Madrid is a Spanish city littered with quirky museums and art galleries. Whether you live here, are just passing through, or are planning a vacation here, this city offers a lot of magical places to go to. It is also a great starting point for a day trip to nearby cities where you can discover other destinations without having to look for a place to spend the night. You can travel to these cities mostly by train and bus, making these trips very affordable. Enjoy this selection of 10 best day trips from Madrid!
1. Toledo
Toledo is a city in the Spanish province of the same name. It is known as the “City of the Three Cultures” because of the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influences on its cultural history. In 1985, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named it a World Heritage Site for its extensive cultural heritage.
1.1. How to Get to Toledo From Madrid
Here are the best transportation options that will take you from Madrid to Toledo:
BEST: Train at €8 to €12 (35 minutes)
CHEAPEST: Rideshare at €3 to €5 (1 hour and 12 minutes)
OTHER OPTIONS:
Bus: €4 to €15 (1 hour)
Taxi: €95 to €120 (49 minutes)Drive: €12 to €19 fuel cost (49 minutes)
1.2. What to Do in Toledo
Toledo is a beautiful ancient city at the top of a hill on the banks of the Tagus River. Must-sees in Toledo include the Toledo Cathedral, an impressive 13th-century High Gothic cathedral. You should also take the time to see the Alcazar fortress, which overlooks the city, as well as the Greco Museum. For lunch, you will be able to discover traditional Castile-La Mancha cuisine.
2. Segovia
Segovia is a city found in the autonomous community of Castile and Leon in Spain and is about 42 miles from Madrid. UNESCO declared this old city a World Heritage Site in 1985 for its multitude of historic structures that include those of Jewish origin.
2.1. How to Get to Segovia From Madrid
Here are the best transportation options that will take you from Madrid to Segovia:
BEST: Line 1 Subway, Train at €9 to €32 (1 hour and 12 minutes)
CHEAPEST: Rideshare at €3 to €5 (1 hour and 34 minutes)
FASTEST:
Taxi: €110 to €150 (1 hour and 2 minutes)
Drive: €15 to €23 fuel cost (1 hour and 2 minutes)
OTHER OPTION: Train at €10 to €15 (2 hours and 10 minutes)
2.2. What to Do in Segovia
You will arrive at Segovia from Madrid in a little more than an hour. Segovia is truly a magnificent city and one of the best day trips from Madrid. The three main landmarks that you should not miss are the Roman aqueduct, the cathedral, and the castle. These three monuments are breathtaking and worth a few pictures. You should also know that the castle served as a model for Disney’s Cinderella Castle!
3. Salamanca
Salamanca is in the Campo Charro comarca in the Iberian Peninsula’s northwestern region. This city is home to the University of Salamanca, Spain’s oldest active university, which was founded in 1218. In 1988, UNESCO designated this old city as a World Heritage Site for its historical-architectural heritage.
3.1. How to Get to Salamanca From Madrid
Here are the best transportation options that will take you from Madrid to Salamanca:
BEST: Bus at €14 to €45 (2 hours and 25 minutes)
CHEAPEST: Rideshare at €10 to €13 (2 hours and 44 minutes)
FASTEST: Drive with €35 to €55 fuel cost (2 hours and 10 minutes)
OTHER OPTIONS:
Train via Madrid-Principe Pio: €20 to €28 (2 hours and 47 minutes)Train via Madrid-Chamartin: €21 to €29 (3 hours)
3.2. What to Do in Salamanca
Salamanca is two and a half hours away from Madrid. It is a little further than the other day trips from Madrid, but it will be worth it. But you will probably need to get up early to have enough time in the city. Indeed, it is a lively city thanks to the numerous students there. You can start by walking around the Plaza Mayor, an 18th-century baroque square. The cathedral is also an interesting sight, as well as the convent.
4. Royal Palace of Aranjuez
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez sits in the town of Aranjuez in Madrid. It became an Artistic Historical Monument in 1931 when it opened to the public. In 2001, the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The public agency Patrimonio Nacional currently manages the site, including its museums, royal rooms, and gardens.
