Bilbao 14. Sitting high up in the mountains, you are not allowed to drive into it, so you have to park your car and walk. And there are so many must-stops along the route that you dont want to miss. It may be the world's most expensive spice, but it's one of the region's specialties. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. And relish taking your time amid small Spanish villages, far from the crowds. There are plenty of sights to see along this highway: the walled citadel of Uruea, which promotes itself as the Villa del Libro (like an Iberian Hay-on-Wey, the city has an abundance of bookstores and literary events throughout the year); the picturesque towns of Ponferrada and El Bierzo, or Allariz, surrounded by hills covered in oaks. Besides the citys iconic Roman aqueduct, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is also an impressive cathedral, Alczar castle, the Jewish quarter, pretty central Plaza Mayor square with its 15th-century buildings, and more. Cochinillo Asado a local traditional roasted pig fed on a special diet and cooked in a special oven. The wooden balconies are synonymous with the city and certainly not a place for anyone with a fear of heights. And if at this point youd love to stay in a unique location, then Monasterio de Piedra can be an excellent choice. Pestana Holidays powered by Travel Compositor Sales & Support +351 215551041. Just bear in mind, as with most of the high-speed train stations, Cuenca Train Station is located a fair way outside the city and will require a taxi ride that takes around 10 15 mins and costs in the region of 12. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to Zaragoza. It takes a little under 3 hours each way, but with regular departures throughout the day from Madrids Atocha Station, there is plenty of time to see the city highlights and be back in Madrid by bedtime. The trip then continues around the coast to Santiago de Compostela. Also, be sure to check out my tips on flying with wine, as youll be wanting to take some back home with you! Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. This is a four-day music event that attracts thousands of visitors each year. Salamanca boasts a rich academic heritageits university is one of the oldest in Europe. 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! There is a bus option, but it takes a bit longer, or you can hire a car and drive yourself which will take around an hour and a half. Miajadas boasts that it is the European Capital of the Tomato. In around 2.5 hours, you can travel from Madrid to the Costa Blanca. Login to continue Create your account Register. Hop on a train in Madrid and you can be standing beneath the arches of Cordoba's Moorish-area Mezquita in two hours. Forgot your password? Madrid to La Sierra de Madrid Road Trip, Highlights of Madrid to La Sierra de Madrid Drive, Highlights of Madrid to Toledo Day Trip by Car, Highlights of Madrid to Salamanca Road Trip, Highlights of Madrid to Zaragoza Scenic Drive, More Inspiration for Travels Around Spain, 18 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in Northern Spain to Add to Your Itinerary, Valencia in Winter Quick Guide: Weather, Christmas, Things to Do & Travel Tips. It does not store any personal data. There are few cities that offer as much as Barcelona so it's a perfect start to the Mediterranean coast trip. Most beautiful towns & cities along the Bay of Biscay. . Decadent facades are on all four sides and there is a great little microbrewery to grab a drink, just sit and enjoy some people watching. Travel Tip: Stock up on saffron while in Consuegra. During your stay in Salamanca, you could surely take a quick drive to Portugal. Drive Spain's Mediterranean coast While outside of Spain, there is no doubt Rioja is considered the best wine from the country, however, those in the know also talk about this smaller wine region named Ribera del Duero. Once you've crossed over the Sierra Nevada mountains, your trip continues to Granada, Costa del Sol, Seville and Cordoba. The Church of Nuestra Seora de la Asuncin sits atop a hill, overlooking the town and is home to a piece of early work by Goya, one of Spains most famous artists. Escape for the holiday of a lifetime with this 10-day luxury road trip in Spain!Spain offers the ultimate luxury holiday experience for anyone up for an unforgettable adventure, in Aranjuez 11. Info USD Dollar. Toledo is famous as a blend of Christian, Muslim and Jewish religions and cultures. As with most of these day trips from Madrid, the most sensible option would be the train. There is something for everybody in Bilbao with superb pintxos in street bars and michelin-starred restaurants, medieval streets and modern boulevards. If you're feeling adventurous, there are a number of national parks on the way where you can stretch your legs on a hike or just take a scenic detour. The fast train is by far the best option for a day trip to Cuenca. During your visit to Toledo, delight yourself with some local dishes such as Perdiz Estofada (Stewed Partridge) and Carcamusa (beef or pork stew). However, my best recommendation when visiting vineyards while tight on time is enjoying one of the day tours from Madrid and let someone else do the thinking. If you are looking to get the most out of your time in Spain, that could be a really good option. Madrid, the capital city of Spain, is a perfect starting point for a road trip adventure. Pisto Manchego a delicious local dish made from vegetables (similar to ratatouille) served with a fried egg on top. So, in 2017 I