Six Best Day Trips from Madrid

By Kirsten McCroskrie
By Kirsten McCroskrie

You’ve marveled at Picasso’s Guernica, people-watched on the Plaza Mayor, and meandered through Retiro Park... but what to do next? Although Madrid certainly has no shortage of attractions, it wouldn’t hurt to head a little further afield now, would it? If you’re lucky enough to be spending several days in Spain’s buzzing capital, it’s worth taking a day out of the city bustle to tick another place off your Spanish bucket list. From beguiling pueblos to historic cities, take a look at our top picks for the best day trips from Madrid including...

  • Toledo
  • Consuegra
  • Segovia
  • Ávila
  • Cuenca
  • Alcalá de Henares

Toledo

Spain’s former capital is one of the most popular day trips from Madrid - and for good reason. Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities thrived here for years and today you can explore the vestiges of these religions in the many well-preserved synagogues, mosques, and churches throughout this petite city. Be sure to walk up to the Alcázar; this imposing Moorish fortress is the city’s most iconic building with origins that date back to Roman times. If you venture inside you’ll find a fascinating military museum. Its exhibitions will give you a good overview of Spain’s (at times turbulent) history. How to get to Toledo: One of the best ways to get to know Toledo is with a guided tour. Luckily, with a Go Madrid pass, you can book onto the Toledo experience tour. They will transport you to and from Madrid and the experience includes both a walking tour and enough free time for you to lose yourself in the city’s winding streets. Image of Cityscape, Urban, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Landscape, River, Water,

Consuegra

Literature enthusiasts should not miss the opportunity to take a trip out of the city to the rural surrounds of Consuegra, home to the famous Don Quixote windmills. The windmills are an iconic part of the famous Spanish novel and now an important symbol for Spain’s literary heritage and culture. Once you’ve milled (sorry, not sorry) around them, you can walk over to the nearby Moorish castle and take in the views of the surrounding plains. The town of Consuegra itself is a traditional and pretty Spanish pueblo complete with whitewash buildings and ornate churches. How to get to Consuegra: The bus company SAMAR runs several buses daily from Madrid-Estacion Sur to Consuegra that take just over two hours. You can check out the timetable on their website. Image of Outdoors, Windmill,

Segovia

Set against a backdrop of the Sierra de Guadarrama, this UNESCO world heritage city is another popular choice for Madrid day-trippers. Although the nature surrounding Segovia adds to the city’s charm, it’s the architecture that steals the show. It’s famous for its ginormous Roman aqueduct and for the Disney-esque Alcázar fortress that sits on a rocky crag above the city. Next on your list has to be the city’s impressive Gothic cathedral - one of the last of its kind constructed in Spain. Beyond the historical sights, the city has an artistic flair. Be sure to visit the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Esteban Vicente - housed in a spectacular 15th-century palace, the museum holds a collection donated by Esteban Vicente, the only Spanish member of the first generation of the New York School of Abstract Expressionism in America. How to get to Segovia: Explore Segovia on a guided tour, bookable with your Go Madrid pass. It includes transport to and from Segovia, a guided tour and of course, free time to explore this small city for yourself. Image of Landmark, Aqueduct of Segovia,

Ávila

Eight gates, 88 watchtowers, and some 2500 turrets make up the walls of the heritage city of Ávila. This impressive structure is just the start of what makes this small city a fascinating day trip from Madrid. It’s an important pilgrimage site for Christians due to the town being the home of Santa Teresa de Ávila, one of Spain’s patron saints. As such, it is claimed that Ávila has the highest number of Romanesque and Gothic churches per capita in Spain. How to get to Ávila: Catch a train from Chamartin or Príncipe Pío stations, which takes just over an hour and a half. Image of Castle, Fortress, Nature, Outdoors, Scenery,

Cuenca

It’s worth the journey from Madrid to see the famous casas colgadas (hanging houses) of Cuenca. Due to the town running out of places to build, houses started to be developed to sit perilously on its cliff edges and look out onto the river below. Along with enjoying the dramatic views of these iconic houses from the outside, two have been converted into modern art galleries - so head inside to get your culture fix. How to get to Cuenca: Cuenca is a high-speed train ride from Madrid Atocha station. Image of Bear, Landmark,

