Madrid is a world-famous city, what is not so well known are its surroundings, because no matter how cosmopolitan the capital city is, it also has a wide mountain range full of beautiful villages and towns; charming destinations with a very alternative offer to the one we find in the city. So if you are thinking of a getaway for two in the interior of the peninsula, today we discover some of the places you can visit around Madrid.
Buitrago del Lozoya, probably the most beautiful town in Madrid
A little more than 45 minutes north of the capital we find Buitrago del Lozoya, a beautiful village in the heart of the Sierra Norte. Buitrago is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Madrid and the only town in the region that preserves its defensive walls, which rise over the river with which it shares its name. The wall of Buitrago is an attraction for history buffs because it is the best-preserved fortified enclosure of Madrid and the only one that remains complete. In fact, it was declared a National Monument in 1931.
In addition to this, in Buitrago, you will find a natural environment where you can go hiking, cycling, horseback riding, canoeing or any activity that always us to enjoy one of the most spectacular natural places in Madrid.
Patones de Arriba, a charming village very close to Madrid
Patones de Arriba is a very small town near Madrid where you can escape and reconnect with culture and beauty in the same place. If you are looking for a destination where you can be surrounded by nature and it’s less than an hour from the Capital, this is it!
The village offers an endless number of pleasant walks, hotels and rural accommodation, typical gastronomy, hiking trails, exhibitions, archaeological sites and a wide architectural heritage. Everything you need for a complete weekend.
El Boalo, a town that embraces sustainable tourism in Madrid
El Boalo is one of the most environmentally friendly places in Spain, so if you are looking to plan a rural getaway in a destination that embraces sustainable tourism in Madrid, this is the village you are looking for.
The village of 7,500 inhabitants in the mountains of Madrid is an example of sustainability and respect for the environment. In El Boalo there are no artistic historical buildings or a charming old town, no. It is a town where there are no great comforts, but it does adapt to the needs of a rural society so it is rather a simple village.
Chinchón, a town for a rural getaway
Chinchón is a relatively small town with about 5,000 inhabitants and can be easily reached on foot. It is located southeast of Madrid, about 45 kilometres from the capital, between the rivers Tajuña and Tajo.
Chinchón is one of the most picturesque villages in the region of Madrid, and despite the proximity to the city, it retains its uniqueness. Its narrow streets crisscross the life and history of the town. The houses are grouped in hills surrounded by the popular Plaza Mayor, which is declared the fourth material wonder of the region.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a town of historical interest
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is located in a privileged place in Cuenca del Guadarrama, only 53 kilometers from the city. A visit to this village and its monastery makes you travel back in time to another era. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best plans for a day trip if you are in the capital.
The Monastery of El Escorial is the main attraction as it has been considered the Eighth Wonder of the Word and declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. In the town, there are other historical buildings of great interest such as the Theater Real Coliseo de Carlos III (18th century), the Plaza de Jacinto Benavente, which houses six centenary magnolias, or the Real Centro Universitario Escorial - María Cristina (funded in 1892).
Manzanares El Real, the town that has it all
Settled right next to the Sierra de Guadarrama and on the shore of the Santillana reservoir, we find the village Manzanares El Real which has 8,500 inhabitants.
Its origins date back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by the cave paintings that you can see in La Pedriza, in the Sierra de Guadarrama. The history of the town also reveals the Roman and Arab footprint that is part of the identity of this place.
Manzanares has a privileged location, it is one of the getaways to the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. In addition, it also has the imposing Castillo de Los Mendoza, one of the best-preserved in all of Madrid. Manzanares El Real is a place that brings it all together; you can enjoy nature, history and outdoor activities and it’s only 60 kilometres from Madrid.
Madrid, cosmopolitan city surrounded by charming villages
Thousands of travellers visit the Spanish capital every year with the intention of getting to know the countless plans that the city has to offer. However, Madrid is much more, it is a cosmopolitan city full of emblematic places and also lesser-known places that are worth visiting for a couple of days. Madrid is also its surroundings and the nature that surrounds it. The two faces of this region, the rural environment and the city that never sleeps, we are lucky to have the best of this city less than an hour away.
We invite you to not give up anything on your next trip to the capital, visit the most beautiful villages around Madrid and stay in an oasis of wellness in the city.
ARTIEM Madrid offers you everything you need for a great weekend. Our small urban oasis in Arturo Soria is the perfect place to disconnect and discover the capital and its surroundings. Come on, Madrid is waiting for you!