaza mayors in Spain. The list below, organised by highway, includes a favourite town (followed by its province) for each one. In addition to the magnificent architecture, the adjacent park area will certainly impress. Perhaps no place encapsulates that image more than the regional capital, Seville, a colorful and vibrant destination that looks like a postcard come to life. Alcal de Henares 15. It is possible to get the train, however, the first departure from Madrid leaves just after 11 am and you dont arrive in Salamanca until nearly 2 pm. Hike through one of the best bird reserves in the country. The A-3 highway leads to Madrids beach, as some call Valencia, the closest city on the sea traveling from the capital. Toledo Cathedral A gothic masterpiece dating to the 13th century. 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. If you travel the A-8 along the Cantabrian coast, youll want to make a stop in this small town whose historic heart still retains its medieval layout and walks along the coast offer views of the moody seas and skies. Aranjuez: A UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Royal Palace and luxurious gardens with magnificent landscapes, fountains, and sculptures. Another thing is to walk along the streets of Salamancas old town as it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a couple days of sightseeing, it's time to hit the road and head on south to Ciudad Real via Consuegra and Daimiel. Make a quick stop there and visit two main attractions the ancient castle and the cathedral. Mark and I personally like to compare prices between Discover Cars and RentalCars to see which company has better deals. Valley of the Fallen Monument 15. Along the way, you'll get to experience the tapas culture of Andalusia. Alczar of Toledo An imposing castle on the cities highest point and home to an Army Museum. If you don't know it by name, you've definitely seen pictures of giant rocks and archways on the sandy beach before. 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. Take the exit and you can tour some of its olive-oil mills, snap some photos of the nearby Torre del Castillo de Villaverde (which has survived the centuries though the small town that it once protected has not), or simply stroll through the streets of this postcard-perfect Andalusian village. The palace project (which was a residence of the monarchs) began as a Spanish response in the 17th century to the French Versailles. 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%. But if you're brave enough, you can start wherever along the route you like as you it goes in a loop. 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. Your email will not be provided to third parties. It's hard to sum up El Escorial in just a few words. 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. In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. 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. This is due to the citys historical metalworking industry. In fact, it is the only stop between Madrid and Barcelona, so if you are travelling between the two cities, I would highly recommend breaking your ride up a bit and spending a few hours exploring Zaragoza. Just bear in mind, as with most of the high-speed train stations, Cuenca Train Station is located a fair way outside the city and will require a taxi ride that takes around 10 15 mins and costs in the region of 12. You have to get the train back around 6pm so that only leaves you 4 hours to enjoy the city, which is not enough. Also, explore the magnificent Alczar, a stunning castle that offers breathtaking views of the city which was the residence of the kings of Spain. Definitely visit the Prado museum, walk around the Retiro Park and the . The journey spans a distance of approximately 220 kilometers. However, there are also plenty of tuk-tuk drivers who offer tours of the town and trips up to some wonderful viewpoints. It isamong the best-preserved in Europe. 383 mi There you can see examples of the architectural style of different eras: Romanesque, Gothic, Late Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque, learn about its rich cultural heritage, and fascinating history. Hop on a train in Madrid and you can be standing beneath the arches of Cordoba's Moorish-area Mezquita in two hours. Yet, get your appetite ready for Valladolid, as food options there are endless. The trip continues along the north coast stopping off at Santander, Bilbao and San Sebastian before detouring off into the Pyrenees and the historic cities of Pamplona and Zaragoza. Two places in Salamanca stand out to me. It wont be impossible, but it will be challenging to find vegan options in Guadalajara. Forgot your password? A short trip with a lot of breathtaking views and cliffs in the north and resorts with fantastic beaches on the south can be the perfect way to unwind on a short break! If you are looking to get the most out of your time in Spain, that could be a really good option. An incredibly popular day trip from Madrid is Avila. The walled city of Toledo is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Madrid. Other popular stops include Pl. From Tarragona, this trip goes inland towards Montblanc and all the way to La Seu d'Urgell in the Pyrenees via Solsona. Table of Contents 1. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The views back to the city are also pretty spectacular. Read 2,616,385 traveler reviews and view photos of different trips from Madrid to various destinations. I have been there a few times now and it is such a picturesque little village. The main landmark for visitors to Aranjuez is the town's Royal Palace, a royal estate for the Spanish royal family since 1560. 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