What to visit near Madrid. Where to go for one day from Madrid

How they joke local residents, no matter where you go from Madrid, sooner or later you will come across a royal residence or an ancient village. But seriously, around spanish capital nine cities from the list are located at once World Heritage UNESCO - Alcala de Henares, Toledo, Segovia, Cuenca, Avila, Cordoba, Salamanca, Escorial and Aranjuez.

@jmsantalices

Once upon a time, El Escorial was the autumn residence of the Spanish monarchs and the entire court. Philip II ordered the construction of a luxurious palace with a huge library and basilica. Here he founded a family crypt in which he buried his parents, Charles V and Isabella of Portugal. In El Escorial you can visit numerous chapels, sit in cool courtyards, and most importantly, enjoy an impressive collection of paintings by Titian, Bosch and El Greco. You can complete your walk through the once royal palace by visiting the library, which in size is second only to the Vatican.

Aranjuez: a vegetable garden city

Aranjuez is famous not only for the king's spring residence, but also for its strawberries, which are considered the symbol of the city. However, other fruits and vegetables are grown here and supplied to best restaurants capital Cities. In the sweltering summer heat, it’s nice to stroll through the local parks and gardens - the King, the Prince and the Island. You can complete your acquaintance with the city with the Church of the Ascension of Our Lady, the main value of which is the work of the same name by Goya. It will help you to see the ancient city in all its glory and not miss anything

Segovia: from a Roman aqueduct to a medieval fortress

The two most famous buildings Segovia is a Roman aqueduct that runs through the entire city, and the Alcazar fortress, which was used at various times for defense, as well as a royal residence, school and even a prison. By the way, it was the Alcazar that became the prototype of Cinderella’s castle in Disneyland Paris. The Cathedral deserves special attention, around which the whole cultural life cities. The road from Madrid to Segovia takes about one and a half hours. The most convenient way to get to the city is by comfortable

Pedraza: the place where time stood still

@denaturapedraza

This small village, according to locals, is a “time capsule”. Since its foundation in the 13th century, it has remained virtually unchanged and has not gone beyond the fortress wall. You can still only get inside through the main gate. Due to its medieval surroundings, Pedraza is a favorite place for filmmakers and newlyweds.

The heart of medieval education in Salamanca

The University of Salamanca is one of the oldest in all of Europe, having opened in 1218. The whole city seems to be imbued with the spirit of cheerful student life. As you walk past the university building, imagine yourself as a student running to an exam and try to find a frog on the façade. According to legend, it brings good luck. Objects of the mystical “heritage” of Salamanca are also worthy of attention, in particular, the cave where Satan himself allegedly taught simple black magic. The House of the Dead is also famous, where in the 19th century the entire family who lived there was killed. All subsequent residents also died under mysterious circumstances.

Catcher in Cuenca

The small town of Cuenca is located in picturesque place between two rivers. Its old part seems to be hanging over an abyss. Walking through the streets of the medieval city, it is easy to notice that Cuenca was built up without a specific plan, and the houses seemed to be sculpted as God pleased. There are not as many tourists here as in Toledo, and the medieval spirit, according to many travelers, is more “sincere” and “lively”. You can walk around all of Cuenca in a couple of hours, but be prepared for constant ups and downs.

Avila mountain fortress

Avila is the highest residential point in all of Spain, as a result of which the city invariably welcomes tourists with coolness - both in winter and in summer. The main local attraction is rightfully considered a powerful fortress, which was built in the 11th-14th centuries to protect the territory from the invasions of the Moors. According to legend, Teresa of Avila, the patron saint of the entire country, was born in Avila. Near the city is the monastery of Encarnacion, where Teresa took monastic vows, and on the site of her home in Avila there is the monastery of Saint Teresa with a museum in her honor.

Around Madrid there are nine cities included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. cultural heritage humanity: Alcala de Henares, Toledo, Cuenca, Segovia, Avila, Salamanca, Cordoba, the Monastery of San Lorenzo de Escorial and the palace ensemble of the city of Aranjuez will be an excellent addition to a visit to our city.

El Escorial was the political center of the empire of Philip II, where he built his palace with a library, as well as the family crypt, where his parents (Charles V and Isabella of Portugal), as well as his family members and descendants, are buried; A majestic basilica was erected here and a monastery was founded. This architectural ensemble, whose construction was completed in 1562, is located 50 kilometers from the capital, at the foot of the Guadarrama mountain range; in 1984 it was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Located in the south of the Madrid Autonomous Region, the city of Aranjuez is a magnificent combination of architecture and nature, where the royal palace and ancient gardens, such as the Prince's Garden or the Island Garden, mingle with wooded alleys, vegetable gardens and groves. This cultural ensemble was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2001.

Alcala de Henares is the birthplace of the famous writer Miguel Cervantes, in addition, noteworthy are its university, founded more than 500 years ago, the Cathedral, the College and the Oratory of San Ildefonso, resting place of the remains of the famous Cardinal Cisneros. In 1998, the city received the status of a World Cultural Heritage Center.

The Imperial City of Toledo, recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1986, is located just 60 kilometers from Madrid. The three great cultures (Arab, Jewish and Christian) that coexisted within its walls for centuries have left many striking traces, such as Main Cathedral, the Mosque of Christ the Light, the Synagogue del Transito, the Alcazar and the Festival of the Order of Corpus Christi, which includes one of the most important and most popular religious processions in Spain.

The construction of the city walls of Avila begins at the end of the 11th century, and today it is impossible to imagine this ancient Spanish city without fortifications more than two and a half kilometers long, 12 meters high and 88 towers. The Alcazar and San Vincente gates, together with the Gothic cathedral, are three treasures of medieval architecture that are simply impossible not to visit, because largely thanks to them, in 1985, the city received the title of a center of world cultural heritage.

Located at a strategic point in the region, the city of Cuenca (a World Cultural Heritage Center since 1996) is famous throughout the world for its Hanging Houses, built over a gorge in which the Huecar River flows. His Cathedral, cobblestone streets, a luxurious old hotel (formerly the monastery of St. Paul of the Dominican Order, to which a magnificent bridge made of wood and iron leads from the Hanging Houses), the Museum of Abstract Art and natural beauty these places are additional reasons to travel.

Declared a World Heritage Site in 1985, the city is famous throughout the world for the magnificent Roman aqueduct that runs through it. However, there are many other historical monuments that are also worth paying attention to, for example, the Gothic Cathedral, the Alcazar Fortress, the Tower of St. Esteban, the Parral Monastery, the Copus Christi Synagogue, as well as a great many small Roman-style temples.

At the end of August I am flying to Madrid as part of the Madrid-Fuerteventura-Lanzaroti-Madrid trip. The capital of Spain is a completely new city for me, so I decided to prepare well for the trip in order to get as much done as possible in 3.5 days, but at the same time, not run around with my tongue hanging out, checking off “I was here” boxes. Good preparation before traveling always helps to save time searching for restaurants and shops, optimize movement around the city, choose the right hotel, save money on a travel card or tourist map cities. In printed guidebooks, as a rule, the emphasis is on describing the sights of the city, but publishers, unfortunately, forget about the practical part. In general, I share with you practical information, which I managed to collect while preparing a trip to Madrid.

Madrid Barajas Airport: how to navigate and move between terminals

Madrid airport is very large and has several terminals, so check which one you arrive at. Often, when flying from Russia to one terminal, you change planes and fly further from another terminal. Although the airport is large, everything in it is very conveniently arranged. Last year, during a flight to Tenerife, we had excellent time to get from one terminal to another within an hour of transfer, and even go through passport control.

Look carefully at the airport diagram; it indicates what type of transport runs between specific terminals.

Download the transport diagram between the terminals

Madrid airport map

How to get from one terminal of Madrid Airport to another?

Madrid Airport has four terminals: T1, T2, T3 and T4, T4S. Terminals 1 to 3 are located next to each other, but 4 and 4S are separate. Flights from Russia, as a rule, arrive in Madrid at the T4S terminal, and then you transfer to another flight or exit into the city.

