Even though we all love living in Madrid, sometimes getting away from the city for the weekend is a great way of disconnecting from our routine and recharging batteries. But… where can we go? In this post we will tell you about some rural escapes close to Madrid that are definitely worth visiting. Start planning a different weekend and check out our recommendations…

Sierra de Guadarrama

It is about 80km long and the perfect place to spend a nice day out hiking or having a picnic. There are several routes you can follow, depending on what you want to do and the surroundings are incredibly beautiful. It is located at the Southeast of Segovia, which means that it’s close to Madrid! Why not plan a different weekend with your family or friends? Some of the places you should visit here include “Manzanares del Real” and “La Pedriza”. You won’t regret it!

How to get there

From Madrid, you can get to Sierra de Guadarrama via bus or train. Bus: take line 691 from Moncloa to Valdesquí. Train: first take line C8 from Chamartín to Cercedilla. There are some gorgeous hiking trails there. You can also go Cotos from Cercedilla via line C9 – from there, it’s walking distance to Sierra de Guadarrama. Great for warming up!

Sierra de Gredos

This beautiful mountain range is located between Ávila, Cáceres, Madrid and Toledo and it has been declared a natural park by the Autonomous Community of Castile and León. It is a great place to visit if you like exploring nature and walking around, since there are many routes for you to enjoy and make the most of Spain’s beautiful geography. One of the most popular ones is “La ruta de las 5 lagunas”.

How to get there

The fastest (and most affordable) way to get there by public transport is the bus. From Méndez Álvaro, there is a bus (line 801 and 802) to the foot of the range every three hours, which will cost you between €10 and €14. That takes approximately 2 hours. If you wanted to head to the center, you can take a taxi to the center for around €15.

Patones 

Located at the northeast of Madrid, Patones is a small medieval town famous for its olive groves, legends and rich history. It is divided into two different zones: Patones de Arriba y Patones de Abajo and these are joined by the senda ecológica “El Barrabco”, which is a must while you are there. We also recommend you visit the “Cueva del Reguerillo” and the “Pontón de la Oliva”. You’ll enjoy every moment of it!

How to get there

The fastest way to get to Patones is by bus. From Plaza de Castilla, take line 197. From there, it will take around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.

El Hayedo de Montejo

Located in Montejo de la Sierra, this is the only beech forest in Madrid and you can visit it for free! There are three different routes for you to get to know the place and not miss a thing: “Senda del Río”, “Senda de la Ladera” and “Senda del Mirador”.

How to get there

From Plaza de Castilla, take bus line 191 to Avenida Madrid. This will take up to an hour. From there change to line 911 or 191C to Montejo de la Sierra.

Have you visited any other rural places near Madrid? We want to hear about them! Follow us on Facebook and leave us a comment with your suggestion!