25 places to see around Madrid on 1-day excursions

Un tourism trip to the city of Madrid It has great attractions, from visits of cultural interest, such as its large and very important museums, to those of heritage interest such as, for example, the Royal Palace.

Although many visitors believe that its great attraction lies in walking through its streets and squares and experiencing its great atmosphere, both cultural and commercial, as well as leisure.

But there is another attraction that Madrid reserves for you, and that is the possibility of making visits of great interest in its surroundings, from places Heritage, to monumental corners or pretty towns.

Therefore, it is advisable when planning a tourism trip to Madrid is to reserve one or, if possible, two days to make one of those visits.

If to make one of these visits you prefer to join a group with a tour guide, here you have information with the best tours and excursions around Madrid to do in one day.

What to see and visit in the Community of Madrid in one day

If you prefer to visit on your own, and to help you plan your tourism getaway, below we will talk to you about 25 best places to visit around Madrid, each of which you can visit in a day trip.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial

If you are looking to see a good example of a mountain town, that is without a doubt San Lorenzo de El Escorial , where in addition to strolling through the streets that extend along the slope of the Monte de Abantos, In the Sierra de Madrid.

But its great attraction is visiting one of the great monuments of Spain, the El Escorial Monastery founded at the time of Felipe IIdeclared Heritage.

If you are going to go by public transport, this information about how to go to El Escorial from Madrid.

Felipe II Chair in El Escorial

A good way to start your visit of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and, above all, from the monastery, is to go to the place known as the Felipe II chair, from where you have some good Panoramic views from town,

In the foreground you have the enormous building of the monastery, whose grandeur is exalted by having a very green and lush golf course in front of it.

Monastery of El Escorial

Precisely knowing this monument is going to be the main reason why you will make a Getaway to San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

In light of this, here are our best Tips for visiting the Monastery of El Escorial.

It is a great monument that in its time was the largest building among those built in Europe, so to see it I advise you to sign up for the guided tours of the Monastery of El Escorial.

During your visit to the monastery you will see its main corners, such as the Pantheon of Kings, the historical Library or frescoes of the Main Staircase of the cloister of the Monastery of El Escorial.

You will also walk through the Courtyard of the Kings and you will visit the Basilica of the Monastery of El Escorial.

And in this article you have practical information where you can consult the schedules and ticket prices to visit the Monastery of El Escorial.

Mount Abantos in El Escorial

Another place from where you have panoramic views of the El Escorial monastery, perhaps the best, is from the viewpoints on the road going up to the Mount Abantos.

In this case the views are from a different perspective, from the mountain.

Here you have the information for see the monastery of El Escorial from Mount Abantos.

Royal Carlos III Coliseum in San Lorenzo de El Escorial

En San Lorenzo de El Escorial You have the opportunity to visit an interesting artistic corner near the monastery.

This is the Royal Coliseum Carlos III, a baroque theater from 1771 in the style of the French and Neapolitan, which after its restoration has become a hall with a program of concerts and theatrical and dance performances.

Aranjuez

Historic enclave summer residence of the Kings of Spain, Aranjuez you should take the visit of the royal palace as well as its famous gardens that extend across the valley of the Tagus river.

In fact, not only will you have to tour the main rooms of this royal summer palace on a guided tour, but in your getaway to Aranjuez You should also take time to walk through its gardens.

But if you have time you also have the opportunity to see some others historical places of Aranjuez which are very little known.

And for your excursion, if you prefer to go by public transport, here you have the information about how to go to Aranjuez by train or bus from Madrid.

Royal Palace of Aranjuez

Built in the 17th century by order of the king Philip V, Royal Palace of Aranjuez It became a spring residence that was surrounded by a large hunting reserve.

Now the Palace of Aranjuez It is a very interesting enclave that is well worth knowing, for which my advice is that you sign up for a tour which shows you not only its main rooms, but also other rooms such as private rooms.

It should be noted that in the palace you can also visit the Museum of Life in the Palace, which shows numerous objects that were used by the kings who inhabited the palace.

Here you have the practical information with schedules and ticket prices to visit the Royal Palace of Aranjuez.

Gardens of Aranjuez

In your excursion to Aranjuez You can walk through various gardens that were largely used as hunting by kings of spain.

Specifically, surrounding the Royal Palace of Aranjuez you find the Parterre Garden, French style, and the Garden of the Island, with beautiful corners, and following the Vega del Tajo you can walk through the farthest Prince Garden, English style.

But the largest extension is by far the one you find in the aforementioned Prince Garden, with outstanding corners such as Chinescos Pond or the old one Royal Pier.

In this large garden you can also visit a palace, the Labrador House, which served the function of a hunting lodge, or the Royal Barge Museum where curious barges used by kings to navigate the tagus river.

House of the Labrador in Aranjuez

La Labrador House It is an old daytime hunting residence used by the Kings of Spain and which you can visit in the Prince Gardens.

It should be noted that this palatial building from the late 18th century preserves its original decoration inside.

Visits are carried out only in guided groups and you must reserve in advance.

Museum of Royal Falúas in Aranjuez

As I mentioned, a very curious visit to the Prince's Gardens is the Royal Barge Museum, which is located in a small building located in front of the Royal Pier.

In this museum, large barges with ostentatious decoration are preserved, which were used by the kings of spain to navigate your day through the tagus river , or even by Retiro Pond in Madrid.

Strawberry Train from Madrid to Aranjuez

An original way to make a excursion to Aranjuez from Madrid is to go aboard the traditional Strawberry Train.

This is a tourist activity that commemorates the inauguration in 1851 of the railway that linked Madrid with Aranjuez, the second installed in Spain.

El Strawberry Train It serves in spring and autumn.

