Day Trips from Madrid Spain: Historical Sights Within Arm's Reach

Madrid is the largest city, and also the capital of Spain. While there is no shortage of culture and destinations within Madrid, since Madrid is also located in the geographical center of the country, it is a prime hub for short trips to other cultural centers in Spain. Here is a list of some destinations that can be reached in a day, and offer a variety of things to see and do. All of these attractions are primarily free of charge to view, so aside from your traveling costs you won't be out many Euros.

Toledo

A trip to Spain would not be complete without stopping in Toledo to see several historic pieces of architecture. The biggest draw is the 15^th century Cathedral where you can catch a glimpse of artwork by Goya, Raphael, El Greco and Titian. The Alcazar Castle and Jesuit church are also must sees. You will appreciate the architecture and history of the whole town in general. Toledo is also known for marzipan and sword making. There are ornately crafted swords available for purchase throughout the city, and the vendors will gladly ship it home for you. Much of the fare aside from souvenirs is free in Toledo, aside from the train tickets to get there. It's about 30 minutes by train from Madrid. Toledo is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Avila

One of the oldest landmarks in the whole of Spain is the city wall at Avila. It is definitely the best preserved city wall, and contains fortifications built by the Romans and Muslims. You can actually take a walk along the wall for a small fee. There is an active shopping district within the walls, so you can easily spend a whole day exploring Avila. Be sure to swing by the Plaza de Santa Teresa, as Santa Teresa is the most revered figure in Avila's history.

Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

The monastery houses a museum, basilica, library and living area. It is decorated with art from famous Spanish masters, and King Phillip II who created the monastery in the 16^th century is entombed there. El Greco's "The Martyrdom of St. Maurice" can be viewed in the chapter house, and bronze sculptures by Titian adorn some hallways. The monastery is the largest in Spain, and is a UNESCO world heritage site. El Escorial is approximately 45 kilometers from Madrid.

Salamanca

Salamanca has so many sights, you may want to consider turning this day trip into an over nighter. It is about 2.5 hours by bus from Madrid. Some of the main attractions are the Cathedral, which is a combination of an old and new cathedral, the Iglesia Convento de San Esteban which is a church with intricate ornamentation, and the Casa de la Conchas which now houses a modern library, but was once the castle of Rodrigo Maldonado. Also located in Salamanca is the Museo Art Nouveau Y Art Deco which contains a large collection of art deco and art nouveau jewelry, vases, statues, furniture, and ceramic figures.

Segovia

Possibly the greatest attraction for western sightseers is Segovia Spain. It's about two hours by train from Madrid, and you can view a 1^st century Roman aqueduct, as Segovia's Alcazar castle, which was the inspiration for Cinderella's castle in the Disney cartoon. The Alcazar is currently a museum, and was the site for King Phillip II's wedding. The aqueduct is the best preserved in all of Europe, and was built during the rule of Trajan. Another site is Segovia's cathedral that was completed in 1577. It is open to the public all week long. Segovia is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Additional Sources-

Traveling in Spain.com

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