Alcalá de Henares

Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes is very much celebrated in his birthplace of Alcalá de Henares. Along with visiting the Cervantes House Museum, be sure to take a look at his statue on Cervantes Plaza, a Renaissance-era Spanish square home to the Corral de Comedias - one of the oldest theatres in Europe. Once you’re cultured out, drop by one the many tapas bars around the town center (our favorites include Indalo and La Taberna de Rusty). Many of the bars in this area adhere to the rather lovely Spanish tradition of free tapas with your drink (which, if you’ve spent a few days in Madrid, you’ll realize it isn’t always customary, so make the most of it while you’re here!). How to get to Alcalá de Henares: Take Madrid’s commuter Cercanias train (Line 2 or Line 7) from Atocha Station to Alcalá de Henares train station. Trains run throughout the day. Image of City, Grass, Urban, Neighborhood, Housing, Car, Whether you’re looking to stay in Madrid or venture a bit further afield, a Go Madrid pass is the best way to fit in all the things you want to see while saving you an average of 44% compared to buying at the gate.

Kirsten McCroskrie
Kirsten McCroskrie
Content Lead

Kirsten is a Scottish-born and London-based travel writer and copywriter, who’s always planning her next sunny escape. Her passion for solo travel has seen her teaching English in rural Spain, taking a gap year to party in Berlin, and living on the road in South America. As well as Go City, Kirsten has written for Skyscanner, KAYAK, Trainline, Culture Trip, and momondo.

