13 Day Trips from Madrid By Train You MUST See

Staying in Madrid and looking for quick weekend trips? Here are the 13 best day trips from Madrid by train. 

Madrid is a gorgeous city and definitely worth a visit. However, several other cities in Spain are equally worth a visit. So, don’t limit yourself to Madrid; instead, explore more of Spain if your time and budget allow it. 

But where to go?! Here’s where I come into play. 

In this post, I’ve listed the top places near Madrid for day trips so you can explore other Spanish cities while you’re in Madrid. 

So, whether you are staying long-term in Madrid & need a break from the city, or you simply want to see another city on your trip to Madrid, I’ve got you covered with the best day trips from Madrid by train. 

This post is all about day trips from Madrid by train. 

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Day Trips from Madrid by Train

This post is strictly dedicated to day trips from Madrid by train. However, most of these destinations, if not all, are accessible via car, plane, or even bus. Riding by train is a more unique travel experience, and I highly recommend it while in Europe!

*Did you know? Europe has a highly robust railway system that allows travelers to see over 30 countries on the continent! And unlike traveling by plane, you get to see the most breathtaking scenery when traveling by train. The countryside is so beautiful, you might not ever want to travel by anything other than train. 

Now, without further ado, here are the best day trips from Madrid by train. 

1. Seville

The first day trip is to Seville, in southern Spain. If you haven’t been to southern Spain, let me tell you, it’s quite the treat. And Seville is the best place to start. 

Not only is it warmer, but the dialect is different, and the people are friendlier—all things you’d expect from the southern part of any area. I wonder why that is. 

Anyhow, Seville is an excellent option for a day trip; it has much to see and do. Plus, it’s super close to Madrid. 

How to get from Madrid to Seville by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Seville. You will arrive at Seville’s Santa Justa Station. 

Travel Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes

Ticket Cost: Prices as low as $44 and as high as $62 (USD)

Book your ticket to Seville here!

2. Toledo

Toledo is the next quick day trip from Madrid. And when I say quick, I mean fast. You can get to Toledo from Madrid in about half an hour, which is perfect for maximizing your time. 

Located in central Spain, Toledo looks like it came from ancient times. It is filled with cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and ancient landmarks. Plus, Toledo is a super affordable city, so if you’re looking for cheap day trips from Madrid, this is the place for you. 

This Spanish city will undoubtedly sweep you away with its charm, making it the perfect city to explore outside Madrid. 

How to get from Madrid to Toledo by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Toledo. 

Travel Time: 33 minutes

Ticket Cost: $16 (USD)

Book your ticket to Toledo here!

3. Ávila‎

If you’re looking for medieval cities, Ávila‎ is the place to see. This city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its well-preserved medieval walls. These walls wrap around the entire town, which travelers can see from far away. 

Other great things to do in the city include seeing the ancient churches, dining on the local cuisine, and simply relaxing in the calm atmosphere. This city is definitely your day trip if you want a more tranquil experience. 

While there aren’t many things to do in Ávila‎, it’s definitely worth visiting as a day trip. 

How to get from Madrid to Ávila‎ by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Ávila‎.

Travel Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Ticket Cost: $15 (USD)

Book your ticket to Ávila‎ here!

4. Córdoba

Next on the list of day trips from Madrid is Córdoba, another beautiful city in the south of Spain. 

Steeped deep with centuries of history, Córdoba has four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Yes, you heard that right—four! 

As you can imagine, there is a lot to see in Córdoba. In addition to the historical sites, you can expect nice warm weather, delicious food, and more!

Also, Seville is right around the corner, so you can add Seville to your Córdoba trip and make it a whole weekend trip!

How to get from Madrid to Córdoba‎ by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Córdoba‎.

Travel Time: Around 2 hours

Ticket Cost: $37 (USD)

Book your ticket to Córdoba‎ here!

5. Salamanca

Salamanca is well known for its stunning architecture and its long history. Like others on this list, Salamanca is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is perfect if you enjoy visiting these historical sites. 

The beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets add a romantic side to the city, making Salamanca an excellent option for a romantic getaway with your significant other. 

Plus, the food and wine are superb: tapas, cheeses, and curated meats. What more do you need?!

How to get from Madrid to Salamanca‎ by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Salamanca‎.

Travel Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes

Ticket Cost: $30 (USD)

Book your ticket to Salamanca‎ here!

6. Valencia

Valencia is another one of my favorite destinations in Spain. Spain itself is an exciting country to visit, but Valencia takes the cake! It offers a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else in Spain. 

If you enjoy festivals, you’ll want to attend the famous Fallas of Valencia festival, which occurs every March. The festival celebrates the coming of spring, during which time the community showcases its creativity. It’s a fun and exciting event you don’t want to miss. 

In addition to this UNESCO festival, Valencia is known as the city of arts and sciences because it has many museums specifically dedicated to these topics. 

Valencia is also the birthplace of paella. And you know if such a delicious dish came from this city, it is bound to have more delicious food. So, as you can see, Valencia has a lot to see!

How to get from Madrid to Valencia‎ by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Valencia‎.

Travel Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Ticket Cost: $21 (USD)

Book your ticket to Valencia here!

7. Barcelona

Next is my all-time favorite city in Spain (I may be biased because I used to live there) – drumroll, please…Barcelona! 

Barcelona is a bustling city with much to see and do. It boasts beautiful beaches and the gorgeous Montserrat mountains nearby. So, you get the best of both worlds here. You’ll also find stunning architecture, fascinating history, and rich culture, not to mention mouthwatering cuisine. 

So, if you’re considering a weekend trip from Madrid, Barcelona is an excellent option. 

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Barcelona, check out my two-day itinerary or list of things to do at night in Barcelona!

How to get from Madrid to Barcelona‎ by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Barcelona.

Travel Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Ticket Cost: $44 (USD)

Book your ticket to Barcelona here!

8. Segovia

Segovia is another super quick day trip from Madrid; you can reach the town in under 30 minutes. The World Heritage town is full of ancient Roman ruins, such as the aqueduct, the cathedral, the Jewish Quarter, and many other popular sites! If you’re into history, specifically Roman history, you’ll want to check out Segovia. 

And when you’re not exploring the mansions and such, you’ll want to dine on the local cuisine in Plaza Mayor.

You’ll truly feel like you stepped into a fairytale when visiting Segovia, which is quite the contrast to Madrid. 

How to get from Madrid to Segovia‎ by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Segovia.

Travel Time: 25 minutes

Ticket Cost: $16 (USD)

Book your ticket to Segovia here!

9. Cuenca

Cuenca is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, like many other cities, due to its well-preserved streets and city. 

Cuenca sits perched on a wall of rock, which gives it an otherworldly, medieval vibe right off the bat. But these Hanging Houses aren’t the only thing giving the city this vibe. You’ll also find prehistoric ruins, cobblestone streets, and ancient buildings that build on this theme. 

This beautiful Spanish town is known for its top-notch restaurants, calming squares, numerous museums, and winding rivers. So whether you visit the city for the castle ruins or old cathedrals, Cuenca will surely capture your heart. 

How to get from Madrid to Cuenca‎ by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Cuenca.

Travel Time: 54 minutes

Ticket Cost: $20 (USD)

Book your ticket to Cuenca here!

10. Aranjuez

One of the top cheap day trips from Madrid by train is Aranjuez. For less than $10, you can hop on the train to visit this gorgeous city. The town is located in central Spain, just south of Madrid. 

Aranjuez is a very laidback and chill town that offers an excellent alternative to Madrid’s more bustling culture. The city is most famous for the Palace of Aranjuez, the royal family’s vacation spot for centuries. Because of its stunning gardens, the town of Aranjuez has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

I recommend visiting Aranjuez if you want a cheap, relaxing day trip. 

