https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/madrid/best-things-to-do/10070000378091
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Madrid [2025]
Show All Photos
Cathedral of Toledo
4.8
/5
188 reviews
7.8
Based on 9,943 reviews
Toledo City Center | 67.9 km from downtown
Phone +34925222241
Address: Calle Cardenal Cisneros, 1, 45002 Toledo, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
88 stone columns & choir
Magnificent Gothic & Mudéjar church
43% positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
Toledo is an ancient Spanish city, located 70 kilometers south of Madrid. The city has a long history and was once the capital of Spain. Its architecture combines Gothic, Moorish, Baroque and other styles. Toledo was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1987 for its rich historical and cultural heritage and unique urban style.
🚗 Transportation Guide
There are three main modes of transportation from Madrid to the ancient city of Toledo:
1️⃣Train: From Madrid Atocha Railway Station, it takes about 30 minutes to reach Toledo Railway Station, and the ticket price is €10. Then walk to the old town in 20 minutes.
2️⃣Bus: Take the subway to Plaza Eliptica, transfer to the ALSA bus directly to TOLEDO, the round-trip fare is about 9.6 euros, and the one-way trip takes 50 minutes. The bus time will vary depending on traffic conditions, but it usually takes about 1 hour.
3️⃣Group tour: It is very worry-free to have a Chinese tour guide
🏰 Main attractions
⭐️Toledo Cathedral 💒
Ticket: €10
Opening hours: 10:00-18:40 in spring and summer, 10:00-17:40 in autumn and winter
The exterior architectural scenery is beautiful, and it is a good place to take photos and check in.
⭐️Toledo Castle (Alcázar de Toledo) 🏰
The castle combines Moorish, Visigothic and Christian styles, and is a microcosm of Toledo's history. The appearance is unique. Although the city wall has been damaged due to historical reasons, it is still worth seeing after reconstruction.
⭐️Mirador Del Valle 🌄
Walk to the observation deck to take a panoramic view of the ancient city.
Going down the mountain road, you can walk across the Puente de Alcántara and return to the ancient city.
⭐️Statue of Cervantes
The author of Don Quixote, lived here many times in his life, and some scenes in the novel were also taken from here
💰Souvenirs
1️⃣Double-headed eagle-shaped refrigerator magnet/keychain
The double-headed eagle is the city emblem here. You can't see it anywhere else after you come out of here. It has commemorative significance
2️⃣Malaysian leather and gold wire inlaid jewelry
The jewelry with black background and gold decoration is very beautiful. The price will double when you leave here, and there are not many styles. I regret not buying it
3️⃣Knife
The prototype of the Swiss Army Knife comes from Spain. There are many shops here that sell knives with unique styles. Remember to put it in the checked luggage after buying it
🌟 Visit the stunning cathedral in Toledo, Spain! 🕍
The Cathedral of Toledo (Catedral de Toledo) is a gem of this historic city that every traveler should experience in person. Not only does it have a magnificent Gothic building, but the interior is also ornately decorated and houses many art treasures.
✨ **How to get there:**
1. **Public transportation**: Take the train (Renfe) from Madrid for about 30 minutes. Once you arrive in Toledo, you can walk to the cathedral.
2. **Self-driving**: From Madrid, take the A-42 highway for about an hour. There is a parking lot.
🎟️ **Ticket information**:
Adult tickets are about €12, and students and seniors enjoy discounts. It is worth booking online in advance to avoid queuing!
💬 **My review**:
The Cathedral of Toledo is not only a model of architectural art, but also a great place to experience Spanish history and culture. Whether it is the detailed carvings or the stained glass windows, I am amazed! Highly recommended to every tourist to Toledo! If you want to learn more about the history of the cathedral, you can download the Toledo Cathedral app from the Google Store, which contains a detailed introduction.
#ToledoCathedral #SpanishTravel #CulturalHeritage #TravelRecommendations
Show All Photos
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
4.4
/5
206 reviews
7.8
Based on 29,469 reviews
Cordoba Old Town | >100 km from downtown
Phone +34957470512
Address: C. Cardenal Herrero, º 1, Centro, 14003 Córdoba, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Panoramic city view from minaret
Climb tower & view Córdoba
37% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The experience here is really shocking and worth a visit! However, it is recommended to make a plan in advance to make the trip smoother. If you choose to go there in summer, it is best to finish the tour before 2 pm, otherwise the afternoon heat will be too hot to bear~
Morocco was closed due to strong winds in the Strait of Gibraltar. We didn't go to Cordoba. There was nothing amazing here, but it was a good place to check in. The Cordoba Mosque is unique in architecture, and the red and white arc is impressive. We stayed in Seville for 4 days and took 3 one-day tours.
