Cuenca
Famous for its dramatic cliffs and hanging houses (Casas Colgadas), Cuenca is a picturesque hilltop city with a beautiful old town, cosy bars, and a strong art scene, including the Museum of Abstract Art. The views over the gorges are truly unforgettable, especially from the San Pablo Bridge if you can brave it!
- How to get there: High-speed trains from Madrid to Cuenca Fernando Zóbel. With AVE, OUIGO, or Iryo takes 1 hour and usually costs anywhere from €7.50 to €20 one way, depending on time. Alternatively, the bus from Estación Sur de Autobuses (Méndez Álvaro) takes 2h 30m but is usually cheaper.
Renfe information (Madrid, Chamartín or Atocha to Cuenca Fernando Zóbel)
Segovia
A UNESCO World Heritage city, Segovia is known for its stunning Roman aqueduct, fairy-tale Alcázar castle, and magnificent Gothic cathedral.
- How to get there: The high-speed AVANT train from Madrid Chamartín to Segovia takes 28 minutes and costs €8 and up, usually €12-15, or again the bus from Moncloa is cheaper but less frequent and takes 1 hour 20 minutes. With the latter, you end up right in the centre of Segovia while the train takes you just outside so you need to catch a short shuttle at the other end.
Renfe information (Madrid, Chamartín to Segovia Guiomar)
Toledo
Toledo is a medieval city of narrow alleys and historic layers perched above the Tagus River where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish heritage intertwine. Landmarks like the Toledo Cathedral and El Greco Museum are definitely worth a visit.
- How to get there: Renfe’s AVANT high-speed train from Atocha to Toledo takes around 30-35 minutes and usually costs around €13 each way but varies depending on day, time etc. There is also a bus from Plaza Elíptica which takes 1 hour and costs just €6.
Renfe information (Madrid, Atocha to Toledo)
Patones de Arriba
A picturesque mountain village in the Sierra Norte known for its slate architecture, narrow winding streets, and peaceful atmosphere. It’s fairytale-like most of the year and great to do short hikes around it and then enjoy its terraces afterwards.
- How to get there: 197 bus from Plaza de Castilla to Patones and then a 30-minute walk up to Patones de Arriba. Takes 1 hour 30 minutes roughly, the bus costs around €5 but you’ll need cash for the bus ticket.
Bus 197 Schedule (Madrid, Plaza Castilla to Patones)
Chinchón
Famous for its unique plaza, Chinchón offers a mix of medieval charm, historic buildings and culinary delights just 45 minutes from Madrid. A top tip is to have lunch or dinner in Mesón Cuevas del Vino before or after enjoying a few glasses of wine in its cave bars below.
- How to get there: 337 bus from Conde Casal. Takes around 50 minutes and costs around €5, you’ll need cash for the bus ticket.
Bus 337 Schedule (Madrid, Avenida Mediterráneo to Chinchón)
Hiking from Manzanares el Real
Best known for its well-preserved medieval castle, this town also sits near the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and offers scenic trails through stunning granite landscapes, rock climbing in La Pedriza, and a picturesque reservoir along with various waterfalls and watering holes.
For a good hiking route walk from the bus stop to La Pedriza up via La Tortuga and head to the general area of La Charca Verde. There are plenty of places in Manzanares el Real to stop for a well-deserved drink afterwards.
- How to get there: 724 bus from Plaza Castilla to Manzanares. Takes 45 minutes, comes hourly, costs around €5, and you’ll need cash for the bus ticket.
Bus 724 Schedule (Madrid, Plaza Castilla to Manzanares el Real)
Hiking from Navacerrada (or skiing)
Navacerrada is a mountain town in the Sierra de Guadarrama, popular for skiing in winter thanks to its nearby ski resort. The town is nice for drinks and food but it’s the ski resort you want to head to and then hike from the Camino Schmid.
- How to get there: Take the 691 bus from Moncloa to the Estación de Esquí Puerto de Navacerrada. Takes just under 1 hour and goes every hour. Costs around €5, you’ll need cash for the bus ticket.
Bus 691 Schedule (Madrid, Moncloa to Puerto de Navacerrada)
Hiking from Cercedilla
Cercedilla is another quaint mountain village nestled in the Sierra de Guadarrama. It’s a gateway to scenic trails, with the Siete Picos hike being one of the most iconic routes. This moderately challenging trail leads through pine forests to seven distinct peaks, offering stunning panoramic views of the Madrid mountains—perfect for hikers, nature lovers, and day-trippers looking for fresh air and adventure.
- How to get there: Take the Cercanías Renfe C-8 train from Chamartín to Cercedilla which comes every hour and takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. It costs €5–€8, you buy tickets online, via the app or by machines at the station.
Cercanías Renfe C-8 train schedule (Madrid, Chamartín to Cercedilla)
Pantano de San Juan
Pantano de San Juan is a large reservoir west of Madrid offering a popular summer escape for swimming, kayaking, boating, and sunbathing. Often called “Madrid’s beach”, it provides some aquatic respite in Madrid’s sweltering summer but is a great place to explore whether you’re happy to take a dip or not. A handful of bars dotted around are also great places to kick back with a drink before you head for the last bus back!
- How to get there: 551 bus from Príncipe Pío to Martín de Valdeiglesia. Takes around an hour and a half, comes every 10-15 minutes and costs around €6 which you’ll need to pay in cash.
Bus 551 Schedule (Madrid, Príncipe Pío to Martín de Valdeiglesia)
Cascadas del Hervidero
Cascadas del Hervidero is a superb hidden natural spot one hour into the Sierra Norte de Madrid near the village of San Agustín del Guadalix. After an hour-long bus journey, a short scenic walk takes you along the Guadalix River under shaded elm trees before arriving at a wonderful two-tiered waterfall.
After walking down several steep stone steps you’re presented with crystal-clear pools, framed by mossy rocks and towering trees. It’s a perfect spot to rest and cool off ideal for a day’s escape from Madrid’s urban rhythm. On hot days it is a refuge for many so climbing up around the left of the waterfalls and up around above them you will find more space to relax away from crowds.
- How to get there: take bus 191 or 193 from the underground Intercambiador de Plaza de Castilla to San Agustín del Guadalix and then look for signs to the Ruta de las Cascadas and follow the river.
Bus 191 Schedule (Madrid, Plaza de Castilla to San Agustín del Guadalix)
El Anillo Verde
The Anillo Verde (Green Ring) is a roughly 65-70 km (40+ mile) loop that encircles Madrid, offering cyclists and pedestrians a scenic, mostly flat route through parks, residential areas, and green corridors. Designed to connect the city’s outskirts while promoting eco-friendly mobility, the path is well-paved and mostly separate from road traffic. It’s a great way to explore lesser-seen parts of Madrid while enjoying nature, urban views, and rest stops along the way.
- The route can be found here:
https://pedalibre.org/moverse-con-bici-en-madrid/anillo-verde-ciclista/
You can begin anywhere on the loop and do it either clockwise or counter-clockwise, but common starting points are along the Madrid Río around Casa de Campo.
A good place to start, especially if you’re renting, is from Príncipe Pío. You can rent bikes from My Bike Rio.