4.1. How to Get to the Royal Palace of Aranjuez From Madrid
Here are the best transportation options that will take you from Madrid to the Royal Palace of Aranjuez:
BEST: Bus at €3 to €5 (56 minutes)
CHEAPEST: Rideshare at €2 (1 hour and 4 minutes)
FASTEST:
Taxi: €65 to €80 (38 minutes)
Drive: €8 to €13 fuel cost (38 minutes)
OTHER OPTION: Train at €4 to €6 (1 hour and 23 minutes)
4.2.What to Do in the Royal Palace of Aranjuez
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is just under an hour away from the capital city. This palace is a former Spanish royal residence that opened to the public in 1931. Its history as a royal residence began in the 16th century when the construction of a grand hunting lodge started. The building was modified several times through the years, with parts added or altered. This allowed a wide diversity of architectural styles, such as Renaissance, French Empire, and Rococo. You can also roam around to discover its several rooms, such as salons, offices, bedrooms, and, of course, the gardens.
5. San Lorenzo de El Escorial
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is just under an hour away from the capital city. This palace is a former Spanish royal residence that opened to the public in 1931. Its history as a royal residence began in the 16th century when the construction of a grand hunting lodge started. The building was modified several times through the years, with parts added or altered. This allowed a wide diversity of architectural styles, such as Renaissance, French Empire, and Rococo. You can also roam around to discover its several rooms, such as salons, offices, bedrooms, and, of course, the gardens.
5.1. How to Get to San Lorenzo de El Escorial From Madrid
Here are the best transportation options that will take you from Madrid to San Lorenzo de El Escorial:
BEST: Line 3 Metro, Bus at €4 to €7 (1 hour and 8 minutes)
CHEAPEST: Rideshare at €3 (1 hour and 22 minutes)
FASTEST:
Taxi: €65 to €80 (44 minutes)
Drive: €8 to €13 fuel cost (44 minutes)OTHER OPTION: Line 001 Bus, Line 661 Bus €4 to €10 (1 hour and 33 minutes)
5.2. What to Do in San Lorenzo de El Escorial
This settlement sits at the foot of Mount Abantos. The main must-see in this town is El Escorial, or the “Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de El Escorial .”This enormous Renaissance complex functions as a basilica, royal palace, monastery, pantheon, library, and more. You will also be able to go to the Valley of the Fallen, a monumental memorial for reconciliation where dictator Franco was buried until 2019. You can also go on a hike on Mount Abantos or in the woods surrounding San Lorenzo de El Escorial. This trip combines nature and culture in a single trip.
6. Chinchón
Chinchón is a town in the Community of Madrid, located 50 kilometers southeast of Madrid and situated in the middle of vineyards and olive groves. In 1974, the UNESCO named its main square a World Heritage Site. This iconic square has a lot of restaurants serving Castilian cuisine. It also serves as the venue for its festive events. You’ll know when you’re nearing the town because you can see its iconic houses built into the hills from a distance.
6.1. How to Get to Chinchón From Madrid
Here are the best transportation options that will take you from Madrid to Chinchón:
BEST: Bus at €4 to €6 (55 minutes)
CHEAPEST: Rideshare at €3 (1 hour)
FASTEST:
Taxi: €65 to €75 (41 minutes)
Drive: €7 to €12 fuel cost (41 minutes)
6.2. What to Do in Chinchón
What is very interesting about this town is its whole architecture. The Plaza Mayor is an interesting site with galleried houses and cafés surrounding it. You can also go see the medieval castle to take pictures from the outside, but you won’t be able to go inside. Chinchón is also known for its festivals that attract a lot of people from Madrid. The two main festivals are the Chinchón Festival de anís y vino (celebration of locally distilled anisette and wine) in March and the October garlic festival.