How to get from Madrid to Aranjuez‎ by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Aranjuez.

Travel Time: 30 minutes

Ticket Cost: $6 (USD)

Book your ticket to Aranjuez here!

11. Granada

Next is Granada, another popular destination to visit in Spain. This city sits right at the bottom of the Sierra Nevada mountains. So, Granada is an excellent destination for you if you enjoy skiing since it is right by the mountains. 

However, Granada also has sandy beaches, making it the perfect destination to visit anytime! 

Besides these fun activities, Granada has a rich culture and a long history. The city has a strong Moorish influence, which is evident in its buildings and structures. So, there is a lot of exciting history to explore here. 

And now, maybe my favorite reason to visit Granada is that tapas are free. Yes, free! You just need to order a drink, and you will get your tapas for free. 

If that’s not enough to make you want to visit, I don’t know what is. 

How to get from Madrid to Granada‎ by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Granada.

Travel Time: 3 hours and 30 minutes

Ticket Cost: $67 (USD)

Book your ticket to Granada here!

12. Zaragoza

Another epic day trip from Madrid by train is Zaragoza, Spain’s fifth biggest city. Like other Spanish cities, this old city has a long history, being ruled by the Romans, Moors, and the Goths. Each group has left its mark on the town in some way or another. As a visitor, you can learn exactly how each group designed and influenced the city. 

Besides its rich history, Zaragoza is a vibrant Spanish city with delicious food, impressive architecture, and locals everywhere living their lives. If you enjoy observing people or examining culture, Zaragoza offers one of the best opportunities for it. 

Zaragoza is an excellent place for a weekend getaway or a day trip. Regardless of the length of your stay, you’ll have a blast!

How to get from Madrid to Zaragoza‎ by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Zaragoza.

Travel Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes 

Ticket Cost: $33 (USD)

Book your ticket to Zaragoza here!

13. Manzanares el Real Castle

Medieval castles seem to have been the theme for this post, and I’ve got one more to add: Manzanares el Real. If you enjoy visiting old castles, you’ll want to add this destination to your list of the best day trips from Madrid!

The Manzanares el Real Castle was built in the 15th century and is one of the best-preserved castles, so it’s definitely a must-see. This impressive structure was built for the Castillian military, but it ended up being the residence of the Mendoza family. You can still see furniture in the castle that dates back to the 17th century, which is super interesting. 

If you’re anything like me and enjoy learning about how people used to live centuries ago, then you won’t regret making the trip to this castle. 

How to get from Madrid to Manzanares el Real by train

Head to Madrid Atocha (Madrid Puerta de Atocha) station to catch the train to Manzanares el Real.

Travel Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes 

Ticket Cost: $33 (USD)

Book your ticket to Manzanares el Real here!

Day Trips from Madrid FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about day trips from Madrid.

What is the best coastal town near Madrid?

Spain is full of beautiful coastal towns, so choosing just one is hard. Here are a few of my favorites: Barcelona, Valencia, Sitges, San Sebastian, and Tenerife. 

What is the best area to stay when visiting Madrid?

The best area to stay in when visiting Madrid is the city center, which is near all the top attractions. Read about the best hotels in Madrid here! 

What is the number one attraction in Madrid?

The number one attraction in Madrid is the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace of Madrid). This palace is the royal family’s official residence; however, they don’t actually live there. 

The palace is HUGE, with over 3,000 rooms! So, it is quite the sight & worth the visit. 

You can grab your ticket for a guided tour here. 

Check out my Madrid itinerary if you’re looking for things to do in Madrid! 

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are several day trips from Madrid by train, each with its charm. So, whether you’re looking for an extra city to visit during your trip to Spain’s capital or merely just need a break from the bustling city, you have plenty of options. 

Regardless of where you visit, you will surely have a fantastic time!

Stay blessed, lovelies! Wishing you safe & happy travels. 

~ Jacquelyn

This post is all about day trips from Madrid by train. 

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