No bad date. No month of the year is a bad option to escape a few kilometers from the capital and visit the most beautiful villages of Madrid. In winter, the excuse is to see the snow; and in summer, to escape the heat. In both cases it is a more than wonderful opportunity to make a weekend getaway and take advantage of eating at one of the many (and good) restaurants that are in the Sierra. The region has beautiful villages where you can disconnect from stress, so we suggest some getaways near Madrid.
1. Buitrago de Lozoya
Buitrago de Lozoya is a medieval village in the purest Lord of the Ringsstyle. It is surrounded by a wall and the sunsets from its castle are beautiful for a romantic plan. And if you like mysteries, rumor has it that there is a haunted house. The Buitrago del Lozoya Town Hall also has a museum that collects the works that Pablo Picasso gave to his hairdresser. A village near Madrid, perfect for a kayak excursion or by bike in the surroundings.
2. Chinchón
Aniseed, plaza and inn. His saying fits him like a glove. Strolling through its main square your mouth waters with all the places you find to eat or to buy friar’s balls or novice’s tits. Chinchón is so spectacular that it has not even escaped from the eyes of Wes Anderson who filmed the movie Asteroid Cityin this iconic town.
3. Manzanares el real
Manzanares el Real has one of the great architectural jewels of the Community of Madrid: the New Castle of the Mendoza family. It was built in 1475. It is named for having been the residence of the Mendoza family, one of the most powerful families during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The guide Lonely Planet includes it as one of the most spectacular in Spain. Its interior features a Gothic gallery on the second floor and, on the exterior, in an excellent state of preservation, its four towers, battlements, machicolations and arrow slits, which offer impressive views.
This town in the upper basin of the Manzanares also takes care of its privileged natural environment. It is the gateway to La Pedriza, which is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and one of the great enclaves for hikers in Madrid.
4. Rascafría
Rascafría is an ideal destination because of its hiking trails. The town’s name water is understood when you come into contact with its waters, but the route is ideal to disconnect from the bustle of the capital and enjoy the scenery, so any time of year is good to visit.
5. Puebla de la Sierra
The road to Puebla de la Sierra already prepares you for the peace and relaxation that is experienced there (although it is not suitable for those who get dizzy during travel). You may run out of coverage, but it’s an ideal place to go rural sightseeing and soak up the Verde of the landscape. It has barely seventy inhabitants and walking its streets could well be understood as an antithesis of Madrid.
6. Roblelacasa
Although Roblelacasa belongs to Guadalajara, it is not far from other villages in the north of the region such as La Hiruela. Hobbits seem to be coming out of their houses at any moment. There are no bars orstores, so you must be prepared to go on one of its spectacular routes, which lead to the aljibe waterfall with pools where you can take a bath if the weather permits.
7. Patones de arriba
The black architecture and the enviable enclave make the Patones de Arriba in one of the most spectacular villages in the whole region of Madrid. This village in the Sierra Norte de Madrid was for many years a place where time did not even pass by. The situation changed when it was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and it automatically became what it already was: the most beautiful village in Madrid.
8. Cercedilla
Cercedilla is another of those towns where time seems to stand still. Its train station is a clear example. There are a lot of routes that are very easy to do, so after tasting their meats there is no excuse not to choose one of them. The best part? That it can be reached in the vicinity with the C-8 line. It is one of those towns near Madrid perfect for a getaway.
9. San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Although it may seem 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 the most beautiful libraries in Madrid. It is also a good opportunity to discover the town of El Escorial, which has some gems from the 18th century, such as the Royal Coliseum of Charles III and the cafe of the same theater. As if you were in a movie: a perfect romantic getaway.
10. Talamanca del Jarama
Talamanca del Jarama holds some of the most important jewels of Romanesque architecture in the Community of Madrid. Undoubtedly this is one of the most beautiful villages near the capital of what is known as Campiña del Henares, on the border with Castilla-La Mancha.
Among its five monuments declared of cultural interest are the Romanesque apse of the parish church of San Juan Bautista and the Roman bridge over the Caz stream.
11. Horcajuelo de la Sierra
Horcajuelo is a small village in the Sierra del Rincón -along with the next one, La Hiruela- is surrounded by the Montejo beech forest. It is one of the southernmost beech forests in all of Europe and a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site since 2017. Due to the uniqueness of the forest, the views of the beech forest itself are limited and are always free and guided by Environmental Educators.
50% of the visitor passes are available through online pre-booking. The other 50% are kept to be purchased in person, delivered on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the visit and can be purchased until sold out at the General Info Center of the Biosphere Reserve of the Sierra del Rincón (Calle Real 64, Montejo de la Sierra).
12. La Hiruela
Anchored in the heart of the Sierra del Rincón and listed as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve la Hiruela has the charm of the stone villages of the Sierra. Its landscape of dark brown houses, made of stone and wood, are the antithesis of the whitewashed walls of the south: perfect to visit on a couple’s getaway.
The Biosphere Reserve Sierra del Rincón is formed by a mountainous territory located between the massifs of Ayllón and Somosierra. A 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.
13. El Berrueco
In Madrid you can’t have a house with sea views, but you can overlook a reservoir and El Berrueco is one of those villages in the Community of Madrid where you can make this cliché come true. On the banks of the Atazar is this village surrounded by crags and berroqueñas stones, from which it takes its name. In addition to strolling through the village and visit the Torrepedrera Watchtower or the Church of Santo Tomás Apóstol, and of course, enjoy the surroundings that are an extension of the Sierra de la Cabrera, here you should visit the Water Museum, taking advantage of the dam of the reservoir.
14. Navalcarnero
Less than an hour away from the city, there is a very Castilian destination where enjoy a good wine. Navalcarnero belongs to the Denomination of Origin of Wines of Madrid and it is not surprising that it is surrounded by vineyards and wineries.
Among the curious history of this town of cobblestone streets with colorful facades is the wedding of Philip IV with his niece, the Archduchess Mariana of Austria.
15. Torrelaguna
In the middle valley of the Jarama, bordering Guadalajara, is Torrelaguna. This town is one of those that gives reason to the name of this medium, because it is not understood how it does not attract the same tourism as Chinchón or other better known towns. Its history could be like that of almost all Castilian towns, Muslims, Christians and Frenchmen who razed the convents in the War of Independence have passed through it, but here was born someone who would change the history of Spain: Cardinal Cisneros.
16. Villarejo de Salvanés
Villarejo de Salvanes is located between the Tajo and Tajuñas rivers, about 50 km from Madrid city. This village was founded by the Military Order of Santiago in the 13th century and its main attraction, the tower, is the only thing that remains of the group of military buildings that were built to reconquer the area from the Muslims. The building continued to belong to another military order, Encomienda Mayor de Castilla, until the 19th century. The Casa de la Tercia, which had the same owners, is another good example of 16th century Castilian architecture.
Another curiosity of Villarejo is that here is the first museum in Spain dedicated to cinema.
This made the town prosper and now we can enjoy one of the few Gothic and Renaissance churches in the Community of Madrid, palatial houses from different centuries, a house of culture that was a hospital, mosque and synagogue, alhóndiga and a town hall founded by Cisneros.