Madrid is an awesome city that you can spend plenty of time in. Day trips from Madrid can make your stay even more special by experiencing some other places and experiences outside or near the city.
Here is a selection of day trips you can do:
Toledo is a historic walled city about 80 kilometres from Madrid. It features a mix of medieval Christian, Jewish and Arab cultures built into an imposing walled city. The high-speed rail will get you to Toledo in 33 minutes from Atocha station. It’s then about a 20-minute walk from Toledo station into the old city.
If you drive to Toledo, pay attention as you enter the city and head towards the centre.
The one-way streets in the old city mean that if you miss your destination you may have to do a full lap of the city to find your way back.
Cuenca has a historic walled town and is famous for its hanging houses which seem to hang over a gorge. It is about 180 kilometres from Madrid. There are many organised day trips available to visit Cuenca but you can also do it yourself very easily. You can catch a high-speed train to Cuenca which takes 54 minutes and costs between 30 and 50 Euros one way. A cab directly from the rail station to the old town will cost about 20 Euros and take 15 minutes.
Sigüenza is a very old city located about 130 kilometres from Madrid. If you are into history this is a great place to visit. One very cool way to get there is on the Medieval Train from Madrid’s Chamartín station. The trip takes about an hour and a half. Along the way, you will be entertained by people in costumes telling you about the towns you pass through and the history of the area. Once you arrive, Siguenza Castle, the Cathedral, and Plaza Mayor are all must-sees. The train is somewhat irregular so check here for dates and times.
Alcalá de Henares is a historic university town and the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, Spain’s most famous writer. The university was founded in 1498. The Magisterial Cathedral and Cervantes Museum are both worth a visit. For a fun way to get to Alcalá de Henares, you can try the Cervantes train. During the 30 minute trip, entertainers perform works by Cervantes. The train leaves from Atocha station, check here for details.
