The Madrid Region is the greatest cultural destination in the world
9 November, 2022Madrid is much more than the capital of Spain, in its surroundings lies a whole series of towns perfect for visiting to discover their history, cultural heritage, gastronomy and lifestyle. Visitors are always surprised to discover these unique destinations that have managed to maintain their rustic authenticity.
In total, there are 11 municipalities spread over different regions of the Madrid geography, with majestic Castilian castles, splendid churches, huge squares, and most of all beautiful landscapes known for their diversity: moors, countryside and plateaus, foothills, mounds and meadows; and even high mountains in Guadarrama and Somosierra.
Additionally, over the years the towns of Madrid have been building a tourist infrastructure capable of matching this range and, above all, quality, well prepared for meeting the requirements of all of its visitors, regardless of their origin and customs. Hospitality is sacred throughout the region, and it shows from the moment you arrive.
The best way of exploring the 11 towns of the Madrid Region is by using the routes that have been designed for touring them, totalling 14 kilometres and 23 hours of travel -if they were done consecutively, of course-, although individually there are all kinds of distances between 620 meters and 1.7 kilometres, depending on the town. Their duration ranges between 2 and 3 hours, apart from Patones, which is shorter.
- Route 1 - Nuevo Baztán.- 0.97 km. 2hrs. Located in the moors next to las veguillas alcarreñas lies Nuevo Baztán, a unique example of an Enlightenment city, a newly-built town dreamed up by a man ahead of his time, an industrial complex for welcoming the most qualified foreign professionals topped off by an impressive array of baroque architecture designed by Churriguera.
- Route 2 - Villarejo de Salvanés. 0.79 km. 2hrs. This town is located in the moors and forms the centre of the Vegas region, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. As the former seat of the Encomienda Mayor de Castilla, it preserves relevant buildings such as the castle of the Order of Santiago.
- Route 3 - Colmenar de Oreja. 1.7 km. 3hrs. Located in the moors of the Vegas region. Features a wide range of Castilian architecture, large farmhouses, cellars and wineries, as well as industrial style buildings collaborating in the production of wines, oils and cheeses while also offering native cuisine.
- Route 4 - Chinchon. 1.7 km. 3hrs. Among the moors of the Vegas region and an iconic tourist location of the Community of Madrid for its popular Castilian architecture including, most notably, the magnificent Plaza Mayor. It also has one of the best ranges of cuisine, with dishes such as suckling pig, kid, game meat and stews...; as well as an excellent range of locally produced wines, oils, aniseed and garlic.
- Route 5 - Navalcarnero. 1.1 km. 2hrs. Located in the countryside, amongst the hills and in the heart of Madrid wine country, surrounded by vineyards and the Guadarrama and Alberche rivers. Its wine is so important that it has its own museum as well as having a magnificent range of popular Castilian architecture and peculiar dishes such as the “olla del segador”.
- Route 6 - San Martin de Valdeiglesias. 1.6 km. 2hrs. Located in the rocky plains of the western foothills in a true green lung, the Sierra Oeste de Madrid. It preserves notable buildings such as the Castillo de la Coracera. Its high-quality wines were awarded their own subzone within the certificate of origin. Madrid wines.
- Route 7 - Manzanares el Real. 1.6 km. 2hrs. In an incomparable setting, next to the Santillana reservoir and with the impressive backdrop of La Pedriza, an imposing granite massif that forms part of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. Its magnificent castle is a masterpiece of the Castilian Renaissance, as well as being the best preserved in the Region.
- Route 8 - Rascafría. 1.4 km. 2hrs. Located in the beautiful natural area forming the Lozoya Valley, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama. It preserves one of the jewels of monastic art, Santa María de El Paular. Its surroundings provides game, mushrooms and trout, stars of local gastronomy.
- Route 9 - Buitrago de Lozoya. 1.3 km. 2hrs. Located in the foothills of Buitrago, surrounded by the slopes of the Sierra de Somosierra. It’s on a journey to the Middle Ages that we’ll discover a walled enclosure, the best preserved in Madrid, surrounding its beautiful historic centre. The local cuisine is known for its steaks and beans with black pudding.
- Route 10 - Torrelaguna. 1.2 km. 2hrs. Located in the campiña del Jarama. Both Cardinal Cisneros and Santa María de la Cabeza were born here, while San Isidro Labrador lived here. The historic centre of the town lives up to these distinguished characters, among which stands out the church of Santa María Magdalena, a jewel of Madrid's Gothic architecture.
- Route 11 - Patones. 0.62 km. 1hr. Located in a remote area between escapes, hills and mountains on the edge of the campiña del Jarama. Its buildings form the best example of the popular slate architecture of the region. It has an excellent range of hotels and restaurants for lovers of rural tourism.
Contact:
Tel: +34 91-272 34 00