13 Best Day Trips from Madrid

The scintillating Spanish capital of Madrid is one dynamic city overflowing with culinary, artistic, and architectural treasures and marvels. This city radiates irresistible and rather unimitable energy, and you need a good three days to explore its museums, palaces, and plazas while enjoying churros dipped in hot chocolate. But that’s not all. Madrid is also a gateway to some of the most striking attractions and towns and attractions anywhere in Spain’s interior. The many options for the best day trip from Madrid take you to intimate Spanish villages, Roman ruins, and walled cities. There’s even a UNESCO World Heritage-listed palace-monastery complex within an hour of the Spanish capital! What’s more, there are controversial monuments, wine regions, and so much more to discover on day trips from here. So, what are you waiting for? Here are the best day trips from Madrid, Spain.

Avila and Salamanca

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This Tour of Avila & Salamanca is the best day trip from Madrid. The exciting tour begins in Salamanca, home to the Plaza Mayor, just like Madrid. It’s also one of Europe’s most striking squares and is famous for its impressive Baroque ornaments. The tour heads to amazing Avila, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Check out the Cathedral of Avila, San Vicente’s Shrine, and the ramparts of Avila, which are surrounded by some of the lushest undulating landscapes in the region.

• Tour duration: 11 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1.5 hours from Madrid
• Transportation: A/C vehicle

Toledo

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This Day Tour to Toledo takes you to Toledo, one of the world’s most impressive walled cities. You have your own travel assistant on this trip, who belts out interesting facts about the city as you journey from Madrid to Toledo. This UNESCO World Heritage site a city has numerous vantage points that make for excellent photo ops and where the tour will stop. After that, head to the main Zocodover square with Toledo Cathedral and the impressive Alcazar fortress. You’ll also get to taste Toledo’s signature sweet marzipan made from honey and almonds. Finally, you also explore Toledo’s Jewish Quarter and its narrow streets, mosques, churches, monasteries, and the synagogue. 

• Tour duration: 5.5-9 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1 hour from Madrid
• Transportation: Bus

Segovia

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This Full Day Tour of Segovia is the best day trip from Madrid. The Roman city of Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its impressive aqueduct and Old Town. You’ll be awed by the aqueduct, a Roman engineering feat in Spain. Later, head to the Old town for a 45-minute guided walking tour along its narrow cobblestoned streets. After the tour, you’ll have some time to explore the city on your own. So, you could wander the narrow streets or find a lovely little pub, kick back with a beer, and dig into local cuisine on a beautiful terrace overlooking Segovia.

• Tour duration: 10 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1 hour from Madrid
• Transportation: Luxury VIP class bus

Guadarrama National Park

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Those who love the outdoors will love this Day Trip to Guadarrama National Park, Spain’s fourth largest national park. As you enjoy the guided walking tour of the park, you can feast your eyes on the extraordinary beauty and serene natural environment. See highlights such as Puerto de la Morcuera, Puerto de Cotos, Puerto de Navacerrada, and La Pedriza. What’s more, there are more than 1,200 animal species in the park, and you’ll get to see hares, foxes, mountain goats, fallow deer, and more. If that wasn’t enough, the park is also home to more than 1,500 native plants and vegetation.

• Tour duration: 10 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1 hour from Madrid
• Transportation: Minivan/Bus

Ribera del Duero

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This Ribera del Duero Tour of 3 Different Wineries is one of the best day trips from Madrid you can take. Journey to the heart of the Duero valley, a prominent wine-making region, and stop at the three best wineries around.
You not only get to learn all about wine-making techniques but also get to sample the region’s acclaimed wines. After listening to family stories, step back in time to the Middle Ages by visiting historic castles and medieval villages. Stop for lunch at a traditional restaurant (not included) and dig into delicious regional Castilian food before visiting the third winery and heading back to Madrid.

• Tour duration: 11 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 2 hours from Madrid
• Transportation: A/C van or coach

Cuenca and The Enchanted City

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How about seeing a place called the “enchanted city”? Experience that and more on this Day Trip to Cuenca and The Enchanted City. An expert local guide leads this full-day tour, which first stops at a wine cellar in Castilla La-Mancha before continuing to the Enchanted City. The spectacular scenery and unique natural structures will leave you amazed. After that, head to Cuenca, where you stop at the famed viewpoint of Devil’s Window for amazing views. After relishing a delicious local lunch, enjoy a panoramic tour along the Huécar River before heading to El Barrio del Castillo, the highest part of the city. You get to descend on foot to explore the cobblestone streets of Cuenca’s medieval quarter, after which the bus transports you back to Madrid.

• Tour duration: 11 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 2 hours from Madrid
• Transportation: Bus

Wine Tasting Tour

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This Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour close to Madrid is the best day trip from Madrid for oenophiles. After departing from the Spanish capital in the morning, you head to some of the best wineries around Madrid. What’s more, you get to learn all about the wine-making process and sample excellent wines on a two-hour guided tour. Later on, enjoy a leisurely lunch of tapas with wine, or you could dig into a more substantial feast, depending on your preferences. The rest of the afternoon is spent discovering and exploring nearby castles, cathedrals, and the many medieval towns that dot the region.

