I know, there’s still a lot left for the holidays, but there are getaways from Madrid that will surely make your wait more bearable. A weekend has many usable hours if you ride it well. So that you won’t get lazy: I have organized each of the different getaways so you can squeeze every destination to the fullest. Whether you are traveling by car or by plane, there is a trip for you.
CAR
It is a World Heritage City, with more than two thousand years of history. Jews, Muslims and Christians lived together for centuries; Now, countless foreigners travel the streets almost every day of the week. But there are still sites that resist mass tourism, and it is a pleasure to walk its cobbled streets. Put on some comfortable shoes and get to know the gastronomic offer of tapas at places such as Cervecería Trébol or Alfileritos 24.
Toro
It is one of the getaways from Madrid that combine culture and gastronomy. First meet Toro, which was one of the most important cities of Castile and Spain, and then head for the Pagos del Rey Wine Museum. There they will explain the past and the future of the wine world in a very pleasant way. In fact, I had already made some visits of this kind and they surprised me with a lot, they even do concerts inside the cellar! Top off your visit with a copious meal at La Panera and it will have been a full day. But first take a walk before you get the car again …
Although Burgos gets a bit more involved I include it in this selection of trips from Madrid. Because it’s much more than its cathedral and a very unknown city. Visit also the Cartuja de Miraflores and Las Huelgas, but know its more modern side: the Museo of Evolution and the CAB. But as the culture is very hungry, I recommend you regain your strength at El Morito, El Soportal or El 22, where you will taste the best blood sausage in Burgos.
Maybe you already knew it, but I got a big surprise when I discovered the lavender fields of Brihuega. It’s not necessary to go to the French Provence to walk through a sea of lilac flowers. This is one of those getaways from Madrid that can be done in a day. The plan is to go for the day to know Brihuega and get closer to the lavender fields at sunset to take pictures in this paradise of Guadalajara.
Another of those beautiful nature shows that could not be missed as one of the most beautiful trips from Madrid. The flowering of the cherry trees in the Jerte Valley has nothing to envy the Japanese hanami. But this time, instead of having a picnic under the tree, the ideal is to do some of the (easy) hiking trails with camera in hand. And at night, enjoy the great atmosphere that is in La Vega del Jerte.
AIRPLANE
The capital of Germany is always an interesting and constantly renewing destination. It’s still one of the European cradles of alternative art. The flea markets are essential if it’s one of your trips from Madrid for 2018. One of the most interesting is the one that takes place in Mauerpark on Sundays, with its hipster and modern atmosphere. Go up to the dome of the Reichstag to have the best views of the city and then, if the weather permits, a good picnic in the park in front.
Although there are a thousand things to see in the città eterna, take it easy and stroll through the streets of the Trastevere. Apart from visiting the Vatican Museums, my two essential visits are the Pantheon of Agrippa and the Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. And on Sunday, go to the Porta Portese Sunday Market, which is like El Rastro in Madrid but with the transalpine touch. But since you also have to eat for so many visits, enter my post to know where to eat the best pizza in Rome.
Another essential when it comes to organizing trips from Madrid. And one of the most romantic. It’s very difficult to discover the best of Paris in a weekend, but what you can do is get away from the usual script. The Louvre is very good, but it is immeasurable: take the opportunity to see the Orsay Museum or the Palais de Tokyo. Eat a good croissant or eat the best crêpe in Paris at Au P’tit Grec in the Latin Quarter. And if not, you can always eat at the best French restaurants in Madrid. Ooh là là!
If you are one of the lucky ones who don’t look too much in your pocket when planning your getaways from Madrid, go to Menorca! In a couple of days renting a car you can get to know the best of the island; one day Ciudadela and the beaches of the north, and another day Mahón and the beaches of the south. You can alternate a visit to its prehistoric remains with a cocktail in the Cova d’en Xoroi, or visit Cala Macarella with the shopping in the shops of Es Born. You have the complete plan in my post about Menorca ☺
Barcelona is like Madrid: there has been a boom in tourism and there are areas where it’s better not to tread. But just as you will not see “cats” having coffee at the Starbucks on the Gran Vía, the same thing happens in Barcelona. Neighborhoods like Poblenou are one of the cool new epicentres of the city, although Verdi Street is still the top area for dining out. Surely since my last visit they have opened many cool places, but the essentials that I tell you in my post I assure you they will not disappoint you.
There are a lot of very cool options for getaways from Madrid right? There are some for all budgets and tastes, all thanks to how well connected the city is. I still have some left in the inkwell that I will tell you soon, but with all these ideas … Don’t you feel like traveling?
Translated by www.StoryOfMadrid.com, the podcast about Madrid in English.
You can follow me Instagram + FaceBook + Twitter + Bloglovin´