Madrid´s surroundings offer visitors fantastic opportunities for a full day’s excursion. From UNESCO heritage cities, walking trails and the chance to be in touch with both history and nature.  This is our selection:

ÁVILA, THE WALLED CITY

Ávila is a UNESCO World Heritage city mainly thanks to its architecture. It is full of Romanesque and Gothic churches and has the famous wall which surrounds the old town. This fortification, which has 88 towers and measures an incredible 2.5km, is the most complete in all of Spain.

You will immerse yourself in the history and culture of this unique town, described by Orson Welles as the place in which he would most like to live. A visit to Ávila is not complete without walking its walls, trying the yemas de Santa Teresa (the most famous sweet in the region) and stopping at the Mirador de los Cuatro Postes to admire the beautiful panoramic view of this medieval city.

SEGOVIA AND LA GRANJA DE SAN ILDEFONSO

Segovia is another World Heritage city in the Castile Leon region, famous for its Roman aqueduct, the Alcazar (a castle from the 12^th century), the Gothic cathedral and the Jewish quarter.  Near this city, it is also worth visiting the Royal Palace of La Granja, an 18^th-century palace modeled on the Palace of Versailles in France. And don´t miss out the impressive Royal Factory of Glass and Crystal of La Granja.

THE ROYAL SITE OF SAN LORENZO DE EL ESCORIAL

One of the towns that you must visit when you are in Madrid is San Lorenzo de El Escorial and its magnificent Monastery, a complex of great historical and cultural significance. No wonder this building is also known as “the eighth Wonder of the World”! For this excursion you can travel from Madrid in a very special themed train with vintage carriages and learn about one of the most important kings in Spanish history: Phillip II.  But it is not all history. In San Lorenzo de El Escorial you can also enjoy local cuisine and do some walking in the great outdoors. This town located in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama offers everything for the visitor to have an amazing day.

SPANISH CIVIL WAR ROUTE IN SIERRA DE GUADARRAMA

The Sierra de Guadarrama mountains are one of the main entrance points to Madrid, therefore this area was of great importance during the Spanish Civil War. In this part of the Community of Madrid, you can learn about this difficult episode in Spanish history by doing a trekking route around the surrounding areas of Guadarrama to uncover civil war remnants such as trenches or bunkers. A very interesting day outdoors if you enjoy history and nature.

TOLEDO, THE CITY OF THREE CULTURES

Toledo, is the perfect destination for a day trip. This beautiful city is known as the ¨City of Three Cultures¨ due to the Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultural influences, reflected not only in its history but also in its streets.  A perfect plan in Toledo includes some cheese and wine tastings from Castilla la Mancha followed by a guided tour to discover the different neighbourhoods and the most important historical buildings.

THE UNESCO HERITAGE CITY OF CUENCA

The city of Cuenca is located in the Castile- la Mancha region, one hour from Madrid by train. It is a charming place with cobbled streets, many churches and religious buildings. Its main attraction is the Casas Colgadas (hanging houses), a 15th-century construction built on the ravine of the Huécar river. This is a great city to discover and fall in love with!

VINEYARDS AND WINERY CENTRE TOUR

If you are a wine lover, this plan is for you! A day to learn and enjoy everything about wine by visiting a vineyard and a winery centre. The wine experts will explain the whole process of producing wine, from the grape to the bottle. During this tour, you will take part in a wine tasting accompanied by local food and Spanish produce. A true experience for your taste buds. This full-day excursion can be completed with a visit to a picturesque town in The Madrid region such as Chinchón, Alcalá de Henares or Aranjuez.

Did you know that some of these excursions are included in our Madrid and Sierra de Guadarrama Packs? Don´t miss the chance to discover these amazing destinations with us while practicing your Spanish!