Madrid region
The Madrid region or autonomous community of Madrid is, as you would expect, the area around the city of Madrid. It sits roughly in the centre of Spain bordering Castille y Leon in the northwest and Castilla-La Manch to the east and south.
The region has a population of 6.6 million people. Of these, half, 3.3 million live in the city of Madrid.
The region has some surprisingly wild areas. This is in spite of its relatively small size and large urban population. The Guadarrama mountain range is in the northwest of the region. Peñalara mountain is 2,428 metres high and is in Peñalara National Park.
Of course, the city of Madrid is the main tourist destination in the region. But there is plenty to do elsewhere in the region.
Peñalara National Park is a great destination for nature lovers. Winter sports fans will love Navacerrada, Cercedilla and Sierra de Guadarrama. They are all less than an hour’s drive from Madrid.
To help plan your visit, read our 7 Day Itinerary for Madrid Region for lots of tips and great suggestions to maximise your visit to the region.
Towns and places in the Region
Alcalá de Henares – sites near Madrid and is the birthplace of Cervantes, famous for its university, Renaissance architecture, and charming plazas steeped in literary heritage
Aranjuez – attracts visitors looking for history, architecture, nature and excellent local food
Buitrago del Lozoya – with its rich history and mountain scenery, it is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved fortified towns in Spain
Cercedilla – sits just 56 kilometres from Madrid and draws hikers, cyclists, and anyone craving fresh pine-scented air
Chinchón – offers visitors an authentic taste of old Spain with narrow cobbled streets, traditional whitewashed houses and excellent local food
Colmenar de Oreja – is known for its stone architecture, wine production and deep cultural traditions
Colmenar Viejo – offers historic churches, traditional squares, excellent food and access to some of the region’s finest countryside
Getafe – combines history with modern attractions, excellent shopping, beautiful parks and lively local traditions
Madrid – blends historic palaces, world-class art museums, lively tapas bars, green parks, and buzzing nightlife into one energetic, walkable metropolis
Manzanares el Real – is famous for its dramatic natural scenery, medieval castle and outdoor adventure opportunities
Mostoles – combines rich history, modern shopping, beautiful parks and lively local traditions
Navalcarnero – is known for its wine tradition, charming old quarter and strong Castilian identity
Patones de Arriba – one of the region’s favourite destinations for walkers, photographers and anyone looking to experience traditional rural Spain
RascafrÃa – is one of the most scenic rural destinations near the Spanish capital
San Lorenzo de El Escorial – is home to the monumental El Escorial monastery-palace, blending history, religious grandeur, and stunning mountain scenery together
Sierra de Guadarrama – is just an hour from Madrid with people coming here to hike, ski, and breathe mountain air without straying far from the capital
Getting to the region
You can fly to Madrid’s Barajas International Airport from anywhere in the world.
Flying time from London is about 2 hours 25 minutes.
Flying time from New York is about 7 hours 20 minutes.
Spains High-Speed rail connects Madrid to most of the major cities of Spain.
Madrid to Barcelona takes just 2 hours 30 minutes.
Madrid to Valencia is a 1 hour 53 minute trip.
The trip to Seville takes just 2 hours 40 minutes.
Madrid to Santiago de Compostela takes just 3 hours 3 minutes.
The city of Madrid has an excellent metro system.
The greater metropolitan area of Madrid has an excellent commuter rail network.
Driving to Madrid will take you about 7 hours from Barcelona.
It will take about 3 hours 50 minutes from Valencia.
From Seville will take about 5 hours 30 minutes.
The trip from Santiago de Compostela will take from 6 to 7 hours.