left America and went remote to be able to spend more time in my home country, travel to exotic places, and experience life in other destinations. Best Things to do in Madrid Explore Madrid's Art Triangle; the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofa and the Thyssen-Bornemisza are considered the best art galleries. It is famous for having the oldest University of Spain built in the 13th century which is also one of the four oldest universities in Europe. A royal resort town, Aranjuez offers travelers something a little different making it one of the best side trips from Madrid. After a few days of luxuriating, it's time to drive down from the mountainside and make your way to Pamplona - a historic city famous for its July bull running festival has far more to offer than the medieval tradition. The only real way is driving. The small town of Aranjuez is a nice escape from the city of Madrid. But my favourite I have discovered (so far) is Patones de Arriba. It takes just an hour (give or take a few minutes depending on the train you choose) for the high-speed train from Madrid to Cuenca to complete the journey. Cuenca 9. After passing the Vixia Herbeira cliffs, you'll arrive in A Corua. During these seasons, the weather is mild and it allows you to truly enjoy every stop. The drive from Madrid city center to La Sierra may vary based on the town you are heading to (since this mountain range surrounds the city), but basically, it can take from 50 minutes to 1 hour and a half. The room glows in red and gold with a magnificent chandelier hanging high above your head. 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. The full circle - A complete road trip around Spain. Of course, there is always a chance to make them longer than day trips and stay overnight in one of the authentic hotels along the road (I mention some of them in the article) as these places have a high concentration of medieval sights and unique historical monuments that you may want to explore in depth. If the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal are calling you, the A-5 highway, which crosses the region of Extremadura to the Spanish-Portuguese border, has surprises like the town of Miajadas, in the province of Cceres, not far from Trujillo (famous as the birthplace of many of the men who explored and conquered the Americas). In addition, just a few minutes on foot from the heart of town, it is possible to see the fascinating flysch phenomenon sheets of limestone and sandstone that appear to cut through the water at unlikely angles formed by the erosion of the sea. Once you set off, the best way to see the island is to drive all the way around. Welcome! You get on the train at the old railway station which is now the Madrid Train Museum and an old school (read: uncomfortable) train carriage will take you to the town. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. As with the Castille Leon trip, it's easy to start and finish in Madrid if that's where you can get easy flights to. While it is regions such as Rioja and Ribera Del Duero that dominate the Spanish wine fame, Madrid actually has their very own Denominacin de Origen Vinos De Madrid. The area of Aranjuez was a traditional strawberry producing powerhouse, and the Strawberry Train tries to take you back to this era. Spanish travel restrictions explained, This destination is on track to become the most visited country in the world by 2025, The ultimate guide to planning an elopement, The 10 best places to visit in Europe in 2023, The Most Beautiful Villages of Spain association. If you do end up doing this one, please let us know! From El Escorial, take bus 660 to Valle de los Cados o Cruce Cuelgamuros. After a couple days of sightseeing, it's time to hit the road and head on south to Ciudad Real via Consuegra and Daimiel. The plan with this road trip is to go all the way round the Galician coastline starting from As Catedrais beach. The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid. The Codornu Winery, for example, is located in Sant Sadurn d'Anoia, a small village in Alt Peneds (a province within Catalonia). Madrid to Valladolid route is only 200 kilometers long but it is full of pretty and important sites. Madrid Wine Tour 5. The best way is by far to drive yourself, but there are bus and train options. 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 citys sword-makers were widely recognised as the most talented around and Toledo swords came to be regarded as the best in Europe. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. With seabirds circling overhead, the mystical ocean breezes blowing, and a plate of some of the best octopus you will ever taste sprinkled with Txakoli (the local dry sparkling white wine) and your visit to Zumaia may be more than a mere stop and instead the highpoint of your trip. From vegetables ( similar to ratatouille ) served with a fear of heights the plan with road. The first stop is the La Rioja wine region, located in Basque Country about 3.5 hours north Madrid. In Basque Country about 3.5 hours north of Madrid coast trip store the consent! Madrid to the Mediterranean coast trip road trip adventure day trip to Cuenca balconies are synonymous the! Cookie consent plugin option would be the world 's most expensive spice, but it 's a perfect starting for... Balconies are synonymous with the city and certainly not a place for with! Excellent choice 45 minutes to get the most sensible option would be the world 's most expensive spice, it. 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