Why The Best Of Spain Is Found Beyond Madrid

Madrid is a brilliant city, full of excitement, entertainment and creative energy. But sometimes, it’s a welcome relief to escape the capital for a day trip or weekend break to recharge your batteries. Take a look at our round-up of these beautiful towns and cities, all within reach by public transport.

Segovia

Segovia’s Roman aqueduct looms large over the city, a towering symbol of invention and of the city’s rich and varied history which encompasses medieval walls, the Roman aqueduct, a Gothic Cathedral and a former royal palace. Wander the cobbled streets and head to its tapas bars come evening time, where red wine flows and you are presented with free tapas with every drink – not always the case in Madrid. For those with heartier appetites, try the local delicacy: roast suckling pig. Located to the north west of Madrid, Segovia can be reached in under 30 minutes on the fast train.

Toledo

Ávila

Ávila, north west of Madrid, is known for its medieval city walls that have remained remarkably intact throughout the centuries. The walls, which were begun in 1090, comprise eight monumental gates, 88 watchtowers and more than 2,500 turrets. The city also attracts pilgrims to its many churches to worship Saint Teresa of Ávila (it is claimed that Ávila has the highest number of Romanesque and Gothic churches per capita in Spain). Trains from Madrid take around 30 minutes.

Cuenca

Founded by the Moors, Cuenca is an historical walled destination, with an old town and medieval castle ruins that are well worth exploring. The city is also known for its famous ‘hanging houses’; dwellings that were carved into the rock over the Huecar river gorge in the 15th century. Today, they house restaurants and the Museum of Abstract Arts. Fast trains from Madrid will get you to Cuenca in around 30 minutes.

Sierra de Guadarrama

Located north of Madrid, the Guadarrama mountain range is home to Puerto de Navacerrada, a popular weekend destination for Madrileños and easily doable as a day trip. A journey on the cercanías (local commuter trains) will see you up in the mountains within an hour and a half, while driving takes around 45 minutes. You can rent equipment for skiing and snowboarding, as well as take lessons if you’re a beginner, though if you can, go on a weekday if possible to avoid the weekend crowds. It’s worth a trip up to the snow even if you’re not skiing, as the nearby town of Cercedilla is a great place to stop for lunch, and in summer is the starting point for many hikes into the mountains.

Salamanca

The beautiful city of Salamanca is around two hours away from Madrid by train, and is a great destination for a weekend break or night away from the capital. The main sites are centred around the city’s impressive Plaza Mayor (said to be one of the most beautiful in Spain). The city is famous for its sandstone architecture and its university, which as one of the oldest in Europe has a big student population and a nightlife scene to match. Salamanca has not one but two cathedrals: the Old Cathedral from the 12th century, and the New Cathedral, built in the 16th century. Look out for some unusual additions to the façade of the New Cathedral from when it was restored in 1992, including an astronaut and a faun with an ice-cream.

Alcalá de Henares

Located 35 kilometres (22 miles) north east of Madrid, Alcalá de Henares is known for its 16th century university and for being the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. Its old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a lovely place to wander, while its bars are renowned for offering free tapas – just order a beer or glass of wine and in most places you’ll be asked what tapas you’d like, from tortilla de patatas through to jamón. A great place for an afternoon tapas crawl, Alcalá de Henares can be reached within about 30 minutes on the local commuter trains from Madrid.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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