The old castle keep now houses a parador that allows access to the buildings courtyard. Spain Road Trip with Bernabu Tour from US$197. Madrid is a wonderful city full of life. Travel Tip: Due to its appearance on a recent season of Game of Thrones, Seville's Alcazar has become more popular than ever. 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). It takes just an hour (give or take a few minutes depending on the train you choose) for the high-speed train from Madrid to Cuenca to complete the journey. Day 3: Pick up Rental Car - Drive From Madrid to La Rioja. 383 mi Ive become a pretty good tour guide for the city after my multiple visits to Segovia. Year-round, restaurants serve dishes like tomato soup and jams made from the four varieties of tomatoes commonly grown here. Another popular day trip from Madrid is Toledo, the old capital of Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. 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. Spain's buzzing second city has a whole host of cultural and historical gems to explore. La Granja de San Ildefonso: It is just a short drive from Segovia. There is something for everybody in Bilbao with superb pintxos in street bars and michelin-starred restaurants, medieval streets and modern boulevards. While Avila is a nice side trip from Madrid, if you allow a full day here, you may find yourself getting a little bored by the end, but it is certainly worth visiting. And relish taking your time amid small Spanish villages, far from the crowds. Many don't associate Mallorca with a road trip, but the island has a huge amount to offer beside the beaches and clubs. You can take the direct short cut but you will miss out on a whole lot of stunning scenery, ocean-facing cliffs and spectacular locations for light houses - on the shoreline, on cliffs and even on their own islands. Seville 13. 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. Tours will often combine it with a visit to Segovia. 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. We'd love to see how you get on! 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. But this is not about that, this is about Salamanca. So, in 2017 I left America and went remote to be able to spend more time in my home country, travel to exotic places, and experience life in other destinations. It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. Best of all, you can climb nearly 1km of this impressive feat of medieval engineering and enjoy the panoramic views. The Assumption of the Virgin by Goya in the church. 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 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. 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 small town of Aranjuez is a nice escape from the city of Madrid. Finally, Spain loves food and everywhere you go is fiercely proud of their local fare, so I have also included what to eat when you there. And then if you get to the coast, use my other road trip itineraries and go on a drive between Valencia and Barcelona as well as Valencia to Malaga road trip, or simply plan one of many epic experiences in Spain! Just some of them are Aranjuez, Cuenca, Albacete, and others. The best way to see Avila is either by organised tour or driving yourself. I fell in love with the city on my visit. Dating back to the 15th Century, the houses were built into the cliff overlooking the steep ravine. You can extend this road trip to include the historic Spanish cities of Leon and Burgos in the north of the province, but that will add a lot of mileage and time to your trip and southern Castille and Leon has a huge amount to see already - you can easily spend 2 weeks exploring this part of Spain and see new places every day. If you want to just relax and enjoy the day, then tours with pick up and drop off are available and offer good value. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Its medieval history can be seen throughout the city - the Spanish Monarchy even made Valladolid their home in the 17th century! The Pyrenees are an amazing mountain range that is not high on many tourists' radars. Ribera del Duero 12. A favourite stop is a nestled in the mountains by the sea: Nijar. While I do love living in the city of Madrid, one of my favourite things to do is leave it behind for a day and explore further afield. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Old stone houses and lush gardens line the banks of the Arnoia, as it makes its way through town. Monasterio de Piedra: Just a short drive from Zaragoza, the Monasterio de Piedra is another breathtaking stop on your road trip. 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. If not, you should definitely plan one since this region is full of wonders! The great thing is, all of them are accessible via public transport. This drive will scale mountains with breathtaking views and take you to the mesmerising Mezquita cathedral in Cordoba and the unique Moorish Alhambra complex in Granada. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Anything in Rey de Patones an amazing restaurant, but be sure to check your bank balance first! The train takes around 30 mins from Madrid to Segovia. 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. 