Madrid is one of those European cities that are full of culture and life. From captivating art museums and Madrid theaters to historic sights and world-class restaurants, this memorable city offers a wide range of things to visitors.
However, with so many Madrid attractions, tourists often have a hard time organizing their trip. Read on to find out how to get the most out of your Madrid trip.
The Best 5 Day Trips from Madrid
After seeing the major tourist attractions in Madrid, you should expand your vacation by visiting other cities and nearby tourist destinations in Spain. Make your vacation more interesting by taking day trips from Madrid to cities like Barcelona, Segovia, Alcalá de Henares, and Seville.
Madrid to Barcelona Day Trip
Take the time to visit Barcelona as well. The driving distance from Madrid to Barcelona is 385 miles (about 620 km), so it doesn’t take too much to reach this world-famous city by car. However, your best bet is to explore Barcelona by joining a guided tour from Madrid.
Some of the sights you’re going to see on a group tour include the Sagrada Família basilica, Camp Nou football stadium, and Las Ramblas (a famous street in Barcelona).
Of course, that’s not all. The capital of Catalonia offers many other things to do and see, so there is something that can delight almost everyone even if he or she visited it multiple times. As Spain’s 2nd-largest city, Barcelona can’t be explored in a single day. If you can afford to stay in Barcelona for several days, try to explore the following attractions too:
- Casa Batlló
- La Boqueria
- Park Güell
- Barcelona City History Museum
- Palau de la Música Catalana
- Sant Sebastià and other city beaches
Madrid to Segovia Trip
Do you want to visit Segovia? If you want to skip the hassle and make your trip easier, then you should consider taking a tour from Madrid. It is possible to get to Segovia in a few different ways. You can reach this beautiful city by train, car, metro, and bus. Are you seeking something more adventurous?
If so, you should take a hot air balloon flight. With this breathtaking non-traditional tour, you’ll get to Segovia in about an hour. Gain unforgettable memories and take photos from the balloon while you’re enjoying an exciting flight.
Segovia is one of the European cities that are overflowing with history and culture. One of the first things you’re going to notice when arriving here is an astounding aqueduct (Aqueduct of Segovia) that is running through the city. It’s the most photographed and famous landmark of Segovia.
This historic city is also known for the romanesque churches as well as magnificent castles and renaissance palaces. Other tourist attractions and landmarks worth exploring include Alcázar of Segovia, Casa de Los Picos, Walls of Segovia, Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos, Segovia Cathedral, and Iglesia de la Vera Cruz.
Madrid to Alcalá de Henares
Alcalá de Henares is another place you need to add to your itinerary. Positioned 22 miles (around 35 kilometers) from the capital, this Spanish city can quickly be reached from Madrid.
It is best known for its buzzing tapas scene as well as the rich literary heritage. These are not the only things that make Alcalá de Henares a popular tourist destination, though.
Tourists come to this lovely place to discover a broad range of landmarks like Cervantes House Museum, Regional Archaeological Museum, the Cathedral of St Justus, Calle Mayor (a Unesco World Heritage Site), Plaza Cervantes, and much more.
Day trip to Ávila
Hidden by medieval walls, this historic town waits to be explored. This is St. Teresa’s birthplace that dates back to the 12th century. It was constructed on top of Moorish and Roman battlements. Today, Ávila draws travelers with its magnificent walls, tall towers, and impressive interior.
Are you a couple in love? If yes, consider lingering in this beautiful place after dark for romantic strolls under the moonlight. Otherwise, you should explore Ávila in daylight on a full-day tour to see all the landmarks and get the most out of your visit. It is one of the most popular day trips from Madrid. Don’t miss it!
Bonus: Trip From Madrid to Seville
Do you have enough time for another amazing day trip from Madrid? Great! Plan your trip from Madrid to Seville. It is also worth visiting. Seville is the capital of Andalusia that features precious Moorish heritage. However, when talking about Seville, the first 3 things that come to mind are toros, Flamenco, and tapas. There are plenty of things to see in this delightful Spanish city, including:
- Seville Cathedral
- La Giralda
- Archaeological Museum
- Real Alcázar
- Feria de Abril
- Plaza de España
You can combine some of them in order to explore them all at once by a tour at the Monumental Seville.
Bonus: 3 Things to Do in Madrid
Perhaps you have never visited the capital of Spain. If so, you probably have no idea where to start and what to do in Madrid during your first visit. Here are a few things to do and see while in Madrid.
Marvel At the Prado Museum
Prado Museum should be the first thing you need to visit in Madrid. This gorgeous art museum hides a collection of about seven hundred sculptures as well as over eight thousand paintings. That makes it one of the world’s most popular museums.
The Prado Museum comprises three floors and over 100 rooms, so it’s really difficult to see everything in a single day. Instead, you need to focus on particular paintings and masterpieces.
Explore the Crystal Palace and Buen Retiro Park
Crystal Palace (aka the Palacio de Cristal) was constructed in 1887. A lot of art exhibitions have been taking place in these glass and cast-iron pavilion houses since then. There are numerous fountains around the palace.
Parque del Retiro (the Buen Retiro Park) is located close to the Palacio de Cristal. This well-manicured park dates back to the 17th century. It is a great weekend getaway from Madrid for both tourists and locals. In addition to tree-lined paths and small ponds, it boasts lovely landscaping and green areas with more than 20,000 trees and shrubs.
Book a Table in a Restaurant
Restaurants and bars spill out on squares and pavements in Madrid City Center. Bar terraces are also very popular during the summer months. These places allow visitors to go out, try the best Madrid food, and socialize in the city. Furthermore, wine tourism is growing in popularity in recent times in Madrid. There’s a wine for just about every drinker.
Conclusion
Madrid is a European city that provides an authentic experience to tourists and strangers. There are a lot of things to discover in this buzzing city, including the Prado Museum (Museo del Prado), Crystal Palace, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Real Madrid Stadium), Plaza Mayor, and Almudena Cathedral.
To make your vacation more memorable, you should consider visiting other places besides the city’s attractions. Once you drain from sightseeing and eating in Madrid, head to the cities like Barcelona, Segovia, Seville, Ávila, and Alcalá de Henares. That will get your energy restored and enrich your vacation itinerary.
