The Madrid

Emir Muhammad ordered the construction of a fortress in Mayrit village in the year 865. Later on, King Phillip II of Spain expanded it to the royal court which afterward grew into the big city. Firstly, Madrid is a place of wonder and peace places to visit near Madrid. Further, visitors can enjoy the historic towns, mountains, and monumental royal palaces belonging to the Castile region. Above all, Madrid has the honor of three UNESCO-listed sites. Which are the university town of Alcalá de Henares, El Escorial, the elegant historic town of Aranjuez, and the Monastery-palace of the 16th-century. 

Must do Things in Madrid

1. Royal Palace of Aranjuez

Firstly, Spanish King Philip II ordered the building of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez in 1560. Secondly, it was rebuilt in the 1660s. Further, the historic town of Aranjuez has been titled a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can access Aranjuez easily by train or car. Moreover, the most amusing way of travel to Aranjuez is by taking an old-fashioned 19th-century train called Strawberry Train (Tren de la Fresa). The Strawberry Train has been restored as a historical heritage. Few valuable visiting spots are the Rococo palaces, Baroque of the town, central squares, and geometrically laid-out avenues. In addition, gardens along the Tagus River create the essence of charm. The decorated interior displays lovely objets d’art, amazing paintings, valuable arrays, and fine porcelain places to visit near Madrid.

The green route travels past lovely farmlands and dense forests.

 

2. El Escorial Monastery and Palace

French king Philip II ordered the construction of the Royal Monastery and Palace of El Escorial in the 16th century. It is located in the little town of San Lorenzo del Escorial (El Escorial). Most importantly, El Escorial Monastery and Palace are UNESCO-listed historical heritage sites. Further, El Escorial played the role of a political power center during the Spanish kingdom. 

This is the most visited tourist spot in Spain due to its rich art. Besides, Juan de Herrera designed the huge grayish granite complex. Moreover, the opulent Bourbon Suite within the palace includes the state apartments of Maria Luisa and Charles IV of Parma. The elegant porcelain, a huge collection of amazing Spanish and Flemish tapis, and 18th-century furniture are displayed in these rooms places to visit near Madrid.

 

3. Palacio Real del Pardo

The Palacio del Pardo, built in the 15th century. It is only 15 kilometers from Madrid’s city center. It was destroyed by a fire in 1604. Later on, Charles V ordered it to reconstruct it onto the current structure. During the eighteenth century, Francesco Sabatini renovated and enlarged it.

 Firstly, a visitor can feel and enjoy the quality of the lovely interior decorated with elegant frescoes and quality paintings. Traditional decorative pathways, French-style landscaping, and statues increase the beauty and grace of this historical palace. Lively gardens are there on two terraces with magnificent pools and wonderful fountains places to visit near Madrid. 

4. Puerto de Navacerrada Ski Resort

Firstly, Puerto de Navacerrada is the closest ski resort to Madrid. This amazing resort has 16 ski routes of different ability levels. Secondly, all ski routes are well-prepared and going through the pine woods. There are four ski schools in this resort. Thirdly, the resort offers rental ski equipment, many hotel options, and quality restaurants. Above all, visitors may experience the wonderful exploration of the attractive village of Navacerrada. Visitors can access the Puerto de Navacerrada resort by car or train.

 

5. Alcalá de Henares: The Birthplace of Cervantes

Alcalá de Henares is the birthplace of Emperor Ferdinand I and the great Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote. Alcalá de Henares town has the UNESCO-historical heritage title, due to its traditional background. This beautiful town is famous due to a wonderful university, Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, founded in 1498. Colegio de San Ildefonso formerly known as Plaza de San Diego is worth a visit due to Spanish ancient architecture. 

The 16th-century Cathedral of this town is one of two authoritative churches in the world. The center of the social life of the town is the Calle Mayor. The galleries on both sides of this wonderful street are filled with many cafés, restaurants, pastry shops, and small boutiques.

