A perfect way to explore Spain is to drive around Andalucia. The main attractions of Valladolid are the 16th-century Cathedral, the National Sculpture Museum, and the Cervantes House. Also, be sure to check out my tips on flying with wine, as youll be wanting to take some back home with you! In this little white town famous for its crafts (especially jarapa, a fabric that has been created with scraps of other fabrics a centuries-old recycling tradition), colourful balconies overlook the streets of the historic centre. One key disclaimer is that while this one sits high on our list of bucket list trips, we haven't actually done the full trip - it's a long drive! Some of the towns worth visiting in La Sierra are Rascafria, Buitrago de Lozoya, Manzanares El Real, and Chinchon. You'll relax in the world famous Andalucian white villages of Mijas, Benahavis and Casares and mingle with new money in Puerto Banus' marina full of expensive supercars, people with too much plastic surgery and the world's biggest yachts. 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? Hop on a train in Madrid and you can be standing beneath the arches of Cordoba's Moorish-area Mezquita in two hours. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Seville is also home to the worlds largest cathedral, a tower of gold, delicious tapas and weird architecture in the shape of mushrooms. Here's my recommended 10 day itinerary for a self drive road trip from Madrid to Seville. Whether you're looking to relax in the mountains off the Costa del Sol, navigate the narrow streets of Toledo or take a stroll down Barcelona's Las Ramblas, we can help you plan the perfect Spanish road trip for you. While outside of Spain, there is no doubt Rioja is considered the best wine from the country, however, those in the know also talk about this smaller wine region named Ribera del Duero. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Getting There: Take the Renfe-operated AVE from Madrid, which lasts roughly two and a half hours. On your stop in Guadalajara, you should try wild boar stew, hare, or deer. If you would like an in-depth look about how to get there, you can find it near the top of the post as well as some more tips about what to expect from the park. Of the countrys eight autovas, its modern toll-free highways, A-1 to A-6, extend out from the capital. Where to Stay in Madrid. The great thing is, all of them are accessible via public transport. Along the way, you can stop at traditional Spanish taverns to sample local cuisine, such as lechazo (roast lamb) and cochinillo (suckling pig). The Toledano are experts at crafting swords and stunning marzipan desserts. 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. As you approach Avila from the outside, it looks spectacular, is it a walled city with some of the most eye-catching fortifications you will see thanks to years of restoration work. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". I offer you the top 6 of beautiful destinations where you can go on a day trip from Madrid by car. Hiking Trails Outside of Madrid 12. 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. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Famous for Flamenco and the traditional Spanish pastime of bullfighting. 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. But if you're brave enough, you can start wherever along the route you like as you it goes in a loop. Read My Story Page Here and Take Care! As you make your way toward Valencia, build your road trip itinerary in that way where you visit first Aranjuez and then Cuenca. Other than the Hercules Tower, the main sight here is the light house. Most beautiful towns & cities along the Bay of Biscay. Barcelona to Madrid drive. It covers a length of over 70 miles through Castile-Len. Embarking on a road trip from Madrid to Valencia is an excellent way to explore the diverse landscapes and cultural landmarks of this area. 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. It takes a bit of effort to get there, but well worth it. You can read more advice about getting to Segovia from Madrid here. Puebla de la Sierra is a nice little village with a very good restaurant and easy hiking routes. Book the best day trips from Madrid, Spain directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. 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. Its magnificent Mudejar temples coexist together with spectacular modern buildings and its cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. If you do drive to Patones de Arriba, be sure to leave time to go a little further up the road and check out El Atazar so you get some awesome views over the Atazar Reservoir (Madrids largest reservoir) and drive across the dam. Stroll around the Gran Va, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor 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. 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. Getting There: Madrid's commuter train, the Cercanas, will get you to El Escorial in about an hour. At present time, she is based in Spain while waiting for the war in Ukraine to be over to be able to return home. On this 11-day self-drive adventure you'll visit not only the most historic cities in Spain, bust some of the most beautiful countryside in the Andalusia region. Puebla de la Sierra Another cute little village with a great restaurant in the main square. However, there are also plenty of tuk-tuk drivers who offer tours of the town and trips up to some wonderful viewpoints. It is only 45 minutes by car or a little under an hour by train. Alongside Madrid, it is one of my favourite plaza mayors in Spain. 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 The answer is all of the above, as well as the most important monument from the Spanish Renaissance. The Basque country is a unique part of Spain - they have a prominent local language, cities that make up two prominent medieval kingdoms (Basque and Navarre) and a unique link to the Pyrenees. I have broken it all down in my other post specific to a day trip to Monasterio de Piedra. Travel Tip: Due to the required stop in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, many travelers choose to combine the two into a single day trip from Madrid. La Tomatina in Buol: If youre lucky enough to be traveling in August, make a stop in the town of Buol to experience La Tomatina. If you are looking for the perfect Toledo souvenirs then a sword would be the right choice. Follow those secondary roads and you may come upon an artisans studio with rows of beautifully glazed ceramic pots, a centuries-old Romanesque chapel, or a field of sunflowers greeting you. The end of the trip gets you to Pedraza back in the Segovia province before taking a short drive back to Madrid's airport. As with most Spanish cities, there are plenty of churches to visit, and the main cathedral is pretty spectacular. While the massive white structures are certainly the town's biggest draw, the Moorish castle should not be overlooked, either. 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. It would be a good option if you want an overnight visit. La Rioja wine country. 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. The walk around the top of the walls was a really nice experience, but other than that, I didnt find a whole lot more that really stands out about the city. It is a nice stop on the way to Salamanca, or as mentioned previously, part of a multi-stop organised tour. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. If you are visiting with kids, I would certainly recommend allowing a bit of time to visit the Paleontological Museum of Cuenca. 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. Road trip length: 11 days Total distance: 518 miles 2. There are plenty of sights to see along this highway: the walled citadel of Uruea, which promotes itself as the Villa del Libro (like an Iberian Hay-on-Wey, the city has an abundance of bookstores and literary events throughout the year); the picturesque towns of Ponferrada and El Bierzo, or Allariz, surrounded by hills covered in oaks. You get on the train at the old railway station which is now the Madrid Train Museum and an old school (read: uncomfortable) train carriage will take you to the town. Anything in Rey de Patones an amazing restaurant, but be sure to check your bank balance first! Next. The trip continues east to Cuenca and Siguenza - both stunning towns but in completely different ways and both very different from a lot of typical Spanish destinations. 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. 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