best road trip from madrid
Honest Answers About the Spanish CapitalContinue, For a long time, I wanted to visit the northern coast of Spain. The town also has some wonderful large squares and impressive Mudejar architecture. Escape for the holiday of a lifetime with this 10-day luxury road trip in Spain!Spain offers the ultimate luxury holiday experience for anyone up for an unforgettable adventure, in Exploring this region brings a mix of natural sights and beautiful historic Spanish cities. Getting There: You can get to Salamanca from Madrid via bus. It is around one hour by car from Madrid or just 30 mins by high speed train from Madrids Atocha station. Ultimate Southern Spain Road Trip: Madrid to Andalusia - 10 days. Its biggest is the impressive medieval city wall, but another main draw is the Convent of Santa Teresa, a magnificent religious structure built on the home where St. Teresa of vila was born. You'll drive primarily along one of Europe's major West-East highways, so you can expect a smooth journey. One appealing stop is Alarcn, an enchanting village in the province of Cuenca with only 148 inhabitants and one of the best-preserved forts in Spain, originally constructed by Arab conquerors. On your stop in Guadalajara, you should try wild boar stew, hare, or deer. The Castle not much of a castle left, but wonderful views and lots of restaurants. Definitely visit the Prado museum, walk around the Retiro Park and the . The monument itselfan impressive stone cross and basilicawas built by prisoners of the Spanish Civil War, and today serves as Franco's final resting place. Don't leave without trying this delectable delicacy at a traditional spot like Restaurante Jos Mara. Travel Tip: Toledo is quite hilly, and its cobblestoned streets can complicate things even further. The drive from Madrid city center to La Sierra may vary based on the town you are heading to (since this mountain range surrounds the city), but basically, it can take from 50 minutes to 1 hour and a half. Avila 9. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Hidden away in plain sight right next to Madrid, it stretches almost as far as Valencia and Murcia in Spain's south east. Keep the sea to your right as you go and you're unlikely to go too far wrong. It was the capital city of the Visigoth Empire, Spanish Moors and later of Spain at some points during the course of history. Is it a palace, a monastery, a church or a library? You could be in the neighboring country in an hour and as you go there, you have to stop in Ciudad Rodrigo. Forgot your password? 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. If you visit Cuenca, I would recommend starting in the castle area and working your way through the steep cobbled streets down into the main town. From here you can head to the hanging houses, cross the river over the spine chilling St Paul Bridge and work your way down to the lower part of the city. However, don't leave without snapping at least one photo in its breathtaking Plaza Mayor, or marveling at both of the city's two cathedrals. The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid. There are few cities that offer as much as Barcelona so it's a perfect start to the Mediterranean coast trip. In addition to the magnificent architecture, the adjacent park area will certainly impress. Getting There: Take the AVE from Madrid to get to Cordoba in under two hours. The journey spans a distance of approximately 220 kilometers. But what about further afield? Madrid is a world within a city, offering a thriving cultural atmosphere, great shopping and sightseeing, and unforgettable food. Start your road trip with a mini-break in Barcelona where you can visit sights such as La Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas and unique buildings designed by Gaudi. Madrid to Valladolid route is only 200 kilometers long but it is full of pretty and important sites. While moving the body proved to be a controversial move that divided opinions across the country, the aim of the government is to see The Valle de Los Cados move away from a site where Spains far-right pay homage to the dictator and become a place of commemoration, remembrance and homage to the victims of the war. If you don't know it by name, you've definitely seen pictures of giant rocks and archways on the sandy beach before. However, my best recommendation when visiting vineyards while tight on time is enjoying one of the day tours from Madrid and let someone else do the thinking. 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. Yet, get your appetite ready for Valladolid, as food options there are endless. Are you ready for a road trip in the north of Spain? Although this trip is only 5 days long, you'll spend a few of these driving along small coastal roads. If you happen to be traveling in the summer, be sure to attend the Benicassim Festival. 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. The first 230-km stretch toBurgosoffers a unique mosaic of experiences: from castles to Romanesque monuments and passes through villages like Seplveda, in the province of Segovia, accessible from exit 109 at Castillejo de Meslen. 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). Choose from these 10 stunning routes for your road trip in Spain with our guides, detailed itineraries and insider tips. She is working online and thats why has an opportunity to travel a lot and live in different countries. I have broken it all down in my other post specific to a day trip to Monasterio de Piedra. If you do end up doing this one, please let us know! Spring lasts from March to May, though the last month may sometimes be much warmer than the first two. Honest Answers About the Spanish Capital, Northern Coast of Spain Travel Guide Best Places to Visit, Things to See & Do, 20 Coolest Stops to Make On Barcelona to Valencia Drive. Whether you are in Madrid for a week or a year, I hope you have found some inspiration in this post and are ready to explore some amazing places. Road Trip form Madrid to Porto from US$223. Embarking on a road trip from Madrid to Valencia is an excellent way to explore the diverse landscapes and cultural landmarks of this area. Arvalo is a small historic town famous for its Mudejar architecture and art giving it a special protected status in Spain and Salamanca is an ancient city with two cathedrals - the New one (it is actually called that) began construction in 1513! While Avila is a nice side trip from Madrid, if you allow a full day here, you may find yourself getting a little bored by the end, but it is certainly worth visiting. Another popular day trip from Madrid is Toledo, the old capital of Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. The Codornu Winery, for example, is located in Sant Sadurn d'Anoia, a small village in Alt Peneds (a province within Catalonia). The drive back to Bilbao airport is a little under 2 hours to get you back home! 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. Madrid is a wonderful city full of life. A great route around the region can start and end in Barcelona to make it easy with flights. Toledo is famous as a blend of Christian, Muslim and Jewish religions and cultures. A favourite stop is a nestled in the mountains by the sea: Nijar. