The 10 best day trips from Madrid:
Visit castles, Roman ruins, windmills, and more from Spain’s capital
Originally published May 30, 2020. Updated September 26th 2023
All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.
Cuenca Spain is a great day trip from Madrid Spain
What are the best day trips from Madrid Spain?
There are so many great adventures that can be done from Madrid with just a day, but the number one tip is to make sure you schedule enough time in Madrid not only to see the city, but to go on a day trip or a few.
Many travelers to Spain simply pass over Madrid or use it as a transit point.
That’s a big Spain travel mistake! Not only is Madrid a vibrant, authentic, and friendly city with so much to see and do, its central location makes for a great hopping off point for many unique and different day trips.
Be sure to schedule ample time into your Spain itinerary to truly experience Madrid and its surroundings.
Here is a list of some of the 10 best day trips from Madrid, for all budgets, interests, and types of travelers for those who want to experience Spain Less Traveled.
And of course, if you need personalized help weaving some of these Madrid day trips into your Spain travel itinerary, we can help!
(Pssst, here are just a few of the reasons why you should use a travel advisor to plan your trip to Spain!)
My 10 picks: the best day trips from Madrid Spain
Toledo
Many will claim that Toledo, in Castilla-La Mancha, once the capital of Spain, is the best day trip from Madrid, and there is no doubt that it is charming.
It is also the closest city to Madrid to really see the three cultures, Jewish, Moorish, and Christian, without going to Córdoba (or Andalucía in general). But because of this, it can get mobbed with tour groups and day trippers.
That said, my #1 Toledo tip is to spend the night there. Toledo’s charm really comes out at night, after the tour groups have left. You can wander around a city with lit up monuments in peace.
Toledo’s main sight is its impressive cathedral combining Gothic style with a little taste of Mudéjar style architecture, Make sure to also include a climb to the top of the bell tower to your visit.
Convinced and ready to plan your day trip? Be sure to check out our in-depth guide to Toledo!
Beautiful Toledo Spain, full of history
If you are interested in Spain’s Jewish history (Sephardic Spain) you can visit both the Synagogue El Tránsito and the Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca. The former houses a small Sephardic museum and the later has some of Spain’s most beautiful Mudéjar arches.
And for a bit of Moorish history, head over to the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, which was converted into a church. But there are still remnants of the Islamic style architecture. While in Toledo, you can also visit the Alcazar (now a military museum), the Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes, as well as the El Greco museum.
Toledo is known for its ceramics, silver work, and marzipan, and Damascene jewelry, all make great souvenirs to take home.
A direct high-speed train zips you from Madrid’s Atocha station to Toledo in less than an hour. There are also buses that are less expensive. But they leave from Plaza Elíptica, which is not in the center of Madrid, making the train much more convenient.
2. Segovia
After Toledo, Segovia, in Castilla y León is the most popular day trip from Madrid.
Roman Aqueduct of Segovia Spain
And with good reason. There is a massive and incredibly well-preserved Roman aqueduct that makes visiting Segovia one of the best day trips from Madrid Spain. It is one of those things that you need to see for your self to truly appreciate the magnitude of it. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the aqueduct runs right through the historic center of Segovia.
Some say Walt Disney’s main inspiration for Cinderella’s castle was Segovia’s Alcázar. Once a fort, then a palace, then a prison, and now a museum, the views of Segovia from the top of the Alcázar are impressive.
All roads lead to Segovia’s impressive Gothic cathedral and Plaza Mayor. Segovia also has a Jewish past. Iglesia del Corpus Christi used to be the old main synagogue.
Nearby, there is also a small Jewish Quarter (Judería) visitors’ center.
Lovers of pork should make sure to enjoy the region’s local specialty for lunch, cochinillo, suckling baby pig so tender that it can be cut with a plate. Definitely not vegetarian-friendly, but one of the most famous foods of Spain.
There are several options to get to Segovia from Madrid including buses, high-speed rail, and commuter train, making it one of the best day trips from Madrid.
3. Cuenca
One of Spain’s most colorful cities, (with an erotic legend to go along with it), Cuenca makes for a great stop en route from Madrid to Alicante or Valencia as it’s on the high-speed train line. Some like to go to Cuenca on a day trip from Madrid, but it’s worth spending the night. Cuenca lights up beautifully after the sun goes down.
Colorful Cuenca Spain
Most famous for its casas colgadas (hanging houses), Cuenca also has a small abstract art museum. The cathedral is one of Spain’s more interesting ones.
One of Spain’s most beautiful paradores is located in Cuenca. Housed in a beautiful old monastery, the views from the complex at night, across the river from the main part of the city, are to die for.
(Here are more of our favorite Paradores of Spain!)
Hike to the miradores (you will understand why Cuenca has the legend that it does), stroll around the town’s colorful center, and walk along the river on the city’s beautiful green trails.
The header photo is just one of Cuenca’s beautiful views. Cuenca is worth getting to know. There is a high-speed train connecting Madrid and Cuenca that takes about an hour each way.
(Cuenca is on the list of our top 30 cities in Spain! Check it out to discover more of urban Spain!)
4. Ávila
Ávila’s main draw is its well-preserved old city wall. There are eight gates and 88 watchtowers, and you can walk most of the walls (2.5 kilometers!), taking in great views of the old city.
The old walls of Ávila
At nighttime, these walls are illuminated creating a magical fairy tale effect.
