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Day Trips

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A valley of the Sierra Guadarram

A valley of the Sierra Guadarram

Sally Altass 2005

One of the beauties of Madrid are its mountain resorts, located a mere 55 km away from the city. This is a lovely place for madrileños, looking to escape for the weekend or for a day to relax and detox from the noise of the big city. In the mountains, you will see the charm of the pine's forests, of the high-mountains lakes, of the beautiful paths and the cows grazing quietly without wondering about their crazy cousins. If you want to spend only one day in the mountains, recommended routes are: Camino Schmidt from Puerto de Navacerrada to Puerto de la Fuenfria; from Cercedilla to Puero de la Fuenfria, from Cotos to the big lake of Peñalara or to the lake Laguna de los Pajaros. In winter, the last route is not recommended, because there is a lot of ice.

A mandatory day trip begins with visiting El Escorial, a pretty village which houses the official mausoleum of the Royal Family and the Palace of San Lorenzo. You should also visit the garden's palace: La Casita del Principe. Also near El Escorial is the majestic Valle de Los Caidos -- a monument to the victims of the Spanish Civil War and the spectacular grave of the former spanish dictator Francisco Franco.

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May 15, 2008 change by mcburton

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Toledo

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Probably the best day trip around Madrid, worth expending at least a full day around this wonderful city, capital of Spain in the middle ages, with a huge legacy that you just cannot miss.

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Aranjuez

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Aranjuez, this majestic village and Royal Site in the south of Madrid has one of the most beautiful palaces of Spain: El Palacio de Aranjuez, sorrounded by its numerous gardens like El Jardin del Principe and El Jardin del Palterre. It's a must!

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Valle de los Caidos

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Located roughly 50 miles from Madrid and only 8 miles from El Escorial, Valle de Los Caidos is a massive monument to Franco's victory in the Spanish civil war, built at his order by Republican prisoners of war. Highlights include a pine forest, a 500 foot cross (accesible by elevator), and a Basilica, which holds the tombs of Franco and Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, and the bodies of 34,000 Spaniards who died during the civil war. Because Valle de Los Caidos is so close to El Escorial, combined guided tours are readily available. For more information about Valle de more..

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address:Valle de los Caidos
tel:91-890-5611

Cercedilla

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Go to the small and beautiful village by taking the Cercanias from one of the stations in Madrid like

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La Pedriza

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This is a wonderful spot where you can enjoy original grantie sculptures. The way to reach this part of the mountain is by renting a car of taking the bus No 724 (every 30 min.) from the bus station in Plaza de Castilla. If you take the bus, you must get out in Manzanares el Real, a beautiful village with a famous castle, and then you must follow up the Manzanares river for about 3-4 km. You can also have a lunch and sleep in Giner de los Rios or in the nice and small village of Manzanares el Real.

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El Escorial

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Valle de los Caidos
Valle de los Caidos
 photo by: Haroula Spyropoulos

This is a wonderful attraction that suits many people who have different interests, and it's sure grab your attention. This is a place where you can go back in time to look upon the Spainsh kings. The statues are breathtaking; you won't believe your eyes!

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Puerto de Navacerrada

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The ski-centre

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Parque de la Pedriza

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Parque de la Pedriza is the perfect place to lose yourself in a scenic hike -- which doesn’t even start until you pass over bridges, residential houses, and an old chapel before reaching the park information center. Here you can learn about the best trails and about local plant and animal life. Parque de la Pedriza is best reserved for a day trip so plan your schedule accordingly. To get there, take the 724 bus from Plaza de Castilla. If you’re driving, take M607 to Colmenar, then take M609 toward Soto de Real. Continue driving for a few miles then take more..

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tel:91-853-9978
address:Park Information Center - Camino de la Pedriza, s/n, Manzanares el Real

Monasterio de El Paular & Lozoya Valley

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At roughly 62 miles north of Madrid, Monasterio de El Paular & Lozoya Valley makes a perfect day or overnight trip if you’re interested in spending time in a serene atmosphere and visiting unique sights. Most visitors recommend driving here, as the road trip is as scenic as the destination. The drive includes a climb towards a 6,100-foot mountain pass, views of snowcapped mountains, churches, monasteries, pine trees, brooks, and more. Lozoya Valley features lush landscapes, campgrounds, walking paths, and romantic picnic areas. If you prefer not to camp, a great hotel to more..

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tel:Educacion Ambiental Puente del Perdo: 91-869-1757.

Peñalara Natural Park

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This is a natural park in the Sierra de Guadarrama with three park offices. The details given are for the Los Cotos office.

To get to Los Cotos, you first take the Renfe Cercanias line to Cercedilla, which is given as a trip in its own right. You will have just time for a drink before taking another train. This is a special Cercanias line, narrow gauge and mainly single track. It   winds up through glorious mountain scenery (stops are by request so be sure to let the driver know if you want to get out at one) to Los Cotos. In October, 2009 the return fare from more..

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tel:+ 34 91 8520857
url:www.parquenaturalpenalara.org
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