Show All Photos
Alcázar of Segovia
4.7
/5
178 reviews
7.5
From OMR 3.240
Based on 6,335 reviews
69.7 km from downtown
Phone +34921210515
Address: Pl. Reina Victoria Eugenia, s/n, 40003 Segovia, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
City & countryside views from tower
Segovia views from the tower
Saved by 100 users43% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It's actually quite nice to take pictures from below. I took a taxi directly up there so I didn't take any pictures. The taxi was 5 euros. The exterior is different from the other ones. Isabella I was crowned/held her wedding here. Remember to go to the tower last because you can exit directly after going down from the tower.
One of the best activities that I love to do in Segovia . Soo lovely
No.
4
Show All Photos
Old Town of Toledo
4.4
/5
38 reviews
7.4
Based on 1,844 reviews
Toledo City Center | 68.1 km from downtown
Phone +34925220843
Address: Toledo, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 day
Highlights:
View Carlos V Palace tower
90-meter bell tower view
64% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I drove from Madrid to Cordoba and visited the ancient city. Due to time constraints, I only visited the cathedral, the San Martin Bridge, and the observation deck. This ancient city is still worth a day to visit.
The old city known as “El casco” is beautiful. Prepare to get a good leg workout goin from one attraction to the other one as you’ll be climbing up and down all your journey.
No.
5
Show All Photos
Catedral de Segovia
4.5
/5
99 reviews
6.8
From OMR 1.800
Based on 3,620 reviews
69.1 km from downtown
Phone +34921462205
Address: C. Marqués del Arco, 1, 40001 Segovia, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Panoramic view of Segovia
Queen Isabella crowned here
32% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Segovia Cathedral, which stands at the highest point of the ancient city of Segovia, has won the reputation of "the lady of the church" for its graceful and elegant shape.
In 1520, the old Romanesque church on the original site was burned down in the war; during the reign of Carlos V, the construction of the new church began in 1525 and took nearly 200 years to complete.
As the latest Gothic church built in Spain, the Segovia Cathedral is a classic of late Gothic architecture. The 88-meter-high Byzantine bell tower pierces the sky, the Romanesque arch is magnificent, the Gothic spire towers are scattered, and the towering main tower and the numerous small spires are set off, which makes the "lady" look more beautiful... In the Plaza Mayor in front of the church, enthusiastic tourists took photos with the cathedral as the background.
The capital of Segovia Province in the autonomous region of Castile and León, it is located north of the capital Madrid and can be reached in 35 minutes by high-speed train. The population is about 55,000. Its old town and aqueduct are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
No.
6
Show All Photos
Segovia Aqueduct
4.6
/5
167 reviews
6.5
Based on 9,930 reviews
68.6 km from downtown
Phone +34921466720
Address: Pl. Azoguejo, 1, 40001 Segovia, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Segovia Castle & city panorama
Ancient Roman wonder of granite
32% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The most iconic and well-known landscape in Segovia, Spain, is the "Ancient Roman Aqueduct".
During the reign of Emperor Trajan of Ancient Rome (53-117 AD), in order to bring the water of the Frio River 18 kilometers away into the city of Segovia, the method of digging a canal and building an aqueduct was adopted to bring water into the city. The aqueduct, with a total length of 813 meters, is made of dry masonry (without mortar) of khaki granite, which is extremely solid and magnificent.
The aqueduct is 813 meters long, and 128 towering columns support 148 double-layer arches. The top of the trough is a water channel, which is more than 30 meters above the ground; the initial cross-section standard is 30X30cm, which was repaired and enlarged at the end of the 15th century, and was converted into a cement trough around 1930, and has been maintained and used ever since.
The aqueduct has become the city symbol of Segovia. The city emblem and flag of Segovia, the image of the aqueduct are in the center. In 1985, the ancient city of Segovia and the ancient Roman aqueduct were listed as world cultural heritage.
Today, the aqueduct stands at the southern end of the core tourist area of the ancient city of Segovia; the south side is the parking lot (vehicles are not allowed to enter the core tourist area), and the north side is the large square and the tourist center.
The bustling tourists coming and going, looking up and queuing up to take pictures, are all impressed by the unique and beautiful scenery.
very grand and tall aqueduct. there are many good ice cream and dessert places around
No.
