In this guide, we propose you a review of the most interesting and best day trips in Spain. Spain boasts an enormous amount of interesting monuments, natural parks and attractions. Different civilizations left behind their monuments, gastronomy, and culture. While most of the important museums and art galleries in Spain are to be found at the largest cities, many of the most interesting sites in Spain are however not located in Spain´s top cities. This is why day excursions and tours are vital to get to know some of Spain´s top sights.
You will find these day trips included in some of the itineraries through Spain that our team has prepared to ease your travel planning process. You can find almost complete and ready-to-use ideas in our section with the best vacations in Spain.
Madrid is one of the few cities in the country that has 6 Unesco heritage sites at less than 1 hour drive. Some of these sites include the famous Spain royal palaces in Aranjuez, La Granja or El Escorial. All of these incredible sites can be enjoyed with day tours that departure from Madrid, by train, and also by car through high-quality highways. Let´s review 4 of them plus other super interesting villages and sights. We have specific guides to each of these unique places, so in case you want to enjoy an excursion to one of them you will be able to find full details in them. In this guide we provide you details on the best day trips from Madrid.
Avila is located at one hour drive north west of Madrid. The most famous thing about Avila are its medieval walls. The walls of Avila are the best preserved walls in Spain and amongst the best walls in Europe. Fantastic churches, monasteries and traditional gastronomy (Spain´s most famous steak is from Avila) complete Avila´s offering for a great day from Madrid.
Toledo is probably the favorite excursion or tour for most visitors to Madrid. If asked, we would recommend to stay overnight in Toledo, though it can be enjoyed with a day tour. Toledo can be accessed easily with high speed train from Atocha station in Madrid.
The Alcazar fortress, the Catedral Primada, the Alcantara bridge, its jewish quarter or its churches and synanogues are amongst the top attractions of Toledo.
Locals from Madrid have a bad time to decide if they prefer Toledo over Segovia. Less famous than Toledo, Segovia is equally impressive. If you enjoy roman architecture Segovia is a must for you. In our view, local gastronomy is also an area where Segovia is above Toledo since its local gastronomy is one of the top attracions of Segovia. Segovia can also be accessed with hgh speed train (from Chamartin station) and it is at one hour drive from Madrid.
San Lorenzo del Escorial is a mid-sized town located at a bit more than 30 minutes drive from Madrid. The town grew thanks to the construction of the massive Monastery of el Escorial. Besides being a monastery, El Escorial also boasts a fantastic art museum, one of Spain´s best libraries. an impressive church and it isplace where Spanish kings are buried.
The mid-sized town of Cuenca in Castilla la Mancha and the palaces and gardens at Aranjuez (30 minutes south of Madrid) also hold Unesco status. But there are many more interesting places to visit like small villages where it seems time stopped centuries ago: Pedraza, Sepulveda or Chinchon are amongst these amazing places.
Alcazar de Segovia in Spain The Alcazar de Segovia is one Segovia´s top attractions. Segovia, 1 hour drive north-west of Madrid, is a mid-sized city which offers amazing heritage and excellent gastronomy. The Alcazar de Segovia is amongst the most visited attractions in Spain. Average customer review Score for Alcazar de
The beautiful grounds are perhaps the most attractive feature of La Granja. They were designed in classical French style along the lines of Le Notre’s gardens at Versailles and cover anotal area of some 360 acres surrounded by a fence nearly 4 miles long. The paths and squares were finished
History of Aranjuez Royal palace In 1560 Philip II commissioned the architect Juan Bautista de Toledo to build an extension to the hunting lodge built by Charles V. After his death the work was continued by Juan de Herrera (El Escorial) . Between 1660-65 the castle was destroyed by fire;
Barcelona is Spain´s most visited city. Thousands of tourist stroll Las Ramblas street and enjoy La Sagrada Familia. But if you have time you will be able to enjoy some very interesting sights at less than 1 hour from Barcelona. You can find more ideas below and in our day trips from Barcelona section.
Sitges is located at less than 30 minutes drive from Barcelona. It can also be accessed by train and with some day tours. From being a small fishing village Sitges evolved into a weekend tourist destination for “barceloneses” and a upper-class second home residence. The late XXth century saw it evolved into a famous gay destination and nightlife here could even rival the famous nightclubs in Ibiza!
Located 50 kilometers south west of Barcelona, this monastery is located at the Montserrat mountain. Its rounded shapes and pillars shaped by the erosion of wind protected the initial monastery that was built here. This is the most famous day tour from Barcelona and a must visit for pilgrims from around the world.
If you travel with children you may well want to spend a day or two in Port Aventura. Probably number one amongst the theme parks in Spain and one of Europe´s largest parks too. Port Aventura one that combines exciting rides with many activities and areas for smaller children.
North of Barcelona the coast becomes prettier and mid-sized resort towns co-exist with smaller ones that have preserved certain character. A bit more than an hour drive from Barcelona you will reach Cadaques, a beautiful village where Dali (one of Spain´s most famous persons) spent his summers.
Montserrat monastery – plan your visit and tours Montserrat is with no doubt the best day tour to enjoy from Barcelona. On a normal year more than two and a half million tourists visit Montserrat. The sanctuary is located at a spectacular location inside a natural park. Part of its
Portaventura theme park Port Aventura is one of Spain’s most impressive amusement parks, located within the PortAventura World entertainment resort in Salou and Vila-Seca, Tarragona, on the Costa Daurada in Cataluña, Spain. One of the best things to enjoy in Spain with children! Port Aventura attracts around 3.5 million visitors
Sitges is a beautiful beach town just south of Barcelona, known for its artsy and laid back vibes and spectacular beaches. Sitges is also very well known for its film festival and for its vibrant LGTB community and the cities pride week which is celebrated every June.
Tenerife is not all about relaxation at the beach and great hotels. The island offers many interesting excursions that can be enjoyed from both the north and the south of the island. Probably the most exotic day tour in Tenerife is a day in La Gomera. This small island is a nature´s paradise. But there are many more interesting excursions to enjoy in Tenerife: Canarian villages, whale watching, a visit to El Teide, or to some of the ravines in Tenerife´s natural parks, not to forget wineries and Guajinche´s where local gastronomy is enjoyed at its best.
In this article are local guides go over the best day tours from Málaga. Málaga is an amazing city in Andalucía, surrounded by many amazing attractions which are best visited using tour companies that operate tours that offer great value for money. Amongst the most popular day tours from Malaga you will find Gibraltar, Ronda, white villages like Frigiliana and the famous Caminito del Rey. One of the most popular day tours from Malaga takes you to Morocco! and you will also be able to visit Granada from Malaga as a day tour.
