10 Days in Spain: Wonderful Small Towns Near Madrid

Spain is a country full of rich history, stunning beauty, wonderful people, and incredible food.  There is so much to see here and although you can rush from one big city to another checking off all the must-see places, there are many wonderful small towns near Madrid that are worth a visit.     

I love smaller towns because they are less expensive, safer, and have fewer tourists but really, it’s the personal feeling I get from the people there- like I’m not just one of a million people traipsing through. People are happy to have conversations and tell you about their lives.  

And I also prefer eating a leisurely lunch in a beautiful plaza over sitting on a train for hours traveling from one big city to another to see the exact same things every other tourist sees. Small towns are special.

You can visit a lot of these small towns near Madrid as a day trip, but I think you’ll love having the place to yourself after the tour buses leave.  There’s just something about the quiet of the mornings and evenings that makes it feel extra special, like you’re in on some big secret that the rest of the tourists don’t know about.  

Top sights for this itinerary include the perfectly preserved medieval walled city of Cáceres; the beautiful Plaza Mayor in Salamanca; a fairytale castle in Segovia; and the art and history of Madrid.  I hope you enjoy them just as much as I do!

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Day 0- Travel from Home

If you’re coming from the US or another continent, you’re going to need to add a day for travel.  Flights from the US to Spain generally leave the East Coast in the evening (afternoon from the West Coast) and arrive in Spain the morning or early afternoon the following day. 

✈️ Looking for flights? Check Booking.com for all your options!

If you have a total of 10 days including travel, I would spend just one day in Madrid instead of two.  It’ll be a little more rushed but it’s absolutely doable.  Or you could take out one of the towns (No, don’t! They’re all wonderful!).  

Day 1- Madrid to Cáceres

You will arrive in Madrid in the morning or early afternoon then immediately head out to your first town.  But don’t worry, you’ll spend time in Madrid at the end before you catch your flight home.  

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From the Madrid airport, you’ll catch a train or pick up your rental car and head immediately to the town of Cáceres in the Extremadura region.  It is about 3 hours southwest of Madrid and is reachable by train, bus, or car. 

🚃 Use Omio to figure out your best way to get from here to there!

You probably won’t be up to much tonight but that’s OK.  Grab yourself something to eat and get a good night’s sleep.  You have a full day to see everything tomorrow. 

Top Hotels in Caceres:

Parador de Cáceres 4✩
This parador is in a 14^th century palace with a highly rated restaurant.  

NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo 4✩
San Jose Plaza houses this 16^th century palace turned hotel. 

🏨 For more hotel options at all different price points, check out Booking.com

Soho Boutique Casa Don Fernando 3✩
The place I stayed was the perfect location on Plaza Mayor.

Hotel Don Carlos 2✩
Located on the adorable plaza of San Jose.

Best Restaurants in Cáceres:

El Requeté 
I should have known this place was packed for a reason.  It has a great view of the Plaza Mayor and absolutely delicious food.  

Bar La Tapería
I went to this place right off Plaza Mayor one evening for a little tapa.  

Heladería Remo
I was a big fan of this place on Plaza Mayor for ice cream.  

Restaurante El Figón de Eustaquio 
If a restaurant has been around for more than 70 years, there’s a reason.

Atrio
This 3-star Michelin restaurant serves Spanish cuisine also houses a small hotel.

Torre de Sande
A sister restaurant to Atrio in a lovely little garden. 

Day 2- Cáceres

Today you have a full day to check out the incredible town of Cáceres.  The main attraction here is the walled city, and you can spend an entire day getting lost in it.  I sure did! 

>>Check out my full guide to Cáceres for much more information about this wonderful small town in Spain.

Top sights in Cáceres are all in the walled city and include the Torre de Bujaco which is a tower along the ancient city wall that looks out over Plaza Mayor, the Arab cistern in the bottom of the city museum, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria.  

But mostly you’ll just enjoy meandering around this unbelievable and perfectly preserved medieval city that served as a filming location for Game of Thrones.  It truly does feel like you’re in a movie.   

Day 3- Cáceres to Salamanca

Today you’ll leave the Cáceres to head to the university town of Salamanca.  The trip takes about 2 hours by car or bus.  The train takes 3 times as long so I’d skip it.  Buses in Spain are great, super easy, and get you all the places that trains don’t go.    

You’ll love this UNESCO World Heritage Site for its golden sandstone buildings and historic charm.

Top Hotels in Salamanca:

Day 4- Salamanca

Salamanca is a city that feels like a town.  The part you want to see is very walkable and you’ll be able to see everything in one full day.  

>>Check out my full guide to Salamanca for much more information about this wonderful small town in Spain.

