6 best day trips from Madrid

Madrid's central position + Spain's AVE high-speed rail means Toledo, Segovia, Cuenca, and even Seville (long) are day trips.

How: 30 min AVE Travel time: 30 min When to go: Year-round; spring + fall best

Medieval hilltop city — synagogues, mosques, churches, El Greco

How: 30 min AVE Travel time: 30 min When to go: Year-round

Roman aqueduct + Disney-castle Alcázar + suckling pig at Mesón de Cándido

How: 1h regional train Travel time: 1h When to go: Year-round

Spain's biggest monastery complex — built by Felipe II

How: 55 min AVE Travel time: 55 min When to go: Year-round; spring/fall best

Hanging houses on a cliff + abstract art museum

How: 45 min train Travel time: 45 min When to go: Apr-Oct

Royal palace + gardens + strawberry train (in season)

How: 2h 30m AVE Travel time: 2h 30m When to go: Mar-May, Oct-Nov (summer scorching)

Long but doable — Real Alcázar + cathedral + tapas in Triana

Best day trips from Madrid