10 Best Road Trips Near Madrid

Chinchon is a welcoming small town in the Community of Madrid known for its Historic-Artistic Heritage Site in the center. The center, known as Plaza Mayor, features historic churches, a distillery and the remains of a castle.

If you're interested in history, this is one of the best places to visit outside of Madrid. The historic buildings are remarkably well-preserved and give you a glimpse into the city's past. Chincon is about an hour's drive southeast of Madrid, making it a convenient day trip when you book your vacation in Spain's capital.

Patones de Arriba is a historic village that's both rustic and charming, offering a unique story around every corner behind its slate-rock buildings. The buildings' architecture is interesting enough, but you'll also see picturesque ivy and vines growing in the spring.

Travelers interested in history won't want to miss the village. Not only will you find a community that dates back earlier than the Romans, but you'll find caves that were used in the 3rd century BCE with period artifacts on display. Patones de Arriba is just 45 minutes from Madrid, perfect for a day trip.

Cuenca is a historic city with a rich heritage and well-preserved buildings to explore. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, many of the structures here date back to medieval times and have been restored with bright and alluring colors.

When you visit, you'll find a network of streets with adventure around every corner. Modern art galleries are quite common, as well as shops and restaurants. You can get to Cuenca after about a 2-hour drive to the east from Madrid.

Toledo is a diverse Spanish city that's known for its Jewish, Christian and Muslim cultural influences. Nicknamed the City of Three Cultures, you can see the influences of these varying cultures reflected in Toledo's architecture and local attractions.

You can see the city's multicultural heritage in its culinary culture, events, shops and festivals as well. To try it all for yourself, all you've gotten to do is head southwest from Madrid for about an hour by automobile.

Avila is a historic walled city that boasts diverse Romanesque and gothic structures and churches. The town's motto roughly translates to 'striving to be a town for everyone to enjoy', so the friendly residents are sure to welcome you.

The town and many of its buildings are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. When you visit, be sure to take time to explore its architectural wonders with towering spires and impressive arches. You can find Avila a little over an hour to the northwest of Madrid.

Cordoba is a popular destination for history buffs, as it has one of the largest old town neighborhoods in the entire country. You can enjoy it all easily thanks to its warm and sunny climate as well making your trip easier than ever.

While you'll find plenty to do here all year long, consider timing your visit to coincide with one of the many festivals held here. You'll find them mostly in spring and early summer. Cordoba is a longer drive from Madrid at 4 hours to the south, so plan accordingly.

Buitrago del Lozoya is a relatively small town that's known for its remains of 11th-century defense walls with Moorish architecture. When you visit this town, you'll find more historical sites than the walls, however, including a castle and several villas.

While you're in town, you may want to take part in the numerous cultural and artistic events that are held there throughout the year. The Medieval Fair is especially popular, and it's held in September every year. You'll find this town just a short hour drive to the north from Madrid.

La Hiruela is home to a small town set among vibrant natural features perfect for outdoor adventurers. You'll find the Sierra del Rincon Biosphere Reserve, a spectacular natural ecosystem with a diverse landscape to explore.

The trees in the are especially impressive, thanks to the numerous fruit trees that prosper there. With so many trees, you can often find fresh fruit in the local market. La Hiruela can be reached by heading north from Madrid for about an hour and a half.

Segovia is a popular destination for travelers with 3 iconic landmarks, including the massive aqueduct that stretches through midtown. The other landmarks include a gothic-style cathedral and a towering castle that was the template for Disney's iconic 'Cinderella' castle.

Inside the city, you'll also find a city centre that has been officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Naturally, quite a few museums are available in town as well. Segovia is about an hour and a half away by automobile from Madrid to the northwest.

Aranjuez is a popular destination that is known for its massive royal palace and vibrant gardens. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the royal palace was built over centuries and features a variety of different architectural styles.

When you visit the gardens, you'll find artistry reminiscent of what you'd find in the gardens of Versailles. The original intention was to make the gardens another room of the palace, so they're more ornate than what you'd typically find. You can see all of its splendor for yourself less than an hour south of Madrid by automobile.