Top sights in Salamanca include the university (one of the oldest in Europe), the ancient Cathedral, and the stunning Plaza Mayor that practically glows in the evenings.

But also, I found Salamanca to be a great town for eating all day long.  Indulge yourself and spend the day discovering the delights of Salamancan cuisine.  

Day 5- Salamanca to Segovia

I didn’t expect to love Segovia as much as I did.  It felt so homey and inviting and I just adored it.  It might only be 30 minutes from Madrid by train but it feels a world away.  From Salamanca, it’s a 1-hour train ride- 2 if traveling by car.    

Segovia has two main attractions.  The iconic 1^st century Roman aqueduct is truly an engineering marvel and much more impressive in person than I thought it would be.  And the beauty of the fairy-tale Alcázar castle is what inspired Walt Disney (really).  

This lovely city is set against the picturesque mountains of central Spain and is definitely worth a visit as far as I’m concerned.

Top Hotels in Segovia

Áurea Convento Capuchinos 5✩
It is in a former monastery near Plaza Mayor so it’s also convenient to everything.   

Hotel Real Segovia 4✩
It has breakfast, a bar, a lounge, and some of the rooms have amazing views over the city.

🏨 For more hotel options at all different price points, check out Booking.com

Hotel Infanta Isabel 3✩
This is where I stay and is a great option in a perfect location.

Exe Casa de Los Linajes 3✩
Near the Alcázar in a building dating from the 16^thcentury. 

Hotel San Miguel 2✩
This pretty hotel offers basic but clean rooms as well as a restaurant. 

Best Restaurants in Segovia   

La Concepción
My favorite meal was at this place on the Plaza Mayor.

Jeyma
Located on Plaza Mayor, this is a great place to grab a drink and tapa.    

Casa Duque
There’s a reason this place has been around for 125 years. For something more casual, they have a tavern in the basement.

Restaurante José Maria
An upscale place serving traditional Segovia food in a lovely setting near Plaza Mayor.

Mesón de Cándido
If you’re looking for a place near the aqueduct, check out this atmospheric restaurant from the 1800s. 

Restaurante San Miguel
Good food at a pretty good price near Plaza Mayor.  

Granier
Grab yourself a pastry or a café con leche at this location or the one near the aqueduct. 

Day 6- Segovia

Segovia is pretty small so you’ll be able to walk to everything.  The Roman aqueduct is at the bottom of the hill and the Alcázar at the top.  If you’d like to check out the Cathedral as well, it’s smack dab in the middle on Plaza Mayor. 

>>Check out my full guide to Segovia for much more information about this wonderful small town in Spain.

There are also walking paths if you’d like to do a little hiking to one of the churches or monasteries nearby.  

Day 7- Segovia to Madrid

The fast train to Madrid only takes about 30 minutes and there are lots of them so you can head to the vibrant city of Madrid whenever you’re ready.  

Madrid is known for its rich cultural heritage, world-class museums like the Prado, beautiful parks, and lively neighborhoods. This city combines historic landmarks like the Royal Palace with a bustling modern atmosphere, making it a fantastic destination for art, cuisine, and shopping.

>>If you have trouble with mobility, Big Bus Tours can take you around to all the sights without you having to walk your legs off or figure out directions.  
Just hop on & off wherever you want to!

Madrid is the largest of the places you’ll visit on this itinerary but it’s pretty easy to get around.  Just check out one side of town one day and the other side the next.    

Top Hotels in Madrid
I love to stay in Sol which is right in the middle of what you’ll want to see and is filled with restaurants.  

Pestana Plaza Mayor 4✩
This stylish hotel, located on the Plaza Mayor, has a pool.

Petite Palace Posada del Peine 4✩
In a great location at Plaza Santa Ana and has room service.

🏨 For more hotel options at all different price points, check out Booking.com

Petite Palace Arenal 3✩
Located in the Sol district near the Metro station with discounted parking.

THC Bergantin Hostel 3✩
A no-frills little inn in a fabulous location in Sol.  

THC Gran Via Hostel 2✩
A sister location to the one above in an area known for their nightlife. 

Best Restaurants in Madrid:

West of Sol

Near the Palace, try Arbonaida Bar or Restaurante Gloria Bendita

Calle de La Cava Baja is a street known for its tapas bars- peruse the options or have something at each one.  

>> Grab something for a picnic or stay and have a bite to eat at the Mercado de San Miguel.  🍇  🧀  🍷

 Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas is below Plaza Mayor and known for its cozy feel.

Plaza Mayor is lined with places- just wander around until you find one that strikes your fancy, grab a table, and enjoy the people watching!

Near Sol

Torres Bermejas This flamenco show and dinner is a must-do. The quality of the performers is better than I’ve seen in southern Spain and the food far above tourist quality.

