Spain is one of the top holiday choices for visitors from the UK. Many tourists head to Madrid for its food, museums, and buzzing city streets, but there’s much more to discover beyond the capital. If you enjoy scenic drives, rich history, and peaceful countryside, exploring the region by car is the perfect way to see a different side of Spain. Just outside Madrid, you’ll find medieval castles, hilltop villages, rolling landscapes, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, all easy to reach with a short drive. For UK tourists looking to go beyond the usual city break, these road trips offer an unforgettable mix of culture, nature, and adventure. Let’s take a look at the best routes to inspire your next Spanish journey!
Madrid is the perfect starting point for a journey into Spain’s heartland. Just outside the city, you’ll find scenic drives leading to medieval castles, hilltop villages, and rolling countryside that public transport can’t easily reach. For visitors from the UK, renting a car offers the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Stop for photos, sample regional food, and uncover historic sites far from the typical tourist routes. Driving in Spain is straightforward, with modern roads and clear signs, and most UK tourists adapt quickly to driving on the right. With a car, the castles and countryside of central Spain are right at your fingertips, ready to turn your holiday into a real adventure.
Manzanares el Real is the perfect destination for a short but rewarding road trip from Madrid. Just 50 km from the city, it takes about 45 minutes to reach this charming town near the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. The main highlight is the Castle of Manzanares el Real, also known as the Mendoza Castle, one of the best-preserved fortresses in Spain. Built in the 15th century, the castle features elegant towers, thick stone walls, and a peaceful courtyard.
Inside, you’ll find medieval armour, antique furniture, and beautifully woven tapestries that offer a glimpse into life in ancient Spain. After exploring the castle, take a stroll around the nearby Santillana Reservoir. The views of the mountains and the castle reflecting in the water make it an excellent spot for a picnic or a relaxing coffee at a local café. This easy day trip from Madrid is a great way to experience Spain’s medieval history and natural beauty without venturing too far from the capital.
A road trip to Ávila is a must for anyone interested in history and architecture. Located 110 km west of Madrid, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach this UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its impressive medieval city walls. These walls are considered the best-preserved in Europe. They stretch for over 2.5 kilometres and include 88 towers and nine gates.
You can walk along sections of the wall for panoramic views over the old town’s rooftops. Inside the walls, you’ll find the Ávila Cathedral, Spain’s oldest Gothic cathedral, along with charming streets lined with small shops and traditional restaurants. Be sure to try Yemas de Santa Teresa, a local sweet made from egg yolks and sugar. The city is also surrounded by peaceful countryside, with rolling hills and fields of wildflowers in spring and early summer. A trip to Ávila offers a perfect combination of culture, history, and natural beauty.
Segovia is one of the most popular day trips from Madrid, and it’s easy to see why. Located about 90 km from the capital, it takes just 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach by car. The city is home to the Roman Aqueduct of Segovia, one of the best-preserved Roman structures in the world. Built nearly 2,000 years ago, the aqueduct is made entirely of granite stones, held together without cement.
Another highlight is the Alcázar of Segovia, a fairytale-like castle with a pointed tower that rises dramatically from a hilltop. The castle offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Inside, you can explore rooms filled with medieval furniture, suits of armour, and royal portraits. Segovia’s old town is also worth wandering in. The old town’s narrow streets are filled with small shops and cosy restaurants, many of which serve cochinillo asado, Segovia’s famous roast suckling pig.
Toledo is about 75 kilometres south of Madrid, and the drive takes roughly one hour. This historic city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the City of Three Cultures because it was once home to Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities living side by side in peace. Toledo is home to many historical landmarks, including the Alcázar of Toledo, a large fortress that has been transformed into a military museum. The Toledo Cathedral is another highlight, one of Spain’s most important religious buildings, known for its striking Gothic architecture and golden altars.
