Arriving in Spain’s capital, Madrid, with its exquisite medieval architecture, unique historical monuments, and diverse museums, tourists gain unforgettable impressions. But if you have the chance to spend 7-10 days in the Spanish capital, don’t miss the opportunity to visit its surroundings, with ancient towns that have experienced a thousand years of history and preserved the magical atmosphere of the Middle Ages in their historical and architectural monuments.
Each of these towns has unique historical and art museums, whose exhibits tell the story of the country, the life, and art of its hospitable people. We will suggest where to go from Madrid for a day on your own, offering the most interesting places located not far from the capital, telling you what you can see there and how to get there faster.
Toledo
Most often, tourists head to the medieval Toledo – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city of “three cultures” with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions. The old town occupies the top of a gorge, offering an amazing view of the Tagus River. It impresses with luxurious architecture embodied in the styles of several eras: Romanesque, Gothic, Late Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.
During reconstructions, many buildings acquired the features of the local style – Mudejar, expressed in luxurious stone ornaments, colorful tiles, and towers externally resembling minarets. At the Town Hall Square, enjoy the beauty of the majestic Gothic cathedral Catedral Primada. Then visit the 15th-century fortress Alcazar, towering over the city. Art lovers must visit the art gallery with paintings by the famous El Greco.
Toledo is located 72 kilometers south of the Spanish capital. Trains run from Atocha station at intervals of 30 to 60 minutes, taking no more than 35 minutes. From Plaza de España, buses “Jimenez” run, and from Via Lusitana – the “Alsa” bus route. You can get to Toledo without transfers in 50 minutes.
Segovia
96 kilometers to the north lies the picturesque old town of Segovia, founded by the Romans over 2000 years ago, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A creation of ancient Roman architects is the unique aqueduct. Its monumental structure, consisting of 167 granite arches and stretching over 818 meters, has become the city’s hallmark. You will be captivated by the formidable view of the medieval royal castle Alcazar, towering on the top of a cliff.
Royal luxury can be seen in the facade and interior decoration of the castle. The Throne and Armory halls impress with their beautiful decoration, featuring gilded stucco ceilings, old tapestries, stained glass, and knightly armor. Among the unique attractions, the Madrid Gate, Town Hall, Lozoya Tower, and Renaissance palaces of the Counts of Mansilla and the Marquis of del Arco, with their intricate stone carvings, are worth noting.
Among the religious buildings, the Cathedral of Saint Mary impresses with its wonderful stained glass windows, the statue of the “Lying Christ,” and the marble altar. In the art museum, you can admire paintings by Dürer and Rembrandt. Also of interest are the Romanesque churches and medieval monasteries. You can reach Segovia by AVANZA bus in 1 hour and 20 minutes and by train in 30 minutes, but the train station is 6 kilometers from the city, so another 15 minutes by city bus is required.
Escorial
62 kilometers away, near the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain, tourists’ imagination is captured by the grand architectural ensemble of Escorial, built in the 16th century. The complex, combining a monastery with a majestic cathedral, a royal residence with a monumental palace, museums, and gardens, and a burial place of royal dynasties, has long been a symbol of the country. At the center of El Escorial rises the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence.
The northern side is occupied by the Palace of Infants, and the southern side by monastery buildings. Don’t be put off by the ascetic palace facade. Inside, you’ll be amazed by the interiors and luxurious decoration of the War Room and the royal chambers. The cathedral impresses with its decor of silver, gold, and bronze details, numerous sculptures created by outstanding masters. The walls and ceilings are adorned with paintings and carvings by the best painters of the Middle Ages and the famous El Greco.
Be sure to visit the art museum of Escorial, where you will see rare paintings by Diego Velasquez, José de Ribera, El Greco, Tintoretto, Francisco Goya, Titian, Veronese, and Bosch. You can reach Escorial in an hour from the Madrid bus station on buses 661 and 664 in 1 hour. Also, trains and electric trains go from Atocha station to El Escorial, and then 20 minutes on foot uphill.
Valladolid
One of Spain’s largest cities, Valladolid, is spread out 195 kilometers north of Madrid. In the Middle Ages, it was the residence of Spanish rulers, and navigator Columbus found peace here. However, it was the legendary Miguel de Cervantes – the author of “Don Quixote” – who brought Valladolid much fame, with the first copy of his work kept in his house-museum. In the heart of Valladolid stands the Cathedral building, dating from the 16th century, with a museum and fragments of an 11th-century church.