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. She is working online and thats why has an opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries. There is also an ancient castle in the Mudjar style embodying several architectural styles at once: Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish style. Look at a map of the Spanish highway system and its autovas (motorways) resemble a star with its points extending from Madrid to the corners of theIberian Peninsula. 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. The drive from Madrid city center to La Sierra may vary based on the town you are heading to (since this mountain range surrounds the city), but basically, it can take from 50 minutes to 1 hour and a half. This is one of the most popular cities close to Madrid and definitely one of my favourite Madrid day trips. Travel Tip: Segovia is famous for its cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). Constructed in the 16th century under the orders of King Philip II, the sprawling complex is one of Spain's most fascinating destinations. 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. The C-2 Cercanas line runs from Atocha to Alcala de Henares. Lindsey Zimmerman is a freelance writer and travel expert who has lived in southern Spain since 2015. Aliva 4. Visitors can spend hours exploring the hallways and gardens, but my stand out memory was the catacombs. As you travel in major cities such as Bilbao, San Sebastian and Pamplona, you will get to try the local pintxos tradition. Check out the tower of the Clerecia for some more great views. But this is nearer the beginning of the rivers life. A small number of rooms have stunning views of the surrounding hills with morning fog climbing towards the peaks and you can relax in a jacuzzi looking out over the landscape before having an amazing dinner in the hotel's gastro restaurant. A quickcortadocoffee served in a glass, a baked treat, and a glance at the souvenirs by the register that may be all that some holiday-goers see of small-townSpainas they drive fromMadridto the sea. More Than 50 Vital Travel Tips For Barcelona: Dont Make These Mistakes! El Greco Museum one of Spains most iconic artists. Puebla de la Sierra is a nice little village with a very good restaurant and easy hiking routes. A royal resort town, Aranjuez offers travelers something a little different making it one of the best side trips from Madrid. In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. This road trip is a perfect mix of culture and relaxation so if you want to blend the two, give it a go. Welcome! However, on my visit to Avila, once I had breached the city walls, I found it a little underwhelming. The plan with this road trip is to go all the way round the Galician coastline starting from As Catedrais beach. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Of course, you must try the authentic Valencian Paella (rabbit and vegetable paella) once in Valencia city. Seville is also home to the worlds largest cathedral, a tower of gold, delicious tapas and weird architecture in the shape of mushrooms. 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. Travel Tip: Toledo is quite hilly, and its cobblestoned streets can complicate things even further. It also is much better for families with kids who are better entertained hiking and doing active things than going to museums all day. Head back to Madrid for the last night of your trip and go out in true Spanish style with a flamenco dinner. If you are looking for the perfect Toledo souvenirs then a sword would be the right choice. Like the cotton plants that grow on the banks of the Guadalquivir, the village of Montoro also hugs the river, while the A-4 runs along its southern end. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". What I love about the city is it is super easy to get to by train and just the perfect size for a day trip. Wine Country After some cultural sightseeing, head on to Cadaques on the coast - there are some great beaches and a Salvador Dali House Museum. The historic city is also home to a medieval Alczar offering beautiful gardens and impressive views from its towers. Valley of the Fallen Monument 15. Famous for Flamenco and the traditional Spanish pastime of bullfighting. It is a huge square where you will find the gorgeous basilica, La SEO Cathedral and the entrance to the historic Roman parts of the city. On this blog, her main goal is to inspire others to travel to under-the-radar places and discover the world while working remotely. It is only a short detour from Toledo where Martian-like mountains are located right next to the reservoir. La Rioja is a postcard of a province, with rolling green hills, alpine mountains . Along the way, you can stop at traditional Spanish taverns to sample local cuisine, such as lechazo (roast lamb) and cochinillo (suckling pig). The A-1 autova connects Madrid with Irn, in Guipzcoa (a province in Spains Basque country, next to the French border). The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid. However, don't leave without snapping at least one photo in its breathtaking Plaza Mayor, or marveling at both of the city's two cathedrals. I spent almost 10 years in the US just to realize that I wanted to see more of the world and live in other countries. 10 Best Road Trips Near Madrid Escape to the Community of Madrid This Weekend! There is history, festivals, and of course delicious food to enjoy at each of the stops. Under-The-Radar places and discover the World while working remotely writer and travel who... 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