Avila & Salamanca Tour from Madrid
A day trip from Madrid offers the perfect excuse to step back in time, and few places capture Spain’s medieval legacy quite like Ávila and Salamanca, both proudly listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Your adventure begins in Ávila, a walled city that appears lifted straight from the pages of a history book. Its imposing stone ramparts, punctuated by 88 defensive towers, encircle a beautifully preserved old town. Step inside and you’ll find Romanesque gems such as the Ávila Cathedral, part fortress and part place of worship, as well as the Basilica of San Vicente, famed for its architecture and colourful stonework. Ávila sits just over 100 kilometres from Madrid, and you can easily reach it by train or coach, both options run frequently throughout the day.
From Ávila, continue west to the golden-hued city of Salamanca, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. Its nickname, La Dorada, The Golden City, comes from the glow of its sandstone buildings, especially beautiful at sunset. Wander across the Plaza Mayor, often hailed as Spain’s finest square, then lose yourself among the cloisters, libraries and carvings of the historic university quarter. While Salamanca is delightful by day, it truly comes alive at night, its tapas bars and buzzing student energy make it tempting to extend your stay beyond a day trip.
Tour Bernabéu — Real Madrid Museum
Madrid attracts a great number of visitors who come to the city for one reason alone, football. Real Madrid CF, Europe’s most successful club, has supporters across the globe, and for many, visiting the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a dream come true.
Football fans have the unique chance to step onto the legendary pitch, explore the trophy room, and relive the club’s remarkable history. There’s also an on-site restaurant and café, along with a gift shop with Real Madrid memorabilia.
While the entry fee is on the higher side, the experience is well worth it for anyone passionate about the sport. And if you happen to be in Madrid on a match day, make sure to secure your tickets in advance, watching Real Madrid play live, whether in La Liga or the Champions League, is an unforgettable experience.
Casa de Campo Park
Casa de Campo, the largest and most significant public park in Madrid, was once a Royal Forest and is now open to the public. The park boasts many attractions, including the Madrid Zoo, an amusement park, a Teleférico, cable car, and a lake. In addition, the park is a popular spot for outdoor activities such as working out and swimming during the summer. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy over 1.5 hectares of natural surroundings before returning to the vibrant city.