In Terminal 4S, in addition to the gate number, there are also letter designations that mean:

Gate M – flights within Spain;
Gates R,S,U – international flights from Spain.

This division was made to ensure that passengers arriving on international flights go through passport control and customs.

If you arrived at terminal T4S and are not flying anywhere further, or you continue your flight from terminal T4, then you need to go to the underground train, which regularly runs between terminals. That is, in any case, upon arriving at T4S, you go to the train, because the exit and luggage are also located in T4. You can safely follow the Exit signs (Exit or Salida in Spanish).

The train travels for about 5 minutes, the interval is about 10 minutes. The train is fully automatic and is controlled by a robot, not a driver.

If you are transported to another terminal, you can get to the desired terminal by bus.

A free bus for everyone runs around the clock between terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4 along the route: T1 (departure hall) – T2 (departure hall) – T4 (departure hall) – T4 (arrival hall) – T3 (arrival hall) – T2 (arrival hall) ) – T1 (low-cost parking) – T1 (departure).
Two free routes for transit passengers upon presentation of your boarding pass. The first is from the non-Schengen zone (waiting room 1 of terminal T1) and terminal T4. The second is from the Schengen area (waiting room 1 of terminal T1) to waiting room 6 of terminal T2.

How to get from the airport to the center of Madrid?

Usually, international flights landing at Madrid Barajas Airport. This is a gigantic airport consisting of several terminals connected by a transport line.
The easiest option is to order a taxi to the airport in advance using the international taxi ordering service http://kiwitaxi.ru. The advantages are that you will be met at the airport directly with a sign, taken safe and sound to your destination, and you will know exactly how much the transfer will cost you.

In order to get to the center of Madrid, you need to follow the signs to the Aeropuerto T4 metro station (pink line, if you look at the map of the Madrid metro, it is on the right, at the top). You can buy metro tickets from the machines in front of the entrance. Please note that to travel to and from the airport you must purchase a special MadridMetro ticket, which costs more than a regular ticket. By the way, there are turnstiles at the exit from the metro to the airport, so don’t lose your ticket.

Here are the icons that are used to navigate around Madrid airport; I think it won’t cause any difficulties.

Airport navigation

The metro line from the airport ends at Nuevos Ministerios station (intermediate stations intersect with lines 4 and 9), from which you can change to lines 7 and 10 – see metro map, In my opinion, everything is extremely simple.

I booked the Mercury Hotel on the Plaza de Espa?a, which is located at the metro station of the same name on blue line 10, so it will be convenient for me to get from the airport to the hotel.

From Madrid airport to the center it takes about 40-50 minutes, but without traffic jams.

Undoubtedly, the metro is the most convenient way to get from the airport to the center of Madrid, but there are alternatives in the form of a bus or taxi. Bus number 200 goes from T1 terminal to the Avenida de America metro station, from which you will still have to take the metro to the center. It seems to me that it is more convenient to go straight down to the subway.

Madrid metro map

Official website of Madrid Airport

Public transport in Madrid

As in everyone big cities Europe, Madrid has metro, buses, and trams. Let's start with the metro.

Madrid metro map (download pdf here).

And an even more detailed metro map (download pdf here).

If you are going to travel around the city a lot, then it is more profitable to purchase a pass that is valid for all types of public transport.

Madrid metro tickets

You can choose your travel card's validity period and coverage area.

Zone A - your ticket will only be valid for public transport within the city limits of Madrid.

Zone T - your ticket will be valid on intercity routes, including Toledo (not valid on high-speed trains and RENFE trains). You can read more about coverage zones here.

About the zones in Madrid

You can buy a travel pass at the tourist center, at large metro stations, kiosks with newspapers and cigarettes, and they will probably be offered at the hotel.

Here are some of the most popular places to sell the pass in Madrid.

In the center of Madrid
Plaza Mayor, 27.
Schedule: Monday - Sunday:. 9:30 am - 8:30 pm
Open daily all year round.
Madrid Barajas Airport - Terminal 4

Madrid Barajas Airport - Terminal 2
Madrid Metro Customer Service Desk

Schedule: MS from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm and Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

If you do not plan to travel a lot on public transport, you can buy a ticket for 10 or more trips at any ticket machine. This is much more economical than buying a ticket for one trip each time. Moreover, you can buy a ticket for 10 trips, for example, for two. Just indicate the number of people when purchasing, otherwise the ticket will not work several times in a row.

Madrid card – is it worth buying?

An important question that I asked myself when planning a trip to Madrid is whether it is worth buying a Madrid Card and what it gives.

Madrid card

The Madrid Card is such a magical card that allows you to visit a huge number of attractions without buying tickets at the box office or standing in lines. In addition, the card gives discounts on excursions, restaurants and shops. IN different cities I have my own list of included services, so each time I have to study their composition and figure out whether it’s beneficial for me.

Let's start with the cost of the card and its validity period:

As you can see, the longer the validity period of the Madrid Card, the more favorable its price. Buying online is cheaper. Locally in Madrid, this card is sold at every turn: in information centers, hotels, tobacco shops, newspaper stands, etc.

And now let’s move on to the most important thing - what bonuses and discounts are included in the price of the card?

The card allows you to skip the line to the following museums:

Prado Museum
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Royal Palace
The Wax Museum
Stadium (Barnabeu Tour)

Here is a table of the main museums and tours with ticket prices included in the card.

No.	Museum in Russian	Museum in English/Spanish	Schedule	Website	Cost, euro
1	Prado Museum	Museo Nacional del Prado	From Monday to Sunday: 10:00 - 20:00. Sunday and holidays: 10:00 - 19:00 Closed: January 1, May 1 and December 25 Shortened days 10:00 – 14:00: January 6, December 24 and 31	http://www.museodelprado.es/en	14
2	Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum	Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza	Working hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: from 10:00 to 19:00 Closed: Monday 1st of January December 25	http://www.museothyssen.org/en/thyssen/home	8
3	National Museum of Art Reina Sofia	Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía		http://www.museoreinasofia.es/	9
4	Royal Palace of Madrid	Palacio Real de Madrid	Schedule: October 1, 2011 - March 31, 2012: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00 10:00 - 18:00 April 1, 2011 - September 31, 2011: 10:00 - 20:00 Closed: June 1st June 6	http://www.patrimonionacional.es/	10
5	The Wax Museum	Wax Museum	Schedule: Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 - 20:30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00 - 14:30, 16:30 - 20:30	http://www.museoceramadrid.com/	12
6	Royal Botanical Garden	Royal Botanical Gardens	Winter: 10 - 17:30 hours. Summer: 10 - 21 hours	http://www.rjb.csic.es/jardinbotanico/jardin/
7		La Almudena Cathedral Museum	Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 - 14:30 Closed: Sunday	http://museocatedral.archimadrid.es/
8	Andén 0 (old metro)	Andén 0	Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00 - 19:00 Closed: Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 - 14:00
9	Bernabeu Tour (Real Madrid Stadium)	Tour Bernabéu	Schedule: Sunday: 10:30 - 18:30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 - 19:00 Closed: 1st of January December 25	http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/es/1193040472497/ContenedorEstadio/ESTADIO.htm
10	Madrid funicular	Teleferico Madrid		http://www.teleferico.com/	5,75
11	Excursion to the bullring	Plaza de Toros de las Ventas	Opening hours: daily: 10:00-18:00. Except the day of the show: 10:00-14:00 - Visiting time: 45 minutes Gift shop	http://www.lasventastour.com/en	10

Based on my plans in Madrid, buying a card is not profitable for me at all. I definitely won’t recoup its cost, let alone the benefits. And, by the way, I asked several people who have visited Madrid, everyone says that there are no queues at the museums.

In general, I say “no” to the Madrid Card. Buy online.

Shopping centers, shops and outlets in Madrid

Want to go shopping in Madrid? I want it too, but just a little, because after Madrid we’re flying to Canary Islands, where shopping is no less wonderful, and there will be more time for it.

I have put together a map of the main shopping centers in Madrid that are of primary interest. I also added two outlets that can be visited from Madrid. I’ll write a separate story about shopping in Madrid after the trip, but for now, check out the main shopping streets and shopping centers on the map.

