Holidays close to home: quaint towns less than an hour’s drive from Madrid and Barcelona

Say goodbye to flight times and airport stress, and welcome to the tranquil holidays that get us close to home. Sometimes we tend to think “the farther away, the more impressive the place” and it’s not like that at all. Near Madrid and Barcelona, ​​we find true paradises that can be reached in less than an hour by car.

Proximity turns these places of our geography into ideal destinations. for a weekend getaway, to spend a different Saturday, or to make an unexpected plan (It can be a good gift to celebrate a special day with your family, friends or partner). In addition, these towns are beautiful, offer a variety of restaurants and allow us to disconnect without having to organize departure in advance.

Madrid

Cervera de Buitrago

Known as the “fishing village of Madrid”, this town is about 58 minutes’ drive from the center of the capital. It is a small town with a maritime area, because A majestic reservoir is the hero of his views.

We can explore beyond the lake traditional houses, the ‘Museum of the Senses’ and the ‘Church of Santa María de los Remedios’. ‘El Lago Restaurant Bar’, ‘Social Bar’ or ‘Mikar Bar’ complete the gastronomic offer.

Cerverahouse – one night for two

RRP 220.00 € in the boat

scraper

A little over 100 kilometers from Madrid, Rascafría Countless trails and routes for those who love long walks. In this town we find many places of interest: ‘San Andrés Apóstol Parish Church’, ‘La Casona’, ‘Serrerias Belgas’, ‘Old Casa de Postas’, ‘Puente de la Reina’ Molinos de Bartolo, Briescas y del Cubo’ and ‘ The former Los Batanes Paper Mill’.

The variety of restaurants is great, but they are featured on the tourism website. ‘Restaurant Caldea’, ‘Restaurant La Abuela’ and ‘Restaurant La Fanega de Roque’.

Hotel Rural El Valle – one night for two

RRP in the kayak €69,00

Manzanares El Real

If there are fans of impressive castles in this room, they certainly cannot help falling in love with the beauty of Manzanares El Real. This town, which We can arrive from Madrid in 48 minutes.it is a true beauty.

Manzanares el Real castle is everything we dreamed of in our childhood. (only long hair princess missing, go). A vivid portrait of the medieval world and the Renaissance. It is the best preserved in the Community of Madrid and is fully museumised.

Manzanares el Real also includes forests for hikers, a reservoir and a mountain that legend says is magical, ‘La Pedriza’. Note another detail: this town two of the major roads cross into Santiago de Compostela. “On the one hand, it is located in the northern part of the Community of Madrid (Camino de Santiago) and on the other hand it was the main town of the duke of the Mendoza family,” said the town’s tourism website.

La Pedriza accommodation – one room for two adults

RRP in kayak €72.00

Barcelona

in peratalla

Visiting Peratallada is like being transported to a fairy tale. The villa is 130 km from Barcelona. (Okay, we cheated, an hour and a half from the city but well worth it). Declared as a historical-artistic and cultural asset of national interest (BCIN), the town has a unique historical richness. Moreover, This corner is known for its substantial craft and gastronomic offer.

Peratallada retains its old feudal appearance, with narrow and winding streets, numerous entrances and exits. Great to spend a day as it is small. ‘Bar del Poble’, ‘Cala Nena’, ‘Can Bonay’ or ‘Can Nau’ are recommended restaurants.

Hostal Blau – one night for two adults

RRP in kayak €102.00

sites

Sitges is the perfect midpoint between the beauty of a fishing village and the dynamism of a big city. Located about 40 km from the Catalan capital, the town has a great reputation (among others). Striking celebration of ‘Sitges Film Festival’, ‘Jazz Antic Sitges Festival’ or LGTBIQ+ Pride Day.

Beyond these events, the town has beautiful beaches, narrow dream streets, white houses near the sea. ‘Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla’, ‘Palau Maricel’ and an imposing castle. You can go to ‘Restaurant Gastrobar Morelia Sitges’, ‘Bar Num3ric’ or ‘Casa Tecla – Gastrobar’ to fill your stomach.

Hotel Port Sitges – one night for two adults

RRP in kayak €102.00

to carton

Finally, we go to Cardona Castle, where the largest medieval fortifications in Catalonia stand out. This monument has elements typical of Romanesque and Gothic. It also houses a parador today, so Sleeping in a castle for the first time can be a great bet.

We stayed among the most exclusive restaurants. ‘The 4 Cantons’, ‘La Volta del Rector’ and ‘Les Monges’Recommended on the Cardona tourism website.

Parador de Cardona – one night for two adults

RRP €148.00 on the boat

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Photos | Cardonaturisme, Visitperatallada, turismomadrid.es, rascafria.org, cerveradebuitrago.org