Madrid Nearby Travel Guide & Day Trips

Madrid’s Surrounding Towns and Lugares de interés

Monasterio del Escorial
The 16th century residence of the King of Spain in the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, 45 km northwest of Madrid. This large complex of Renaissance buildings consists of a monastery, a Royal palace with an impressive basilica in its center, and a royal underground burial pantheon of the kings of Spain. Also, part of the complex, an impressive 16th – 18th century royal library with more than 40,000 volumes, architectural museum, large collection of religious relics, and spectacular palace gardens. The Royal Basilica with its large dome and impressive naves is magnificently decorated, with frescoes, beautiful bronze sculptures, and great paintings by the like of Velazquez, Titian, Luca Giordano, Tibaldi, Zuccari, and others. Next to the basilica, a courtyard surrounded by galleries decorated with various impressive frescoes, and the House of the King with the impressive Hall of Battles and the Royal Apartments of Philip II. Also, in the palace a Royal Gallery home to a collection of paintings by German, Italian, and Spanish masters, including Titian, El Greco, Velázquez, Bernini, and others.

Read more
Valle de los Caídos (Valley of the Fallen)
A masterpiece of 20th century Spanish architecture, 10 km northeast of the royal site of El Escorial, 58 km northwest of Madrid. The monument includes a Catholic Basilica, one of the largest in the world, a Benedictine abbey, four 16th century cylindrical monoliths, and the most impressive 150 meters high cross, erected on a granite ridge.

Read more
Aranjuez
A royal town 42 km south of Madrid, built around the must visit magnificent 16th century summer palace and beautiful gardens of king Filipe the 2nd. In the palace you will admire the various highly decorated rooms, with the period furniture and beautiful artworks. In the various tranquil and magnificent palace gardens note especially the remarkable fountains scattered around. While in town visit also Mariblanca, the royal Church of San Antonio, and the 18th century bullring, Plaza de Toros.

Read more
Chinchon
A small enchanting and highly preserved Medieval town, 50 km southeast of Madrid. Visit Plaza Mayor in the old town center, enjoy the 15th to 17th centuries buildings with the beautiful galleries, and stroll the narrow, cobbled streets. Be sure to visit the church of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion, originally from the 16th century, presenting a blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, and admire the early Goya painting depicting the Assumption of the Virgin. Also enjoy the architecture of the 19th century Clock Tower of the Nuestra Senora de Gracia church, and the 17th century convent of the Nuns of the Order of St. Clare. The town is known for its Bullfights traditions. At the end of July, experience the Bulls run and the novillada (a fight with young bulls and bullfighters), and in August, the town main square turns into a bullring, home to street shows, traditional outdoor festivals, and religious events.

Read more
Alcala de Henares
A town rich with Medieval architecture and archaeology, 35 km northeast of Madrid. Visit the famous Medieval Plaza de Cervantes, and stroll the surrounding winding cobbled streets to enjoy the old buildings part of the Mooris, Jewish and Christian quarters. Walk the picturesque Calle del Cardenal Cisneros connecting the Madrid city Gate, through the highly preserved Calle Mayor, to the old city center, while admiring the spectacular architecture on the way. Visit the 16th century Cervantes Birthplace Museum, and the Gothic Magisterial Cathedral for its historic value and unrivaled beauty. If time allows, visit the 16th century Renaissance University, and the 19th century Laredo Palace, representing an architectural mix of Roman, Moorish, Gothic and Modern styles.

Read more

Tailandia <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Austria-Flag.png" alt=""> Austria <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/France-Flag.png" alt=""> Francia <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Germany-Flag.png" alt=""> Alemania <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Greece-Flag.png" alt=""> Grecia <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Iceland-Flag.png" alt=""> Islandia <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Italy-Flag.png" alt=""> Italia <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Portugal-Flag.png" alt=""> Portugal <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Spain-Flag.png" alt=""> España <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Netherlands-Flag.png" alt=""> Países Bajos (Holanda) <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Great-Britain-England-Wales-and-Scotland-Flag.png" alt=""> El Reino Unido <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Turkey-Flag.png" alt=""> Turquía <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="">

Tailandia <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Austria-Flag.png" alt="" /> Austria <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/France-Flag.png" alt="" /> Francia <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Germany-Flag.png" alt="" /> Alemania <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Greece-Flag.png" alt="" /> Grecia <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Iceland-Flag.png" alt="" /> Islandia <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Italy-Flag.png" alt="" /> Italia <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Portugal-Flag.png" alt="" /> Portugal <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Spain-Flag.png" alt="" /> España <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Netherlands-Flag.png" alt="" /> Países Bajos (Holanda) <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Great-Britain-England-Wales-and-Scotland-Flag.png" alt="" /> El Reino Unido <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

<img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Turkey-Flag.png" alt="" /> Turquía <img src="https://thetjoy.com/wp-content/themes/joytravel/images/long-arrow.svg" alt="" />

Madrid’s Surrounding Towns and Lugares de interés

Monasterio del Escorial

Valle de los Caídos (Valley of the Fallen)

Aranjuez

Chinchon

Alcala de Henares