Next. The Madrid Mountains are full of traditional villages, Spains wine country is not far away, and with the high-speed trains, it may surprise you what you can fit into a day trip. Some of the most authentic dishes you should try in Zaragoza is the Ternasco de Aragon. Hopefully, youll understand why I always recommend it as my best day trip from Madrid. During your visit to Toledo, delight yourself with some local dishes such as Perdiz Estofada (Stewed Partridge) and Carcamusa (beef or pork stew). Spain's Mediterranean coast is perfect for a Spanish road trip - just make sure you put sun screen on your left arm if you're driving - the sun gets hot! But this is not about that, this is about Salamanca. Rich in Arab, Jewish and Christian history, the former Spanish capital is a Unesco World Heritage Site. 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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Consider spending more time in the city in order to fully appreciate all it has to offer. There you can try the famous wines mentioned above. Segovia: As you continue on your journey towards Salamanca, make a stop in Segovia and visit the iconic Roman aqueduct 728 meters long. 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. As always, this will be a bit more expensive but thats the price for a stress-free trip. For history lovers, Toledo is a treasure trove. No matter what your political persuasion, there is no doubt the monument is an impressive maker to the bloody past of a dark time in Spains history. Our tip is to ignore the navigator which will send you inland along faster roads. Take the C3 line from Atocha or Nuevos Ministerios. Note Please know, some of the external links on this page are affiliate links, this means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to yourself. The Pyrenees are an amazing mountain range that is not high on many tourists' radars. Be sure to visit the 15th-century Palace of the Infantado, the citys stunning Gothic cathedral, and the Teatro Buero Vallejo, a modern theater with a striking design. Forgot your password? Also, be sure to check out my tips on flying with wine, as youll be wanting to take some back home with you! The historic city is also home to a medieval Alczar offering beautiful gardens and impressive views from its towers. Mayor, Royal Monastery of Santa Mara de Guadalupe, and Aquopolis Villanueva de la Caada. Aliva 4. There are also places to sample cava, Spains famous sparkling wine. The Ribera del Duero wine route runs along the Duero river, the same one that flows all the way through Portugal and is famous for Port wine. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The trip lasts 20-30 minutes. Mark and I personally like to compare prices between Discover Cars and RentalCars to see which company has better deals. 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. The Castle was built by the Arabs in the 12th century as a defensive structure, but after the Reconquista, on the initiative of Cardinal Mendoza, it was converted into a residence for bishops. Road Trip form Madrid to Porto from US$223. While it is regions such as Rioja and Ribera Del Duero that dominate the Spanish wine fame, Madrid actually has their very own Denominacin de Origen Vinos De Madrid. There are Roman roads in Astorga and Tarragona, Arab and Romanesque sites, and the landscapes described in Camilo Jos Celas Viaje a la Alcarria (Journey to the Alcarria), perhaps the most celebrated travelogue in Spanish. The coolest road trips from Madrid Spain's beaches, and its beach towns, are justifiably famous. There are quite a few stops to make and foods to try. As you can imagine, this region is well known for hunting, so there is a huge variety of meats. Seville 13. Suckling pig roasted in a traditional wood oven. 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. Castilla - La Mancha is one of the largest regions of Spain and also one of the least well known by tourists. Aranjuez has been one of the Royal Estates of the Crown of Spain since 1560 and for nearly 200 years, until 1752, only the royalty and nobility were allowed to live in the town. When you imagine the perfect seaside Basque village, something resembling Zumaia may come to mind. Start by heading along the narrow cliff roads along the coast to Valdemossa and Soler - the two very popular destinations to the north of Palma. Welcome! Alcala de Henares is in zone B-3 which means a return ticket can be bought for less than 5. On your route across the north of Catalonia, you are spoilt for choice with the Garrotxa volcanic national park and the village of Santa Pau worth visiting, a detour into Andorra and towns like Besalu and Castellfollit de la Roca all great options before you arrive in Figueres. Salamanca 5. Other popular stops include Pl. Cross Stone Bridge cross the old river bridge and look back across the Ebro for great views of the Basilica. Sat high atop a spur between the Jcar and Hucar rivers, another one of my favourite Madrid side trips is a day in Cuenca, Castilla La Mancha. Cuenca is perhaps best known for its gravity-defying hanging houses, which sit perilously on the edge of a steep cliff. 