Lonely PlanetOct 27
The Top 6 Day Trips from Madrid
Soak up all Madrid offers, then head for the countryside. These top day trips from Madrid will take you to Roman ruins and historic towns and villages.
Modeled on Versailles, a favored royal retreat
24 things in this story
- Aranjuez's palaceSightModeled on Versailles, a favored royal retreat
- Palacio RealSightFavored retreat for Spanish royals
- Casa del LabradorMuseumShowcases royal finery
- Museo de Falúas RealesMuseumShowcases pleasure boats beloved by royals
- Elsewhere
- El Greco trailPlaceToledo, SpainRewards art lovers in Toledo
- El AlcázarSightSegovia, SpainCastle said to have inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty
- Plaza MayorSightChinchón, SpainScene for town's biggest fiestas in Chinchón
- Ávila's medieval wallsSightÁvila, SpainStretch 2.5km, built to defend the city
- El EscorialMuseumSan Lorenzo de El Escorial, SpainUNESCO monastery northwest of Madrid
- Catedral de ToledoSightToledo, SpainSee El Greco's The Disrobing of Christ
- Museo del GrecoMuseumToledo, SpainOnly museum in Spain dedicated to El Greco
- Museo de Santa CruzMuseumToledo, SpainSee El Greco's Sagrada Familia con Santa Ana
- Museo SefardíMuseumToledo, SpainLearn about Jewish culture in Spain
- Mezquita del Cristo de la LuzSightToledo, SpainDates back to around 1000 CE
- El AcueductoSightSegovia, SpainImpressively preserved Roman monument
- Nuestra Señora de la MisericordiaFestivalChinchón, SpainCelebrations held in September in Chinchón
- Fiestas de Nuestra Señora del RosarioFestivalChinchón, SpainHeld in September in Chinchón
- MurallasSightÁvila, SpainClimb the walls and walk along battlements
- Los Cuatro PostesSightÁvila, SpainStone monument for best views toward the walls
- Catedral del SalvadorSightÁvila, SpainExtraordinary house of worship in Ávila
- Convento de Santa TeresaSightÁvila, SpainPilgrimage site of great spiritual significance
- Real Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El EscorialMuseumSan Lorenzo de El Escorial, SpainVast formal gardens and astonishing artworks
- Jardín de los FrailesSightSan Lorenzo de El Escorial, SpainClassic example of Spain's monumental royal gardens
- Casita del PríncipeSightSan Lorenzo de El Escorial, SpainNeo-classical retreat built in the 1770s