7. Cuenca
Cuenca derives its name from the Latin word “conca,” which means “river basin.” Other accounts say its name comes from Kunka, a defunct Arab castle. At present, the city of Cuenca is known as the “Eagle’s Nest” because of its location on the edge of the gorge of the rivers Jucar and Huecar. The climate here is characteristically hot in summer and cold in the winter, with short spring and autumn seasons.
7.1. How to Get to Cuenca From Madrid
Here are the best transportation options that will take you from Madrid to Cuenca:
BEST: Train at €16 to €40 (55 minutes)
CHEAPEST: Rideshare at €9 (2 hours and 10 minutes)
OTHER OPTIONS:
Bus: €11 to €17 (2 hours and 5 minutes)
Train via Madrid-Chamartin: €19 to €42 (2 hours and 17 minutes)Drive: €28 to €45 fuel cost (1 hour and 43 minutes)
7.2. What to Do in Cuenca
Cuenca is in Castile-La Mancha, across a steep spur with the Júcar and Huécar rivers below. When you go to Cuenca, you have to see the hanging houses. These structures are very impressive as they are built right on the cliff’s edge. You can also admire the cathedral, the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art or walk around the Ciudad Encantada, a site where the rock formations have beautiful abstract shapes that create a magical landscape.
8. Valencia
The name of this city came from the Latin “Valentia,” which means “strength” or “valor.” Valencia is the third-most populated municipality in Spain and is one of the Gamma-level global cities recognized by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. It is also known as one of the top destinations for expatriates because of its affordability and high quality of life.
8.1. How to Get to Valencia From Madrid
Here are the best transportation options that will take you from Madrid to Valencia:
BEST: Train at €35 to €55 (1 hour and 55 minutes)
CHEAPEST: Train via Madrid-Chamartin-Clara Campoamor at €15 to €57 (2 hours and 45 minutes)
OTHER OPTIONS:
Bus: €23 to €40 (4 hours and 20 minutes)
Rideshare: €16 to €20 (4 hours and 14 minutes)
Drive: €60 to €90 fuel cost (3 hours and 25 minutes)Plane: €31 to €148 (2 hours and 45 minutes)
8.2. What to Do in Valencia
This day trip is perfect if you want to take a day to go to the beach as Valencia is on the East coast of Spain. You can reach Malvarrosa Beach in just 15 minutes from the city center with public transportation. If you are not much of a beach bum, you can also explore other beautiful and interesting sites, such as the cathedral and the City of Arts and Sciences. You can also take a stroll in one of its squares and gardens.
9. Ribera del Duero
This is a Spanish Denominacion de Origen Protegida (DOP) and is one of the 11 best wine regions in the autonomous community of Castile and Leon. Winemaking in Ribera del Duero goes back more than 2,000 years. Modern viticulture is said to have been brought to the region by the Benedictine monks from Cluny, France, in the 12th century. In 2012, the Wine Enthusiast Magazine crowned this lace as the Wine Region of the Year.
9.1. How to Get to Ribera del Duero From Madrid
Here are the best transportation options that will take you from Madrid to Ribera del Duero:
BEST: Bus at €16 to €46 (2 hours and 21 minutes)OTHER OPTION: Drive at €27 to €40 fuel cost (1 hour and 45 minutes)
9.2. What to Do in Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero is a two-hour drive away from Madrid. This region is the perfect destination if you are a wine lover. Indeed, Ribera del Duero is a famous wine-producing region along the Duero River. While you are there, you can enjoy traditional and local food, as it is as important as the wine in this area. You will be able to visit wine caves and vineyards. There are also a few castles worth visiting, such as the castle of Gormaz. This gastronomic day trip will be a great way to relax during your vacations.
10. Ávila
Avila lies on the right bank of the Adaja River and is the highest provincial capital in Spain at 1,130 meters above sea level. This city is also called the “Town of Stones and Saints” because it claims to have one of the highest numbers of Romanesque and Gothic churches per capita in the country. In 1985, UNESCO declared this city as a World Heritage Site for its walled city and churches.