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. Really? Paleontological Museum of Cuenca Great for kids and wonderful views back to Cuenca, Hiking there are many routes throughout the mountains. View from the Roman viewpoint of Montoro, Crdoba. And there are so many must-stops along the route that you dont want to miss. Anything in Rey de Patones an amazing restaurant, but be sure to check your bank balance first! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The site has also been carefully landscaped over many years by the monks that live in the monastery on site. The journey spans a distance of approximately 220 kilometers. Pestana Holidays. User or email address Password Remember me. The best way is by far to drive yourself, but there are bus and train options. Spain Road Trip with Bernabu Tour from US$197. It would make sense that you might want to get to them as quickly as possible. Once you've navigated the tourists, a short drive down the coast takes you to Cala Agulla where the beaches are empty and the sun is just as hot for some relaxation. Madrid has plenty more cultural attractions and activities that you could spend the day exploring, but so do the surrounding parts of Spain. The coffins are vertically lined up the walls with the names of the ex-monarchs. Alicante. The Monasterio de Piedra Natural Park is a large park and monastery a little over 2 hours outside of Madrid. You have to get the train back around 6pm so that only leaves you 4 hours to enjoy the city, which is not enough. Once you reach La Sierra de Madrid, you can hike through its lush forests, go rock climbing, or simply relax and soak up the stunning scenery. 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! It isamong the best-preserved in Europe. You don't need to pick up your rental car until day 4. Hidden away in plain sight right next to Madrid, it stretches almost as far as Valencia and Murcia in Spain's south east. 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. Going on one of the road trips from Madrid is a must if you enjoy driving! Narrow streets, beautiful stone buildings and fantastic local coffee shops are great for unwinding in late morning. Seville 8. Flying in and out of Palma means that's a great place to start and finish your trip. On this road trip from Madrid to Zaragoza, you will explore the beauty and history of central Spain. Seville is the capital of the Andalusia region of Spain. The streets of the old Jewish Quarter Great food & great stories, you can really get into the history of Seville in this area. Patones De Arriba 6. It is the pearl of the Spanish coast and one of the most visited cities not only in Spain but in Europe and the entire world. The majority of the region is set on a plateau with occasional barren hills. To explore Spains rich history and culture, a day trip to Toledo from Madrid is a must. Decadent facades are on all four sides and there is a great little microbrewery to grab a drink, just sit and enjoy some people watching. Im sorry to say though, wherever you eat it, it wont be as good as my mother-in-laws. Spain Road Trip - The Ultimate 2 Week Itinerary, Andalucia road trip - Ultimate 11 day itinerary, 10 amazing European road trips for your travel bucket list, 14 amazing places to see the autumn leaves in Europe, The 14 best Christmas markets in Europe to visit this winter, Driving in Spain: Your guide to Spanish toll roads, rules and parking, Seville weekend trip - The perfect city break itinerary, Best Time to Visit Spain - Full Month by Month Guide, Spain's Mediterranean coast is perfect for a Spanish road trip, Spain's northern coast makes for an amazing road trip, The Arantza Hotela in the foothills of Pyrenees, check out our 40 day trips from Barcelona for inspiration, 3. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. 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. Top rated road trips in Madrid Spain 7-Day Spain Road Trip from Madrid to Toledo Starts in Madrid Ends in Madrid Duration 7 days & 6 nights Available All Year 24/7 customer support From 8 USD Spain Cheap 10-Day Spain Road Trip Vacation from Madrid to Zaragoza, Barcelona & Valencia Starts in Madrid Ends in Madrid Duration 10 days & 9 nights The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. Scroll down to see more detail on each one. . Day 3: Pick up Rental Car - Drive From Madrid to Laguardia - Wine Tour. The train guards dress up in traditional clothing and on your return to the city you get given a serving of strawberries. If the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal are calling you, the A-5 highway, which crosses the region of Extremadura to the Spanish-Portuguese border, has surprises like the town of Miajadas, in the province of Cceres, not far from Trujillo (famous as the birthplace of many of the men who explored and conquered the Americas). 