7
Show All Photos
Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs
4.3
/5
99 reviews
6.5
Based on 8,352 reviews
Cordoba Old Town | >100 km from downtown
Phone +34957485001
Address: C. Caballerizas Reales, s/n, Centro, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Courtyard & garden with walls
Royal palace's unique charm
25% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs in Córdoba is a historic gem, blending Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance influences. Its stunning gardens, imposing towers, and rich history make it a must-visit. Once a royal residence and tribunal for the Spanish Inquisition, it now offers breathtaking views and fascinating artifacts. The mosaics and Roman ruins inside add to its charm. A perfect spot for history lovers and photographers alike, this landmark is a testament to Spain’s layered past. Highly re
The ruins of the Royal Palace of Cordoba are very beautiful. It is one of the distinctive attractions and a good choice. The architecture is exquisite and elegant, the style is unique and charming, and it is very interesting. It is a good place for taking pictures and a good choice.
No.
8
Show All Photos
Roman Bridge of Córdoba
4.5
/5
103 reviews
5.9
Based on 4,787 reviews
Cordoba Old Town | >100 km from downtown
Phone +34957499900
Address: Av. del Alcázar, s/n, Sur, 14009 Córdoba, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Scenic view & historical connection
Mosque & bridge's radiant harmony
31% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Roman Bridge, an ancient and striking landmark of Cordoba, spans the Guadalquivir River and connects the old and new city. The 238-meter-long and 16-meter-wide 16-hole stone arch bridge was first built in the Roman era (around the 1st century AD), and was expanded in the Moorish era (after the 8th century AD) to form its current size. It was repaired many times from the 13th to the 19th century and is still in use today.
Wandering along the river, looking from afar - the old and strong stone bridge and the elegant and majestic skyline of the old city on the north bank complement each other; looking closely - the bridge piers and arches retain the marks of a thousand years, demonstrating the wisdom of our ancestors (the water-facing side of the bridge piers is pointed and the back-water side is round, which not only reduces the impact of the river on the bridge piers, but also slows down the erosion of the riverbed by the water flow).
Strolling across the bridge, the square stone slab bridge deck and solid concrete bridge railings are 80% new; in the middle of the bridge, the white statue of the patron saint of Cordoba - the Angel of Saint Raphael is enshrined, which is also a sight.
The ancient Roman bridge at sunset is one of the most beautiful views in Cordoba. The ancient bridge has a history of more than 2,000 years and has witnessed the changes of this ancient city of Cordoba. The sculpture on the bridge is the patron saint of Cordoba, the Archangel St. Raphael.
No.
9
Show All Photos
Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar
4.7
/5
66 reviews
5.8
Based on 8,179 reviews
Old Town | >100 km from downtown
Phone +34976397497
Address: Plaza del Pilar, s/n, Casco Antiguo, 50003 Zaragoza, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
Highlights:
Panoramic Zaragoza view from tower
Virgin Mary pillar in chapel
39% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the core area of the city and the most important cathedral in the city. It has a very important status and history. You can apply to visit the interior of the church, which is full of sculptures and artistic structures, which is very good.
Like many churches in Spain, the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar has undergone reconstruction and expansion in different periods and styles to eventually form the current Baroque art treasure with 11 domes and 4 high towers.
No.
10
Show All Photos
Calleja de las Flores
4.5
/5
108 reviews
5.6
Based on 1,775 reviews
Cordoba Old Town | >100 km from downtown
Phone +34902201774
Address: Calleja de las Flores, 1, Centro, 14003 Córdoba, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Visit for floral decorations
Unique view of Alhambra Palace
Verified user reviews
In Cordoba, a southern city in Spain, there are many streets and alleys with blooming flowers, and the most famous one is the Alley of Flowers.
The alleys around the Great Mosque are densely packed and winding. From the main road outside the north wall of the Great Mosque, walk into an alley for nearly 50 meters to find the entrance of the Alley of Flowers.
The alley is about 1.5 meters wide and less than 100 meters long, with residential courtyards on both sides lined up; at the end of the alley is a rectangular square (the alley is a dead end), surrounded by exquisite and gorgeous souvenir shops.
Compared with many nearby alleys, the scenery is similar but different.
Same - white walls stand across the alley, rows of blue pots hang against the wall, and clusters of flowers bloom gorgeously.
Different - walk into the depths of the alley, look back and see the beauty of the tower of the Great Mosque between the swaying flowers, revealing the heroic figure of the tower of the Great Mosque, a classic match, a well-deserved Cordoba tourism business card.
The courtyards and alleys of Cordoba are very unique. Baihua Alley is really narrow, and it is a bit difficult for two people to walk side by side. The residents on both sides have decorated a lot of flowers, which is particularly beautiful.
1
2
3
