Madrid is a great city to explore, but there is also a lot to discover outside of the Spanish capital. From historic cities and royal palaces to small towns and beautiful nature, there are many options for day trips from Madrid. And good news, you don’t need a car!
Whether you want to explore more of Spain’s history, enjoy a long lunch in a traditional Spanish town or escape the city for a hike in the mountains, here are some of the best day trips from Madrid worth adding to your itinerary.
Enjoy some of the best day trips from Madrid
1. A day trip to Toledo from Madrid
Toledo is a beautiful historic city to visit when spending some time in Madrid. It used to be the capital of Spain before Madrid became the capital in 1561, and its history is still visible in the city. Explore the narrow streets of the historic center, visit the impressive cathedral and discover the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz. Another place worth visiting is the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, a beautiful Gothic monastery built in the fifteenth century.
As you explore the city, you’ll find small shops selling traditional crafts, including Toledo’s famous steel products. Don’t forget to walk towards the outside of the historic centre as well. The city is surrounded by the Tagus River, and there are some beautiful viewpoints!
How to get to Toledo from Madrid
The easiest way to get to Toledo is by train. Trains leave from Madrid Atocha station and take around 35 minutes to reach Toledo. You can book your tickets in advance through Renfe, which I would recommend on weekends and during busy travel periods. The prices depend on availability, so check the price when booking, but they usually start around 14 euros for one-way.
Another option is to take a bus with ALSA. They leave from Madrid’s Plaza Elíptica bus station and take approximately 50 minutes to reach Toledo. This takes a bit longer, but is usually cheaper than taking a train. You can check schedules and prices directly on the ALSA website, but they are usually around 7 euros for one-way.
If you prefer a fully organized day, you can also join a day tour from Madrid to Toledo. It’s one of the most popular day trips from Madrid.
2. Go to Segovia for one day from Madrid
Another city worth visiting on a day trip from Madrid is Segovia. It’s located northwest of Madrid, and is known for its Roman aqueduct, fairytale-like castle and beautiful old town! The Roman aqueduct is most likely the first landmark you’ll notice when arriving in Segovia. From there, you can walk through the old streets towards the cathedral and the Alcázar of Segovia. Right out of a fairytale.
If you want to try some of the local food, Segovia is famous for its roast suckling pig. On the menu’s to be found as cochinillo asado. I can’t tell you if it’s good or not since I don’t eat meat, but my friends liked it 😉
How to get to Segovia from Madrid
Buses leave from Moncloa bus station in Madrid and take approximately 1 hour and 15–30 minutes. They arrive at Segovia’s bus station, which is within walking distance of the historic centre. You can check the route and prices with Avanza, but they start around 5 euros.
If you prefer the train, there are options leaving from Madrid Chamartín station and reach Segovia-Guiomar in around 25–30 minutes. This station is outside the city centre, so you’ll need to take a local bus or taxi to reach the aqueduct and historic centre. This will take another 15–20 minutes.
If you prefer a fully organized day, you can also join a day tour from Madrid to Segovia.
3. Visit the Monastery of El Escorial
If you’re interested in Spanish history (or pretty buildings), make your way to the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. The monastery served as a royal residence, monastery and important centre of government. Today, you can visit its rooms, the basilica, the library and the royal pantheon, where many Spanish kings and queens are buried.
The building is impressive both inside and out, and there a lot to see during your visit. Afterwards, make your way to the town centre to enjoy lunch or a coffee with some local pastries. The town itself is lovely for a walk before heading back to the center of Madrid.
Tickets for the Monastery of El Escorial
You can book tickets through the official Patrimonio Nacional website. Standard admission is around €14 per adult, with reduced rates available. Opening hours change depending the season, and the monastery is usually closed on Mondays.
How to get to El Escorial from Madrid
You can take a bus from Moncloa bus station. Lines 661 and 664 connect Madrid with the town and usually take around 50–60 minutes, depending on traffic. This will cost you around 5 euros.
It’s also an option to take a Cercanías train on line C-8 from Madrid towards El Escorial. The trip takes more or less one hour, and costs 4 euros. From El Escorial station, you have to walk uphill for 20–30 minutes to reach the monastery.
You can also book a guided tour to El Escorial from Madrid.
4. Visit the Royal Palace in Aranjuez
Of course, visiting the Royal Palace is one of the main things to do in Madrid, but if you want to see another royal residence outside the city centre, go to Aranjuez. In this town south of Madrid, you will find the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. It’s a beautiful palace surrounded by gardens. It was used as a spring residence by the Spanish royal family, and the gardens are one of the highlights!
Aranjuez is also known for its agricultural traditions, like its strawberries and asparagus. If you’re visiting during the right season, look out for these local products on restaurant menus.
Tickets for the Royal Palace of Aranjuez
You can buy tickets through the official Patrimonio Nacional website. Standard admission to the palace is around €9 per adult, while the gardens are free to visit. There are also options to visit the palace with a guide. On Mondays the palace is usually closed.
How to get to Aranjuez from Madrid
The easiest option is to take a Cercanías train on line C-3 from Madrid Atocha station. The journey takes approximately 45–50 minutes, depending on the service. Once you arrive in Aranjuez, it’s around a 15–20-minute walk to the Royal Palace and its gardens.
5. Learn about Cervantes in Alcalá de Henares
Another historic town to visit near Madrid is Alcalá de Henares. It’s a fun destination for a day trip, with historic streets, traditional restaurants, cafés and some interesting museums. Alcalá de Henares is best known as the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, the Spanish writer behind Don Quixote, one of the most famous works in Spanish literature.
One of the main attractions is the Cervantes Birthplace Museum, where you can explore a recreation of a traditional sixteenth- and seventeenth-century home and learn more about the writer’s life. The museum is free to visit, so make sure to pay a visit! Take a walk along Calle Mayor, one of the main streets in the old town, and appreciate its traditional architecture before stopping for lunch or a coffee. There are many options 🙂
How to get to Alcalá de Henares from Madrid
Alcalá de Henares is easy to reach by Cercanías train. Lines C-2 and C-7 connect Madrid with Alcalá. The journey usually takes around 35–45 minutes from Atocha. Once you arrive, you can walk from the station to the historic centre in 10–15 minutes.
6. A day trip to Cercedilla to enjoy nature around Madrid
If you are looking for some nature day trips from Madrid, Cercedilla is one of the best options! This mountain town is located in the Sierra de Guadarrama, north of Madrid, and is a popular starting point for hiking routes. There are several trails to choose from. Shorter walks through the forest to longer hikes with beautiful mountain views. It’s up to you 😉 It’s a great place to escape the busy city streets and enjoy some fresh air.
I’d recommend starting your day early, especially if you want to go hiking. If you’re not sure which route to take, stop by the local tourist information office in town! They have a lot of info. After your walk, spend some time in the centre, where you can find cafés and restaurants for a well-deserved lunch after a nice hike.
If you’re visiting in summer, you can also head to the Las Berceas, where you’ll find natural-style swimming pools! These pools are seasonal, so check the opening dates and ticket requirements before your visit but it’s an amazing place to refresh during hot summer days.
How to get to Cercedilla from Madrid
Buses on line 684 leave from Moncloa bus station and take approximately 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic. You can also take the Cercanías train on line C-8 from Madrid. Depending on your departure station and service, the trip usually takes around 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
7. Escape to nature in Navacerrada
Another option for a nature escape from Madrid is Navacerrada, a small mountain town in the Sierra de Guadarrama. It’s a great place to visit if you want to spend a day walking in the mountains, enjoying the fresh air and having a traditional Spanish lunch. The town itself has a little centre with restaurants and cafés, while the surroundings offer many hiking routes. In winter, you can also explore the Puerto de Navacerrada mountain pass, which is popular for snow activities (when there is snow).
If you’re planning a hike, arrive in the morning to give yourself time to enjoy the route. You can ask at the local tourist information office for suggestions if you need them!
How to get to Navacerrada from Madrid
The most easy public transport option is bus line 691 from Moncloa bus station in Madrid. The journey usually takes around 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic. If you’re planning to hike further into the mountains, check whether your trail starts in the village or if you need to get off the bus at another spot, or maybe need to take a second bus.
8. Explore the town of Chinchón
A cute little town southeast of Madrid is Chinchón. I first learned about this place when Wes Anderson was filming Asteroid City in the area. The movie was not filmed in the town itself, but still it made me way to visit. After seeing some photos, I figured it would be a fun day trip from Madrid.
The main attraction is the Plaza Mayor, a beautiful traditional Spanish square surrounded by wooden balconies, restaurants and cafés. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend an afternoon enjoying lunch and people watching. When it comes to food and drinks, try the local anise-flavoured liqueur known as anís de Chinchón.
There is more to see, for example the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, where you can find a painting by Francisco de Goya, and the Clock Tower, which is separated from the church. I visited in summer, so I didn’t explore too much because of the heat. But having a walk around me local pastries and enjoying lunch was more than enough for me. Sometimes that
How to get to Chinchón from Madrid
The easiest way to reach Chinchón without a car is by bus. Bus line 337 connects Madrid’s Conde de Casal bus station with Chinchón. The journey usually takes around 50–60 minutes, depending on traffic, and will cost you 3 euros.
Which day trips from Madrid should you choose?
If you have limited time in Madrid, I’d choose your day trips based on what you want to experience. It’s very easy to fill a weekend in Madrid, but if you have time to get out of the city, do it! They’re all fun options, but each place has something else to offer.
- For history and architecture: Toledo or Segovia.
- For royal palaces and gardens: El Escorial or Aranjuez.
- For literature and a historic town centre: Alcalá de Henares.
- For hiking and nature: Cercedilla or Navacerrada.
- For a relaxed lunch in a traditional Spanish town: Chinchón.
All destinations can be visited as day trips from Madrid, and most are easy to reach with public transport. Just remember to check the return journey and opening times in advance. Just to make sure you can make it back to the city 😉
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