Continue reading

Madrid's Plaza Mayor at sunrise.
Blog

3 Days in Madrid

There’s no shortage of attractions and activities to keep you entertained in Madrid, the thriving capital – and beating heart – of Spain. Think elegant boulevards crammed with eye-candy architecture, exquisitely manicured parks and gardens, museums filled with some of the planet’s finest art, and (whisper it) delectably decadent churros con chocolate. Three days is a decent amount of time in which to take in a handful of the major landmarks, soak up the city’s sophisticated vibe and, of course, to stuff your face with as much Spanish tapas as you humanly can. First-time visitors to Madrid often fall foul of the old ‘kid in a candy store’ approach, frenziedly attempting to see as many of the city’s big-ticket attractions as possible. But, like the sugar-stuffed child’s inevitable crash, whirlwind sightseeing is all but guaranteed to leave you feeling unsatisfied and burned out. Our guide to spending three days in Madrid takes a more leisurely approach, ticking off several of the must-sees but, more importantly, allowing plenty of time to relax and watch the world go by, too. Read on to find out how to make the most of Madrid. Day 1: Breakfast... and a Few Big-Hitters Make like the Madrileños: this is a city that wakes late and parties late, so breakfast before around 9AM and you’ll likely be doing so alone. Instead, enjoy a long lie-in then mosey on down to one of Plaza Mayor’s traditional Spanish breakfast joints, where a fiesta of flavors awaits the intrepid gourmand. Tuck into classic tostado con tomate y jamón (that’s toast with ham and tomato to you) or hearty Spanish tortilla, washed down with café con leche, the discerning locals’ coffee drink of choice. In fact, locals often opt for sweet over savory at breakfast, which is where such sugary delights as churros con chocolate, lemony magdalena cupcakes and honey-drenched torrijas (Spanish-style French toast) come in. Beautifully elegant and ornate, Plaza Mayor is as good a place to start your day’s sightseeing as any. After an essential spot of people-watching over breakfast, check out the medieval-style murals that decorate the huge baroque facade of Casa de la Panadería, then trot over for a selfie by the bronze statue of King Philip III astride his royal stallion. From here it’s a short stroll down Calle Mayor to your next stop: Almudena Cathedral (try not to be distracted by the foodie mecca that is the Mercado de San Miguel along the way – you’ve just had breakfast, you animal!). A fine photo opportunity awaits at the bottom of the road, where the cathedral’s baroque dome and bell towers loom over the city’s 9th-century Moorish walls. Pay your respects to the many royals interred inside before hopping next door to the palace. A guided tour is a great way to get a flavor of this stately confection’s highlights, among them a fairytale central staircase, an awesome Giaquinto ceiling fresco (plus loads more priceless art from the likes of Velázquez, Goya and Caravaggio), a royal armory, and an opulent throne room. Afterwards, stick around to relax in the ornate, statue-filled gardens. Take in the English-style Campo del Moro with its monumental neoclassical fountains, stroll maze-like avenues flanked by box hedges, magnolia trees and lofty cypresses, and enjoy panoramic palace views from the Sabatini Gardens. And take your time! After all, you’ve got all day: dinner isn’t eaten until 9 or 10PM in Madrid! Day 2: The Art of Relaxation You could easily fill a three-day trip to Madrid with world-class art alone. But if you have to pick only one museum, let it be the Prado. It is, after all, indisputably one of the best in the world. Here’s where you can ogle legendary masterpieces by the likes of Goya, Titian, Bosch, Rubens, Velázquez, Van Dyck, Rembrandt and more. Whatever you do, don’t miss Hieronymus Bosch’s hallucinatory triptych altarpiece The Garden of Earthly Delights or Goya’s The Third of May 1808, a brutal meditation on the horrors of war. You can enjoy a leisurely look around under your own steam, or take a guided tour of the collection’s highlights. Feeling suitably cultured, amble over to Retiro Park for 350 acres of lush greenery, meticulously manicured gardens, majestic fountains, opulent palaces, and more monuments, statues and sculptures than you could shake a very big stick at. Again, the key here is to be selective – there’s no way you’re going to see it all, so don’t wear yourself out trying. Instead, find a shady spot in one of the many gorgeous groves and plan your sightseeing over an antipasti picnic of Spanish salamis, breads and cheeses. However, if you simply must ‘see it all’, the best way to do so is on a segway or bicycle tour, which all but guarantee sightings of most of the park’s essential attractions, among them the boating lake, the beautiful iron-and-glass cupola of the Crystal Palace, the neoclassical confection that is the Velázquez Palace, and the Paradise Lost-inspired Fountain of the Fallen Angel. You’ll have worked up an appetite by now for sure. Prime time, in other words, to hit up some of the city’s best tapas joints for a feast of cured meats, spicy patatas bravas, moreish meatballs, stuffed peppers and garlicky grilled prawns. You’ll find authentic restaurants just about everywhere in Madrid, but the selection along Calle de la Cava Baja in the atmospheric La Latina neighborhood is particularly celebrated. DAY 3: La Latina, Gran Via, and the Temple of Debod Last night’s tapas is sure to have whetted your appetite for more of La Latina, an Instagram addict’s paradise of cobbled lanes, hidden alleyways and brightly painted window shutters. This lively and picturesque neighborhood is just made for aimless wandering, pausing to snap hidden squares and medieval churches and, of course, to refuel regularly with churros con chocolate along the way. Take time out to chill on the lush terraces of Vistillas Gardens and soak up views of the Casa de Campo and shimmering Manzanares river. Here on the weekend? Don’t miss the sensory Sunday saturnalia that is El Rastro, the largest open-air flea market in Spain, and the kind of place you can have hours of fun browsing. Don’t forget to bring cash and your best haggling game if you want to secure that coveted Julio Iglesias vinyl box set! Speaking of shopping, you’ll want to pick up a few souvenirs of your trip, and where better to do so than along Gran Via, Madrid’s legendary (and massive) shopping boulevard. Or – if you have particularly deep pockets – in the boutiques of Calle Serrano, home of Gucci, Chanel, Miu Miu, Manolo Blahnik and dozens more wallet-sapping designer emporia. Having scratched that itch (and given your bank manager a coronary), head up to Oeste Park, where the Temple of Debod is one of the best sunset spots in town. Somewhat incongruous in the modern city, this ancient Egyptian shrine was donated to Spain by the Egyptian state in the 1960s and has become something of a favorite with locals, thanks to its graceful stone arches and tranquil pools. Dinner back down the hill on the elegant Plaza de España is the perfect climax to your three-day Madrid adventure. Save on things to do in Madrid Save on admission to Madrid attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Madrid skyline
Blog

