Although Madrid is a beautiful capital city full of things to do, sometimes it’s nice to have a change of scenery. These are my picks for best day trips from Madrid.
Quick facts about Spain
| Population: | 47.35 million |
| Currency: | Euro |
| Capital city: | Madrid |
| Major airports: | Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD), Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN), Palma de Mallorca (PMI) |
| Language: | Spanish (Castilian dialect), Catalan, Basque, Galician |
How to explore these day trips from Madrid
The easiest way will always be renting a car, just because you have so much freedom and flexibility! However, if renting a car isn’t an option for you, or the thought of driving in Spain is intimidating, you can still reach most of these places by train or by bus.
Visiting Madrid
Madrid is a cultural city, with lots of museums and historical sights. You could easily spend a week in Madrid and not get bored! However, the region outside of Madrid also has so much to offer and is well connected by public transport. When spending time in Madrid, I highly recommend you to take at least one day trip outside the city!
Day trips from Madrid
1. Toledo
1 hour
If you want to dive back in time, be sure to visit this city. Toledo is known as “The Imperial City” and definitely is a must-see for history buffs. You can visit the Alcázar, which was a fortress and former military academy, and just wander through the many streets. There are also many museums (including the one dedicated to El Greco) and a monastery to see.
2. Salamanca
2.5 hours
Salamanca is a vibrant little city not far from Madrid that is well worth the trek. Dating back to the Celtic era, this city combines history and modernity. It is home to the Universidad de Salamanca, and hence has a very young vibe. Explore the city on foot and visit the many cathedrals, the Plaza Mayor, and get a great view of the city from the Roman bridge.
3. El Escorial
1 hour
El Escorial is unique in that it used to be both a royal residence and a monastery. You can wander the beautiful grounds, as well as see the crypt where many Spanish monarchs were buried. A visit to El Escorial is best done in conjunction with other places so check out these great transportation options
4. Segovia
1 hour
Segovia is famous for it’s huge aqueduct that surrounds the city and is There is also an Alcázar you can visit, with views over the valley from the top. If you look from the bottom of the cliff up at the fortress, it seems like a castle straight from a fairy tale. Segovia also has a beautiful cathedral that is worth visiting.
The region/city is also known for their famous dish: cochinillo asado or, suckling pig. Yes, it’s a baby pig that they roast. Even if that’s not your thing, you should be aware that there are many restaurants and shops that advertise baby pigs in the window. And if it is your thing, well, it sure is a unique dish local to the region!
5. Valencia
2 hours
The closest beach to Madrid is in the city of Valencia. Besides the beach, Valencia is an interesting place to see with lots of things to do. Valencia vibes are much more relaxed than Madrid and you’ll find a fairly hipster atmosphere here. Valencia is super easy to visit from Madrid, as it’s only 2 hours by train!
6. Sierra Mountain Ranges
1 hour
When in Madrid do as the madrileños do and that is go hiking! The Sierra mountain ranges are just outside the city and easily accessible via trains from Madrid Atocha station. Visit cities such as Cotos, Manzanares, and Cercedillas and hike from there, or opt in to do a group tour!
7. Warner Park Madrid
40 minutes (by car)
If you’re an amusement park fan, be sure to check out Parque Warner near Madrid! This theme park was opened in 2002 and is themed around Looney Tunes, DC Comic Book characters, and other Warner Bros Studio attractions. In recent years, there has even been the addition of a separate Warner Bros water park nearby. If you’re with kids or really just spending a while in Madrid, it could be worth checking these out!
8. Ávila
2 hours
Ávila is famous for it’s well-preserved medieval walls that encompass the city. Inside the city, there are many cathedrals and monasteries to visit and you can get a great view from the top of the walls. Outside, the city, there is also a pilgrimage site called Los Cuatro Postes, which origins are unknown. Still a very cool site to see if you have the time!
Outside of Madrid, you can find excursions for every kind of traveler. What would be your favorite day trip from Madrid?
The Comments
Josy A
Oooh these are really cool! I loove the look of the well-preserved medieval walls in Ávila and the aqueduct in Segovia. Spain has such stunning historical buildings!! Most of the time I spent in Spain was in the Catalan region, so it is always interesting to see how different things look closer to Madrid.
Kerry
I had no idea there was a Warner theme park so close to Madrid. I love theme parks! Will definitely visit that when I go to Madrid
An Indian Traveler
I would be so pumped to visit Warner Park and Ávila and Valencia haha. I must say I love the colour texture of the pictures.
Rudy @ Backpack & Snorkel
I was faced with this decision a few years ago and decided to do a day trip to Toledo, which is an easy and fast train ride from Madrid. And I can tell you, that was a fantastic experience. Toledo is such a beautiful historic town and it is easy to fill a day with things to see and not just the Alcazar, but also the Catedral de Toledo and Antiguo Barrio Judio. I hope to see Salamanca and Segovia the next time I come to Spain.
Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions
I’d really love to make it to Spain post-pandemic! Every town here looks so pretty, but I’d especially love to see the aqueduct in Segovia and the city walls around Ávila look intriguing as well. I think I would give cochinillo asado a try at least once!
Zack L
A friend of mine lives in Madrid and he loves to roam around Toledo or Valencia. I’m a big history buff so I’d put Toledo at the top of my day trip list
Travel A-Broads
I love that your blog posts are so quick, easy to read and succinct! Thanks for sharing all of these day trip ideas! Xx Sara
Jori
Travel A-BroadsOnly the essentials of course! Thanks for reading!
Alaina
I actually visited Spain a good couple of years ago and made it to some of these spots! I have to agree that Ávila and Segovia are breathtaking with their architecture. I did not go to Valencia, Salamanca, or Warner Park – adding those to my list for next time!