The Best Day Trips from Madrid

Toledo

Toledo, a city full of beauty and rich history, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. It's also conveniently located a short distance outside the capital city, making it an ideal destination for a magical day trip from Madrid.

If you're a fan of medieval history, or you simply want to explore more during your stay in Spain, these are our recommendations for a perfect day in Toledo from Madrid:

Toledo Day Trip: If you want to take full advantage of the day, this full-day trip to Toledo from Madrid with a guide offers 8 hours of exploration through the medieval city, allowing you to get to know the best parts of the city and its storied past.

Toledo Half-Day Trip: If you're a little more crunched for time but don't want to miss out on all of the historical sites in Toledo, this 5-hour half-day tour is the perfect option! Get to know significant landmarks on a guided tour of the medieval city.

• Toledo + Segovia Day Trip: This is the ideal option for those who really want to fill their trip with history! Take advantage of the day and visit two medieval cities just outside the capital.
• Suppose you prefer to visit the city at your own pace without a guide. Arriving at Toledo is as easy as taking a 30-minute train ride that leaves you directly in the medieval town. Additionally, if you're traveling with a car, you may consider driving to Toledo for a short 1-hour drive.

Segovia

Segovia is a beautiful, walled city known for its impressive Roman aqueduct, the oldest in the world. The city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts a variety of spectacular monuments offering a picture-perfect town. Stroll its medieval streets and travel back in time!

Taking a day trip to Segovia from Madrid is easy; below you'll find our best recommendations:

Segovia Day Trip: Depending on how much time you have, you can choose between the half-day or full-day trip options, allowing for the perfect visit.

​Segovia, Toledo + Avila Day Trip: For the adventurous, make the most of your time in Madrid and visit 3 main cities closest to the capital, offering a day immersed in culture and history.

• Segovia is also an easy city to arrive at via train, so for anyone looking to explore the town at their own pace, a convenient 30-minute train ride will get you there, or a 1-hour car ride will do the trick as well.

• Avila

• When it comes to looking for the best day trips from Madrid, Avila will always appear in the search results. Standing as one of Europe's most well-preserved walled cities, this small town is located just 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Spanish capital. 

• Reaching Avila by car is quite easy, and the trip comes in at just short of an hour, while a train ride will get you there in about 45 minutes.

• However, for a hassle-free and convenient option, you could opt for the pre-planned day trip to Avila from Madrid, with a local guide. Check out the Avila + Segovia Day Trip, or the Avila + Salamanca Day Trip

  El Escorial

• Just 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Madrid, El Escorial is home to an immense monastery constructed in 1562 that was then later converted into the Royal Pantheon. This town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a storied past waiting to be discovered.
• Visiting El Escorial offers visitors an opportunity to travel back in time making this one of the best day trips to do from Madrid. For hassle-free exploring, the best option is a day trip that includes transport and a guide.
• One of the most popular options to arrive at El Escorial from Madrid is the El Escorial + Valley of the Fallen Day Trip.

• Salamanca

  Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, Salamanca is a historic city, filled to the brim with monuments, including Spain's oldest university among others.

• During a visit to the city, be sure to take in the full breadth of its incredible architecture, most notably at the Cathedral, the old University, or the House of Shells, for example. Additionally, enjoy a stroll through the historic Old Town, where you can stop to enjoy a typical dish in the city's Plaza Mayor.

  If you'd like to book a day trip to Salamanca from Madrid with a guide, choosing this option will allow you easy, hassle-free travel from Madrid in addition to enjoying Avila in just one day.

• Book a day trip to Salamanca from Madrid

Cuenca

Most known for the gravity-defying hanging houses peeking out over the Jucar River, Cuenca is a magical city that enamors its visitors with its art, culture, and gastronomy.

When looking for one of the best getaways from Madrid, many often opt for Cuenca, with its close proximity to the capital being a major draw. It's the ideal distance for enjoying a day outside the city and catching a glimpse into the local Spanish lifestyle in just one day.

By following this link, you can see the full description and information for booking your day trip to Cuenca and the Haunted City.

Other Day Trips from Madrid

Perhaps you still have a few more days left in Madrid and want to fill your trip with more exciting explorations around the Spanish capital! Another excellent option is a day trip to Alcala de Henares, where you can stroll its historic Old Town. If you're traveling with the whole family, be sure to take advantage of a day at Warner Park, Madrid's own amusement park full of shows and attractions for all ages. Additionally, for some wet and wild fun, enjoy a day at Madrid's water park Aquopolis, for a refreshing experience during the hot Spanish summers.Of course, while in Madrid, take advantage of the newest show to hit the state, the spectacular Puy du Fou.