The Most Charming Towns In Madrid
The most charming towns in Madrid
1. San Lorenzo de El Escorial
This beautiful town is located 47 kilometers from Madrid, at the foot of Las Machotas and Mount Abantos, in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama. It is one of the main tourist destinations outside the capital.
It concentrates a great historical and cultural heritage, of which the emblematic and impressive monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial stands out, designed by King Felipe II and built between 1563 and 1584.
Another emblematic place is the Valley of the Fallen, whose construction was ordered by Francisco Franco to perpetuate the memory of the fallen. However, not everything is cultural heritage in this area, since the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park is very close.
2. Aranjuez
Aranjuez is considered the small Versailles of Spain. This town was chosen by the Bourbons as the seat of the court during the springs. It is located 55 kilometers from Madrid and is crossed by the Tagus and Jarama rivers.
This town houses a great cultural heritage, among its historical places we can mention the Royal Palace, ordered to be built by Felipe II in 1565; the Casa del Labrador and the Royal Faluas museum, where the opulent boats used by kings such as Carlos IV, Felipe V, Alfonso XII or Isabel II to navigate the Tagus are preserved.
Nor can you miss visiting the 1796 bullrings. And, if there is something to do in Aranjuez, it is to lose yourself in its wonderful gardens: the Jardin del Príncipe, the Jardin de la Isla, the Jardin del Parterre or the Jardin de Isabel II, among others.
3. Alcalá de Henares
The beautiful town of Alcalá de Henares has more than 2,000 years of history and is known as the city of knowledge for its ancient university. In addition, it is famous for being the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616). It is located 34 kilometers from Madrid and has a spectacular monumental heritage with palaces, large houses, churches, convents, gardens, chapels and colleges.
Some essential visits are the university, the true epicenter of the city; the birthplace of Cervantes (1547); or the Corral de Comedias, one of the oldest theaters in Spain (1601). However, strolling along Calle Mayor and Plaza Cervantes and having tapas in one of the many bars and restaurants in Alcalá is a must on your visit to Alcalá.
4. Chinchón
This town is located 47 kilometers from the capital and has the best-preserved square in the Community of Madrid. This medieval square is closed, irregular in shape and has old lintel galleries and three-story buildings with long, narrow wooden balconies.
Other places of interest are the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the castle, the Casa de la Cadena, the convent of the Clarisas, today the Parador Nacional de Turismo, and many other places such as restaurants or streets full of beautiful typical and interesting houses. legends.
Chinchón is well known as a good gastronomic destination, where in addition to its anise, you can buy excellent wines and spirits; a premium olive oil and fine and tasty garlic. To regain strength, nothing better than to do it in its excellent inns, which serve delicious local specialties such as chichoneras beans, duels and losses, migas a la pastora or Castilian soup.
5. Rascafría
110 kilometers from Madrid, in the Peñalara Natural Park, in what is the upper Lozoya valley, we find this municipality with a typical popular architecture that matches a beautiful natural environment.
Visiting Rascafría is to admire its stone constructions between colored facades, and if you walk along the river you will discover one of the architectural jewels of the town, the Monastery of El Paular, a historical monument worth visiting .
The towns near the capital offer you many interesting places to visit. Do you dare to go out of the big city and get to know these towns? We are sure that they will be visits that you will love.