The Best Time to Visit Madrid

Madrid - the Spanish capital and one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Home to over 6 million people, Madrid features stunning architecture, lively nightlife, great restaurants, and iconic attractions, including the Prado Museum, The Royal Palace and Real Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium. The best time to visit Madrid depends on your itinerary and which activities you plan to enjoy. Spring and Autumn have the most pleasant weather but, as you’ll see below, there’s never a bad time to visit. Spring (March-May) Certainly one of the best times to visit Madrid would be during Spring, when the city’s shaking off the winter cold and the locals are venturing out again for their paseo por la noche (evening stroll). Accommodation prices are cheaper, the streets are quieter and pleasant temperatures mean it’s the perfect time to explore this magical city. The three-hour Madrid highlights tour, taking in the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium gives an excellent introduction to the city. Temperatures hover around the mid-60s Fahrenheit (16–18o Celsius) so pack an extra layer or two for the colder days. It's always handy to have a compact umbrella in case of April showers. That being said, it’s still an amazing time to be out exploring the ancient squares, catch a puppet show in Retiro Park or just watch the world go by as you enjoy a café con leche or Tinto de Verano (iced red wine). Madrid also has several options for day trips, including the nearby UNESCO-listed cities of Toledo and Segovia, or head to the mountains for a spot of skiing at Puerto de Navacerrada. Summer (June-August) Madrid’s peak tourism season is July-August. During this time it gets extremely hot and the entire city gets crowded. With the average daily temperature passing 83°F (28 Celsius), it can get a little too spicy for some. As these are the busiest months, you’ll also have to deal with longer queues and higher hotel prices. On the plus side, Madrid is less touristy than Barcelona and the nightlife in the summer is amazing. There are also plenty of summer festivals to make your Madrid trip unforgettable: La Paloma Veranos de la Villa Paraíso Festival Mad Cool Gay Pride While there’s never a bad time to visit Madrid, the summer months can be intense. That’s why we recommend the shoulder seasons, meaning the months either directly before or after Summer. Fall (September-November) Hands down, the best time to visit Madrid is Fall. Daytime temperatures average in the high-60s Fahrenheit (20o Celsius), the tourists have moved on and you’re left with warm afternoons, quiet streets and more reasonable hotel rates. Towards the end of the season you’ll need your warm clothing, but there’s still a festive spirit in the air. The city’s parks are turning from green to beautiful ambers, oranges and reds, making it the dream time for photographers. There are also plenty of cultural events such as the annual International Festival of Light and Jazz festivals. Madrid is home to some of the most incredible galleries in the world, and during fall they become even more exciting. During Apertura Madrid Gallery Weekend you’ll experience a complete program of activities, completely free, including tours, exhibitions and guided outdoor activities. As the streets are less crowded, it’s the ideal time to explore the hidden gems of the city. Enjoy a new perspective of Madrid as you take to the city on two wheels, either with an epic three-hour, 10km electric bike tour or a one-hour Segway sightseeing tour. Winter (December-February) The cold winter months in Madrid aren’t the most popular time to visit Madrid, but don’t discount them completely. While you won’t get the amazing weather, with average temperatures around 36 Fahrenheit (2o Celsius), you can escape the cold by visiting the endless number of galleries, museums and exhibitions. Prices are much cheaper, queues are tiny and you’ll have the tourist attractions all to yourself. The Prado Museum, considered one of the greatest art museums in the world and the most visited attraction in Madrid, is jam-packed during the summer months. In winter, you’ve got all the time in the world to enjoy the paintings and sculptures. If you’re still a little chilly, warm your bones with a hot chocolate or mulled wine while exploring the sprawling Christmas markets. The main one’s in Plaza Mayor and features over 100 stalls, but you’ll also find smaller ones popping up around the city centre. Save on Admission to Top Madrid Attractions Explore the best things to do with a pass for Madrid by Go City®. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to galleries, museums, tours much more. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity in your vacation photos and we’ll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive competitions, special offers and events to help you make the most of your travels.
Adam Fraiel
Outside view of San Miguel market in Madrid
Blog

The Best Markets in Madrid

If you’re keen on shopping for souvenirs, trinkets or yummy produce, then check out our favourite markets in Madrid!
Adam Fraiel

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon