11 best day trips from Madrid: Beautiful nearby towns and how to get there

Most popular day trips from Madrid

Toledo, a gorgeous medieval city and UNESCO World Heritage site, is the most popular day trip to take from Madrid and is often cited as the most beautiful town near the country’s capital. In terms of popularity, Segovia, Alcalá de Henares, and Salamanca fall close behind, all of which receive over 700,000 annual visits from both local and international tourists according to reports from 2023 to 2025.^1,2,3 All of these destinations are easily accessible from Madrid thanks to Spain’s high-speed rail system. 

But plenty of other nearby gems sit just about an hour away from Madrid. If you’re longing for a sun-soaked day of exploring some of the most charming and historically significant sites in the country, take a look at our list of the 11 best day trips from Madrid, Spain. 

1. Toledo

Once the capital of the Spanish Empire, Toledo is a 2,000-year-old fortress city where Moors, Christians, and Jews once walked the same cobblestone streets. Step through the Misagra Gates and you’re transported back to a time of medieval fortresses, ornate synagogues, and the breathtaking Toledo Cathedral, often described as one of Spain’s most impressive religious sites. Don’t be too intimidated about reaching the old town at the top of the hill — you’ll be able to take an escalator right from the bus station. And a day trip from Madrid to Toledo wouldn’t be complete without sampling the city’s specialty, marzipan.

2. Segovia

Just north of Madrid, Segovia is a charming city of around 50,000. Climb to the highest point for stunning aerial views of a layout similar to Barcelona’s historic grid. If you’re a Roman Empire nerd, Sevogia should already be on your bucket list. The city’s star attraction is its enormous 9.3 mi (15 km) Roman aqueduct, one of the best-preserved monuments of Ancient Rome on the Iberian Peninsula — you couldn’t miss it if you tried. For lunch, enjoy the city’s famed cochinillo asado (roasted suckling pig) and you’ve got all the ingredients for a day trip from Madrid to Segovia that’s equal parts history lesson and contemporary cultural immersion.

3. El Escorial

El Escorial, also known by its full name, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, is a monastery, basilica, palace, and library all rolled into one complex. King Philip II had it built starting in 1562, and it took 25 years to finish — all so he could rule an empire that stretched from Spain to colonies like Mexico and the Philippines (which was named after … you guessed it). If you’re driving, you’ll catch expansive views of arid sandstone terrain and arrive at neatly manicured lawns foregrounding a mountainous backdrop. Make sure not to miss the stunning gold-clad altar inside the city’s grand monastery. 

4. Ávila

Known as the City of Saints and Stones, Ávila is a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like it’s been carefully stitched together over millennia. This medieval fortress city’s walls have been destroyed, rebuilt, and fortified again since the Bronze Age, and yet they’re some of the best preserved medieval walls in Spain. Ávila also has one of the highest elevations of any provincial capital in the country. Pro tip: Try to visit on any day other than Sunday, or you’ll find mostly empty streets with closed shops and restaurants. 

5. Salamanca

From above, Salamanca is a sea of terra cotta roof tiles, glimmering like a sunlit mosaic in Spain’s Castile region. This university town is the perfect place to pass the time in one of its serene courtyards or pay a visit to its renowned Art Nouveau museum. Don’t miss one particularly unique piece of architecture — La Casa de las Conchas (the House of Shells) — a sandstone building studded with 300 hand-sculpted seashells. Perhaps the biggest bonus of Salamanca being a student town means you can dine at student-friendly prices. 

6. Cuenca

One of the most photogenic cities on this list, Cuenca is not a day trip from Madrid you’ll want to miss. It offers a harmonious mix of natural landscapes and intricate architecture, with colorful houses that were once the city’s medieval shopping hub. Many of these cliffside buildings have windows and doors outlined in white, which is an ancient “alarm system” that made the silhouettes of thieves easy to spot at night. Settlements here date back to the Paleolithic era, and the city’s architecture shows Middle Eastern influences from the time of the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. 

7. Chinchón

Home to just around 5,000 residents, Chinchón is a charming little town just 30 minutes south of Spain's capital, making it an easy day trip from Madrid. Art lovers should pay a visit to the house of Francisco Goya, the iconic Spanish painter whose works convey complex emotions around grief surrounding war and death (hey, we didn’t promise only sunshine and sangrias). Chinchón’s quirky history shows up in its balconies — during medieval times, they weren’t private at all, but used as seats for the local bullfighting stadium. Picture someone barging through your living room just to grab a spot for the fight. The chaos!

