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.
Pilgrimage site of great spiritual significance
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- Ávila's medieval wallsSightStretch 2.5km, built to defend the city
- MurallasSightClimb the walls and walk along battlements
- Los Cuatro PostesSightStone monument for best views toward the walls
- Catedral del SalvadorSightExtraordinary house of worship in Ávila
- Convento de Santa TeresaSightPilgrimage site of great spiritual significance
- 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
- El EscorialMuseumSan Lorenzo de El Escorial, SpainUNESCO monastery northwest of Madrid
- Aranjuez's palaceSightAranjuez, SpainModeled on Versailles, a favored royal retreat
- 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
- 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
- Palacio RealSightAranjuez, SpainFavored retreat for Spanish royals
- Casa del LabradorMuseumAranjuez, SpainShowcases royal finery
- Museo de Falúas RealesMuseumAranjuez, SpainShowcases pleasure boats beloved by royals