Spain is an Adventurer’s Paradise

When I lived in Madrid, I was repeatedly blown away by Spain’s diverse geography and natural beauty.

Tourists love visiting Spain for its stunning coastline, and it’s no wonder—Spain has so many inviting, idyllic beach towns that’ll have you fast-tracking your retirement.

A dream of mine is to drive the entire perimeter of the Iberian peninsula, spending the night in the coastal towns and villages along the way.

But far less talked about is Spain’s beauty further inland.

Something I loved about living in Madrid was that it was like living in the center of concentric circles of beauty.

What do I mean by that?

Whether I wanted to spend the day in nature or a weekend exploring new sights, I could hop in my car and drive in any direction. Within 45 minutes to a few hours, metropolitan Madrid had turned into another world.

So before I tell you about my secret weekend spot, here are two marvelous day trips from Madrid that I highly recommend.

You’ll see that there really are tons of amazing options for both day trips and weekend trips from Madrid, depending on how much time you have.

I had a regular stream of house guests when I lived in Madrid. And, fortunately, the variety of visit-worthy destinations within driving distance meant I always got to experience different day trips with my visitors.

Lesser-Known Day Trips From Madrid

Now, if you’ve done some research or talked to other tourists, you’ve probably been recommended visits to Segovia, Toledo, or even El Escorial. And while I love all these places (and you should absolutely visit them), they’re destinations many people know about.

So if you’re looking for day trips from Madrid in lesser-known spots, read on. Then I’ll let you in on my favorite weekend adventure.

Monasterio de Piedra, Spain — Discover **waterfalls upon waterfalls, caverns, and fairy forests** all in the span of a 3-mile walk.

One of My Favorite Hiking Trails Near Madrid

Imagine the face of a clock, where Madrid is at the center. Start here and drive 50 minutes towards the number ‘11.’

As quick as that, you’re in Manzanares el Real, hiking through a pine forest penetrated by rays of Spanish sun.

In the distance between the trees, you spy glimpses of solid boulders of all shapes and sizes.

Push a bit farther, and you’ll be rewarded with a refreshing dip in the river, where cool water has settled into delightful pools.

The easy 4-mile hike I recommend starts at the Cantocochino parking lot and takes you along the river Manzanares. You’ll pass the craggy peak of La Pedriza and end at La Charca Verde (The Green Pond).

La Charca Verde

Perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, and cooling off.

There’s nothing better than sunning yourself on a slab of granite, part of the river’s natural embankment, as the warmth of the rock seeps deep into your skin.

For lunch, pack a sandwich to enjoy as you refresh your feet in the cool water. There are dozens of places in and around Madrid, like Museo de Jamón, where you can pick up a cheap and delicious baguette sandwich layered with melt-in-your-mouth Spanish ham and cheese—jamón ibérico y queso manchego.

Nature day trips from Madrid are plentiful. This hike is in the Guadarrama mountain range. *(Sierra de Guadarrama)*

[In writing this blog, I was saddened to learn that Spain’s notorious meddling bureaucrats closed my favorite hole-in-the-wall joint on the mountain; it appears locals are heartbroken as well. It was once the perfect place for post-hike fortification, serving grilled chicken, homemade fries, and cold beer. Locals used to visit for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to have a simple meal al fresco with the stunning backdrop of La Pedriza… R.I.P.]

If you have time before returning to Madrid, stop by the Castillo de Manzanares el Real. Construction of the castle began in 1475, and today it’s the best-preserved example of Castillian military architecture.

A Must-Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site in Spain

Now, reset that imaginary clock.

Start again at the center, and aim between numbers ‘3’ and ‘4.’ Drive about 1.5 hours into Don Quixote territory.

Welcome to the picturesque hilltop town of Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This beautiful town is close to my heart because it’s where my Spanish grandfather was from.

Founded by the Moors and conquered by the Castillians in 1177, Cuenca is known for las Casas Colgadas, the cliffside “Hanging Houses” that appear to dangle precariously over a deep gorge.

Meander through the town’s hilly, narrow streets, popping into little shops along the way. Marvel at the romantic, fairytale views.

Then head down to the Jucar River for a long Spanish lunch at Restaurante Recreo Peral. Their croquetas are by far the best I’ve had.

We also ordered several desserts. And if you haven’t tried cheesecake in Spain, it’s a must. Very different than NY-style cheesecake, it oozes and tastes less sweet—I much prefer it!

A Magical Weekend Escape From Madrid

Now, to reach the hidden treasure I’m going to tell you about, return again to Madrid—the center of our imaginary clock.

An X-Box game comes to mind that my younger sister used to play… Assassin’s Creed. Do you know it? If so, picture yourself as that shrouded vagabond for just a minute.

You’re bounding around the medieval city of Madrid. Parkour your way to the top of a stone minaret, and peer into the distance at 2 o’clock. That’s the direction we’re headed next, past where the rooftops end and the arid expanse begins.