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. Is it a palace, a monastery, a church or a library? After a couple days of sightseeing, it's time to hit the road and head on south to Ciudad Real via Consuegra and Daimiel. Road Trip form Madrid to Porto 4 Destinations 2 Nights From US$223 . From Barcelona, head south along the coast to Tarragona with a stop in Sitges and the option of relaxing in one of a few great beaches along the way. 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. From the unfinished masterpiece that is the Sagrada Familia church and the quaint Catalan charm of picturesque Gracia, to a diverse drinks and dining scene and dozens of fabulous beaches, you're guaranteed to never be bored in the Catalan capital. Getting There: Take the high-speed AVE train from Madrid (operated by Renfe, Spain's national rail service) to get there in two and a half hours. I know, a lot of people prefer the southern region with its Moorish sights, flamenco, stunning beaches, whitewashed villages, milder winters,, Full Article Northern Coast of Spain Travel Guide Best Places to Visit, Things to See & DoContinue, While Barcelona and Valencia on their own have so much to offer that youd need to spend at least a few days in each city, Barcelona to Valencia drive is no less spectacular. The towns here, however, are worth a short detour as you make your way to the seashore, Win a holiday to Lake Comos most beautiful hotel, March horoscope 2023: Which signs can expect luck in travel this month, Can I go to Spain? La Rioja is a postcard of a province, with rolling green hills, alpine mountains, limestone . But besides seeing the palace, it is also worth visiting the main square and just walking around the nice and cozy city. The city is also home to the Alczar of Toledo. The old castle keep now houses a parador that allows access to the buildings courtyard. Just some of them are Aranjuez, Cuenca, Albacete, and others. While it is Spains oldest producer of cava (the winery was founded in 1551), it is also known for its elegant Modernista buildings by Barcelona architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, a contemporary of Antoni Gaud. Marvel at Madrid's Royal Palace - the largest in Western Europe. Drive Spain's Mediterranean coast 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. I would love to show you, but it is not allowed to take photos. 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. This might not be so much of a Spanish road trip as a gentle breeze along the coast (and there will be a lot of breeze! Travel Tip: Foodies won't want to miss Valencia's massive Mercado Central, Europe's largest fresh food market and a verifiable gastronomic heaven. 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 Spend the rest of your time in Alarcn visiting churches, wandering the cobblestone streets, and walking up to the Mirador de la Pea to admire the views of the towns reservoir and the Jcar river. 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. Info USD Dollar. Here is the last for now Madrid road trip which is a great pick if you look to explore more charming towns and cities of central Spain. The Mediterranean autova, A-7, offers endless tempting detours as it makes its way from Algeciras in the south to Barcelona in the north: You can visit the donkeys of Mijas, explore the whitewashed towns of Granadas Costa Tropical, and take in the sea of plastic, in Almeria (a reference not to ocean pollution, but the miles of greenhouses where much of Spains produce is grown). 383 mi There is history, festivals, and of course delicious food to enjoy at each of the stops. Getting lost in Toledo's tightly-knotted streets is the best way to explore the city, particularly the narrow alleys around Plaza Santa Clara. There are tonnes of great places to stop including Roses resort, the canals of Empuriabrava, L'Escala and Begur. It takes about 45 minutes and trains leave every half hour or so. 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. Believe it or not, the famous university city of Salamanca is just a little over two hours away and is certainly possible to visit as a one day trip from Madrid. It is home to some of Spains top winemakers and, unlike Rioja, is within reach of a day trip from Madrid. The Andalusia region of Spain and also one of the most authentic you. Always, this will be a bit more expensive but thats the price for a stress-free trip and also of... You imagine the perfect seaside Basque village, something resembling Zumaia may come to mind it a,. 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