View Shopping centers in Madrid on a larger map

Where to watch flamenco in Madrid

There are a lot of places where you can plunge into the atmosphere of fiery flamenco dance in Madrid. I will give an example of several popular and iconic places where the best flamenco artists perform. You need to book a table in advance, because there are a lot of people wanting it, for example, here.

No.	Restaurant or club	Website
1	Corral de la Moreria	http://www.corraldelamoreria.com/
2	Cafe Chinitas	http://chinitas.com/
3	Las Carboneras	http://www.tablaolascarboneras.com/web/index.html
4	Casa Patas	http://www.casapatas.com/
5	Corral de la Pacheca	www.corraldelapacheca.com
6	Torresbermejas	torresbermejas.com

Casa Patos is considered the best tablao (the name given to places where flamenco is danced). And in Madrid you can attend a performance by the National Ballet of Spain, where you can see flamenco from an unusual perspective, combined with the classics.

Madrid restaurants you must visit

Spaniards love to eat, so there is no shortage of restaurants in Madrid. Judging by the map of Madrid restaurants, Spaniards don't just love food, they love their food. national cuisine. And this makes me very happy, because in many capitals of the world (including Paris, Moscow) you will have to run around to find national food. There are pizzerias, sushi, burgers all around... Madrid is another matter! Lots of tapas bars, Spanish taverns and even the oldest restaurant in the world, Botin. It’s easy to get lost in such diversity, so I mapped out for myself the restaurants I want to visit.

View Madrid Restaurants on a larger map

Top 10 attractions and entertainment in Madrid

Many people associate Madrid exclusively with the Prado Museum. However, this city can offer tourists much more attractions and entertainment than it seems at first glance.

1. Prado Museum

Of course, coming to Madrid and not visiting the Prado Museum would be unforgivable for me. The museum houses an invaluable collection of paintings, which puts the Prado on a par with the world's most important museums (Louvre, Uffizi, Metropolitan, Hermitage, etc.). El Greco, Velazquez and many others will definitely appeal to art lovers. Buy a ticket online.

2. Reina Sofia National Art Museum

The museum contains a collection of modern art. The works of 20th century geniuses Dali, Miro, Picasso and others are permanently exhibited. Here you can see the famous painting by Picasso “Guernica” (if you don’t know what it is, I recommend watching a program about it on the Culture TV channel, here is a link to the video). Buy a ticket online.

3. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

A private collection, which in terms of the number of paintings is much inferior to the neighboring Prado Museum, but the percentage of masterpieces makes this museum no less interesting. Carpaccio, Durer, Caravaggio, Rubens, Frans Hals, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Klee, Hopper, Kirchner... Buy a ticket online.

4. Madrid nightlife

The city has a huge number of bars and discos. Unlike most European cities, where after 22-00 rare tourists roam the streets, in Madrid at this time everything is just beginning. If you want to have fun and dance until the morning, I recommend exploring this site, which contains a catalog of entertainment venues (look in the Rouge guides)

5. Shopping in Madrid

The Spanish capital has all the conditions for shopping. There are several large ones in Madrid shopping centers, several streets of shops for different wallets, as well as two outlets, although located outside the city limits.

In Madrid there is an unusual San Miguel market, where you can not only buy food, but eat it right there. This is a kind of mixture of shopping tents with mini-cafes, where you will be offered fresh seafood prepared in front of you, a huge number of snacks (tapas) and, of course, Spanish fast food.

And in Madrid there is the famous flea market El Rastro, which is open on Sundays. If you want Madrid flavor, and even buy something unique, then be sure to visit the flea market.

6. Flamenco in Madrid

Madrid is often called the capital of flamenco, although the birthplace of this dance is the hot south of Spain. However, in Madrid a large number of theaters, tablaos and clubs where the best dancers and musicians of this genre give performances. Flamenco is danced on a small stage in a fairly intimate hall. You will be offered dinner, and if you are not hungry, you can order wine and other drinks. The most famous establishments in Madrid where flamenco dancing are: Corral de la Morer?a, Cafe de Chinitas, Las Carboneras, Casa Patas, less known but recommended El de la Corral Pacheca, Torres Bermejas (online booking), Arco de Cuchilleros and Las Tablas.

7. Royal Palace of Madrid

This palace was built by order of the king, who moved his court from Toledo to Madrid. The inside of the palace is extremely luxuriously decorated, so it amazes even tourists who have seen a lot. Now the palace is not the home of the royal family, but remains a working residence.

8. Tour of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Football fans, you should definitely pay attention to this stadium. I don’t consider myself one of those, so I’ll pass by this attraction.

9. Bullring Las Ventas

Have you always dreamed of seeing a real Spanish bullfight? In Madrid you can afford it because, unlike Catalonia, bullfighting takes place every week during the summer season. At first I wanted to go to the bullfight, but then I watched a piece of the video and I simply felt sorry for the bull... so I won’t go. For people like me, you can just go on the Las Ventas Tour ( booking and prices on the official website).

If you still want a bullfight, you can buy tickets on this website. And here you can read about bullfighting (this official site).

10. Parks of Madrid

In Madrid, of course, there are parks where you can escape the heat of the day. The Retiro Park is interesting. Catch a puppet theater performance, listen to music, read a book in the shade of trees - all this can be done in Retiro.

Casa de Campo is a park on a hill that combines a zoo and an aquarium, an amusement park, a fish pond where you can ride a boat and a lot of greenery and beauty. The park can be reached by metro or Madrid's only funicular.

Royal Botanic Garden - neat paths along beautiful plants.

Of course, this is not all that is worth seeing and visiting in Madrid. In the city you will find beautiful squares, streets and churches, restaurants with excellent cuisine. By the way, the oldest restaurant in the world called Botin is located in Madrid.

Routes around Madrid

Before the trip, I decided to create a Madrid itinerary for each day in order to fit an extensive program into 3.5 days. I put attractions on the map and tried to optimize them, group them, and now I’m sharing them with you. Of course, on the spot, there are usually many factors that can change the route, but when there is at least some kind of reference point, it is much easier to move plans.

Itinerary of the first day in Madrid (starting at approximately 14-00)

View Madrid day 1 (we arrive in the morning) on a larger map

The first day will definitely not be complete, because we arrive only at 11-40, until we get to the hotel, until we check in, until we have lunch... Therefore, on the first day I laid out the route not far from the hotel, with a visit to Plaza de España, Royal Palace and its surroundings. And in the evening I booked a table at Cafe de Chinitas to have dinner and watch flamenco.

For the first day, I think we will have enough impressions, because the flight from Moscow will be early, we will get up at 5 am.

Second day itinerary in Madrid

View Madrid Day 2 on a larger map

The second day I want to devote to a walk along the most famous street in Madrid, Gran Via, maritime museum and the Prado Museum. We will have lunch at the oldest restaurant in the world, Botin, where we booked a table. I plan to spend the second half of the day in the Caso de Campo park, maybe we’ll go to the zoo. We will return to the hotel by funicular, from which it is a few minutes walk to the hotel.

In the evening, I think we will go to a noisy street with an inspection, what kind of night life they have fun there. J

Itinerary of the third day in Madrid

View Madrid Day 3 on a larger map

On this day, I laid out a route along the second famous street of Madril, Alcale, visiting the most famous squares Madrid: Mayor and Puerto del Sol (Gate of the Sun). Then we go to Retiro Park, Atocha Station and take the train to Escorial. In the evening, after returning to Madrid, I plan to drop into the El Corte Ingl?s shopping center... but it’s not a fact that I have enough energy for this. If we get too tired, I’ll postpone shopping until the next day, we’ll go after Toledo.

I’m allocating one day for a trip to Toledo, so I’m not drawing a route, but I’ll definitely write about Toledo separately.

