If you visit Cuenca, I would recommend starting in the castle area and working your way through the steep cobbled streets down into the main town. The wooden balconies are synonymous with the city and certainly not a place for anyone with a fear of heights. Dating back to the 15th Century, the houses were built into the cliff overlooking the steep ravine. The most famous site in Cuenca is the Casas Colgadas – the Hanging Houses. Sat high atop a spur between the Júcar and Huécar rivers, another one of my favourite Madrid side trips is a day in Cuenca, Castilla La Mancha. Of course, you may want to check your airline baggage rules before buying that 15th-century replica broadsword that would have had William Wallace running in fear! If you are looking for the perfect Toledo souvenirs then a sword would be the right choice. The manufacture of swords in the city goes back to Roman times, but it was under Moorish rule and the reconquest years, 15th to 17th centuries, that the city’s sword-makers were widely recognised as the most talented around and Toledo swords came to be regarded as the best in Europe. This is due to the city’s historical metalworking industry. One thing that you will certainly notice on a Toledo day trip are the many shops that sell awesome swords. The city was once the capital of Spain and is also known as “The City of Three Cultures”, a nod to being one of the few places that the Jewish, Muslim and Christian cultures co-existed in relative peace. It is around one hour by car from Madrid or just 30 mins by high speed train from Madrid’s Atocha station. For each recommendation, I have also included information about how to get there.įinally, Spain loves food and everywhere you go is fiercely proud of their local fare, so I have also included what to eat when you there.Īnother popular day trip from Madrid is Toledo, the old capital of Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. My list will be a mixture of cities near Madrid that you can easily reach by public transport as well as things to do in surrounding towns and villages that you may need to hire a car for. The Madrid Mountains are full of traditional villages, Spain’s wine country is not far away, and with the high-speed trains, it may surprise you what you can fit into a day trip. But what about further afield?Īs a Madrid resident myself, I have spent a lot of time exploring the fringes of the city and the nearby neighbours, so I thought I would put together some of my top recommendations and share the best day trips from Madrid.Īs much as I love the city, there are so many things to do outside Madrid, and it is fun to explore. From the world-class museums and art galleries to the lively plazas and cafés, there is plenty to keep visitors in the city entertained for way more than a weekend.
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