Castille Leon - visit the heart of Spain, 7. A road trip from Madrid to Salamanca is the best way to explore the quaint countryside of Spain and discover some of the countrys historic landmarks. A mini Catalonia tour to end the trip wraps up the route that will take at least a month to complete if you want to do things other than driving. Getting There: Take the Renfe-operated AVE from Madrid, which lasts roughly two and a half hours. 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. In around 2.5 hours, you can travel from Madrid to the Costa Blanca. Salamanca 7. The town is also famous for its roast lamb, which will provide sustenance as you continue your journey to the sea. Cuenca 4. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The easiest way is by high-speed train from Madrid Chamartin station. 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. It is only a short detour from Toledo where Martian-like mountains are located right next to the reservoir. From Tarragona, this trip goes inland towards Montblanc and all the way to La Seu d'Urgell in the Pyrenees via Solsona. I offer you the top 6 of beautiful destinations where you can go on a day trip from Madrid by car. Pisto Manchego a delicious local dish made from vegetables (similar to ratatouille) served with a fried egg on top. Other popular stops include Pl. Info USD Dollar. LazyTrips is a trading name of Uncle Bob Media Ltd. A flamenco show in Triana- after all, this district in Seville is the birthplace of this emotional dance. Hidden away in plain sight right next to Madrid, it stretches almost as far as Valencia and Murcia in Spain's south east. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It really is postcard perfect. The main attraction there are Plaza Mayor from the 18th century in the radical baroque style. It is the one that I recommend all of my friends take when they come to visit me. If you have time, a trip out to the shimmering Muslim palace-city of Medina Azahara is well worth the effort as well. The, Full Article 20 Coolest Stops to Make On Barcelona to Valencia DriveContinue, Your email address will not be published. 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. These have protected its residents for centuries. Puebla de la Sierra Another cute little village with a great restaurant in the main square. Some of the most authentic dishes you should try in Zaragoza is the Ternasco de Aragon. 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. You don't need to pick up your rental car until day 4. Famous for Flamenco and the traditional Spanish pastime of bullfighting. As always, this will be a bit more expensive but thats the price for a stress-free trip. The city was once a melting pot of cultures, and its rich history is evident in its architecture and monuments, including the Synagogue of Santa Mara la Blanca and the Church of San Roman. It is home to some of Spains top winemakers and, unlike Rioja, is within reach of a day trip from Madrid. Once you arrive at the El Escorial train station, it is about a 15 20-minute walk uphill to get to Monastery of El Escorial. Cross the Roman bridge for amazing views of the city and the River Tormes. Madrid Wine Tour 5. My other highlight is crossing the pedestrianised Roman Bridge. Zaragoza is on the high-speed train route between Madrid and Barcelona meaning there are loads of departures from Atocha station throughout the day. Today the region fervently focuses on its culture. 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. 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. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to Zaragoza. Getting There: Trains from Madrid get you to Cuenca in about an hour. It is one of the most interesting shortest road trips from Madrid which you can easily turn into a multi-day drive as the number of places to visit is huge. Madrid is a world within a city, offering a thriving cultural atmosphere, great shopping and sightseeing, and unforgettable food. Vineyards lots of them. Once you set off, the best way to see the island is to drive all the way around. Aranjuez: A UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its Royal Palace and luxurious gardens with magnificent landscapes, fountains, and sculptures. War in Ukraine forced me change my life again. . Hiking Trails Outside of Madrid 12. Travel Tip: With endless options of things to see and do, Barcelona deserves more than just a day. As you would expect, this gives the city a rather sophisticated feel of one steeped in academic history. 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. 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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. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready to explore the best that central Spain has to offer! Spains extensive network of highways, freeways and smaller roads make it easy for travellers to explore and let serendipity set the agenda for the day. Its medieval architecture, including a Roman arch unique for its triple arches and a castle, are a testament to its rich history. Admire its stunning architecture, and discover its rich cultural heritage. 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. The drive back to Bilbao airport is a little under 2 hours to get you back home! We'd love to see how you get on! If you would like to read a more in-depth guide, check out my what to see in Zaragoza post to be fully inspired. As far as food, do not leave Salamanca without trying the Hornazo de Salamanca (patty filled with Spanish ham and other cured meats along with a boiled egg), the Jamon de Guijuelo (Ham cured in Salamanca), and the Patatas meneas (potatoes with spices). As Spain's former capital, it probably comes as no surprise that Toledo offers a long and storied history of its own. The Zaragoza Route is the most direct way to travel from Barcelona to Madrid, at a distance of 650 km. Miajadas boasts that it is the European Capital of the Tomato. Puebla de la Sierra is a nice little village with a very good restaurant and easy hiking routes. 