The most beautiful villages close to Madrid

Make the most of these hot days to escape the stress of the city and visit some of the most beautiful villages close to Madrid, perfect for a getaway.

El Escorial

In this case, we have taken the term “village” rather loosely, but no list of Madrid getaways can be complete without El Escorial or Alcalá de Henares, right?

Without a doubt, San Lorenzo del Escorial is one of the must-visits you cannot miss in the region. The monumentality of its Monastery has earned it the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. And no wonder, since it was Philip II’s wish to build there the most glorious building possible.

Take advantage of the visit and explore also the village, a perfect symbiosis between urbanism and nature. This also serves as a perfect starting point for a lot of excursions in the mountains.

In addition, if you are a curious person, you will be surprised by the amount of mysteries and legends hidden in its streets.

Aranjuez

It is known as the “Spanish Versailles” thanks to its impressive palace and spectacular gardens, which have earned it the title of World Heritage Site.

This Royal Site was Philip II’s favorite place to escape from Madrid and spend long periods of rest in spring and summer. Its privileged location between the banks of the Tagus and the Jarama and its huge gardens made it an oasis of freshness and tranquility.

Chinchón

The Plaza Mayor of Chinchón can boast of being one of the most beautiful in Spain. It is no coincidence that it was used as a stage for all kinds of shows: comedy corral, royal festivals, bullfighting arena and even film set for several movies.

A town anchored in the past that, with barely five thousand inhabitants, attracts more than three hundred thousand visitors every year. Walk through its streets and discover its tower without a church and its church without a tower and many other curiosities and stories that this town is eager to show you.

Did you know that Chinchón is one of only two towns in the Community of Madrid that belong to the network of The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain?

Manzanares el Real

Located at the foot of La Pedriza, Manzanares el Real hides the best preserved castle in the Community of Madrid. The views of this 15th century Mudejar fortress at the foot of the Santillana reservoir are undoubtedly one of the most photographable spots in the region.

And, if you are looking for activities in the middle of nature, Manzanares el Real is also an unbeatable enclave for climbing and hiking.

Patones de Arriba

Patones de arriba has become one of the most visited municipalities in the region by rural tourism lovers. It is striking for its slate buildings, with gray or bluish tones that have earned the villages in this area the name of black villages.

It is worthwhile to escape to this village and stroll through its streets, discovering its houses decorated with flowers, and thus understand why it is considered one of the most charming villages in Spain.

Alcalá de Henares

Alcalá de Henares, just 30 kilometers from the center of Madrid, is still a destination on the bucket list of many locals and visitors.

It is one of those perfect places to stroll around, explore its squares and cobblestone streets, have some tapas in its Calle Mayor and discover its university atmosphere.

Its university is one of the oldest in Spain. In addition, you have the opportunity to visit one of the few corrales de comedias still in use.

Did you know that the Complutense University was originally the University of Alcalá and not the University of Madrid? The gentilicio complutense refers to Alcalá, as it derives from its Latin name “Complutum”.

Buitrago de Lozoya

Located at the foot of the mountains, Buitrago is undoubtedly one of the most monumental villages in the region thanks to its perfectly preserved wall of Muslim origin. This is the only complete walled enclosure that we have preserved in our surroundings!

The Lozoya river surrounding the village is one of the most impressive views we can find. In addition, many people are surprised to discover that Buitrago houses a Picasso Museum, with more than 60 works by the artist from Malaga.

Let us know what you think of these destinations and if there are any you recommend that are missing from this list of the most beautiful villages close to Madrid. Discover with us the secrets of Madrid and its surroundings!