This journey will take us a few days on foot (or a scenic 2.5 hours by car, which I highly recommend).

Ready? Let’s go.

How I Discovered Monasterio de Piedra

Sunset & wine at the gorgeous Pago de Cirsus.

In the summer of 2022, my boyfriend and I planned a visit to Pago de Cirsus, a Navarra winery owned by an acquaintance of ours.

Since the summer months are wonderful for exploring northern Spain, we decided we’d continue north afterward, adding on Vitoria-Gasteiz and the little coastal town of Zumaia, before returning south through Burgos.

(Spain is such a great place for road-tripping if you have the time!)

So, as I typically do when planning trips, I was pouring over Google Maps looking for an interesting town to spend the night between Madrid and Navarra as our first stop.

As I zoomed in on areas that would make an ideal midway point, an icon for Monasterio de Piedra popped up. “What’s this?” I thought. A few clicks through the photos and a brief scroll through the website—I was sold.

I learned there was a monastery dating back to the early 1200s tucked among the small, nondescript towns in this part of the Aragón region. The Cistercian monks built the monastery on the Piedra River, where they lived and worshiped for the next 600 years.

Today, visitors can tour what’s left of the beautiful old monastery and even stay in the newer part of the monastery that was refurbished and converted into a boutique hotel, Hotel Monumento & Spa Monasterio de Piedra.

But the most spectacular part of this monastery-turned-hotel is what’s around it.

Hotel Monasterio de Piedra — Hotel Monumento & Spa Monasterio de Piedra

Out of Nowhere, a Lush Oasis

The drive from Madrid to Monasterio de Piedra (near the small town of Nuévalos), takes you through four of Spain’s 17 regions (also known as autonomous communities): Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, and Aragón.

Stefanie standing in a Spanish sunflower field

Driving across the vast plateau of the Meseta Central had me itching to saddle up and gallop off on an important quest to battle windmills.

The wide-open space, in varying shades of brown and tan, is dotted with shrubs and standalone trees. Occasionally, a field of bright sunflowers colors the landscape.

As we entered the town of Nuévalos, we passed a reservoir desperate for rain. So it was quite the surprise when only 5 minutes later we arrived in Eden.

It’s no wonder the monks chose this secluded, verdant haven for their center of worship.

The Monasterio de Piedra Nature Park

After a couple of hours in the car, we were eager to walk the Monasterio de Piedra Nature Park as our first order of business.

I felt like medieval nobility checking into the Hotel Monumento & Spa Monasterio de Piedra. But more on the elegant interior later… The friendly concierge helped us buy our park tickets, which are discounted when you purchase from the hotel. So be sure to buy your tickets through the hotel. We dropped our luggage in our spacious room and set off.

The 3-mile trail starts just a few steps from the hotel. You’ll enter a peaceful green forest and pass through a glen probably inhabited by fairies. Soon you’ll see your first waterfall and think, “Wow, what a stunning place!” Already delighted by the magic of this paradise, you’ll be happy you came.

But then the surprises really begin. Waterfalls—around every corner!—each one more magnificent than the last.

The best waterfalls in Spain are at Monasterio de Piedra

Follow the path into a damp cavern, along passageways cut into boulders, up stairs carved into cliffs, and to the top of a waterfall called the horse’s tail.

The trail then descends to the pools below, and winds along the base of gigantic rocks back to the park entrance, completing the 3-mile loop.

After taking in the surprising natural beauty of this area, you may be ready to relax and enjoy the hotel’s many amenities.

But tomorrow, there’s history to discover!

The Monasterio de Piedra Hotel, Restaurant, Spa, and Grounds

What I love about the hotel’s interior design is that it captures the style of the Late Middle Ages with clean, elegant simplicity.

I was wowed by the high arches of the decorative ceiling when I first entered the building. To get to our guest room, we walked up a magnificent staircase and down consecrated halls where silent monks once paced and prayed.

Our room was spacious with a balcony overlooking a romantic plot of vines—the perfect place to take morning tea or enjoy a nightcap.

My half-board reservation included a satisfying breakfast and exquisite dinner at the hotel restaurant, which was awarded a Michelin star in 2019.

The whole property is calm and quiet with an air of reverence, which just adds to the hotel’s feeling of upscale simplicity. This serenity extends to the outdoor pool, flanked by weeping willows.

During our short stay, we didn’t make time for the spa’s sauna, jacuzzi, cold plunge, or other treatments like massages. We spent our time outside in nature, by the pool, and wandering the ruins and museum of the original monastery.

All in all, Monasterio de Piedra was such a pleasant discovery and a fantastic start to our route to northern Spain.

I had traveled to Spain countless times as a child and young adult before moving here, and I never knew this gem was hiding just a couple of hours from Madrid!

Spain has a gorgeous diversity of terrain and is filled with worthwhile destinations, but this is one my mind keeps returning to over and over again.

What questions do you have about Spain? Shoot me an email!