One of the many benefits of living in or visiting Madrid is its location. You can find the geographical center of Spain in the heart of Madrid (look for the "kilometer zero" plaque in Puerta del Sol), which means many incredible Spanish cities are just a hop, skip, and a jump away!
Toledo
Toledo is a charming city just an hour south of Madrid. Wandering through this UNESCO World Heritage Site's winding and narrow roads, you will find a mix of Arab, Jewish, and Christian architecture. You can't visit Toledo without noticing the Alcazár de Toledo, which is visible from many points throughout the city.
Other must-sees include: Catedral Primada, the Alcántara bridge, the Synagogue of El Tránsito, the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, and the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes. If you like art, check out El Greco Museum, and don't leave without trying some marzipan!
You can get to Toledo by bus or via the AVE high speed train from Atocha Station.
Segovia
Segovia is a fascinating city in the Castilla y León region of Spain known for its medeival architecture, Roman aqueduct, and delicious suckling pig. Here, you can take a tour of the Alcazár of Segovia, explore the fairytale-like Catedral de Segovia, and wander the streets of the Jewish Quarter.
From the Chamartín station in Madrid, it takes about 30 minutes to get to Segovia via the AVE train.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial and Valle de los Caídos
Famous for the Monastery of El Escorial, San Lorenzo de El Escorial is a beautiful city right next to the Sierra de Guadarrama. It's an absolute must to tour the Monastery, which was built by King Philip II during the Spanish Renaissance. Once you're finished, stop at one of the many restaurants or cafes in El Escorial for lunch or a drink.
A bit north of El Escorial is Valle de los Caídos (or Valley of the Fallen) - a controversial monument built under Franco's orders as a way to commemorate the lives lost during the Spanish Civil War. The monument serves as a burial for more than 40,000 soldiers and prisoners of war, and inside the basilica lies Franco himself. Not many monuments have had as big an (eerie, uncomfortable, sorrowful) impact on me as this one did.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is easily reachable by the Madrid Cercanías, and you can take bus 660 to Valle de los Caídos from El Escorial. If you're going to Valle de los Caídos straight from Madrid, take bus 661 from the Moncloa bus station.
Alcalá de Henares
Alcalá de Henares is a quaint and adorable town just east of Madrid. In my opinion, Alcalá is extremely underrated and often missed by day trippers. As the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, the Cervantes Museum is one of the top things to do in Alcalá. Besides checking out the museum, I spent my time here wandering the floral-lined, cafe-filled streets and admiring the views. Check out some of the buildings that make up the University of Alcalá, stroll down Calle Mayor, and have a coffee near Plaza de Cervantes.
You can get to Alcalá de Henares in about an hour by the Cercanías train.
Aranjuez
If you love a good garden, put Aranjuez at the top of your list! Its main attraction is the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, which is a must! This palace was only occupied during the spring (because, why not have a palace for every season?!) and it has some of the most beautiful rooms I've ever seen. Don't leave the palace without taking a nice, long stroll through the seemingly never-ending palace grounds. I'd definitely recommend a trip to Aranjuez in spring or summer so you can see the gardens are their most beautiful, but it's a worthwhile trip any time of year!
Take a quick 40 minute Cercanías train ride to Aranjuez from Madrid!
Córdoba
Córdoba is another city that is often overlooked as a day trip - it is about 4.5 hours away from Madrid by car. However, you can take the AVE train and reach Córdoba in just under 2 hours! This is one of my favorite Spanish cities - the small, winding roads covered in flowers, the patios (visit during spring for prime patio time) also covered in flowers, and the never ending rows of orange trees make for the most beautiful scenery. Make sure to take a look inside the Mezquita de Córdoba (a mosque-turned-cathedral with incredible architecture), walk across the Roman bridge, and snap a picture on Calleja de las Flores.
Salamanca
Salamanca is primarily known for its intricate architecture and the University of Salamanca. As a popular study abroad destination, it's also known for its night life (thought I can't attest to that, as I only visited for the day). Admire the university buildings, tour the cathedral, and stroll through the impressive Plaza Mayor.
You can get to Salamanca by train from Madrid's Chamartín station, or by bus from Madrid's Estación Sur
Burgos + Ribero del Duero Wine Region
One of the most colorful cities I've visited in Spain so far has been Burgos. You can find lots of "hidden" pathways that lead to streets filled with bright, vibrant buildings. That was my favorite part of Burgos, but the main attraction is by far the cathedral. The Burgos Cathedral is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful cathedrals I've ever seen. Take your time on a self-guided tour through the massive church building, you won't want to miss anything!
I visited Burgos and the Ribera del Duero wine region on a guided excursion through City Life Madrid. We stopped for a few hours in Burgos, and then headed to a wine tasting at Bodegas Portia. Ribera del Duero is one of eleven wine regions in Spain, and getting to see the inner workings of the winery on our tour was fascinating!
You can get to Burgos from Madrid by train or bus in about 2.5 hours!
Cuenca
The fascinating casas colgadas or "hanging houses" are the main attraction in Cuenca. You can get the best view of them from the San Pablo Bridge. When you venture into the city center, you'll find hilly, cobblestone streets filled with restaurants and cafes. Don't miss the cathedral, and if you have access to a car, take a trip a bit outside the town to La Ciudad Encantada - a beautiful park with crazy rock formations!
You can get to Cuenca from Madrid via AVE train at the Atocha station.
You can't go wrong with a day trip to any one of these amazing towns - take your pick for a relaxing day away from the city! Enjoy some tapas, beautiful views, and amazing architecture while you explore a more traditional side of Spain.
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