The lace-like building of the National Sculpture Museum impresses with its exterior and interior decoration. It displays the rarest collection of carved altars, statues of saints, and sculptural compositions on biblical themes made of stone and wood. The museum occupies three historic buildings: the architectural masterpiece – the college of Saint George, the palaces of Villena, and Casa del Sol, dating from the 16th century.
You will learn a lot about the history of navigation in the House-Museum of Christopher Columbus. If time permits, relax in Campo Grande park, where you can admire the fountain in the lake and the waterfall, watch royal peacocks walk, and take a boat ride. You can reach Valladolid by AVE high-speed train in just 1 hour.
Alcala de Henares
30 kilometers northeast lies the ancient town of Alcalá de Henares, with a history spanning 5,000 years. Its name comes from the Arabic word “al-galat,” meaning “fortress,” and the word Henares is the name of the local river. It gained fame as the first university town, San Ildefonso, founded in the 16th century, becoming a prototype of modern scientific centers.
The oldest attractions of the town are the 12th-century Gothic church with the Martyrs’ gates and the Bishop’s residence, where archival documents of the Inquisition are exhibited. Don’t miss the visit to Cervantes’ house, recognizable by the figures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza sitting on a bench near the entrance.
The building of the Laredo Palace at the end of the 19th century and Cervantes Square – a cozy green oasis with luxurious flower beds and storks on the rooftops, are impressive. Of the religious buildings, the church of Santa Maria, where Cervantes was baptized, and the Cathedral of the Holy Children with unique sculptures, paintings, and Medieval paintings are of interest. You can reach Alcalá de Henares by train in 25 minutes from Chamartín station.
San Ildefonso
80 kilometers away is the luxurious royal residence of La Granja de San Ildefonso, built in the 18th century on the site of a former monastery. Approaching the palace, your gaze will be drawn to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, constructed as the Royal Chapel. The interior decoration of the church, with an altar decorated with three colors of marble: white, red, and green, wall and ceiling paintings, is impressive.
The royal palace, surrounded by a park, was built in the image of French Versailles. Its baroque architecture impresses with the elegance of the facade decoration, the splendor of the palace halls and rooms. The ceiling paintings, wall frescoes, and luxurious furniture, harmoniously integrated into the interior, complemented by sculptures, paintings, and an impressive collection of tapestries, leave an indelible impression. The palace park’s beauty, with luxurious gardens, flower beds, a labyrinth in the French style, and a large pond, is astonishing.
The park’s highlight is a series of original fountains decorated with sculptural compositions on mythological themes. It is most convenient to get to San Ildefonso by a rented car for 1 hour and 15 minutes along the A-6 and AP-61 highways. On other transport, you will have to travel with transfers.
Manzanares el Real
The town and ancient castle located 50 kilometers away have tourist appeal, with the old castle fortress Castillo de los Mendoza. The castle, built in the 14th century as a defensive fortress, occupies a picturesque site on the southern slope of the ridge. A few decades later, at the end of the 15th century, the fortress was adorned with a palace – the estate of the influential Castilian family Mendoza.
The square structure of the castle-palace is surrounded by a crenellated wall with loopholes and four corner towers, three round and one square “Tower of Homage” completed with a hexagon. Inside the castle, you find yourself in an armory courtyard surrounded by a two-tiered gallery. Enter the main hall of the palace, where medieval weapons and knightly armor are displayed.
Its interior is adorned with 17th-century tapestries with Rembrandt’s paintings. The restoration carried out in 2013 fully recreated the medieval atmosphere that reigned in the fortress. The easiest way to reach the castle is by bus, departing from the Calle Matteo Enurria stop near Castilla Square in Madrid. The journey takes only 45-50 minutes.
Valley of the Fallen
The Valley of the Fallen memorial complex, created in the Guadarrama mountains, is worth combining with a trip to the Escorial architectural complex, located just 15 kilometers from it. The memorial, dedicated to the victims of the civil war, was built from 1940 to 1958 during the rule of General Franco.
The Valle de los Caidos memorial group includes an esplanade, a basilica with a crypt, and a monument on a granite pedestal in the form of a cross, rising 150 meters. In the galleries carved into the rock, in wall niches, you will see several chapels where 33,700 Spaniards who died in the civil war are buried. Next to the complex is a monastery whose monks take care of the memorial.
In the Catholic basilica carved into the rock, the altar dome, 42 meters in diameter, is impressive. A mountain path leads to the foot of the cross, but you can also take a funicular. An awe-inspiring event is the ascent inside the cross by an elevator to the observation deck, where at a height of 42 meters with figures depicting the 4 Christian virtues, an awe-inspiring view of the surroundings opens. The most convenient way to visit the Valley of the Fallen is by renting a car.
