Madrid is in the approximate centre of Spain, making it a convenient hub to explore the country. With many train stations and an international airport, Madrid is a great place to travel in and out of the country from, while touring to other cities and regions of Spain during your stay.
For international students, studying in Madrid offers students both the opportunity to live in the capital city, with its easy transportation, amenities and cultural events to explore, as well as being well-connected to the rest of the country. While not all the train routes are as cheap as in other European countries, most of the day trips out of Madrid are around 20 euros round trip.
Another important note is that being a student in Europe can give some great travel benefits! For example, your student transit card for Madrid is also usable on the bus to Toledo. If you are just in the city as a tourist, bus tickets are around 22 euros round trip.
Why Visit Smaller Spanish Towns?
I lived in Madrid during my third year of university. I studied at a local public university and spent my weekends exploring different part of Spain and other European countries. Through the opportunity to live here, I got to understand more about Spanish cultures, languages, and histories that are unique to the entire country and to specific regions.
Travelling to smaller urban centres, like the day trips included here, is a great way to get a better understanding of Spanish culture and history than staying in major metropolises like Madrid or Barcelona. While these cities are well-known and renowned for a reason, and I certainly recommend adding them to your itinerary, including smaller towns gives you more perspective and often gets you further from the crowds.
Madrid to Toledo
There are so many places to visit that are close to Madrid. Personally, I visited 3 cities I would consider close enough for a daytrip. The first being Toledo, a city in Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain known for its wide variety in architectural styles and history.
The city was settled in the pre-Roman era in Spain and therefore holds the history of Arab, Jewish and Christian groups that have lived in the city for centuries. Toledo is such as fascinating city. I visited it twice during my time in Madrid and there was still so much more to discover!
Madrid to Segovia
The next city I visited for a day trip was Segovia. Famous for its aqueduct, Segovia is in Castilla y León region of Spain, just northwest of Madrid. Other popular monuments include the Alcázar de Segovia and the Catedral de Segovia. All of these monuments are easily walkable within the city, which makes sightseeing easy.
Madrid to Ávila
Last but not least, Ávila. This city is also in the Castilla y León region, slightly further from Madrid. It’s only about 20 km further than Segovia, but train routes are less direct here. Ávila is known for its medieval city walls which still enclose the old city.
Additionally, Ávila is the highest provincial capital in Spain, sitting at 1132 metres above sea level. It is also known for its numerous Catholic Churches, mainly in the Romanesque and Gothic styles and for being the birthplace of St. Teresa of Ávila.
Other Popular Day Trips from Madrid
Other popular destinations near Madrid that I was not able to visit include: Cuenca in Castilla-La Mancha, El Escorial in the Comunidad de Madrid, Aranjuez also in the Comunidad de Madrid, and Salamanca in Castilla y León. Let me know your favourites in the comments!