Advice

Let’s take a quick break in your tour to tell you about some other points of interest that couldn’t fit into our two itineraries. Let’s dive into other things that make Madrid and its surroundings so special. Firstly, in case you didn’t arrive in Madrid by train, make sure to step inside Atocha Station.It’s probably unlike any station you’ve ever seen.It’s iron and glass canopy sheltering a tropical garden make it a must-see in Madrid. On a different note, check out the Las Ventas bullring — also known as the Plaza de Toros. It’s the largest bullring in Spain, and the neo-Mudéjar style building is truly stunning. Another site worth seeing is the Matadero, Madrid’s former slaughterhouse turned cultural hub. If you’re here on a Sunday, be sure to wander through the famous Rastro flea market. Hundreds of stalls line the area around Plaza de Cascorro and stretch down Ribera Street. A vibrant mix of tradition and treasure — and a crowd you won’t forget. If you’ve got some extra time, there are some incredible day trips just outside the city. Start with the small town of Alcalá de Henares, about thirty kilometres from Madrid. It’s best known as the birthplace of Cervantes, one of the greatest Spanish writers and author of ‘Don Quixote’. Nicknamed the ‘city of knowledge’, Alcalá gives you the chance to walk in Cervantes’ footsteps at his childhood home and museum. With its grand university and picturesque old town full of arcaded streets, the town has earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Be sure to visit the beautiful main hall of the Colegio de San Ildefonso, with its intricately carved Mudéjar ceiling, where the King and Queen of Spain present the prestigious Cervantes literary prize every year. You can even climb the Santa María tower for sweeping views, or catch a show in one of the oldest corral de comedias — open-air theatres — in Spain. If you only have time for one must-see site outside Madrid, let it be El Escorial. This vast monastery is a UNESCO site easily accessible by bus. Line 664 takes you to the village of San Lorenzo, just 200 metres from the entrance. Built in the 16th century, this imposing site was once the heart of the most powerful empire in the world. Inside, you’ll find a royal palace, a basilica, a library, museums, and the royal pantheon, where Spanish monarchs from Charles V to Alfonso XIII are buried. You can stroll through the monks’ gardens, visit the royal children’s and queen’s pavilions, and admire the reflection of the surrounding landscape in the large ornamental pool. Don’t miss Aranjuez, south of Madrid, the town that inspired Joaquín Rodrigo’s famous Concierto de Aranjuez, a guitar concerto. Most visitors come to see the Royal Palace and its beautiful gardens, modelled after Versailles in Paris. The old town, built to house the nobility, has been designated a historical and artistic site for its unique Baroque architecture. You’ll discover palaces, convents, balconies, villas, and patios laid out along wide streets and elegant squares. People often forget that Madrid sits 657 metres above sea level — making it the second-highest capital in Europe after Andorra. If you’re craving mountain air, the Sierra de Guadarrama is a perfect escape. Partly a national park, this mountain range is filled with lakes, streams, and peaks rising over 2,000 metres — a paradise for nature lovers. One of the most beloved spots in the Sierra is the village of Rascafría, nestled in the Lozoya Valley. Sitting more than 1,000 metres above sea level, it’s a picture-perfect mountain village, with a beautiful 15th-century church and the El Paular Monastery, just 2 kilometres away. You can buy products made by the monks — honey, cheeses, liqueurs — and explore the nearby Puente del Perdón (Bridge of Forgiveness), for a breathtaking view of the monastery. You can also visit the old Batán paper mill, which produced the paper for the first edition of Don Quixote in 1605. Just beyond that, you’ll find the magical Finnish Forest, with its quiet lake and tall pine trees. If you want to venture a little further from Madrid, don’t miss Segovia — about a hundred kilometres to the northwest. You’ll fall under its spell the moment you arrive, as you are greeted by its remarkably well-preserved Roman aqueduct and the warm colours of its old town, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s an impressive cathedral, a fairytale-style Alcázar, winding lanes, and shops filled with local products — all against the backdrop of a magical hilltop town over 1,000 metres above sea level. Finally, no list would be complete without the marvellous city of Toledo, perched high above the Tagus River. Once the capital of Spain, it’s brimming with stories, legends, and an incredibly rich heritage. We already have an itinerary for Toledo, that takes you through 25 points of interest, covering Spain’s complex history. It’s an unmissable trip, just 30 minutes from Madrid by train. With all this in mind, you’ll have plenty to explore if you decide to stay in the region a little longer!