20 Beautiful Towns in Madrid for a Nearby Getaway

Buitrago de Lozoya is a medieval village straight out of *The Lord of the Rings*. It’s surrounded by a wall, and the sunsets from its castle are perfect for a romantic outing. And if you’re into mysteries, rumor has it there’s a haunted house. The Buitrago de Lozoya Town Hall also houses a museum featuring the works that Pablo Picasso gave to his barber. A town near Madrid that’s perfect for a kayaking or biking excursion in the surrounding area.

Anise, a town square, and an inn. Its saying fits it like a glove. As you stroll through its main square, your mouth will water at all the places you’ll find to eat or to buy “pelotas de fraile ” or “tetas de novicia.” Chinchón is so spectacular that it hasn’t even escaped the notice of Wes Anderson, who filmed the movie *Asteroid City* in this iconic town.

Manzanares el Real is home to one of the great architectural gems of the Community of Madrid: the Castillo Nuevo de los Mendoza. It was built in 1475. It gets its name from having been the residence of the Mendoza family, one of the most powerful families during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Lonely Planet guide lists it as one of the most spectacular castles in Spain. Inside, the Gothic gallery on the first floor stands out, and outside—in excellent condition—its four towers, battlements, machicolations, and arrowslits offer breathtaking views.

This town in the upper Manzanares basin also takes great care to preserve its exceptional natural environment. It serves as the gateway to La Pedriza, which is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and one of Madrid’s premier destinations for hikers.

Rascafría is an ideal destination thanks to its hiking trails. You’ll understand why the town is named after water once you come into contact with its streams, but the route is perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the capital and enjoying the scenery, so any time of year is a good time to visit.

The drive to Puebla de la Sierra already sets the stage for the peace and relaxation you’ll find there (though it’s not suitable for those who get carsick). You might lose cell service, but it’s an ideal place for rural tourism and soaking in the lush green landscape. It has barely seventy residents, and strolling through its streets could easily be seen as the antithesis of Madrid.

Although Roblelacasa is part of Guadalajara, it’s not far from other villages in the northern part of the region, such as La Hiruela. Its houses look as ifhobbits might pop outat any moment. There are no bars orshops , so you’ll need to come prepared to hike one of its spectacular trails, which lead to the Aljibe waterfall—complete with natural pools where you can take a dip if the weather permits.

Its “black architecture” and enviable setting make Patones de Arriba one of the most spectacular villages in the entire Madrid region. For many years, this village in the Sierra Norte de Madrid was a place so remote that time itself seemed to stand still. That changed when it was declared a Site of Cultural Interest, and it was instantly recognized for what it already was: the most beautiful village in Madrid.

Cercedilla is another one of those villages where time seems to stand still. Its train station is a prime example. There are plenty of very easy hiking trails, so after sampling the local meats, there’s no excuse not to choose one of them. The best part? You can get there by commuter train on the C-8 line. It’s one of those villages near Madrid that’s perfect for a getaway.

Although it may seem like one of the most obvious stops, rediscovering the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is always worth the trip: you never tire of admiring one of Madrid’s most beautiful libraries. It’s also a great opportunity to explore the town of El Escorial, which boasts some 18th-century gems, such as the Royal Coliseum of Charles III and the café inside the theater itself. It’s like stepping into a movie: the perfect romantic getaway.

Talamanca del Jarama is home to some of the most important gems of Romanesque architecture in the Community of Madrid. Without a doubt, this is one of the prettiest villages near the capital in the region known as Campiña del Henares, on the border with Castilla-La Mancha.

Among its five monuments designated as sites of cultural interest, the Romanesque apse of the parish church of San Juan Bautista and the Roman bridge over the Caz stream stand out.

Horcajuelo is a small village in the Sierra del Rincón—along with the next one, La Hiruela—surrounded by the Montejo Beech Forest. It’s one of the southernmost beech forests in all of Europe and has been a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site since 2017. Due to the forest’s unique nature, visits to the beech forest itself are limited and are always free of charge and guided by environmental educators.

Fifty percent of the visitor passes can be obtained through advance online reservation. The other 50% are reserved for in-person purchase; they are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the visit and can be purchased until they run out at the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve Information Center (Calle Real 64, Montejo de la Sierra).

Nestled in the heart of the Sierra del Rincón and designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Hiruela exudes the unique charm of the Sierra’s stone villages. Its landscape of dark brown houses, built of stone and wood, is the antithesis of the whitewashed walls of the south: perfect for a romantic getaway.

The Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve consists of a mountainous area located between the Ayllón and Somosierra mountain ranges. It’s a true green lung that includes the villages of La Hiruela, Horcajuelo de la Sierra, Montejo de la Sierra, Prádena del Rincón, La Puebla de la Sierra, and, now, Madarcos.

In Madrid, you can’t have a house with a view of the sea, but you can have one overlooking a reservoir, and El Berrueco is one of those towns in the Community of Madrid where this cliché becomes a reality. This town lies on the shores of the Atazar, surrounded by crags and rocky outcrops—from which it takes its name. In addition to strolling through the village and exploring the Torrepedrera Watchtower or the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle—and, of course, enjoying the surrounding area, which is an extension of the Sierra de la Cabrera —be sure to visit the Water Museum, which makes use of the reservoir’s dam.

Less than an hour from the city lies a quintessentially Castilian destination where you can enjoy a fine wine. Navalcarnero is part of the Madrid Designation of Origin (DO), so it’s no surprise that it’s surrounded by vineyards and wineries.

Among the fascinating history of this village with its cobblestone streets and colorful facades, the wedding of Philip IV to his niece, Archduchess Mariana of Austria, stands out.

In the middle valley of the Jarama River, bordering Guadalajara, lies Torrelaguna. This town is one of those that gives this publication its name, because it’s hard to understand why it doesn’t attract the same number of tourists as Chinchón or other better-known towns. Its history is similar to that of almost all Castilian towns: it has been home to Muslims, Christians, and the French, who razed the convents during the War of Independence. But it was here that someone was born who would change the course of Spanish history: Cardinal Cisneros.

This led to the town’s prosperity, and today we can enjoy one of the few Gothic and Renaissance churches in the Community of Madrid, palatial homes from different centuries, a cultural center that once served as a hospital, mosque, and synagogue, a grain exchange, and a town hall founded by Cisneros.

Between the Tagus and the Tajuñas rivers lies Villarejo de Salvanés, about 50 km from Madrid. This village was founded by the Military Order of Santiago in the 13th century, and its main attraction—the tower—is the only remaining part of the complex of military buildings constructed to reconquer the area from the Muslims. The building continued to belong to another military order, the Encomienda Mayor de Castilla, until the 19th century. The Casa de la Tercia, which had the same owners, is another fine example of 16th-century Castilian architecture.

Another interesting fact about Villarejo is that it’s home to Spain’s first museum dedicated to cinema.

Madrid’s Alcarria region is home to one of the most beautiful villages in the Community: Torres de la Alameda. It’s especially known for the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, a fine example of Renaissance architecture with a portico worthy of a Roman temple. The interior is characterized by its simplicity, though this was not the case originally; rather, after the War of Independence and the Civil War, altarpieces, statues, and even part of the exterior were destroyed.

Another attraction in the village is the Ermita de la Soledad, also dating from the 16th century. Its façade features a curious detail: a 2nd-century Roman tombstone inscribed with the words: DOMITIA FVSCINA FVSCINAE TTURICVA EHSE STTL —Domitia Fuscina, daughter of (Domitius) Fuscus, lies here—.

One of the most unique getaways near Madrid: this village, just 54 kilometers from the capital, can be considered a veritable museum of urban art in its own right. This is thanks to the genre paintings by Elena Parlange that adorn the stone facades of some of the houses.

But that’s not the only interesting thing about this village of fewer than 2,000 residents: it’s also home to a Lunar Museum featuring astronaut suits and up to 300 artifacts related to lunar missions.

Nuevo Baztán is a village in Madrid with historic and architectural charm, located about 50 kilometers from the capital. This town has a unique urban layout, designed in the 18th century by architect José de Churriguera as part of an industrial project spearheaded by Juan de Goyeneche. Its straight streets and spacious squares surround the Goyeneche Palace and the Church of San Francisco Javier, two jewels of Spanish Baroque architecture. Additionally, Nuevo Baztán is situated in a particularly unique natural setting, which you can explore via two popular trails: the Valmores Trail and the Galiana Trail.

This historic town, a World Heritage Site, simply had to be on the list. Its main attraction is its impressive Royal Palace, complete with its Versailles-style gardens on the banks of the Tagus River —but that’s not all. There’s also the imposing Jardín del Príncipe, the royal pier, navigable canals, and centuries-old groves perfect for strolling through at any time of year.

The historic center invites you to explore arcaded squares, markets, and charming terraces where you can sample the area’s famous strawberries and asparagus. Other highlights include its bicentennial antique market, the Royal Falúas Museum—featuring historic boats—the Classical Music Festival, and the Strawberry Train, which connects the town to Madrid in the spring and fall.