Sightseeing bus in Madrid (City Tour, Hop-on-hop-off)

In Madrid there are CityTour double-decker sightseeing buses that travel along the route all day, making stops near attractions. You buy a ticket for 1 or 2 days, and you can get on and off the bus as many times as you like during this time. In addition, everyone is given disposable headphones; you will ride and listen to information from an audio guide (available in Russian). This option is suitable for tourists who do not feel very confident in a foreign city and are not ready to travel by metro. I am not going to use this type of transport, but many people prefer not to bother and ride the bus.

A CityTour bus ticket for one day costs 21 euros (children 9 euros), and for two days 25 euros (children 12 euros).

U excursion bus two routes, designated by colors: blue and yellow.

Buy a ticket online

Download the bus route map

Official website of the excursion bus

Useful books, films, programs for a trip to Madrid and the surrounding area

In my opinion, it is much more interesting to travel when information about the place is collected before the trip. For my trips, I usually collect information bit by bit on the Internet, read sites on English language, reviews from tourists who have already visited the city. And all this together allows me to collect so much interesting material that all our guidebooks seem like just baby talk.

In addition to information from the Internet, I like to get acquainted with more serious books about cult personalities, about the history of the city and the country. For this purpose, there are films and programs, books and magazines. So, here is the selection I managed to make for Madrid.

Books

Elizabeth Nash. "Madrid. History of the city."

Marcelin Defourneau "Daily Life in Golden Age Spain"

T. Kaptereva. "El Greco"

Elena Gritsak "Madrid and Toledo"

Tatyana Kaptereva “Walking around Madrid”

Maria Dmitrienko "Velasquez"

Movies

"El Greco". Directed by Yannis Smaragdis, Spain-Greece 2007.

"Naked Maha". Directed by Jose Juan Bigas Luna.

"Ghosts of Goya". Directed by Milos Forman, 2006.

Venus with a Mirror by Diego Rodriguez Da Silva Velazquez, BBC film

El Greco (1966) Italy-France-Spain, melodrama

TV series "Toledo"

Conspiracy in Escorial, Spain, 2008

BBC: Great Masters. Picasso: Bull in winter. Last years Pablo Picasso

Documentary series “The Power of Art”

World Art: Great Artists: Part 1 (4 DVDs) (Diego Velazquez)

BBC: Great Masters. Bosch. The Mysteries of Hieronymus Bosch / Nicholas Baum (1981, UK)

Transfers

Diego Velasquez. Program 9. Mikhail Shankov

Heads and Tails. Issue 9 (Madrid)

Bad Notes: Madrid. Episodes 1 and 2

Perhaps I will stop at this list, although there is information about Madrid and the artists whose paintings are exhibited in the Prado, the sea. I usually look for information on youtube.com, vk.com. imhonet.ru, I buy some things on ozon.ru and litress.ru.

If you are not familiar with Dali’s work and biography, then I recommend watching one of the films about him (there are a lot of them) and reading his memoirs. Dali's paintings are in Madrid, but still, it is better to get acquainted with him in Catalonia, at the Dali Museum-Theater in the city of Figueres.

I especially recommend watching documentaries and feature films for those who consider art galleries to be a boring pastime and who do not understand at all why everyone admires Goya and Velazquez. Believe me, after you understand a little about the work of these people, the Prado Museum will be very interesting. By the way, don’t forget to take audio guides in museums, they make watching paintings even more interesting.

Maps, diagrams that may be useful in Madrid

Map of Madrid with landmarks – download

Map of the main museums of Madrid – download

Map of the main architectural structures and squares of Madrid – download

Madrid metro map – download

Metro map with Madrid landmarks

Madrid tourist centers

If you want to receive free card cities, all sorts of advertising brochures, ask questions about the city, then visit one of the information tourist centers. Here is their list.

Usually, hotels have desks with a city map, excursions, museums and other promotional information, but these addresses can come in handy. Please note that there is an information center at the airport, it is very convenient to get all the information at once.

Where can you go from Madrid?

Near Madrid there are several beautiful places, by visiting which you can diversify your trip and further experience the atmosphere and history of Castile.

About an hour's drive from Madrid is ancient city of Toledo- the former capital of Spain, before its transfer to Madrid. All my friends who have been to Toledo unanimously say that you should definitely go there.

Another attraction that can be visited from Madrid is El Escorial. This is a gloomy castle-fortress, to which, by order of the king, the remains of his predecessors were brought; accordingly, in Escorial there is a huge crypt.

I have planned a trip to these two places; I don’t have enough time for the rest. Although I would love to visit the beautiful city of Segovia, where, according to the pictures, there is such a beautiful castle. You can also go to the town of Cuenque, Salamanca. And in general, high-speed trains and the central location of Madrid allow you to travel even to Valencia and Andalusia, but that’s a completely different story.

I feel like I was well prepared for the trip. I hope that the information I found will be useful to our readers.

P.S. Counting down the days until my trip to Madrid!

Selection of hotels in Madrid

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Back in January, my friends found tickets to Madrid for the beginning of March (05-08) through the Iberia promotion and invited me, as an avid traveler and family friend)), to join them. I agreed, as they say, without looking, then I only realized that 15,550 rubles for a round-trip ticket is not cheap at all. But the desire for new travels, emotions and discoveries nipped my toad in the bud.

Inspired by the positive experience of almost independent previous trips (we only got a visa and hotels through a travel agency), this time we decided to join the sacred community independent tourists and work out the entire tour from start to finish yourself. Air tickets were purchased through the Iberia website, paying with Vikina debit card VISA. It should be noted that in general her card turned out to be very popular on this trip. Mine was used only once, and only because I was too lazy to fork out cash immediately upon arriving in Madrid. The hotel was booked through www.booking.com. The reservation was sent by email. The most stressful moment for us was obtaining a visa. This was the first time we did it ourselves. I scoured the entire Internet and forums to fill out the application form correctly. The members of the forum site www.talusha.3bb.ru provided me with great help. The documents were submitted on Friday, February 12, and the SMS that we could pick up our passports from the Visa Center arrived on Tuesday, the 16th. On Thursday, we already opened the envelopes with a brand new 90/180 visa (ninety days of stay over six months). Happiness knew no bounds! :-))

Intensive preparations for the trip began: how to see everything, everything, everything in 4 days, what do you want to see first!? The question is not an easy one. Madrid, as our main location, was supposed to be viewed in the intervals between trips to nearby cities. For the first time, we studied the Spanish railway network ourselves via the Internet (www.renfe.es), printed out the train schedule for the required dates, but did not dare to book. We already had enough reservations for this trip. In addition to the hotel and purchasing air tickets with a credit card, we purchased an e-ticket on the Prado website (7 euros through the Call Center and 8 euros at the ticket office) for a visit at 13.15 on the day of arrival.

Our plan was to spend the first day in Madrid (visit the museum and walk around the city), then go to Salamanca on the second day, devote the third day to Segovia and Avila, and on the last day go to Toledo. As usual, the plans were slightly adjusted by the prankster Chance, or maybe our mistress Fate.

First day – March 5, 2010 – Madrid

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For the first time I flew according to the “madam with me” principle (I didn’t check anything in luggage, only hand luggage). Check-in for the flight was carried out a day before departure through the Iberia website. Very simple and convenient! Our flight was early in the morning at 07.25. We got to the airport by taxi without any problems in 40 minutes and 1200 rubles)))).
Yandex promised me that it would take an hour)))). Believe him after that)). Somehow we quickly passed through passport control and began to wait for the flight, which was a bit
was delayed. We flew in unnoticed, although the flight was not short (about five and a half hours, but compared to Portugal, where we flew for six hours, it was simply
nonsense)). Upon arrival, while my friends were waiting for their luggage, I went to find out at the tourist office at the airport how best to get to the hotel;
I bought tickets for RENFE trains to the cities we are interested in. It was here that I paid for everything with a Sberbank VISA debit card.

Question transport communication in Madrid we somehow didn’t fully work out in Moscow, so we decided to go to the hotel by metro, which we regretted, especially me). It took an indecently long time to get to Sevilla station, where our hotel was waiting. I was very stormy to the point of fainting. Perhaps this was a consequence of a sleepless night and vigil on the plane.