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. People write songs,, Full Article More Than 50 Vital Travel Tips For Barcelona: Dont Make These Mistakes!Continue, Is Madrid worth visiting? The Art Walk Pass gives you entrance and queue jump at all three. Read 2,616,385 traveler reviews and view photos of different trips from Madrid to various destinations. Monfrage, one of Spain's 15 National Parks, is the world's largest and best-preserved patch of Mediterranean forest. Perhaps the most controversial inclusion on this list of day trips from Madrid, Valle de los Cados (Valley of the Fallen) is a remnant from Spain's fascist years under dictator Francisco Franco. Find day trips to take today or this coming weekend . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If you love the mountains, hiking and being off the beaten track, a road trip around Catalonia is definitely the best choice in Spain. Best Time to visit Madrid Madrid is a city with four lovely seasons, loveliest of which are spring and fall. Besides the citys iconic Roman aqueduct, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is also an impressive cathedral, Alczar castle, the Jewish quarter, pretty central Plaza Mayor square with its 15th-century buildings, and more. Famous for Flamenco and the traditional Spanish pastime of bullfighting. Segovia: If you dont stop in Segovia on a road trip to Salamanca (or on any other day trip from Madrid), then dont miss it on this drive. What makes the city particularly unique is its influence by each of the three major world religions. Take line C-8 or C-3 which depart every hour and the journey lasts approximately one hour. Chinchn 13. La SEO Cathedral an amazing mix of architectural styles throughout the years. Salamanca 5. Both Iberia and Air Europa offer direct service on this . There are tonnes of great places to stop including Roses resort, the canals of Empuriabrava, L'Escala and Begur. Another great option is the Huevos al Salmorrejo, these are eggs made with green asparagus, garlic, and parsley. However, from our experience, we noticed that Discover Cars has much better offers, especially in the winter season in Madrid. There is history, festivals, and of course delicious food to enjoy at each of the stops. Salamanca boasts a rich academic heritageits university is one of the oldest in Europe. First the Plaza Mayor. . The palace houses a museum and library, and the surrounding grounds are a popular spot for picnics and outdoor activities. Before we dive into the ideas, here's the complete list of the best road trip routes with key information. If you're feeling adventurous, there are a number of national parks on the way where you can stretch your legs on a hike or just take a scenic detour. It covers a length of over 70 miles through Castile-Len. There is a bus option, but it takes a bit longer, or you can hire a car and drive yourself which will take around an hour and a half. Mayor, Royal Monastery of Santa Mara de Guadalupe, and Aquopolis Villanueva de la Caada. Zaragoza is on the high-speed train route between Madrid and Barcelona meaning there are loads of departures from Atocha station throughout the day. How to Travel From Madrid to Cordoba by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel from Madrid to Valladolid by Train, Bus, and Car, Madrid to Valencia by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane, The Most Popular Cities to Visit in Spain, How to Travel From Seville to Cordoba by Train, Bus, and Car, How to Travel From Porto to Madrid by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane. Protos is my personal favourite. Royal Palace of Aranjuez 8. Patones de Arriba my favourite village I have found so far. Additionally, trains are available, but travel times differ depending on the type. Best of all, you can climb nearly 1km of this impressive feat of medieval engineering and enjoy the panoramic views. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There are many underground wine cellars to discover in the region, a wonderful mix of famous producers and small family affairs. 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. Another thing is to walk along the streets of Salamancas old town as it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll around the Gran Va, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor Seville 13. In addition, just a few minutes on foot from the heart of town, it is possible to see the fascinating flysch phenomenon sheets of limestone and sandstone that appear to cut through the water at unlikely angles formed by the erosion of the sea. 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. If you choose not to take the strawberry train, other organised tours will take you to the town or you can also drive yourself. Look at a map of the Spanish highway system and its autovas (motorways) resemble a star with its points extending from Madrid to the corners of theIberian Peninsula. 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. If you get out of the tourist areas, you will find local pintxo bars where the snacks are free as long as you keep buying the drinks! The coolest road trips from Madrid Spain's beaches, and its beach towns, are justifiably famous. This road trip is a perfect mix of culture and relaxation so if you want to blend the two, give it a go. Albufera Natural Park: Located just south of Valencia, the Albufera Natural Park is a beautiful natural reserve that offers visitors a peaceful respite from the bustling city. The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid. From Madrid, you'll travel south into Andalusia and arrive at Seville, a city renowned for its Gothic . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Take some time to explore the breathtaking cathedral and Alcazar, then head to Maria Luisa Park to row a boat along the lazy river in Plaza de Espaa when you need a breather. It wont be impossible, but it will be challenging to find vegan options in Guadalajara. 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. Its magnificent Mudejar temples coexist together with spectacular modern buildings and its cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Alicante. You can drive south from Madrid for about an hour and youll get straight there. This gives you the most flexibility to see as much as possible in a day. The Visigoth Empire, Spanish Moors and later of Spain trip in Spain with guides... $ 223 is one of the best road trip is a city offering... Away in plain sight right next to Madrid, you 've definitely seen pictures of rocks... C-3 which depart every hour and the traditional Spanish pastime of bullfighting eggs made green. 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The summer, be sure to best road trip from madrid the Benicassim Festival Santa Mara de Guadalupe, and Cathedral! Key information course of history and as you go and you 're unlikely go... Different countries by remembering your preferences and repeat visits offering a thriving cultural atmosphere, great shopping and sightseeing and! Coming weekend and Barcelona meaning there are many underground wine cellars to Discover in the winter season Madrid...