7 of the Best Day Trips From Madrid

Segovia boasts one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts in Europe, featuring more than 150 massive arches. After roaming around this ancient masterpiece, make sure to visit the town’s ornate Gothic cathedral. Nearby, the Alcázar of Segovia is a fairy-tale castle perched upon a hill—its regal turrets are rumored to have inspired the Disney castle.

A must for many in this Spanish town is its specialty cuisine: roast suckling pig. And while it’s easy to explore the city on foot, seeing the aqueduct from up above via hot air balloon is a thrilling experience.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a collection of royal buildings, including a palace, monastery, university, library, museum, basilica, and beyond. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, El Escorial even features a pantheon. You’ll also want to visit the nearby Valley of the Fallen, the site where former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco was buried, then later exhumed.

The best way to explore the extensive royal buildings and grounds is via guided tour from Madrid, so you can understand more about the history and significance of these grand monuments.

A city that melded three cultures, Islamic, Jewish, and Christian, Toledo was once the capital of Spain, and its winding, cobblestoned streets are home to churches, synagogues, and mosques; the magnificent Toledo Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest in the country. The city is also a great place to see artwork by El Greco, which you can seek out in spots like the El Greco Museum.

Tip: If you can’t manage a day trip from the Spanish capital but really love El Greco’s work, you can find it in Madrid at the Prado Museum.

Aranjuez is known for two main things: its famous red strawberries and the enormous Aranjuez Palace, which sits along the River Tagus and was once a royal hunting lodge. The palace’s expansive grounds are exceptionally beautiful, featuring 275 acres (111 hectares) of manicured, flowering gardens, with inviting gazebos, fountains, and quaint verdant spaces. Don’t forget to see the Casa Labrador, a mini palace set within the Princípe Garden.

Related: Top Parks and Gardens in Madrid

Roll through olive groves and vineyards on your way to Chinchón from Madrid. The tiny town’s main square, the Plaza Mayor, is where you can find all the action, and dine on a balcony overlooking the center. If you’re lucky, you may catch historical skits, concerts, or festivals there, too. The easiest way to go to Chinchón from Madrid is by guided tour, providing some of the history behind the region’s historic towns.

Ávila is most famous for its impenetrable, 12th-century medieval stone walls, which encircle it. The walls are about 10 feet (3 meters) high, featuring several gates to enter the town. You can enjoy an afternoon walking around the walls, and make sure to stop at the Ávila Cathedral, another 12th-century structure home to both Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements.

The town’s patron saint, Teresa of Ávila, is especially revered here, and you can visit her birthplace and convent (which holds a relic of her preserved finger).

Get a taste of typical Spanish village living in Buitrago de Lozoya, another of Spain’s walled towns. First, check out the Buitrago de Lozoya Castle, made up of seven different fortified towers. Then, visit the Picasso Museum in the town hall, which houses a unique, personal collection. If you want to go beyond the town, there’s plenty of hiking and walking to do in the surrounding area, especially in the nearby mountains.