Ávila is a deeply religious city. You can visit the cathedral, which was built in the 12th century in Gothic style. But the real religious draw to Ávila is that it is where Santa Teresa, one of the most important women in Catholic history, spent a lot of her life. As such, the town draws pilgrims from all over the world to pay homage to her.
Getting to Ávila from Madrid is easy, with frequent train and bus service. Many will agree that Ávila is one of the best day trips from Madrid Spain.
5. Chinchón
Plaza Mayor, Chinchón Spain
Charming Chinchón, a small town in the Community of Madrid, gives visitors a true taste of pueblo life very close to the city.
The main draw here is a very unique circular Plaza Mayor, decked out in green. There is also a lovely Parador that is worth a look.
Part of Madrid’s small wine-producing region, Chinchón is more famous for its white garlic. Farmers often sell it in bulk right in the middle of Plaza Mayor.
There are hiking trails easily accessible from Chinchón too, that give a taste of the true Spanish countryside, complete with olive trees stitched out across the plains.
You can start right from the center of town. If you go in the spring, you have a good chance of seeing the red poppies in bloom. Pick up a free trail guide at the visitors’ center and then immerse yourself in rural Spain.
You can easily get to Chinchón from Madrid by bus departing from Conde de Casal bus interchange
6. Alcalá de Henares
If you enjoy the youthful energy of university towns, head to Alcalá de Henares.
The university in Alcalá de Henares is not only one of Spain’s best but is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The student vibe in town is strong, with many bars and cafes.
Cervantes themed street art in Alcalá de Henares Spain
Make sure to also explore the medieval streets near the University. You will quickly learn that Spanish writer, Miguel de Cervantes, was born here. You can visit his birth house as well as find a lot of other tributes to the writer and his most famous work. Look closely, you might see a little Don Quixote inspired street art around Alcalá de Henares (pictured)!
The city also has a small old Jewish quarter, much less landmarked than the Juderías in Toledo or Segovia, it is still worth a look.
One of the best day trips from Madrid, Commuter trains regularly depart the city center for Alcalá de Henares. There is also bus service between the two cities.
7. El Escorial
If you want to visit a monastery fit for a king, then one of the best day trips from Madrid for you would be El Escorial, or more specifically San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
El Escorial
One of the most important architectural monuments from the Renaissance, deeply religious King Felipe II wanted a complex for the multiple purposes of a burial place for his father, a religious monastery; and, of course a palace fit for a king.
Today San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular day trip from Madrid.
Take some time to tour the complex, the library is noteworthy for its enormous collection of books on varying subjects and languages. Some believe that the designers of the Vatican library took their inspiration from El Escorial.
Regular commuter trains leave central Madrid for the town of El Escorial. From there, you can catch a local bus or walk to the monastery.
The walk, through the prince’s park and garden (Parque y Jardín de la Casita del Príncipe) is a pleasant 30 minute walk.
8. Consuegra
Windmills of Consuegra
If chasing your inner Don Quixote fantasies is what you’re after in Spain, then missing Consuegra would be tragic!
Less than two hours from Madrid by car, Consuegra is where you can find some of Spain’s best best Cervantes-style windmills. Not only you can pretend to the protagonist as you hop from windmill to windmill, headed toward the castle, but Consuegra also offers beautiful views of Spain’s vast plains of La Mancha.
Be sure to be there for sunrise or sunset. The 360 views from the top of the hill make those times of the day even more magical.
Once very off the beaten path, Consuegra is starting to attract big bus day trippers from Madrid.
To best explore the plains of La Mancha, I recommend renting a car in Madrid for flexibility and time to explore some of the surrounding area as well. Not only one of the best day trips from Madrid but also on the road from Madrid to Andalucía, Consuegra also makes a good stop for those heading to Southern Spain.
(Consuegra is one of my favorite small towns in Spain. Here are some of my other picks!)
9. Manzanares el Real
Castle of Manzanares el Real
North of Madrid, Manzanares el Real sits at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, making it a great jumping off point for hiking and rock climbing.
The gateway to La Pedriza, the visitors’ center can supply you with information for hikers and climbers of all levels.
The New Castle (el castillo nuevo or El Castillo de los Mendoza) is the community of Madrid’s best-preserved castle. It is open to visitors.
You can also see the ruins of the old castle. The tiny historic center has a few bars and restaurants to get a taste of local life.
Regular bus service goes to Manzanares el Real from Plaza de Castilla. The bus drops you off right next to a large supermarket, which is a great place for hikers to buy some food to eat along the trails. Manzanares el Real is one of the best day trips from Madrid for hikers, rock climbers and nature lovers.
10. Buitrago del Lozoya
One of the the Community of Madrid’s best kept local secrets, Buitrago del Lozoya is a laid back day trip from Madrid.
Buitrago del Lozoya
Perhaps the town’s most famous native son was Eugenio Arias, who was Pablo Picasso’s close friend and barber. Picasso himself often gifted Arias with drawings, ceramics, and sketches,. Instead of selling or auctioning these these, Arias gave his collection to his birthplace. The town in turn opened a small Picasso museum that is free and open to the public, making Buitrago de Lozoya the best day trip from Madrid Spain for Picasso fans.
Buitrago de Lozoya also has the best preserved old Moorish walls in the Community of Madrid. Within those old city walls are the ruins of the old castle, a former Moorish fortress.
Nearby, the Riosequillo Reservoir has some nice hiking paths and views. A great escape to nature from busy Madrid.
Regular bus service from Madrid to Buitrago del Lozoya departs from Plaza de Castilla.
You also might be interested in our other in depth guides by region.
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