This list of best getaways near Madrid It will help you complete this trip to the capital of Spain and make the most of your time.
After making all the tourist visits of the city, if you still have time, we recommend you take the high-speed train or the bus and visit some of the most beautiful cities and landscapes around Madrid.
In addition to arriving by public transport to all these places, you have the option of renting a car or book day trips from Madrid with a guide in Spanish, which will allow you to know better the history of each corner.
Based on the numerous times we have been in the capital and surrounding cities, being the last one during which we wrote this guide on what to do in Madrid in 4 days, we have made this list of best excursions near Madrid. We start!
1. Toledo
The medieval city of Toledo, one of the best preserved in Europe, is one of the most essential places to visit near Madrid where you can stroll through its historic center enjoying architectural elements belonging to 3 completely different religious communities, which lived peacefully for centuries.
To plan a route through the old town and not miss anything important we advise you to follow this Toledo guide in one day and complete this list of places to visit in Toledo essential.
The best way to go from Madrid to Toledo is on the high-speed AVANT train that leaves from Atocha Station and takes you to this medieval city in 30 minutes for 14 euros.
Another cheaper option is to take a bus at the Elliptical Plaza station that will leave you in Toledo in 50 minutes for 5.5 euros.
You can see the schedules and book tickets for all routes and cities on this page.
If you prefer comfort and get to know the history of the city better, we recommend you book one of these day trips from Madrid with a guide in Spanish:
Toledo
2. Segovia
The city of Segovia, a World Heritage Site and with several architectural jewels, is another of the best getaways near Madrid what can you do.
This walled city falls in love at first sight with its spectacular Roman aqueduct, the story castle of the Alcazar and the magnificent Cathedral, among many other places.
To not miss any of these wonders and other charming corners of the city you can follow this guide of Segovia in one day and this list of places to visit in Segovia.
The best way to go from Madrid to Segovia is to take the high-speed AVANT train at the Chamartín Station that will take you in less than 30 minutes for 14 euros.
Another cheaper option is to take a bus at the Moncloa Exchanger that takes 80 minutes and costs 4 euros.
Once at the Segovia Guiomar station you have to take the local bus 11 that leaves you in front of the aqueduct in 15 minutes.
You can see the schedules and book tickets for all routes and cities on this page
To know the history and curiosities of Segovia you have these excursions from Madrid with a guide in Spanish:
Segovia
3. El Escorial
The Monastery of El Escorial, considered for many as the Eighth Wonder of the World, is another of the places to visit near Madrid.
Inside this immense 16th-century complex, former residence and burial place of the Royal Family, is a palace, a basilica, a pantheon, a monastery, a library and a school.
To reach the Escorial you can take the C3 commuter trains at the Atocha, Sol and Chamartín stations, which leave you 15 minutes from the entrance, in less than an hour for just over 4 euros.
Another option with a price and journey time similar to that of the train, is to take the 661 and 664 bus lines in the Moncloa Exchanged.
If you prefer a unique experience we suggest you book this excursion that takes the journey in a locomotive of the twentieth century.
For more information about the transfer you can read this post about how to get to El Escorial from Madrid.
El Escorial, one of the best getaways near Madrid
4. Ávila
Another of the best romantic getaways near Madrid is the visit to Ávila, the best preserved walled city in Europe.
Getting lost in its old World Heritage Site is almost an obligation, just like following this Ávila guide in one day and this list of essential places to visit in Ávila.
To get to Ávila from Madrid you have to get on a train at the Príncipe Pío station that will take you in a 90 minutes for 13 euros.
Another option is to take a bus at the Méndez Alvaro South Station that takes the same time and leaves for 8 euros.
Both arrival stations are 10 minutes walk from the access to the historic center.
You can see the schedules and book tickets for all routes and cities on this page
To learn more about the history of the wall and the city, nothing better than booking one of these day trips from Madrid:
Ávila
5. Cuenca, one of the best getaways near Madrid
Cuenca, one of the 15 World Heritage cities of Spain, is another of the best valued getaways near Madrid by travelers for its famous Hanging Houses and its location on a rocky hill, two of its great reasons to visit it.
To plan a walking route through the city we recommend you follow this guide of Cuenca in one day and this list of places to visit in Cuenca essential.
To get to Cuenca from Madrid you have the AVE train that leaves from Atocha Station and leaves you at Fernando Zóbel station in less than 60 minutes for 25 euros.