Avila
Located 110 kilometers northwest of Madrid, Avila is interesting for its unique history. It spreads along the banks of the Adajo River, flowing at an altitude of 1130 meters. The city’s tourist highlight is the 11th-century fortress wall, completely preserved to this day. The wall encloses the Old Town for 2.5 kilometers.
It has 87 towers and 9 gates, and the height of the defensive fortifications reaches 12 meters. Entering through the Alcazar gate, you will see the church of Saint Peter on the Big Market Square, formerly the main temple of the city. On the Small Market Square is the Annunciation Chapel, dating from the end of the 16th century.
The main attraction of Avila is the Church and Museum of Saint Teresa of Avila, located on the site of her house. The local 7 churches, built in Romanesque architecture and monasteries, can be seen by boarding the ring excursion train Tren Turistico Murallito on San Vicente Square.
You can get off at any stop, explore the attraction, and then continue the tour on another train. From the Moncloa stop, a direct FlixBus K702 route bus goes to Avila. Travel time is 74 minutes.
Guadalajara
The town of Guadalajara is located 60 kilometers northeast of Madrid. It was founded by Arabs in the 8th century, and its name translates from Arabic as “river of stones.” The Cathedral of Guadalajara on Plaza de los Caidos was rebuilt after the expulsion of the Arab conquerors in the Mudejar architecture in the 14th century from a mosque, preserving its tower, which was crowned with a spire.
The Renaissance style is evident in the portico, chapel, and magnificent 16th-century altar. At the site of a spring that beat near the temple in the Middle Ages stands a column with a statue of the Virgin Mary. Tourists arriving at Plaza de los Caidos are greeted by a monument to Cardinal Mendoza. Behind it is a luxurious 15th-century palace combining many architectural styles.
The inner facades impress with intricate stone lace carvings of galleries and arcades. The outer facades, combining Gothic and Renaissance details, evoke associations with a carved box of giant size. On Calle Mayor Square, the picturesque eclectic building of the town hall, dating from the 19th century, is impressive. Getting to Guadalajara is not difficult on a direct electric train from Madrid station.
Salamanca
Salamanca is known for having Spain’s oldest university, founded in the 13th century. The historic center of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists enjoy the atmosphere of the old streets with mansions built from golden-colored sandstone. The center of attraction for guests of the city is the baroque Plaza Mayor, dating from the 18th century.
It is bordered by buildings in the authentic style called “Spanish Renaissance.” It is worth visiting two churches: the old one in Romanesque style, founded in the 12th century, and the New one in the architecture of Spanish Baroque. The building of las Conchas, with a facade adorned with 300 seashells, attracts attention with its originality. The highlight of Salamanca is the colorful university building of the early 16th century.
Its facades with royal coats of arms impress with the Plateresque style, expressed in whimsical relief elements of decor and stone patterns. On the outskirts, visit the mystical cave where, according to legend, black magic lessons were held, arranged by Satan. You can reach Salamanca from Madrid Chamartin station in 1 hour and 36 minutes, or by bus from the Southern bus station in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Siguenza
The small old town of Siguenza captivates with the color of its historic center. On Plaza Mayor, laid out by Cardinal Mendoza in the 16th century, tourists are presented with the architectural treasure of the city with the charm of the facades of secular buildings, the town hall, and the Cathedral, the construction of which began in the 12th century in Romanesque architecture, finishing almost 400 years later in Gothic style.
From the outside, the cathedral appears as a medieval castle with square towers on the sides and a portico with a massive rose. The church adjoins a monastery with galleries, where a church museum with 16 unique tapestries is located. The southern facade with the Gallo tower faces the square. Among the civil buildings, it is worth spending time examining the Gothic house-tower on Calle de San Vicente, built in the 13th century.
On its facade, the heraldry of influential townspeople and Mudejar-style details can be seen. A vivid impression remains from the view of the formidable 12th-century castle, attracting attention on a high hill, serving as a defensive structure and the residence of the Bishop. Now a hotel is located in the ancient walls.
Siguenza is located 130 km away. A direct bus No. 034 departs from the same-name station. The journey to the destination takes one and a half hours.
Medinaceli
The settlement of Medinaceli, existing during the Roman Empire as the city of Ocilis, is located 155 km from Madrid in the Jalón River Valley. The Romans discovered salt, iron ore, and silver deposits here. Today, a reminder of the Romans’ presence is a 9-meter three-span arch from the 1st century AD, rising on a hill.
