7 Charming small towns and villages near Madrid

Madrid is not only a cosmopolitan and bustling city and the capital of Spain. It’s also the capital of an autonomous region where charming villages and towns can be found and are worth seeing.

These towns and villages around Madrid are often the destination for Madrileños who, when the weekend arrives, want to escape the urban hustle and bustle. And although Madrileños adore our city, the attractions of the surrounding towns are very tempting, and there are many options available to spend a pleasant and peaceful day nearby. So, if you’re visiting the city, try to reserve time to explore the surrounding area, beyond its urban limits.

Here are 7 beautiful towns near Madrid that are worth visiting. All of them are excellent options for unique getaways near the capital.

Beautiful towns and villages close to Madrid

1. Aranjuez: the Royal Palace and majestic gardens

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If you want to take advantage of your stay to explore emblematic historical sites nearby, Aranjuez is always at the top of the list for the best day trips from Madrid.

Like many madrileños, I usually leave the city on weekends, and Aranjuez is my favorite destination for a Sunday getaway. I have my second home here, and I can’t think of a better place to escape to!

This town is located in the southern end of the Community of Madrid, just 50 kilometers from the capital and bordering Toledo. It’s famous for its majestic Royal Palace and its extensive and beautiful gardens, as well as being the inspiration for a master of music like Joaquín Rodrigo, who forever associated his name with the beautiful composition of the “Concierto de Aranjuez” (the interpretation by the great Paco de Lucía of this work is simply sublime).

Aranjuez is located at the confluence of the Tajo and Jarama rivers, making the area a land of fertile orchards (Aranjuez is also known as Madrid’s orchard) and abundant vegetation. In this privileged place next to the Tajo, King Felipe II began the construction of the magnificent Royal Palace of Aranjuez in the 16th century, which was later expanded and renovated by successive kings. The presence of the Royal Family and its extensive entourage, consisting at that time of several thousand people, gave rise to this town, which was built around the Palace to accommodate the numerous members of the Court.

But if there is something that everyone associates with Aranjuez, it is its gardens. The gardens of Aranjuez are a vast expanse of landscaped parks and forests that extend next to the Palace, which, along with the Royal Palace and the town center, have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to get to Aranjuez from Madrid

Aranjuez from Madrid by car

Take the A-4 highway and you’ll get Aranjuez in 45 min – 1 hour depending on traffic.

Madrid to Aranjuez by public transport

You have direct trains to Aranjuez from several Madrid stations (Atocha, Sol, Nuevos Ministerios, and Chamartín). It will take you between 45 minutes and 1 hour to reach Aranjuez from Madrid city by C3 line. The Aranjuez station is the last stop on the line.

2. San Lorenzo del Escorial: breathtaking Monastery

© Photo by Pablo Cabezos on Flikr // 7 beautiful towns and villages near Madrid: San Lorenzo del Escorial

Located on a slope of the Sierra de Guadarrama, 50 kilometers from Madrid, San Lorenzo de El Escorial is another destination in the area with great tourist and cultural interest. Its main attraction is the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In this case, too, it was Felipe II who ordered the construction of this imposing Monastery, to ensure the memory of his family by founding a dynastic Pantheon (the Kings of Spain have been buried here to this day).

The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is not just a monastery, but the complex also includes a royal palace, a basilica, a pantheon, a library, and a school. This immense and impressive construction of over 30,000 square meters was the great architectural work of King Felipe II, who made it the project of his life.

The Monastery of El Escorial is one of the most outstanding Renaissance architectures in Europe and a must-visit in the Madrid region.

How to get to San Lorenzo de El Escorial from Madrid

San Lorenzo de El Escorial from Madrid by car

Take the A-6 highway and you’ll reach San Lorenzo de El Escorial in around 50 min – 1 hour from Madrid city.

Madrid to San Lorenzo del Escorial by public transport

To go to San Lorenzo de El Escorial from Madrid, you must take an intercity bus from line 661 (be careful, 661A won’t work) or 664, and get off at the last stop, which is the San Lorenzo de El Escorial bus station.

Although we usually refer to San Lorenzo de El Escorial as “El Escorial”, in reality, they are two separate towns. El Escorial has a train station, but it’s too far from San Lorenzo. That’s why the best option is to take the bus.

3. Alcalá de Henares: centuries-old history and culture

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Although both Aranjuez and El Escorial are heavyweight destinations in terms of tourist interest, there are also other extraordinary and unique towns and villages near Madrid that deserve a visit. Among them, it would be unforgivable not to mention Alcalá de Henares, a destination in northeast of Madrid perhaps a little overshadowed by the former but which has also been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This town near Madrid, where Miguel de Cervantes was born, is a perfect destination for lovers of culture and history, as it has more than 2000 years of history. It’s mainly known for its University, one of the oldest in Spain, where great figures of the Spanish Golden Age studied, making Alcalá de Henares known as the “city of knowledge”.

How to get to Alcalá de Henares from Madrid

Alcalá de Henares from Madrid by car

Take the A-2 highway and you’ll get to Alcalá de Henares in around 40-45 minutes.