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. Best Time to visit Madrid Madrid is a city with four lovely seasons, loveliest of which are spring and fall. Other popular stops include Europe Park, Cuenca Cathedral, and Castell de Xtiva. It is only 45 minutes by car or a little under an hour by train. 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. Also allegedly one of the major inspirations for Walt Disneys castle. Getting to and from the region can be tough so you might have to adjust the route depending on where you're travelling from. The large wooden structure fills a plaza and you can get on top of it for some fantastic views. The biggest draw in the town is the huge royal palace and expansive gardens. 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. Travel Tip: Toledo is quite hilly, and its cobblestoned streets can complicate things even further. The room glows in red and gold with a magnificent chandelier hanging high above your head. The majority of the region is set on a plateau with occasional barren hills. El Postiguet is the city's main beach, just a short stroll from its old town. From El Escorial, take bus 660 to Valle de los Cados o Cruce Cuelgamuros. Another thing is to walk along the streets of Salamancas old town as it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many tombs of famous royals from throughout history, but none quite as spectacular as the Panten Real de El Escorial, a small room down a long flight of stairs that only the top of the royal hierarchy can be laid to rest. Head on a Madrid road trip to discover Central Spain, an underexplored region with a rich past, lush forests, and few tourists to come across. There are some fantastic hotels if you want to really relax and go off the grid for a few days - we have stayed at The Arantza Hotela in the foothills of Pyrenees and cannot recommend it highly enough - it is expensive but super luxurious and worth it! But if you are coming on a trip to Madrid for 5 days or longer, then you can create a more action-packed itinerary and see the surroundings after renting a car and going for a drive. Read 2,616,385 traveler reviews and view photos of different trips from Madrid to various destinations. During your stay in Salamanca, you could surely take a quick drive to Portugal. 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. Royal Palace of Aranjuez 8. If you do end up doing this one, please let us know! La Tomatina in Buol: If youre lucky enough to be traveling in August, make a stop in the town of Buol to experience La Tomatina. The wall encircles the historic center, outside of which there are seven Romanesque churches. Pestana Holidays. The journey spans a distance of approximately 350 kilometers. La Granja de San Ildefonso: It is just a short drive from Segovia. Andalusia, Spain's southernmost region, is often what people imagine Spain to be: sultry and passionate, with a near-constant soundtrack of flamenco beats. These periods are considered the best time to visit Madrid since summers might get too hot while winters can be pretty gray here. After some cultural sightseeing, head on to Cadaques on the coast - there are some great beaches and a Salvador Dali House Museum. It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. 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 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. The Granjilla de La Fresneda expansive gardens. The drive from Madrid to Toledo takes you through rolling hills and authentic local countryside life. Stroll around the Gran Va, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor The Royal Alcazar A must see. 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. Don't leave without trying this delectable delicacy at a traditional spot like Restaurante Jos Mara. In the morning you'll pick up your rental car and begin your epic road-trip. By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. They leave from the Madrid Sur bus station but take a little over 3 hours to arrive in Salamanca. Road Trip Through Central Spain at a Glance Day 1: Arrive Madrid Day 2: Madrid Day 3: Madrid to Toledo Day 4: Toledo Day 5: Don Quixote Countryside Day 6: Hike through the Tablas de Daimiel Take a day to see the city and its surroundings - seafood here is amazing as it's a functioning port supplying much of the region and beyond. Protos is my personal favourite. The museum is a recreation of the artists home. This is a place worth spending a couple of days in to explore its old historic centre, the surrounding mountains and the spectacular world-famous Guggenheim museum. For example being a native Californian, I would much rather know about Monterey or Carmel by the Sea than spend too many days in San Francisco especially as I love to hike and be in nature. Travel Tip: Segovia is famous for its cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). Mayor, Royal Monastery of Santa Mara de Guadalupe, and Aquopolis Villanueva de la Caada. But, as it was also the burial site of Franco himself, it became a shrine for the far-right and detested by many Spaniards. The A-1 autova connects Madrid with Irn, in Guipzcoa (a province in Spains Basque country, next to the French border). Travel Tip: Due to its appearance on a recent season of Game of Thrones, Seville's Alcazar has become more popular than ever. Of course, you must try the authentic Valencian Paella (rabbit and vegetable paella) once in Valencia city. First the Plaza Mayor. I would love to show you, but it is not allowed to take photos. Valencia 11. Spanish travel restrictions explained, This destination is on track to become the most visited country in the world by 2025, The ultimate guide to planning an elopement, The 10 best places to visit in Europe in 2023, The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain association. Sitting high up in the mountains, you are not allowed to drive into it, so you have to park your car and walk. 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