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The Madrid metro has many stations. The distances between them are small, the train can stand at the station for a long time, as if everyone is collecting and waiting). For those who want not only to live in Madrid, but also to travel outside the city, it is best to use Cercanias whenever possible (comparable to electric trains, but cleaner, faster and more comfortable at any time of the day)). For example, the distance from the hotel by metro to the stationChamartin took us 40 minutes (!), which cost us a delay for the train, and the tripCercanias to the train station of the same name is only about 10 minutes. StationsCercanias in Madrid are smaller and longer, but you can go to the suburbs. From some metro stations you can go to Cercanias stations with the same name (Sol, Chamartin, Atocha, etc.). Cercanias trains operate on schedule from different platforms depending on the direction. Follow the schedule on the electronic board before entering the platform you need. Trains run frequently, it seems to me, even more often than Russian electric trains).

At 12.55 nervously (we were very afraid of not being able to get to the museum we had paid for) we checked into the Regina 3* hotel. Having barely thrown our things in the room, we ran in the rain to the Prado Museum.

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There was a queue of sorts outside the museum, but with our timed ticket we were directed to a different entrance. Out of breath from running, we calmly passed through the turnstiles - and we were in the museum! It still remains a mystery why the time was indicated on the tickets, since we walked through the halls on our own. There were audio guides, but we didn’t use them either. I wanted free and direct communication with works of art. At the entrance, we took a plan of the museum, where, in addition to the location of the halls, the main masterpieces (mandatory for viewing)))) are indicated, the so-called. TOP-30. One guy with a similar brochure in his hands made me laugh a lot, mercilessly putting crosses on the examined masterpieces from the list. And there really was something to see! Two to three hour tour of the main exhibition: Velazquez, El Greco, Zurbaran, Bosch, Goya, Rubens, Raphael, Titian and other great artists. Comments, in my opinion, are unnecessary! Finally, my university dreams came true, and I saw in the original a very warm and bright work by Fra Angelico “The Annunciation” - tears welled up in my eyes with happiness! Through my own example, I realized that art heals. After two hours of walking around the museum, the turmoil and nausea subsided, and the crazy headache went away, or maybe Spazmolgon worked. A bunch of magnets with local paintings were purchased in the museum souvenir shop as an aftertaste from a busy time. Museums have never dominated my travels. But after visiting the Prado, I completely reconsidered my views and decided to pamper myself more often on trips to places where all types of art are concentrated))).

Then we had lunch, also known as dinner, at a restaurant whose name has completely escaped my memory. It was tasty, but not particularly clean)). We tried local rose wine, real Spanish olives, as well as croquettes with jamon and Monchego cheese. For me, who hates olives in any form, the Spanish ones were a real discovery - nothing in common with what they sell in Russia, a completely different taste, which I like. We took sea bass - it was delicious, but we still had the best in Portugal. Surprisingly, I liked the local asparagus, which I also don’t eat in normal life. Still, Spain, being an agricultural country, clearly justifies its specialization.

The nasty rain outside didn't seem to stop, even after we finished lunch. In this regard, we decided to go to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, where canvases by Italian, English, French, German and even American masters who worked over the last eight centuries are collected. And we were lucky)) we went: we accidentally ended up at the magnificent exhibition “Monet and Abstractionism”, where we saw works by Turner, as well as paintings by Monet not only from museums around the world, but also from private collections. The main idea of the exhibition was to show the viewer how the works of the impressionist Monet influenced the development of abstract expressionism and other forms of artistic abstraction in the first quarter of the second half of the 20th century)). In general, we were very impressed and full program! From the surge of emotions I almost tore down the fence)))) near the paintings. To celebrate, we again bought magnets, bags and books about Monet and his works from a local store.

To my shame, before my trip to Madrid I did not know about the existence of such a museum. And he is worthy of attention. In general, there are three main museums in Madrid, which together form the so-called “golden triangle of art”: the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum. It was physically impossible to get into the latter, and I personally am not a fan of the art of Spanish artists of the 20th century, with the exception of Dali, but his work can be enjoyed in other places))…

Straight from the museum we went for a walk around Madrid at night, the purpose of which was to get acquainted with the most important cathedral of Madrid - the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena, or Nuestra Señora de la Almudena. The cathedral is young, it was founded at the end of the 19th century. Photogenic)) from the outside.

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Then we looked into some small square, where a funny little man sat and always read his newspaper, clearly inviting everyone passing by to join him. In the light of night lanterns, we walked along one of the central squares of the Spanish capital - Plaza Mayor. The square is located in a dense ring of red and white buildings with balconies. You can enter the square only through arches cut into the buildings, there are only nine of them. The square is very grand, so grand. Perhaps the equestrian statue of Philip III standing in the center gives it this appearance. It is best to come to the square in the morning in clear weather, when there are few people, to take photographs and just walk around.

We returned to our rooms, I grabbed the goodies I had bought along the way at El Corte Engles (the largest chain of Spanish department stores) located near the hotel, and went to Sasha and Vika’s to drink a very pleasant Muscat wine. Upon returning from my friends, I fell asleep almost immediately.

Next to the cathedral is the Royal Palace. I was able to examine it only on my next visit to Spain. There is a lot of interesting stuff inside, but I’ll tell you about that in another review)).

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Day 2 – March 6, 2010 – Madrid – Salamanca – Madrid

Today we had a trip to Salamanca (round-trip tickets cost 34.40 euros per person), and we sat and had a very leisurely breakfast with the freshest jamon with natural orange juice. At 08.05 we leave the hotel and head to the metro to go to Chamartin. Vika correctly swayed towards Cercanias, but I corrected the direction of movement, and we went to the metro in vain. Frequent stops and the measured movement of trains played a cruel joke on us - we were still late for the train that was supposed to whisk us off to the beautiful city of Salamanca. I never cease to be pleasantly surprised by the European service: if you missed the train - it’s no big deal, you go up to the special guy at the ticket office and say, this is how it is, or if you don’t have the “language”, you hopelessly throw up your hands and blink in fear)), looking at your ticket, then at your watch )), he puts a bunch of unknown stamps on your tickets, muttering something under his breath in Spanish)))). Then you go to the ticket office again, pay an additional 4 euros per person, and they give you new seats on the train. Attention: all our tickets were with seats and looked like boarding passes on a plane (very cool!). On the train we always had them checked everywhere.

We were unlucky to get to Salamanca in the morning, but Sasha was lucky... At suddenly two o'clock we went to see the stadium of the best, according to FIFA, football club of the twentieth century, Real Madrid - Santiago Bernabeu. It was worth seeing! The stadium amazes with its scale and its concrete power; there is a stretch with the location of sectors, stands and seats on them. They say that the stadium creates some kind of unusual atmosphere during the game. And then the Spaniards really play - they rush like meteorites across the field, and do not walk back and forth with the ball. We photographed the stadium from all sides and ran to the station in advance to wait for our train.

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You can sing the praises of train stations in Europe - not only do you sit there, you can sleep and eat there without fear that a homeless person will fall on you from nowhere, and the food will smell like the nearest toilet. Everything is clean, logical, signs are in place, cash registers are in a separate accessible place. Trains depart exactly on schedule, access to the platform is accessible and recognizable.

Here another simple dream of mine came true - to try local churros, which taste like our donuts, only they have an elongated shape and are saltier in taste. Eh, it’s a pity they served sugar instead of powder, which would have been more appropriate... According to tradition, it’s better to eat churros with hot chocolate, dipping a donut in it)).