Another cheaper means of transport is the bus that leaves from the South Station and leaves you at the Fermín Caballero de Cuenca station in about 2 hours for 13 euros.
Once in Cuenca you have to take line 1 of the local bus that will take you to the Plaza Mayo, located in the upper part.
You can see the schedules and book tickets for all routes and cities on this page
A more comfortable alternative and with which you will know better the history of the city is to book this bus tour with a guide in Spanish that includes a visit to the incredible landscapes of the Enchanted City.
Cuenca viewpoints
6. Don Quixote Tour of La Mancha
A tour of the land of Don Quijote de la Mancha, the masterpiece of Miguel de Cervantes, is without a doubt, one of the best excursions near Madrid.
You can start the route of Don Quijote crossing the plain of La Mancha where the novel takes place until you reach the impressive Belmonte Castle, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Spain.
After the visit you can continue through one of the most emblematic landscapes and scenes of Cervantes's novel, Don Quijote's fight against windmills, which you can see in Mota del Cuervo and Campo de Criptana.
To end this tour you can go to the town of El Toboso, where Dulcinea resided and visit the Lady's House Museum that occupied her heart.
To make this day trip from Madrid you can rent a car or book this tour of Don Quijote through La Mancha with a guide in Spanish.
Castilla la Mancha
7. Salamanca
Salamanca is one of the cities with the greatest architectural and cultural heritage in Spain and another perfect place what to visit near Madrid in one day.
In addition to visiting monuments such as the Cathedral, the Plaza Mayor and the University, we advise you to follow this Salamanca guide in one day and this list of essential places to visit in Salamanca.
To get to Salamanca from Madrid you can take an ALVIA train in Chamartín that will leave you in the city in 90 minutes for 25 euros.
For a similar price you have the bus that leaves from the South Station and leaves you in Salamanca in about two and a half hours.
Once at the stations you can walk 15 minutes to reach the historic center.
You can see the schedules and book tickets for all routes and cities on this page
Another more comfortable and interesting way to get to know Salamanca is to book this excursion to Salamanca with a guide in Spanish that includes a visit to Ávila.
Main Square
8. Warner Park
The visit to Warner Park is one of the Weekend getaways near Madrid most popular with families and friends, where you will find Warner characters such as Tweety and Bugs Bunny, roller coasters to drop adrenaline and entertainment shows.
The most comfortable and affordable way to visit Warner Park is to book this excursion that includes one or two day admission.
Another option is to take the 412 bus that leaves the Villaverde Bajo-Cruce Station (subway line 3) and will leave you at the park entrance in half an hour for 3.60 euros. Taking into account that the entrance to the park is 30 euros, the difference is not so much with the excursion and with the first you will save the trip for free.
You can also take the C3 commuter train in Sol or Atocha to Pinto and then take bus 412 or 414 to the park entrance.
Warner Park
9. Aranjuez
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez, located on the banks of the Tagus River and built at the time of the Catholic Monarchs, is another of the best getaways near Madrid.
This complex impresses with the immense gardens and the different rooms of the palace, among which are the Porcelain Cabinet, the Arab Cabinet and the Isabel II Throne Room.
To get to the palace you have to take the C3 commuter train in Atocha or Sol, which will leave you in Aranjuez in about 50 minutes for 4 euros. Once at the station you have to walk about 20 minutes to the entrance to the Royal Palace.
Another option is to take bus line 423 at the South Station or Plaza de Legazpi which costs about 4 euros although if you prefer comfort and learn more about the history of the Palace we advise you to book this getaway from Madrid with a guide in Spanish, which leaves from near Plaza España.
Palacio de Aranjuez, one of the best excursions near Madrid
10. Puy du Fou
The latest proposal of day trips from Madrid is to attend the impressive night show "Toledo's dream".
During the 70 minutes of the show you will relive 1,500 years of Spanish history and culture with an audiovisual montage that will leave you speechless through this show, considered the largest in the country, with a large number of riders and actors, which began on August 30, 2019 and is carried out by the French company Puy du Fou.
To get to Puy du Fou, located near Toledo, you can take a bus from Toledo or book this excursion that leaves from the bus station of the Temple of Debod in Madrid and is one of the best getaways near Madrid.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of 10 getaways near Madrid, add yours in the comments.