Near the arch remains an abandoned Moorish castle. Medinaceli is a two-level settlement, the historical part of which is on a hill. The family palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli stands out among all the mansions on the main square, founded in the 16th century. Inside the palace, among the exhibitions of modern installations, the ancient Roman mosaics of the 2nd and 4th centuries on mythological themes, discovered during the restoration of the city squares’ pavement, are noteworthy.
Do not pass by the church of Saint Martin, the monastery of Saint Elizabeth, dating from the 16th century, and the cathedral of the Virgin Mary with a unique image of Christ, preserving the interior atmosphere of the Middle Ages. You can reach Medinaceli twice daily by train from Madrid, departing at 7.15 and 15.45, in 2 hours and 16 minutes.
Colmenar de Oreja
Colmenar de Oreja was founded by the Romans in 220 BC. During the Arab conquest, it became a Moorish fortress. The place where tours of the attractions begin is the authentic Plaza Mayor. The pearl of the city’s architecture is the church of Santa Maria la Mayor. Today it appears before us in the form given by the reconstruction in the 16th century.
Outside, the church resembles an impregnable fortress, completed with a 62-meter spire. Pay attention to the stone Chapel-Skete named after the city’s patron Humilladero. Its older part was built in the 16th century, and the other a hundred years later. The facade of the Women’s Monastery, built in the baroque architectural style, with the right wing, formerly the palace of the Count of Colmenar, is interesting.
Art lovers will be interested in visiting the Ulpiano Checa Museum, a world-famous artist born in this city. A beautiful garden with a bust of the artist, a commemorative jug, and a Colmenar stone sign – limestone, used as a building material for royal palaces and numerous sculptures, is laid out near the museum.
To get there, take bus No. 337 from the Madrid Conde de Casal station and get off at the 2nd stop, orienting yourself by the church spire. The travel time is about 1 hour.
Consuegra
The settlement of Consuegra has been known since the 6th century BC. Its captivating history and picturesque surroundings are significant reasons to visit the city, included in the route of Don Quixote. The architecture of Consuegra Castle in the surroundings and the 12 windmills that surround it, with which Cervantes’ hero fought, have become the hallmark of Consuegra.
You will feel the medieval atmosphere of the town on the historic Plaza Espana, with the 17th-century town hall and the house “Los Corredores,” notable for its carved balconies in the traditional La Mancha style. The town’s archaeological museum, where you will learn about the history of Consuegra and Castile, is located there. You will see the ancient Roman dam, built in the 1st century – a testimony to the greatness of the Roman Empire. Entering the church of San Juan Bautista, dating from the 16th century, you will admire a collection of paintings by Spanish artists on biblical themes. In the workshops of artisans, you will surely want to purchase traditional and unique ceramic products. Consuegra is located 160 km from the Spanish capital. You can get there in 2 hours and 45 minutes by bus 012, departing from Madrid station.
Pedraza
The small village of Pedraza, founded in the 13th century, has remained untouched by the events and changes of past centuries. Surrounded by a fortress wall, it has not expanded beyond its boundaries. Today, as in the Middle Ages, you will enter Pedraza through the fortress gates with the coat of arms of the local ruler, unchanged since the 16th century.
The medieval era, frozen in the architecture of houses and narrow cobbled streets, is beloved by historical film creators and tourists, making a time-traveling journey here. Immediately after entering Pedraza, you will find yourself at the city prison, preserved from the 16th century. It is currently empty.
Walking along the narrow Royal Street, you will reach the main square – Plaza Mayor, surrounded by the mansions of local nobility, where the town hall and a number of authentic restaurants are located. Tourists will be most interested in the well-preserved castle, where each stone of its walls remembers the Romans, Arabs, and Spanish infants, imprisoned in the main castle tower.
In the last century, the castle was bought by the artist Ignacio Zuloaga, who turned it into a museum. The distance from Madrid to Pedraza is 126 km, and it is most convenient to get there by a rented car.
Aranjuez
Visiting the town of Aranjuez, located 48 km from Madrid between the Tagus and Jarama rivers, tourists will enjoy views of architectural masterpieces, wonderful parks, and unique museum collections. The most majestic structure in Aranjuez is the pompous summer Royal Palace, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and nicknamed the “Spanish Versailles.” It impresses with the luxurious baroque style of the facade exteriors and the interiors of its rooms. The elegance of the porcelain hall and the luxury of the mirror salon, the richly decorated bedrooms, are delightful.
On the ground floor, the exhibitions of the museum of palace life of monarchs are located. The palace is surrounded by an exquisite garden and park complex with four original parks: the heirs to the throne, island, flowerbed, and garden of Isabel II, decorated with sculptural compositions, fountains, pavilions, and green hedges. On San Antonio Square, you will admire the fountain and the surrounding arcades preserved from the royal court. In the center of the square, the baroque royal church of Saint San Antonio rises.