Walking through the streets of Toledo feels like stepping back in time. You’ll come across old synagogues, mosques, and churches standing side by side. Make sure to try mazapán, a sweet almond pastry that Toledo is famous for. The drive from Madrid is straightforward, and parking is available just outside the old town. From there, shuttle buses or escalators take you to the top of the hill, where the adventure begins. For more details on visiting this historic city, check out Experience the Rich Charm of Toledo on a Day Trip from Madrid.
Consuegra is located about 140 kilometres from Madrid, with a driving time of roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes. If you’ve read Don Quixote, you’ll recognise the famous scene where the hero mistakes windmills for giants. In Consuegra, you can visit the very windmills that inspired this iconic moment in literature. On the hill above the town, 12 white windmills stand in a row alongside the Castle of Consuegra, a medieval fortress that overlooks the wide plains of La Mancha.
The view from the top is breathtaking, especially at sunset. Some of the windmills are open to visitors, offering a look at how they were once used to grind grain. Inside the castle, you can explore ancient walls and towers, as well as a small museum that shares the history of the region. This road trip offers a chance to experience the beauty of the Spanish countryside and the romantic landscapes of La Mancha, just as described in Cervantes’ famous novel.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial is about 50 kilometres from Madrid, with a driving time of around 45 minutes. This short trip takes you to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, a monumental building constructed in the 16th century under the orders of King Philip II. El Escorial is more than just a monastery. It serves as a royal palace, library, and royal tomb, all under one roof.
The structure is large and square, with grey granite walls and an architectural stle that is simple yet impressive. Inside, you’ll find valuable art collections, religious relics, and the burial site of many Spanish kings and queens. After exploring the monastery, you can enjoy the peaceful surrounding countryside, with its mountain views and pine forests. It’s an ideal spot for a relaxing walk to end your visit.
Cuenca is located about 170 kilometres east of Madrid, with a drive of around two hours. This medieval town is best known for its remarkable Hanging Houses, or Casas Colgadas. These historic homes are built right on the edge of a cliff, with wooden balconies that extend over the Huécar River Gorge. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cuenca offers a unique mix of dramatic architecture and rich cultural history.
Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich historical charm. As you walk through its cobbled streets, you’ll come across ancient churches, traditional houses, and small museums that showcase the town’s past. One of the most unique attractions is the Museum of Abstract Art, set inside one of the famous Hanging Houses. Here, you can experience a blend of centuries-old architecture and contemporary art under one roof. Beyond the town, you can explore the Serranía de Cuenca Natural Park, a landscape of pine forests, rivers, and striking rock formations. This road trip is ideal for adventurous travellers looking to combine cultural discovery with natural beauty.
If you’re also planning to spend time in the capital before your road trips, take a look at Ten Unforgettable Attractions in Madrid for First-Time Visitors for ideas on what to see and do in the city.
Spain has a sunny climate, but summers can get very hot, especially in the centre of the country. For road trips, the best time to travel is in spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November). During these seasons, the temperatures are mild, the countryside is green, and the skies are usually clear. Driving is more comfortable, and you won’t have to worry about extreme heat.
Renting a car is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to explore Spain beyond the typical tourist areas. With your vehicle, you can reach castles, hilltop villages, and beautiful countryside spots that are often inaccessible by bus or train. Final Rentals makes car hire simple, with a wide range of options available in Madrid and across Spain. Once you have your rental car ready, it’s time to hit the road. Here are some of the best road trips from Madrid to start your adventure:
For more helpful advice on driving in Spain, check out Essential Car Rental Tips for First-Time Drivers in Spain.
A road trip around Madrid is one of the best ways for British travellers to see more of Spain. From medieval castles to charming villages and breathtaking countryside, you’ll experience parts of Spain that many tourists miss. By choosing to rent a car, you can explore at your own pace, stop for local food, and take photos whenever you like. Whether you have a weekend or a whole week, these road trips offer something for everyone. Ready to start your adventure? Rent a car in Spain with Final Rentals today and discover the castles and countryside around Madrid for yourself!