Alcalá de Henares

Declared Heritage, riding a Alcalá de Henares its history awaits you University and the Birthplace of Cervantes,

But also many other historical corners of the medieval-style architectural complex and the Golden age most prominent of the Region of Madrid.

Here you have extensive information about what to see when visiting Alcalá de Henares.

You also have the option to sign up for Train of Cervantes, a tourist activity that allows you to go to Alcalá de Henares from Madrid and participate in a guided tour of the university city.

Birthplace of Cervantes in Alcalá de Henares

In the long run main Street of buildings with arcades in Alcalá de Henares you find the building of the Cervantes Birthplace Museum, installed in the place that is considered to be the house where the illustrious writer of the Quijote.

In front of this museum that shows a replica of what a house was like in the time of Cervantes, you find the Monument to Don Quixote and Sancho, a sculptural group installed in 2005 that has become an iconic photo of the university city.

Cisneriana University in Alcalá de Henares

The one known as Cisneriana University of Alcalá de Henares is the reason why this historic city is on the list of World Heritage for the Unesco.

Of the set of university buildings, the facade of the Colegio Mayor de San Ildefonso de plateresque style built in the middle of the 16th century.

In this historic school is the historic Auditorium where every year the delivery of the Cervantes awards.

Parador Nacional of Alcalá de Henares

The avant-garde is located in an old 17th century convent that was later used as a prison. Parador Nacional of Alcalá de Henares.

This establishment is one of the best examples of the combination in the new hostels of the most modern design with historical corners, such as the cloister of the old convent.

Chinchón

Chinchón is one of most beautiful towns What can you visit near Madrid, known above all for its beautiful precious Plaza Mayor with porticoed galleries.

Here you have the information about what to see when visiting Chinchón and its Plaza Mayor.

Buitrago de Lozoya

If you are looking for a town with history in Region of Madrid, you find it in Buitrago de Lozoya, where the largest is preserved walled enclosure of this region.

At historic center of Buitrago de Lozoya You will find some beautiful rural corners, but above all you will have to walk through its Wall and see the little one castle which is under restoration.

Beautiful towns in Sierra Norte de Madrid

In the Region of Madrid You can also visit areas with a very rural atmosphere, far from what you can find in the towns that surround the capital.

To do this, our advice is to make a getaway to the Sierra Norte, where you can visit several pretty towns, in which his stone architecture and its rural corners.

In this regard, it is worth highlighting The Hiruela o Puebla de la Sierra in the Sierra del Rincón, or also Horcajuelo de la Sierra, El Berrueco o Garganta de los Montes.

Patones de Arriba

If there is a town with stone architecture and a rural atmosphere that you can visit near Madrid, it is Patones de Arriba.

This village, which a few decades ago was practically abandoned, has now become one of the most tourist places in the Region of Madrid, and a very popular place to go to eat on a weekend.

Shopping in Las Rozas

If in your travels the Shopping It is always one of the main activities, in the population of Las Rozas, on the outskirts of Madrid, you find one of the places most visited by tourists.

Is Las Rozas Village, a commercial area with the best brand stores discount outlet, where in a pleasant shopping environment you are sure to find something to buy.

Here you have information about how to get to Las Rozas Village by bus from Madrid, direct VIP service designed to suit the visitors of this shopping center.

Castle of Manzanares el Real

Did you know at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama Can you visit one of the best preserved castles in Spain?

This is the Castle of Manzanares El Real, also known as Mendoza Castle,, which was built at the end of the 15th century.

Nowadays it has become one of the most outstanding heritage corners of the Region of Madrid, and a place very visited by tourists and Madrid residents.

Here you have the Useful information for visiting the castle of Manzanares el Real, from the schedules to the dramatized visits, to what it is like and what you will see during your visit.

Hayedo de Montejo

One of the enclaves of nature most interesting things you can visit near Madrid is the Hayedo de MontejoLocated in Sierra Norte for the Community.

Its greatest attraction is reached in the autumn season, when the beech forest turns ocher.

Given its level of protection, the only way to visit the Montejo Hayedo is to sign up for one of the guided tours which are organized throughout the year, which you must reserve well in advance, especially in autumn.

Here you have the information about how to book the guided tour of the Hayedo de Montejo in the Sierra de Madrid.

Excursions near the Community of Madrid

From Madrid you have the possibility to do many day trips to visit very interesting places in the surrounding provinces.

In this regard, it undoubtedly stands out Toledo, known as the City of three cultures, and Segovia, with monuments such as the Roman Aqueduct, the cathedral or the Alcázar.

Toledo

In order to plan your Toledo city break from Madrid, here you have information about the essential sites you must see, as well as the best things you can see and do in one visit of Toledo in two days.

If instead of going on your own you prefer to sign up for a visit with the company of a guide in spanish, here you have the information about the Tour to Toledo in one day.

But you also have the option of making a getaway through the province of Toledo, for which this article will be very useful to you.

Segovia

Regarding Segovia, here are some tips for visit the city of the aqueduct, and a list with the best places to see and visit in the province of Segovia, excursion that you can also do in one day.

Ávila

A highly recommended excursion from Madrid is the one that will take you to visit the city of Ávila, with its imposing medieval wall and the charm of its intramural streets, Romanesque churches and 16th century palaces.

Guadalajara

In the Guadalajara province, near Madrid, you can also visit interesting places on a day trip from Madrid.

In this regard we recommend the black towns of Guadalajara, which you find in the Sierra Norte, the historic town of Sigüenza, with its famous Maid, Molina Alto Tajo Geopark, where you can see the curious place of Zafra castle.

You can also take an excursion to visit Molina de Aragón or make the famous Alcarria Route.

And, of course, see the great spectacle of the lavender flowering in Brihuega.