• Tour duration: 11 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1 hour from Madrid
• Transportation: A/C vehicle

Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums

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If you’re a museum freak, then this Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen Guided Tour is perfect for you. You get to explore and feast your eyes on some of the best Spanish art on this guided tour. Firstly, you head to the National Museum of Spain, Prado, where you learn its history. Moreover, you get to admire artworks by 16th-19th-century Spanish masters. Next, soak up some of Spain’s finest 20th-century artwork at the Reina Sofía Museum, including Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso paintings. Your tour finishes at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which completes Madrid’s famous ‘Golden Triangle of Art.’ Here, you can see works by Expressionists, Impressionists, Italian Primitives, and other 20th-century American and European movements.

• Tour duration: 7 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: N/A; this tour is in Madrid itself.
• Transportation: None; you meet your guide on Paseo del Prado.

Territorio Atleti Museum and Wanda Metropolitano

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Football fans, this Territorio Atleti Museum & Wanda Metropolitano Tour, is for you. The “Atleti Territory,” which lies within the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, is the home ground for Atletico Madrid. Hailed as one of the world’s most modern stadiums, this place is immersed in Atlético’s history. Discover the club’s values, successes, and long history in this unique space, home to many historical artifacts. What’s more, this interactive experience also has interactive and VR games, phone booths, projectors, binoculars, and interactive screens. Access every inch of this stadium, including unique areas such as the dressing rooms, on this tour. Don’t miss picking up souvenirs from the gift store at the end of the tour.

• Tour duration: 1-3 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: N/A; this tour is in Madrid itself.
• Transportation: None; you meet your guide outside Territorio Atleti.

Escorial and Valley of the Fallen

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The Escorial and Valley of the Fallen Tour is the best day trip from Madrid for history and culture vultures. You head out to the stunning National Heritage Site of the Valley of the Fallen, which is a testament to 20th-century Spain. It’s famously home to the world’s largest Christian cross. Your next stop is to visit El Escorial, which is the Spanish Renaissance’s most important architectural monument. It’s also home to the El Escorial Library, one of the world’s most spectacular libraries. After these two cultural pitstops, it’s time to discover Spanish gastronomy as you settle down for a lunch of settling down for a traditional lunch of the famous “Cochinillo Segoviano,” or suckling pig.

• Tour duration: 10.5 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 1 hour from Madrid
• Transportation: A/C minibus

Trail Running in Madrid

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Whip out your trekking shoes and backpacks on this Trail Running Day Trip, one of the best day trips from Madrid for outdoors enthusiasts. The tour takes you to the beautiful Spanish hiking landscapes, including and not limited to Guadarrama National Park. Once you discuss your preferences and set a trail route, you can head off on your exploration. What makes it all the more fun is that the forests are beautiful throughout the year, and the low mountain areas make it perfect for everyone to enjoy the activity.

• Tour duration: 4 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 45 minutes from Madrid
• Transportation: Minivan/Bus

Casa de Campo Mountain Biking

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There’s nothing better than enjoying a mountain biking tour tailored specifically to the group’s ability, and this Mountain Biking Day Trip is exactly that. Mountain biking is one of Madrileños’ most popular activities, and it’s easy to see why. The city and its forests, such as Casa de Campo, are perfect grounds for a mountain biking day trip. It might lie just outside the city, but the setting is filled with peace and quiet. Bike up and down the challenging landscapes of El Pardo and enjoy a day of spirited fun outdoors.

• Tour duration: 2 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: 20 minutes from Madrid city center
• Transportation: Minivan/bus

Tapas and Flamenco

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It wouldn’t be a Spanish vacation without tasting tapas or watching a Flamenco show, would it? That’s why this Local Tapas Walking Tour and Flamenco Show Tour is the best day trip from Madrid. This amazing walking tour dives headlong into Madrid’s food culture. What’s more, the tour is helmed by a culinary expert guide and heads out to various bars and markets. Begin at the famous San Miguel Market for the famous Bilbao pintxos and La Latina for traditional croquettes. Furthermore, you’ll also taste mushroom tapas, cod tapas, and delicious Spanish omelets accompanied by a cider or a glass of wine. Then, it’s time to watch the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Spanish culture, Flamenco. Experience the intimate Tablao Flamenco show, Madrid’s hidden treasure, with a complimentary drink.

• Tour duration: 4.5 hours
• Distance from nearest city/town: N/A; this tour is in Madrid itself.
• Transportation: None; you meet on Plaza de San Miguel.

Just So You Know

• Madrid is home to some of the world’s best and most famous museums, with many visitors flocking to the so-called ‘Golden Triangle.’ These include Museo Reina Sofia, the Thyssen-Bornemiszia Museum, and the Prado, one of the world’s best museums. In fact, the Prado collection is so vast that it can display only a seventh of its collection at a time.
• One of the most interesting facts about Madrid is that it’s gone to a botanical garden housed within an abandoned train station. An abandoned section of the Atocha train station now has vivid tropical gardens, making it one of the world’s 11 most unique train stations.
• Madrid is one of the world’s most gay-friendly cities and hosts one of the world’s biggest pride parades. Along with many options for top gay-friendly hotels, Madrid is a dream destination for the LGBTQ set.
• Madrid has so many top things to see and do, and diverse at that. For instance, its famed Plaza Mayor is one of Europe’s most beautiful squares. At the same time, Calle Serrano in the city is one of the world’s best shopping streets.