Beyond the Postcard

All of these astounding towns are accessible via public transportation like bus or train or there are group tours that leave from Madrid, depending on what kind of traveler you are. And, fun fact, each of these destinations is a UNESCO World Heritage Site so you can rest easy knowing the journey will be 100% worth it.

Toledo

A mere 40 miles south of the city of Madrid, lies the ancient city of Toledo, which was once the capital of Spain. This medieval city is packed with 2,000 years of Spanish history and is famous for being the city of three cultures, displaying aspects of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The walls of this city have been rebuilt and expanded many times within its lifetime, the first of which were built by the Romans. Toledo’s walls, gates, and bridges are a huge attraction of the city, as well as my favorite, The Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo, an astoundingly large and impressive gothic church. Last but not least, the natural beauty of Toledo should not be overlooked and Alcázar Park is a great place to admire the Tagus River and rugged Spanish countryside.

Segovia

Head Northwest and right outside of the Community of Madrid and you will find Segovia. This historic city has an almost magical feel to it with 3 must see attractions that are surprisingly different from one another. First there is the ancient Roman Segovia Aqueduct with more than 160 arches that stands in the heart of the city. (you can even touch it!) The magic is only amplified when you see the Alcázar of Segovia, which literally looks like a Disney princess castle come to life. The interior of this palace hosts intricate ceilings of gold, red, and green and many lookout points. Like Toledo, this ancient city also has a beyond impressive cathedral which began construction in 1525! You really can’t go wrong with any of these day trips but, if I had to pick a favorite, I think Segovia would win.

El Escorial

Imagine National Treasure meets Spanish Hogwarts and you have the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Here is where you will find the Escorial, a huge building complex containing a church, monastery, royal palace, college, and library. This building is considered to be the most important architectural monument of the Spanish Renaissance which will make sense once you’ve seen it and all the artifacts that live inside. Slightly outside of town lies the Valley of the Fallen and Santa Cruz Basilica. This site is a monument built for the victims of the 1936 Spanish Civil War and is comprised of an underground church that was dug out of the rock as well as a 500 ft cross made from the same stone. The remains of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco were buried here until 2019 when they were relocated for political reasons.