On the second attempt we finally got on the train))). The trains are luxurious and comfortable; if you have traveled on Sapsan trains, you will understand what I mean. It was Saturday, the MD train (regional, i.e. not long distance, and long-lasting, which is why tickets for trains with this mark are cheaper than for AVE or AVANT)) the train was packed, Sasha and V were sitting at one end of the car, I was at the other. The people were seated radically. It’s a long way to Salamanca – 2.40. Some took out laptops (sockets for them are built right into the hollows between the chairs), some feasted on fast food, some buried themselves in their books (well, they carry Talmuds with them, each book is at least 4 cm thick), and someone was just quietly sleeping, snoring against the wall)). The Spaniards' suitcases were scattered throughout the train. People calmly placed their expensive equipment to recharge at the other end of the carriage, went to the toilet, leaving gadgets and devices unattended, and some people moved decorously and nobly around the carriage wearing only socks. Having looked at all this “disgrace” and feeling at home, I habitually fell into the musical astral plane... The train rocked slightly, and I woke up just as suddenly as I had fallen asleep, and was immediately stunned: outside the window there was real snow, through which the dark could be seen -green bushes resembling moss. The first thought is where they are taking me and where I am in general. My ears were a little blocked, as it turned out later, we were driving through some hill. An hour later, the area outside the window turned green again as usual. I calmed down and went to see my friends. Their work on mastering the guidebooks was in full swing. I felt ashamed, took a couple of printouts - well, nothing fit into my “bright” head)).

We arrived in Salamanca and then our running around began. From the station to the old town, walk 15-20 minutes along Passeo de la Estacion. I can say with confidence that we saw all the sights that were noted in our favorite guide “Around the World” and on the city map, which we took from the tourist office, located in one of the buildings on Plaza Mayor. There, if you doubt that you will have time to see everything, you can ask the staff to draw you a route of the main places to visit, they will be happy to do this. In general, the hospitality of the travel offices always amazes me with kindness. This is how you have to love your job in order to smile at every client a hundred times, or even more, and repeat the same thing! Mystery…)))

Of course, I, like many, did not remain indifferent to the intricate carvings of the facade (made between 1524 and 1610) of the Church of St. Stephen in Plateresque style.

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How fortunate that there was no sun! When getting acquainted with the architectural beauties of Salamanca, you especially regret its absence. The head did not drop. Inspecting the interiors of buildings has its own nuances; always pay attention to the hours of access for tourists inside. In this regard, we had to create a bizarre pattern of movement in the city)).

Salamanca – amazing city. It has two cathedrals - the old one, Catedral Vieja (XII-XIII centuries) and the new one, Catedral Nueva. The old one could not accommodate all the Christians for mass, and in the 16th century it was decided to build a new Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Entrance to both cathedrals is paid, there are no prices on tickets, photography is prohibited in the old one, but I remember we took pictures, most likely it was only in the new cathedral. Climbed medieval cathedral towers old church(110 meters), walked among the spiers. Sun, oh! We didn’t finish shouting((. It’s very picturesque anyway! When you go down from the towers, don’t forget to look for the cosmonaut figurine on the cathedral.

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Where did it come from at the cathedral of the 16th-18th centuries? - mystery;-))! There is a version that the architect-restorer of the cathedral joked this way, wanting to immortalize the astronauts. The temple servants insist that this is just a monster - one of those that “decorate” the walls of the cathedral and intimidate commoners.

In 1218, a world-famous university was founded in Salamanca, which we could not help but visit. Students still study within its walls. Initially, training was carried out in the cathedral, but later it was transferred to civilian buildings. Part of the university complex is given over to museum funds, and in the other part measured student life still flows. Actually, I once observed a similar situation in Oxford and Cambridge. We were impressed by the university library with an endless wall of ancient tomes and a huge globe.

When we continued our walk around the city, I was amused by the house with shells, which seemed to be surrounded by pimples on all sides of the building. The streets, as in all medieval towns, are narrow and sometimes it’s easy to run past attractions if you just hang your head down a little.

We walked along another Plaza Mayor, which, as far as I know, can be found in any city in Spain. And if you get lost and you need to go to the city center, because there are usually located tourist offices, then without hesitation, stop the first person you come across (preferably, of course, a local Spaniard)))) and say to Plaza “Major, porfabor!”, the main thing is to follow the direction of his hand (the Spaniards are no less emotional and talkative than the Italians and Russians), and you can safely go in the indicated direction.

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I was amazed by the number of storks in the city. We decided that this city was a happy place. Later, their nests were also seen in Segovia and Toledo. As things go, all of Spain is a blessed country.

I absolutely loved the cozy, charming courtyards of the churches, surrounded on all sides by covered arched galleries, the so-called cloisters. In the center of such a courtyard there is a whole garden with orange trees, and sometimes simple flower beds are subtly woven into the architectural ensemble of the cloister.

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The way home, that is. to Madrid, I practically don’t remember - I slept the entire two and a half hours of the way.

In the evening, alas, for the first and last time on this trip we were lucky (as we later realized) to get and have dinner at the Botin restaurant. The place is considered touristic and expensive, as it is located in the city center near the Plaza Mayor, but the local aborigines (as we affectionately called the Spaniards) do not shy away from visiting it. After a short wait, we were taken to a small room located next to the kitchen. Our neighbors were a couple of Americans, Germans and several native Spaniards - not a bad company if no one bothers each other)). We ordered naturally jamon with melon and Sangria (although this drink was not in season; it is usually consumed in the summer). There was also some tasty main course, but the most delicious jamon outshone any delicacies that evening. Sangria complemented this dish perfectly.

The day, full of emotions and impressions, ended with a sweet dream.

Day 3 – March 7, 2010 – Madrid – Segovia – Madrid

This day was going to be busy, because it was planned to visit two cities, Segovia with an aqueduct stretching into the distance and Avila, where, alas, we did not get to go on this visit (I ended up in this wonderful town on another trip, but that’s a completely different story )))…). Buses from Segovia do not go there during the day. Apparently, those five flights that were mentioned in the Around the World guide took place in the morning and evening hours)).

But first things first. The trip to Segovia (trains depart from Chamartin station, the ride takes 30 minutes, the cost of a ticket by AVE train (Spanish high-speed - up to 330 km/h) one way per person is approximately 10 euros) was interesting: the train dropped off those who wanted to explore the city almost in an open field, from where buses transported passengers to the city itself. Why such difficulties are unknown. Probably, before, crowds of tourists used to travel to the city on stage, then a train station was built.

Without a doubt, the most amazing thing in Segovia is greeted at the entrance to the city - the famous Roman aqueduct, 728 meters long and 28 meters high (listed as a UNESCO heritage site and therefore a world heritage and protected by all humanity). The nasty rain continued to haunt us, so the photos turned out not so impressive.

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Having hastily examined the distinctive local buildings due to the increasing rain, we quickly trotted towards the Alcazar - a palace and fortress - which is located on a rock located at the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores rivers. Having examined its halls, we climbed, as always, to the very top, that is, to the roof. Taking heights is our hobby!))

From a bird's eye view they tried unsuccessfully to find bus stop, with whom it was necessary to go to Avila. Alas, the most magnificent late Gothic cathedral of the 16th century, which offers an excellent view from observation deck The Alcazar was shrouded in fog. No matter how much we asked or exhorted, the clouds did not part; the nasty fine rain tried to wet our cameras)).

We returned to Madrid by bus. Quite tolerable and comfortable, especially when it’s pouring rain outside)). Since the time allotted for exploring Avila had not gone away, my friends decided to spend it wisely - visit the local cemetery and then take a walk through Retiro Park. My friends are quite normal people, but they like to visit cemeteries and visit graves famous people. So, in Kazan we went to Lobachevsky, and in Salzburg - to the tombstone of Paracelsus. Even in Moscow, the Madrid cemetery interested them with its geometry (view from above).

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Well, we went to look at the corpse crypts. The place struck me with its tranquility, deathly silence and geometric alignment of places. When friends set out to photograph local architectural sculptures, a security guard immediately ran up to them and asked them not to take photographs, since there was a fee for filming and the ticket office had already closed. We wandered around for 30-40 minutes strange place almost alone (they were followed at a distance by the same lover of the unusual with a camera). The weather, as never before, was very, very favorable for the walk: a fine nasty rain was pouring, and chills from the dampness went through the whole body. All the way I had some kind of imposed feeling that we were being watched. The drizzling rain only intensified it... The friends were all looking for something so beautiful to photograph and how to do it unnoticed by the security guard. We managed to catch a couple of good shots. There really are very beautiful sculptural compositions and entire groups. At some point it seemed that you were not in the place where the bodies were buried, but simply walking through the park. Unlike Russian cemeteries, European cemeteries do not cause me attacks of acute despair and deep sadness. Maybe the lack of photos on the tombstones contributes to this, or maybe it’s just that in this place leaving for another world is felt as the joy of liberation, and not a reason for suffering. Coming out of the walls, a sigh of relief spontaneously escaped from my chest.

