The 8 Best Day Trips from Madrid: Tested + Ranked

The Best Day Trips from Madrid 2026: 8 Tested Itineraries

Best day trips from Madrid: Toledo’s medieval skyline + Segovia’s Roman aqueduct + Avila walls + El Escorial monastery — all reachable in 30-60 min by AVE train or bus.

Quick Summary

Best day trips from Madrid: Toledo’s medieval skyline + Segovia’s Roman aqueduct + Avila walls + El Escorial monastery — all reachable in 30-60 min by AVE train or bus.

Top 8 Day Trips from Madrid

1Toledo (UNESCO)

Distance: 30 minDuration: Full day

Medieval-Moorish-Christian-Jewish city on a hill + El Greco paintings + 13 marzipan shops.

How to get there: AVE train from Atocha, 30 min, €13-18.

2Segovia + Aqueduct

Distance: 30 minDuration: Full day

2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct still standing + Alcázar (inspired Disney castle) + roasted suckling pig.

How to get there: AVE high-speed from Chamartin, 27 min, €13-15.

3Avila (UNESCO)

Distance: 1 hr 15Duration: Half day

Best-preserved medieval walls in Europe + St. Teresa’s birthplace + yemas (egg-yolk sweets).

How to get there: Renfe Avant from Chamartin, €12.

4El Escorial Monastery

Distance: 45 minDuration: Half day

Massive Habsburg monastery-palace-pantheon + 4,000 art works + Philip II’s austere apartments.

How to get there: C8 commuter train from Atocha/Chamartin, 1 hr, €4.

5Aranjuez Royal Palace

Distance: 45 minDuration: Half day

Royal residence with French gardens + Tagus river + UNESCO cultural landscape + summer strawberries.

How to get there: Cercanías C3 from Atocha, 45 min, €4.

6Cuenca (UNESCO)

Distance: 1 hrDuration: Full day

Casas Colgadas (Hanging Houses cliff buildings) + medieval old town perched on gorge.

How to get there: AVE high-speed from Atocha, 55 min, €15-25.

7Chinchón + Plaza Mayor

Distance: 1 hrDuration: Half day

Adorable medieval plaza turned bullring + anís liquor distilleries + Goya paintings.

How to get there: Bus 337 from Conde de Casal, 1 hr, €5.

8Salamanca

Distance: 2 hr 30Duration: Full day

Spain’s oldest university (1218) + golden-stone Plaza Mayor + UNESCO old city + tapas culture.

How to get there: AVE high-speed from Chamartin, 1 hr 35, €25-40.

Planning more of Madrid? See our 3-day Madrid itinerary, Spain travel guide, the destinations index, or our Ultimate Bucket List.

Madrid Day Trips FAQ

What is the best day trip from Madrid?

Toledo — 30 min by AVE train, UNESCO medieval city + El Greco + marzipan. Most popular for first-timers.

Should you visit Toledo or Segovia from Madrid?

Both are top choices. Toledo for medieval Jewish + Moorish quarters; Segovia for Roman aqueduct + Disney-inspiring Alcázar. Most travelers do both on separate days.

How much do Madrid day trips cost?

€10-25 round-trip transport. AVE high-speed trains pricier; cercanías commuter trains cheapest (€4-12).

Can you do El Escorial + Valley of the Fallen together?

Yes — same general direction. Bus 661/664 from Madrid covers both. Allow full day.