8. Sepúlveda

Catalogued as one of Spain’s most beautiful towns since 2016, Sepúlveda sits on the edge of a national park, making it a perfect destination for hikers. A quaint, quiet town compared to others on this list, Sepúlveda was originally established in the Iron Age and moved to its current location in 98 BC. The must-see attraction of the town sits inside the main church, where you’ll find an ornate golden exhibit of Nuestra Señora de la Peña. While trying roasted lamb is highly recommended by locals in Sepúlveda, vegetarians can skip out and sample anise tarts from one of the many local bakeries instead. 

9. Aranjuez

Yet another UNESCO World Heritage site, Aranjuez is a quiet, family-friendly city that makes for a perfect day trip from Madrid. Its Royal Palace was modeled after Versailles and features its own Hall of Mirrors to admire (minus the gargantuan crowds). Stroll through the sprawling palace gardens, soak up the calm, and imagine life as Spanish royalty for a few hours. 

10. Alcalá de Henares

Alcalá de Henares is where Christopher Columbus once asked the Queen of Spain for cash to fund his (in)famous “shortcut to India” (nice try, buddy). Today, this enchanting city is better known as a student hub, home to a university founded in 1499 that’s worth a visit for its gorgeous ceilings alone. It’s also the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, the mind behind Don Quixote, one of the most famous books in human existence (which is easily one of the most interesting facts about Spain). And for food, the tapas scene here is as vibrant as it is delicious, making it the perfect way to round out your day. Though lowkey compared to other Spanish cities, Alcalá de Henares packs a historical punch. 

11. Sierra de Guadarrama (Guadarrama Mountains)

One of the most unique day trips from Madrid, the Sierra de Guadarrama is a vast mountain range northwest of the capital that sprawls across the provinces of Madrid and Segovia, with smaller stretches in Ávila and Toledo. Its rugged, mossy peaks and thick forests make you feel worlds away from the capital’s bustle. If you’ve got binoculars, bring them along. The area is protected for its biodiversity, home to endemic species and plenty of birdlife.

Tips for taking a day trip from Madrid

Before hitting the road for your day trip, take a look at a few tips that’ll save you time, money, and stress:

• If you’re planning on taking day trips from Madrid by car, choose reputable rental companies like Alamo, Enterprise, or Hertz. You can pre-book rental cars online through the companies’ websites or at their offices at the airport. 

• If you’re taking day trips from Madrid by train, take advantage of the country’s incredible high-speed rail system. You can book train tickets online through Trainline, or you can purchase tickets at any train station. 

• If you want to take day trips from Madrid by bus, you can find the easiest routes through the Rome2Rio app (which made it onto our 30 best travel apps list). 

• To avoid incurring international roaming charges, you’ll want to get an eSIM or SIM card for Spain. While renting pocket Wi-Fi for Spain is also an option, the process requires a lot of tedious logistics. It’s easier to download an eSIM app, choose a cheap eSIM plan, and have instant internet access across Spain. 

• If you’re wondering, “Will my phone work in Spain?” just make sure that your phone is carrier unlocked (i.e., able to connect to networks outside of the one you use at home) and you should be good to go. If you want to get an eSIM or SIM card, make sure your phone is eSIM compatible or equipped with a SIM slot. 

• If you’re thinking about private day trips from Madrid, you can browse through your options on the Get Your Guide website.

The best day trip to take from Madrid: Final takeaways

The top day trips from Madrid include Toledo, Alcalá de Henares, Salamanca, Segovia, and Ávila. You can easily get to all five of these cities via high-speed train or bus. 

Stay online for cheap with an eSIM for Spain

When you’re traveling around Spain, public Wi-Fi networks can be unreliable and hard to find. Having mobile data will make your trip far smoother, whether you’re navigating to small towns outside Madrid or searching for the best tapas spots. The easiest way to get internet access on the go without incurring international roaming charges is by getting a travel eSIM. Some of the key benefits of an eSIM include instant, high-speed data at affordable rates and skipping the hassle of buying a physical SIM card. With the Saily eSIM app, you’ll also get three built-in security features at no extra cost, adding an extra layer of privacy to your browsing. Just download Saily, choose a Spain eSIM plan with enough data for your trip, and you’ll receive step-by-step instructions on how to install your eSIM. 

References

¹ Europa Press Castilla-La Mancha. (2024, January 25). La provincia de Toledo rozó el millón de visitantes en 2023 y ya cuenta con 1.438 alojamientos en 174 municipios.  

² Turismo de Segovia. (2024, April). Observatorio turístico empresa municipal de turismo de Segovia. 

³ Turismo de Salamanca. (n.d.). Salamanca bate récord histórico de viajeros y pernoctaciones en 2023.