At all times we rushed to the local park of culture and recreation - Retiro Park. In the park I really liked the Crystal Palace, a lake with ducks and other waterfowl, as well as a grotto with a mini waterfall. We walked and wandered until we got completely damp)).

The rest of the evening was spent photographing the monuments of Madrid: Goya and Velazquez posed for us at the Prado, and the bear (I wonder who installed the floor and how) with a strawberry tree was not far from our hotel.

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Today we were scheduled to visit Toledo. The morning greeted us with a clear sky, rays of the still cold spring sun and a fairly low temperature. Having been well insulated, we first ran to re-photograph the main attractions of Madrid in new colors, and then rushed to the station to catch the train. We traveled to Toledo from the Atocha train station, located on the opposite side of Chamartin. The station seemed more confusing to me, but we found our train without difficulty. What are they basically luxury trains in Spain. At the Atocha station we could see several model trains at once, one more beautiful than the other. Our Peregrine Falcons are also made by the German company Siemens, which also supplies its products to Spain. In general it is considered that the best railways in the world are located in France and Spain. I have not yet been able to get acquainted with the French railways, but I have conquered the Spanish ones once and for all.

The train left the station at 10.20, and the city was waiting for us at 10.50. We had to travel in a high-speed AVANT, that is, quickly and expensively (about 18 euros round trip)).

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For some reason, of all the places we visited, it was Toledo that attracted me the most. Along its long, narrow streets, the aroma of fresh pastries and olive oil followed you all the way. In the city you constantly move from bottom to top, then from top to bottom. Here, both men and women will find their own souvenir paradise - ladies can buy a lot of jewelry: gold and silver, depending on their personal preferences, and men can get lost in time, choosing one blade or another. Representatives of both sexes will be pleasantly surprised by leather goods.

Having enjoyed plenty of shopping and purchased a n-number of branzulettes (pendants, earrings and plates), we ran to inspect the beauties, of which there were no less than in the cities we had already visited. According to tradition, we checked in at Plaza Mayor, which seemed to me the most modest of all those we had previously seen. The most indelible impression on me was the Cathedral of St. Mary, built in the 12th-15th centuries.

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This is where the residence of the head of the Spanish church, the first cardinal, is located. During the service, entrance to the temple is free, the rest of the time it functions as a museum for money. And there is something to see there: paintings by El Greco, who lived and worked in Toledo, rich tabernacles, an unusual oval baroque window in the ceiling from an architectural point of view, located behind the back wall of the altar. The main chapel of the cathedral amazes with its wealth and luxury. The four-level altar is made of gilded wood and colorfully painted. Gothic elements intricately grow into baroque ones. The stylistic eclecticism of the cathedral does not detract from its grandeur and beauty. Be sure to visit the Treasury (a three-meter-high monstrance with gilded silver figures, a diamond cross from the 17th century) and the cloister with a covered arcade, where there are many interesting paintings and frescoes.

We also visited a couple of synagogues, of which I would like to mention the synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca (late 11th century, Mudejar style) with unusual horseshoe-shaped arches inside, elegant capitals and twisted sculptural decorations and paintings on the white walls. In the 15th century, the synagogue became the Church of St. Mary of La Blanca, then served as an army barracks in the 17th century, and in 1930 it became a national monument.

Just like the old town of Salamanca (forgot to mention earlier), the old town of Toledo, which we visited on our last day in Madrid, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, i.e. there is a chance that for many years no one will dare to modernize or destroy it.

After our walks through the highlands and lowlands of Toledo along the Alcantara Bridge, we headed to the train station to return to Madrid. The station is incredibly beautiful, designed in a modern interpretation of the Mudejar style. It's a pleasure to start your acquaintance with beautiful Toledo with him. 0

We were given delicious food and drink there, and as a gift, apparently for exemplary behavior, we were given mini-jugs for drinking Sangria. A wonderful souvenir of your visit to Madrid and this place! And I returned to this restaurant two years later)) ...

We got to the airport without incident. As souvenirs, in addition to magnets, we bought a large amount of jamon, a couple of bottles of Sangria, and olive oil in gift format.

Be sure to try wine on the plane. The flight attendants are unlikely to offer it themselves; ask without undue modesty yourself. There is a choice of red and white wine. The quality is excellent for my taste. Already on the plane we shared a bottle of delicious red with Sasha. Vika had passed out by that time. Goodbye Madrid!

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Madrid is the capital of Spain and one of the most visited cities in Europe. If you plan to come to Madrid for 2-3 days, then you will barely have enough time to see. But if you have planned a trip to Madrid for 7-10 days, then you can create a more eventful program and see the surrounding area. We offer you the top 20 cities and places where you can go from Madrid for 1-2 days.

After reading this article, you will notice that you will probably not find such a concentration of medieval attractions as in the vicinity of Madrid anywhere else. Most cities have preserved unique historical monuments, which are the embodiment of the rich, centuries-old era of the formation and heyday of royal Spain.

Top 20 cities you can visit from Madrid

1. Toledo

Location: 72 km south
Population: 83 thousand people

Toledo is one of the most popular destinations, where you can go from Madrid for 1 day. This medieval city with a rich history and unique monuments architecture. Toledo was a religious center and the residence of the King of Castile until 1560. This fact explains the luxurious architecture of the city, which impresses all tourists without exception. A walk through Toledo is a real trip back in time! Old city consists of a whole ensemble of medieval attractions that have been preserved after many centuries. Since Toledo is located close to the Spanish capital, you can easily make a day trip to this city from Madrid.

2. Segovia

Location: 96 km north of Madrid, between Madrid and Valladolid
Population: 52 thousand people

Another beautiful city Where you can go from Madrid is Segovia. It was founded in Ancient Rome, more than two thousand years ago. Segovia has managed to preserve many unique architectural structures, thanks to which the old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The most important attraction of Segovia is the ancient Roman Aqueduct in Plaza Asoguejo. This monumental antique structure consists of 167 granite arches with a total length of 818 meters.

3. Valladolid

Location: 195 km north of Madrid (by high speed train in 1 hour) and 115 km north of Segovia
Population: 300 thousand people

If you have time, then after Segovia you can go to Valladolid. This is the largest city from our selection and is definitely worth including in a tourist route from Madrid. In the Middle Ages, Valladolid served as the residence of Spanish and Castilian monarchs. The city is also famous for the fact that the author of Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, lived and worked here. The main attractions of Valladolid are the 16th-century Valladolid Cathedral, the National Sculpture Museum and the Cervantes House Museum. Line high speed train AVE allows you to reach Valladolid from Madrid in just 1 hour.

4. San Ildefonso

Location: 18 km from Segovia and 80 km from Madrid.

San Ildefonso is a must-visit for anyone who wants to see the luxurious royal residence. La Granja Palace is a striking testament to the wealth and grandeur of the 18th century Spanish monarchy, which led the world's largest power with colonies throughout the world. The palace was built in the Baroque style, which is characterized by luxury and rich decoration. In addition to the magnificent architecture, you will certainly be impressed by the park area. On 146 hectares there are green gardens, 26 beautiful fountains, a French-style labyrinth and a huge pond.

5. Manzanares el Real

Location: 50 km north of Madrid

On the way to Segovia, you can visit another historical landmark of Spain - the Manzanares el Real Castle, located in the city of the same name, 50 km from the capital. This is one of the best medieval fortresses in Spain, making Manzanares el Real top place, where you can go from Madrid for one day. The palace-fortress, built in 1475, has been perfectly preserved, including thanks to reconstruction work. For example, in 2013, the Renaissance garden near the castle was landscaped and landscaped. Manzanares el Real was originally created as a defensive fortress, but later became the residential palace of Cardinal Pedro Gonzalez Mendoza.