Madrid to Alcalá de Henares by public transport

There are direct trains to Alcalá de Henares from several stations in Madrid center (Atocha, Recoletos, Nuevos Ministerios, and Chamartín). It will take you between 45 minutes and 1 hour to reach Aranjuez from Madrid city by C3 line.

4. Chinchón: picturesque and unique

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This must-see village, located 45 kilometers away from Madrid, stands out for its excellent Castilian cuisine and a long tradition of winemaking. But above all, if there is something that Chinchón is known for, it is its emblematic Plaza Mayor. This ancient square, surrounded by arcades and 234 wooden balconies painted green, dates back to the 15th century.

This medieval square has remained almost unchanged over time and is an excellent example of Castilian popular architecture, as it represents very well the typical main square of Castile, with the added value of its antiquity and its extraordinary state of preservation. In addition, throughout its long history, it has been the scene of festivities, theater performances, bullfights, executions, and even a film set.

How to get to Chinchón from Madrid

Chinchón from Madrid by car

Take the A-3 highway to Perales de Tajuña and then the M-317 road. You’ll reach Chinchón in around 1 hour.

Madrid to Chinchón by public transport

Chinchón doesn’t have a train station, so to get there by public transport, you’ll need to take an intercity bus. At Conde de Casal station, take line 333 (Chinchón-Valdelaguna) and get off at the Chinchón Convent stop. It will take you approximately 1 hour to get to Chinchón.

5. Manzanares el Real: a scenic and historic town

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Manzanares el Real is one of the most beautiful towns in Madrid, as it is located in a privileged environment at the gates of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. It also has a unique jewel: the Castle of the Mendoza family, the best-preserved castle in the entire Madrid region and one of the most charming castles in Spain. In addition to conventional visits, you can also get to know it in a very original way through theatrical tours (in Spanish) that guide visitors through the halls of this medieval fortress.

Manzanares El Real becomes a great place to enjoy nature, history, and outdoor sports less than 60 kilometers from Madrid.

How to get to Manzanares el Real from Madrid

Manzanares el Real from Madrid by car

Take the M-607 road towards Colmenar Viejo. It will take you between 45 minutes and 1 hour to get to Manzanares el Real, depending on traffic.

Madrid to Manzanares el Real by public transport

You can reach Manzanares el Real by intercity bus from Madrid. Take the bus on line 724 from Plaza de Castilla station and get off at the San Sebastián-Ayuntamiento stop in Manzanares el Real. The journey takes approximately one hour.

6. Patones de Arriba: a charming and secluded village

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This small medieval village hidden in a rugged corner of the mountains, 60 kilometers northeast of the capital, remained isolated and unnoticed for centuries. It was so far removed from the rest of the world that until the 18th century it was governed by the “king of Patones,” a kind of hereditary mayor.

In the mid-20th century, most of its inhabitants moved down to live in Patones de Abajo, so the old town has remained like a relic frozen in time, revived in recent years with the rise of tourism.

This small and charming village is a magnificent reflection of the black architecture of the region, with its narrow streets and stone houses, idyllically integrated into the natural environment. It’s difficult to say which is the most beautiful village in Madrid, but there is no doubt that Patones de Arriba is the most picturesque.

How to get to Patones de Arriba from Madrid

Patones de Arriba from Madrid by car

Take the A1 highway and you’ll reach Patones in approximately 1 hour, depending on traffic.

Madrid to Patones de Arriba by public transport

Patones de Arriba is somewhat isolated in terms of public transportation. There’s a bus line from Plaza de Castilla station that sometimes includes Patones on its route, line 197. However, during weekdays, there are no buses stopping in Patones, and during weekends and holidays, the frequencies of buses reaching Patones are scarce. If you’re traveling by public transport, you’ll need to plan to go on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.

Additionally, you’ll need to be prepared to walk. The bus journey lasts an hour and fifteen minutes and it drops you off at Patones de Abajo. You’ll have to complete the rest of the journey on foot, approximately 1.5 kilometers. However, the path follows the El Barranco Ecological Trail, that crosses the ravine, so it’s a 20 minutes scenic walk.

7. Buitrago de Lozoya: a medieval town with beautiful views

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Bordered by the Lozoya River, the old town of this village is surrounded by imposing medieval walls of Muslim origin. This walled enclosure is the best preserved fortified complex in the entire Madrid region.

Within the town walls, it preserves its medieval legacy, which gives Buitrago del Lozoya its special charm. The Clock Tower, the Church of Santa María, the Picasso Museum, and the medieval Castle are just part of the rich cultural heritage of this charming town.

How to get to Buitrago del Lozoya from Madrid

Buitrago del Lozoya from Madrid by car

Take the A-1 highway. It will take you around 1 hour to get there, depending on traffic.

Madrid to Buitrago del Lozoya by public transport

At Plaza de Castilla station, take the intercity bus of line 191. The journey to Buitrago de Lozoya takes an hour and a half, and you need to get off at the Av. Madrid – Real stop

FAQ: Beautiful Towns and Villages Near Madrid