Among the attractions, the Royal Boats and Barges Museum, the miniature Casa del Labrador palace, the palaces of Medinaceli and Selvilla, are also of interest. In the church of the Royal Monastery of San Pascual, dating from the 17th century, the altar painted by the artist Rafael Mengs is noteworthy. The special highlight of Aranjuez is the “strawberry train” – an excursion route recreating the old train with a steam locomotive and 4 carriages with a 19th-century interior. In 1 hour, leaving from Madrid, it arrives at the neomudéjar-style railway station.
Chinchón
The tour of the sights of the town of Chinchón, located 40 km from Madrid, is best started from Plaza Mayor, where you will immediately feel the medieval spirit of the town. The square is surrounded by authentic three-story houses of the 15th – 17th centuries with wooden galleries-balconies. A popular tourist attraction is the Clock Tower, which served as a church bell tower in the 15th century, and over the centuries turned into a watchtower. Small Chinchón has several churches of interest to tourists.
The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (1534-1626), combining Gothic, Plateresque, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, is known for the painting “Assumption of the Virgin Mary” by Francisco Goya, adorning the main altar. Do not miss the baroque church of Saint Roch, built in the 16th century in honor of the city’s patron, notable for the statue of the saint near the entrance. Chinchón has 2 old monasteries: the Clarissa nunnery, founded in the mid-17th century, and the Augustinian monastery of the 15th century, reconstructed at the end of the last century into an authentic hotel.
Next to the Clarissa monastery, attention is drawn to the House of Chains, built at the end of the 17th century in Baroque architecture. From here, climb the hill to the ruins of the count’s castle Castillo de los Condes (16th century), passing over the preserved old stone bridge with the count’s coat of arms. From this point, an amazing view of the ancient town unfolds. Descending, finish the tour of the town by viewing the pink facade and stone coat of arms of the town’s theater building, Lope de Vega.
Getting to Chinchón is easy by bus No. 337, departing from the Av. Mediterráneo-Conde De Casal station, taking about an hour.
Cuenca
The color of the town of Cuenca, located on a rocky elevation 138 km away, is created by a scattering of medieval houses known as Casas Colgadas, hanging from the cliff. Its main square, Plaza Mayor, is notable for the baroque architecture of buildings and the Gothic style of the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Mayor, built at the end of the 12th century. Inside, admire the 18th-century altar made by Ventura and the magnificent Renaissance arch. Next to the temple, visit the palace of the Bishop, where the art collection of the Diocesan Museum is displayed in the arcaded galleries.
The historic center is also interesting for the building of the Cuenca archive, where the Inquisition Court was located in the Middle Ages, and the Mañana Clock Tower, recognized as a symbol of the town. Several churches deserve attention: San Felipe Neri (18th century) with a rococo interior, Virgen de la Luz, dedicated to the Virgin Mary (16th century) with rococo facades, and the baroque Nuestra Señora de las Angustias (16th century). The baroque building of the Carmelite monastery of the 17th century now houses a university.
You can visit museums of archaeology, painting, and wildlife. The tour concludes with a visit to the high hill of Cuenca, where the Sacred Heart of Jesus monument blesses the town. Rest from climbing and descending the streets of Cuenca in the park of curious stones San Ciudad Encantada. You can reach Cuenca from Madrid by rented car in 2 hours.
Buitrago del Lozoya
While in Madrid, it is worth visiting the town of Buitrago del Lozoya, located 78 km away. It is notable for its fortress walls surrounded by water, built by the Moors in the 11th century. The old town is spread out on a river cape, resembling an extended thumb. Start the tour from the historical center – Plaza de la Constitución, viewing the old fountain, the municipal building where the museum of paintings by the outstanding artist Pablo Picasso is located, and the Clock Tower.
Passing through the tower arch, you will find yourself at Plaza de los Caídos near the castle church of Saint Mary, built 7 centuries ago, with a facade combining Gothic, Renaissance, and Mudejar architecture. The impressive Castillo de Buitrago del Lozoya castle, built in the 15th century in a square shape, is fortified with 7 towers. The main style of the castle masonry is Mudejar. The castle is surrounded by a two-level fortress wall 800 meters long with three entrances. You can walk along the lower part of the wall, parallel to the river, enjoying the stunning views from above. The upper – southwestern wall has limited access.
There is no direct communication to Buitrago del Lozoya. It is easiest to get to the town by rented car, taking 1 hour.