6. El Escorial

Location: 62 km northwest of Madrid

Another attraction of Spain that you can visit from Madrid is the royal residence of El Escorial. It is located an hour's drive from the capital, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain. El Escorial is the most important symbol of the country. Monumental Palace The 16th century, which many call the eighth wonder of the world, has a very rich history. Architectural complex includes a cathedral, museums, gardens, statues, a library, the residence of King Philip II and the tombs of most of the Spanish kings. It is convenient to travel to Escorial from Madrid, which is why it is one of the top most visited tourist places.

7. Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos)

Location: 15 km from El Escorial

If you are going to El Escorial, then take the time to visit the Valley of the Fallen. The memorial complex is located in the mountains of Guadarrama and consists of a basilica and a huge cross that rises to a height of 150 meters. The memorial was erected during the Franco era in the mid-20th century in memory of those killed in the Civil War. If you are not traveling by car, the Valley of the Fallen can be reached from El Escorial. The only bus leaves at 15:15 and in 30 minutes it will take you upstairs to the basilica and the Cross. The return bus leaves at 17:30.

8. Avila

Location: 110 km northwest of Madrid, 64 km from Segovia, 59 km from El Escorial

After visiting Escorial or Segovia, your next stop could be Avila. This is unique historical city, located along the banks of Adajo at an altitude of 1130 meters above sea level. The main attraction of Avila is the 11th century fortress wall, which has been perfectly preserved over many centuries and is considered one of the most beautiful in medieval Europe. Also in Avila you can see a monastery, churches, and ancient residential areas. The city is small enough that you can come here from Madrid for 1 day.

9. Salamanca

Location: 220 km northwest of Madrid or
Population: 145 thousand people

After Avila among the options where to go from Madrid you can choose Salamanca. It is in this city that the oldest University of Spain is located, built in the 13th century. It is one of the four oldest universities in Europe. The old town of Salamanca has become part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you will definitely enjoy walking through the streets of this ancient town. The main attraction of Salamanca is the Plaza Mayor, built in the 18th century in the radical Baroque style.

10. Alcalá de Henares

Location: 30 km northeast of Madrid.
Population: 195 thousand people

Alcala de Henares is another ancient Spanish city that you can visit from Madrid for 1 day. It is located 30 km from the capital, the city is easily accessible by commuter train. Among the most important attractions of Alcala de Henares it is worth noting the Gothic church of the 12th century, the archbishop's residence with the archives of the Inquisition, the gate of the martyrs, and the building of the ancient university. The center of Alcalá de Henares is listed as a UNESCO heritage site and is a very popular place among tourists. By the way, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra is a native of the city.

11. Guadalajara

Location: 60 km northeast of Madrid or 30 km from Alcalá de Henares
Population: 83 thousand people

After Alcala de Henares, you can go to the next city near Madrid - Guadalajara (by the way, there is a large city with a similar name in Mexico). Getting there is very convenient; a direct train from Madrid will quickly take you to your destination. Guadalajara was founded by Arab conquerors in the 8th century, but during Civil War in Spain the city was almost completely destroyed. However, the architecture was restored - the entire city center is full of ancient sights: medieval castles, monasteries, fortresses, squares. However, compared to other Spanish cities, there are not many tourists in Guadalajara.

12. Sigüenza

Location: 130 km northeast of Madrid or 70 km northeast of Guadalajara
Population: 4.5 thousand people

The center of Spain abounds ancient cities with unique architecture and ancient historical monuments. There are two main attractions worth visiting in Sigüenza: ancient castle and the cathedral. Sigüenza Castle was built by the Arabs in the 12th century as a defensive structure, but after the Reconquista, on the initiative of Cardinal Mendoza, it was converted into a residence for bishops. The cathedral, designed by French architects, was built over several centuries and the result was a complex structure of mixed style.

13. Medinaceli

Location: 155 km northeast of Madrid or 40 km northeast of Sigüenza

And another interesting place along the northeastern route near Madrid is Medinaceli. The village is located literally next door to Sigüenza, so visiting these two places can be combined. Medinaceli has preserved a 2nd century arch from Roman times. By the way, this is the only Roman building in Spain with three arches. In the Middle Ages, this land was owned by the ducal family of Medinaceli; their palace, church and other ancient buildings have been preserved here. The average tourist does not set foot here, but if you travel around Spain by car, be sure to visit Medinaceli.

14. Buitrago del Lozoya

Location: 78 km north of Madrid or 48 km north of Manzanares el Real

The next point on the route around Madrid, where you can go for 1 day, is Buitrago del Lozoya. This small town is surrounded by water and ancient authentic walls that were built by the Moors back in the 11th century. There is also an ancient castle here, built in the Mudejar style and embodying several architectural styles: Gothic, Renaissance and Moorish style. Also pay attention to the church of Santa Maria del Castillo, which was built almost 700 years ago.

Flights to Madrid:

15. Pedraza

Location: 124 km north of Madrid or 50 km northeast of Segovia

And another castle, which you can visit from Madrid or Segovia for 1 day, is located in the village of Pedraza. The Pedraza fortress was built by the Spaniards in the 13th century on the ruins of previous fortifications of ancient Roman and Arab origin. The castle was located in a key defensive zone, on the edge of a hill surrounded by rocks and a moat. At the beginning of the last century medieval fortress was acquired by the artist Ignacio Zuloago, whose heirs turned it into a museum.

16. Aranjuez

Population: 55 thousand people

Aranjuez is another old picturesque city that has become a UNESCO cultural heritage site. The main attraction of Aranjuez is the Royal Palace and luxurious gardens with magnificent landscapes, fountains and sculptures. The park displays boats that members of the royal family loved to ride on the Tagus River. The country royal residence began to be built in the 17th century as the Spanish answer to the French Versailles. In addition to the Royal Palace in Aranjuez, it is worth visiting the main square and just strolling around the cute and cozy city.

17. Colmenar de Oreja

Location: 60 km south of Madrid
Population: 8 thousand people

You can stop by the small town of Colmenar de Oreja on the way from Madrid to the tourist Chinchon. Colmenar's history is linked to the nearby Oreja Castle, a fortress of ancient Roman origin. Several villages sprang up around the castle, including Colmenar de Oreja. What interesting things can you see in this city? Firstly, authentic central square. Secondly, a medieval church, the construction of which began in the 13th century. By the way, the architecture of the temple is more reminiscent impregnable fortress than a church building. Not the best tourist town, but very curious.

18. Chinchon

Location: 50 km south of Madrid
Population: 5 thousand people

But Chinchon is just the city where tourists like to go from Madrid for 1 day. The city is very original and interesting, so take the time to visit it. The main attraction of Chinchon is the circular town square - it is recognized as one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. IN local restaurants The traditional chorizo and anise liqueur are worth trying. Chinchon is located on a hill, so in addition to its luxurious architecture, you can admire picturesque panoramic views.

19. Cuenca

Location: 168 km east
Population: 330 thousand people

One more big city Besides Valladolid, which you need to travel to from Madrid, there is Cuenca. The city was founded by the ancient Romans at the beginning of the millennium, but mainly the sights of the Middle Ages have been preserved here. Cuenca is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a rare example of a well-preserved medieval fortified city. The main attractions are located in the old town: Plaza Mayor, Baroque City Hall, Cathedral, “Skete of Anxiety”, Episcopal Palace. By the way, you can also go to Cuenca from Valencia; it is located almost in the middle between these Spanish cities.

20. Consuegra

Location: 137 km south of Madrid or 68 km from Toledo
Population: 10 thousand people

Consuegra is part of the province of Toledo, so you can reach this city as part of a trip from Madrid to the south. The ancient center of Consuegra definitely deserves your attention: like most cities in Spain, it has retained its authenticity. But the main attraction of Consuegra are the mills, which are located on a hill near the city. At one time, mills were serious capital and passed from father to son. Now they are no longer in use, but some mills are open to tourists, and one of them even continues to grind flour. Not far from the mills, pay attention to the fortress, built in Norman times.