 

6. The Medieval Fortress of Manzanares el Real

The Medieval Fortress of Manzanares el Real, built in the 15th century. Firstly, it was a fortress in the town of Manzanares el Real, next to the Santillana reservoir. Later on, it was being used as a residence for the Mendoza family in the 17th century. It is probably the last masterpiece of Castilian military architecture. A boundary wall has surrounded the fortress. It is a perfect spot for photography lovers. Visitors may see the Jardín de Los Sentidos, a tropical garden. A fine library and an arena remind the visitors, the memory of the place where the games and tournaments of ancient times took place. At different festivals, visitors may enjoy choral music,  fencing tournaments, and movie screenings.

7. Guadalajara – places to visit near Madrid

The Guadalajara town is located on the Henares River, known for the famous Guadalajara Museum. 

This museum presents an anthropological survey on the concepts of life, death, afterlife, and religiosity from the earliest times to today’s life. Town has many superb monuments. Visitors must be sure to see The Palacio del Infantado, a significant building, built in the 15th century. It is a combination of Mudejar and Gothic architecture styles. The 5th Duke added fine balconies on the front of the building and fantastic frescoes in rooms during the renovation. The Catedral de Santa María la Mayor (from the 13th century) is also a must-see sight. Capilla de Luis Lucena is another valuable site to visit.

 

8. Toledo – places to visit near Madrid

Toledo town is known for El Greco, a Spanish contemporary artist from the 15th century. The amazing profile of the hilltop city is almost the same today as it was brushed by El Greco ages ago. 

In addition, three cultures; Islamic, Jewish, and Christian lived together in harmony and burgeon in primitive Toledo. A visitor today can see the artistic and cultural heritage of all three cultures together.

Most importantly, Toledo town has the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Toledo’s mosques, huge walls, synagogues, convents, churches, and tangle of narrow stone-paved streets take you back to the past.  Likewise, a visit to Toledo may include the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca, the shrine of San Juan de Los Reyes, and the Church of St. Tomé. Toledo is a short train ride from the center of Madrid.

9. Segovia – places to visit near Madrid

Segovia town is standing atop a hill. Visitors can enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding Spaniard countryside from its Alcazar palace. However, Segovia has a rare monument, an ancient water channel built-in AD 50. This water system is a masterpiece of one of the two largest Roman structures of Spain. The most amazing fact is that 167 of its original arches are still in original condition. The Judería (Jewish quarter of cordoba) with its synagogues, turned into Christian Churches later on. 

Some windows to history are high defensive walls, metal workshops, and Romanesque churches. Visitors can easily reach Segovia town on An air-conditioned coach from Madri.

10. Sigüenza – places to visit near Madrid

Visitors, loving historical places have no better option in Spain than Sigüenza. Sigüenza is an ancient city with outstanding cultural heritage, 131 km away from Madrid. The top tourist attractions of this city are; a 12th-century castle the Castillo, the 13th-century Romanesque chapel, the Molino de Alcuneza a luxury hotel, Plaza Mayor, a historic market square, a 12th-century cathedral, the tomb of Martín Vázquez de Arce, and The Diocesan Museum.

11.Colmenar Viejo – places to visit near Madrid

Colmenar Viejo is known as the land of bulls and bullfighting. It’s a historic town, 35 km from Madrid. Firstly, Colmenar Viejo has a bullfighting ring named Plaza de Toros linked to the 19th century. Plaza de Toros celebrates a wonderful Bullfighting Festival every year. Secondly, the Festival of May 2nd and the Carnival are other annual events. Another fantastic event is La Vaquilla, a folk festival where cows garnish with ribbons and jewels parade through Colmenar Viejo. 

 The wonderful tourist attractions of this town are; Centro Cultural Pablo Ruiz Picasso, The Museo de la Villa, Basílica de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora belongs to the 15th & 16th centuries. 

12. Chinchón – places to visit near Madrid

Chinchón is a small Castilian town, 20 km north of Aranjuez. The top tourist attraction of this town is the Plaza Mayor. It is enclosed by amazing historic houses with lovely decorative shaded balconies. Further, the Plaza Mayor has many restaurants, small cafés, and shops. The summer program of cultural events of Chinchon is very famous, including concerts and plays. After that, the town has hosted bullfights since the 16th century and the tradition is continuing. Visitors may head to the Iglesia de la Asunción for the best view of Chinchón town. This wonderful church displays a masterpiece by Goya known as the Assumption of the Virgin Mary painting.