Fatigas del Querer Beautiful tiled interior and a great place to try the local stew called Cocida Madrileño.

Heladería Puerto Real There are several of these delicious ice cream places across Spain.

Taberna La Carmela The perfect place for a little breakfast in the morning or dinner and flamenco in the evenings. 

East of Sol

Plenti An excellent choice for lunch and worth waiting in line.

Azoteo del Círculo has amazing rooftop views and innovative Spanish food.

La Malontina Spanish-global fusion cuisine in a small bistro setting.

Day 8- Madrid (West of Sol)

Today you’ll visit the part of Madrid that lies west of the Sol area which has lots of history. The two main sights this direction are the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor.

The Royal Palace (Palacio Real) was built in the 1700s and has more than 2,800 rooms. Take a group tour or hire a guide to walk you through this overwhelming place. And if you like gardens, be sure to check out the Plaza de Oriente or the Campo de Moro nearby.

>>Check out my full guide to Madrid for much more information about this wonderful city in central Spain.

The perfect place to have a bite to eat in the morning or dinner late at night (they eat at 10pm here) is the Plaza Mayor. There used to be bullfights and executions here in the plaza but now it’s cafes and vendors so just enjoy wandering around and checking it all out.

Day 9 – Madrid (East of Sol)

Art and the outdoors are the focus today so be sure to check the weather before you head out!

>> If you’d like to fit one more small town into your itinerary rather than spending two days in Madrid, you could take a day trip to Toledo or Cuenca– or do as I did and stay a night.

There are two main art museums on this side of town. One is the world famous Prado Museum that houses paintings by the old masters. If you’re more into modern art like I am, you’ll prefer the Reina Sofia Museum that has paintings by Picasso, Dalí, and Miró. Both are large collections and you could spend an entire day at either if you wanted to.

Another great place to visit this direction is Retiro Park. The pond is where all the tourists go but there is a lot more to the park than just that- although the rowboats are pretty fun. Take some time to wander into the other parts and you just might find a nice little corner to have all to yourself in the middle of this big, bustling city.

Day 10- Madrid to Home

Well, here we are at the end of your trip (so sad!). Now’s the time to grab some last minute souvenirs, pack up, and head home. I hope you leave with wonderful memories and feel renewed.

Time to start planning your next one… 😜

If You Want to Stay Longer

If you have more days to travel, I have plenty of ideas for other small towns in Spain on my city guides for Cáceres, Salamanca, Segovia, and Madrid. 

If you’d like to head down to southern Spain (it’s truly gorgeous) then I would hit Granada for the incredible Alhambra, Malaga or the small town of Nerja for the beach, Seville has a beautiful palace, or you could head to the mosque in Cordoba.  Or go see them all- I have!  All of them are around 3-4 hours from Madrid.

>> Get Your Guide has great options for day trips from Madrid without the hassle of trying to plan it yourself.

If you don’t mind traveling further, you could also check off Barcelona (3 hours by train) and check out a beach or two nearby on the Costa Brava. Or you could go up (4 hours) to the Basque region of Spain to check out Bilbao. And of course there’s also Portugal‘s amazing coastline and painted-tile buildings.

So many places, so little time…

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Questions about Traveling in Spain

When to go to Spain?
I love Spain in autumn when the weather is nice and the summer visitors are gone.  Spring is good for the same reasons and a great time to come if you want to experience Easter festivities.  Summer is definitely an option but know it does get hot.  But do as the locals do and make use of siesta- just make sure your hotel has AC! If possible, avoid August as that’s when they get the most tourists and it’s hottest. 

Is Spain friendly to tourists?
Oh my gosh, yes. I had a wonderful time there and it was largely because of the people. I do believe that if you treat people well and show them respect, they will do the same. I had nothing but positive interactions while I was there.

Is Spain expensive?
I have found Spain to be fairly cheap compared to other western European countries and much cheaper compared to traveling in the US.

I detailed all the expenses for my trip to central Spain– it’s not nearly as expensive as you think!

How do I get around Spain?
Spain is super easy to get around. The train system is incredible and you can take a bus to places where the train doesn’t go. Easy peasy. Of course, a rental car makes it easy to get around and gives you the freedom to come and go when and where you want and the roads are great in my experience.

🏰 If you’re traveling solo, joining a tour is a great way to meet people. Check out all the options at Get Your Guide.

Is Spain safe?
I find Spain to be very safe. The only thing you will likely need to worry about is pickpockets in the larger cities. Be sure to keep your eye on your things- especially around crowds at tourist attractions and on the Metro. But I had no issues and found Spain to be a great place for solo travel.