Madrid: Come for the Tapas, Stay for the Hiking, Cycling and Epic Adventures
A trip to Madrid is often booked with an appetite—for rich experiences and tapas. A good place to be hungry, Madrid is home to multi-star Michelin cuisine, traditional heartwarming dishes and wineries. You might need help working off a full stomach. Madrid is skirted by a string of postcard-pretty granite mountains to its north. Just 30 minutes or so from central Madrid, it’s easy to escape into the mountains for an afternoon in nature.
Active Day Trips
If you’re lucky, you’ll visit Navacerrada during one of its monthly flea markets. If so, enjoy browsing antiques and collectibles in this scenic spot. Follow that with a hike on the Embalse de Navacerrada or choose one of the trails in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. The route to Peñalara is one of the most popular. Finish your excursion with a meal at Terraza Jardin Felipe or El Portillón. Los Cerros Nature Park, nestled just outside Madrid, offers a scenic eco-escape that beckons to outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Here, rolling hills tangle with woodlands and meadows. Hiking enthusiasts are greeted with a variety of trails, from leisurely strolls along well-marked paths to lengthier, moderately challenging routes. The 12.4-kilometre loop to reach Ecce-Homo Hill is a well-trodden, three-and-a-half-hour hike that rewards with panoramic views of the park and beyond to Madrid and neighbouring towns. For a shorter, gentler, front-country stroll, Tarayes Trail is a pleasant walk in Los Cerros.
Located northeast of Madrid is Peñalara Natural Park. At 2,428 metres, Peñalara Peak is the highest in the Sierra de Guadarrama. Follow the 11.6-kilometre out-and-back trail, gaining 793 metres. Best enjoyed from March through October, it takes an average of five hours to complete.
Alternatively, trek a 14-kilometre loop to shimmering Laguna Grande Peñalara. You’ll still gain 650 metres, but with low-profile vegetation in the alpine, wayfinding is a breeze.
Nestled in the scenic Sierra de Guadarrama is Embalse de El Atazar, a reservoir spanning nearly 11 square-kilometres. The towns of El Berrueco, El Atazar, Cervera de Buitrago and Patones feature special “black” architecture and are splendid starting points where you can visit a museum (there are seven in the area!). Enjoy a pre-hike meal with a view at El Rey de Patones before you start. Circling the reservoir is the 70-kilometre Senda del Genaro (“Path of the Genaro”) which passes through many towns and villages. Walking just a portion of it is easy and enjoyable. Outdoor recreation at Embalse de El Atazar isn’t limited to hiking—active travellers can try climbing, trail riding on a horse or donkey, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.
Though the car ride from Madrid to the Las Carcavas de Valdepeñas trailhead (near Patones) will only take an hour, you may feel as if you’ve arrived somewhere otherworldly. This 6.4-kilometre loop brings you to a cluster of rust-tinted ravines, sculpted by erosion and tufted with scrub. You’ll gain 352 metres, but the route is not technical.
Cycling and Golf
Imagine choosing from hundreds of kilometres of cycling to enjoy while visiting a wide variety of historic, cultural and natural sites. The 420-kilometre CiclaMadrid rings the city and hits many of Madrid’s highlights. In addition, the scenic routes through the spectacular Sierra de Madrid can be enjoyed all year long. Golfers have no shortage of wonderful options as well: Madrid is the only European city with top-tier golf courses so close to its center. Here are a few recommendations: Real Club Golf La Herrería, Real Club La Moraleja, La Herreria in El Escorial, Club de Golf la Moraleja and Centro Nacional de Golf.
Dining
If you’re hoping to sample some of Madrid’s magnificent restaurants, make a reservation before booking your flight. Gofio, Deessa and Quimbaya by Edwin Rodriquez are all worth the effort. The later is a newly Michelin-starred Colombian Signature fine dining restaurant. Book a reservation to enjoy the tasting menu Wednesday to Saturday for lunch or dinner. For a local dining experience, head to a mesón where you can sample traditional dinner-style plates like cocido madrileño (chickpea-based stew) or callos a la madrileña (stewed tripe).
After the sun sets, the city’s cocktail scene lights up. You can’t go wrong with sipping vermouth and mingling with Madrileños in Madrid’s inviting neighbourhood tabernas. If you’re a barfly, you won’t want to miss the iconic Salmón Guru. La Santoría and Santos y Desamparados are memorable, too. For an extended tasting, enjoy a guided day trip to wineries in nearby mediaeval Chinchón or Colmenar de Oreja. In Chinchón, you can visit a winery and ride a tourist train to discover the special corners of the village.
Sleeping
Madrid’s luxury hotels will elevate your adventurous vacation. Stylized suites and lounge spaces offer a distinct sense of place; unbeatable city views and concierges with keys to the city complete an incredible stay. We recommend the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Santo Mauro or NH Collection Madrid Suecia.
This article was sponsored by Madrid Turismo by IFEMA MADRID
Discover the city’s must-see activities and find out what events are taking place during your stay. From shopping and nightlife to art and culture, and food and drink to parks and gardens, learn more about things to do and plan your perfect trip to Madrid at onlyinmadrid.com.
