- A single-province region surrounding the city of Madrid
- El Escorial, Aranjuez and Alcalá de Henares are all UNESCO-listed and reachable by suburban train
- The Sierra de Guadarrama National Park is about an hour from the city
- Chinchón's arcaded square is a favourite lunch stop
- Airports
- Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD)
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October
- Type
- Region
The Community of Madrid is the region that surrounds Spain's capital. Most UK visitors never think of it separately from the city, but beyond the suburbs lie royal palaces, a historic university town, medieval villages and a national park with granite peaks and pine forest, all within an hour or so of the centre.
That makes it perfect for adding variety to a Madrid city break: a day in the mountains, a long lunch in a village square or a visit to a monastery-palace. For the capital itself, see our Madrid guide; for the wider country, our Spain guide.
The province
The Community of Madrid is a single-province region, with the city of Madrid as its capital and by far its largest town. It borders Castile and León to the north and west and Castilla-La Mancha to the south and east, so Segovia, Ávila and Toledo are also easy day trips.
Things to do in the Community of Madrid
- San Lorenzo de El Escorial – Philip II's vast 16th-century monastery-palace at the foot of the mountains, with royal tombs and a magnificent library.
- Aranjuez – a royal palace with formal gardens beside the Tagus, part of a UNESCO cultural landscape and famous for strawberries and asparagus.
- Alcalá de Henares – birthplace of Cervantes, with a historic university and arcaded Calle Mayor.
- Chinchón – a village built around a wooden-balconied plaza mayor, known for its anís and roast lamb.
- Sierra de Guadarrama National Park – walking routes from Cercedilla, the Navacerrada pass and the Peñalara lake area, with snow in winter.
- Manzanares el Real – a well-preserved 15th-century castle beside a reservoir, below the granite boulders of La Pedriza.
- Rascafría and El Paular – a mountain valley with a historic monastery and riverside walks.
- Patones de Arriba and Buitrago del Lozoya – a village of black slate houses and a walled riverside town in the north of the region.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Madrid city | Best base for day trips by train and bus |
| San Lorenzo de El Escorial | Quieter mountain-town feel, near walking routes |
| Chinchón | Rural village stay south-east of the city |
| Rascafría or Cercedilla | Hiking bases in the Sierra de Guadarrama |
Getting there
Fly into Madrid-Barajas (MAD), which has frequent flights from across the UK. From the city, the Cercanías suburban trains reach Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez and El Escorial in roughly 35 minutes to an hour, and Cercedilla for the mountains in a little over an hour. Buses serve Chinchón, Manzanares el Real and the northern villages. A car helps if you want to combine several places in a day.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for walking and sightseeing. Summer is hot in the lowlands, so head to the sierra where it is noticeably cooler. Winter brings snow to the mountains and crisp, sunny days in the towns. Aranjuez's gardens are at their best in spring.
Visit El Escorial on a weekday and combine it with the nearby viewpoint known as the Silla de Felipe II for views over the monastery and plains.
Top attractions in Community of Madrid
LandmarkAlhambra
A hilltop palace-fortress of carved stucco, tiled courtyards and water gardens, the Alhambra is the high point of…
LandmarkPark Güell
Gaudí's hillside park of mosaic benches, gingerbread-style lodges and a famous dragon, with sweeping views over…
MuseumPrado Museum
One of the world's great art museums, the Prado holds Spain's royal collection, from Velázquez's Las Meninas to Goya's…
LandmarkReal Alcázar
A dazzling Mudéjar palace and gardens in the heart of Seville, still used by the Spanish royal family and famous as the…
LandmarkSagrada Família
Gaudí's unfinished basilica, with its forest-like nave and glowing stained glass, is Barcelona's must-book sight.
NatureSerra de Tramuntana
A UNESCO-listed mountain range of stone villages, olive terraces and hairpin roads along Mallorca's north-west coast.
Community of Madrid on the map
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Madrid and the Community of Madrid?
Madrid is the city; the Community of Madrid is the surrounding autonomous region, which includes the city plus towns, villages and mountains around it.
What is the best day trip from Madrid within the region?
El Escorial is the classic choice, but Alcalá de Henares and Aranjuez are equally easy by train, and the sierra is ideal for walkers.
Can I go hiking near Madrid?
Yes. The Sierra de Guadarrama National Park has trails for all levels and is reachable by train or bus from the city.
Do I need a car for the Community of Madrid?
No. Suburban trains and buses reach most highlights, though a car is useful for remote villages or combining several stops.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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