In and around Madrid, Spain...things to do?

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

Will be there for the next 18 days while my sons have soccer tryouts.  Since I am not allowed into the facilities with him, my days are open.  Besides the local sites, I'd like to travel around during the day.  I'll have a car...  Looking for day trip recommendations.  I am very fond of mountain scenery...  Surly help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Edited February 28 by Soccer Dudes Dad

[MontereyMX 869]

20 minutes ago, Soccer Dudes Dad said:

Will be there for the next 18 days while my sons have soccer tryouts.  Since I am not allowed into the facilities with him, my days are open.  Besides the local sites, I'd like to travel around during the day.  I'll have a car...  Looking for day trip recommendations.  I am very fond of mountain scenery...  Surly help and advice is greatly appreciated.

find some bulls

[Mo Horn 8822]

Check the other Spain thread. There is tons of info there. Toledo is the closest nicest city, only an hour away. Mountains can be reached in an hour or so to the North and Northwest. If you have several hours, the nearest beach is around 4 hours. Also tons to do in Madrid, depending on your likes and preferences. 

[elfenix 34223]

50 minutes ago, Soccer Dudes Dad said:

Will be there for the next 18 days while my sons have soccer tryouts.  Since I am not allowed into the facilities with him, my days are open.  Besides the local sites, I'd like to travel around during the day.  I'll have a car...  Looking for day trip recommendations.  I am very fond of mountain scenery...  Surly help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Train out to Ávila

 

 

 

[strangulation! 1714]

https://valledeloscaidos.es/

[52-80 19145]

3 hours ago, Soccer Dudes Dad said:

Will be there for the next 18 days while my sons have soccer tryouts.  Since I am not allowed into the facilities with him, my days are open.  Besides the local sites, I'd like to travel around during the day.  I'll have a car...  Looking for day trip recommendations.  I am very fond of mountain scenery...  Surly help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Is your son about to be an international sporting start millionaire ?

[RDCanecutter 26379]

Do what a Spanish dad would do, ditch the kid, he'll be fine, hit on tourists, crash at your mistress' apartment after long begging argument to be allowed back in, repeat.

Also, Avila, Segovia, Salamanca, El Escorial. They are to the north and north west where your nearest mountain range is. You actually cross mountains to get to those three towns from Madrid.

Hell you could have fun for a couple of days just riding the subway around Madrid and popping up at various stations Plaza del Sol and Plaza Mayor for just lurking.

[Lazarus Bocanegra 304]

We visited Escorial and Segovia.  Both were great.  In Madrid, I recommend the Museo de las Americas.  It's basically all of the plundered antiquities of the new world.  And a very enlightening exhibit on race-mixing.  And shrunken heads

 

Edited February 29 by Lazarus Bocanegra

[Buzzrock 14902]

Oldest restaurant in the world. Supposed to be legit.

Botín
913 66 42 17

https://g.co/kgs/qzombRW

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

18 hours ago, 52-80 said:

Is your son about to be an international sporting start millionaire ?

LOL.  He is talented but I'm not sure about all that.  I just want college paid for.  Anything above that is gravy...

18 hours ago, RDCanecutter said:

Do what a Spanish dad would do, ditch the kid, he'll be fine, hit on tourists, crash at your mistress' apartment after long begging argument to be allowed back in, repeat.

Also, Avila, Segovia, Salamanca, El Escorial. They are to the north and north west where your nearest mountain range is. You actually cross mountains to get to those three towns from Madrid.

Hell you could have fun for a couple of days just riding the subway around Madrid and popping up at various stations Plaza del Sol and Plaza Mayor for just lurking.

great ideas!  Thx!!

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

3 hours ago, Buzzrock said:

Oldest restaurant in the world. Supposed to be legit.

Botín
913 66 42 17

https://g.co/kgs/qzombRW

Definitely going to see this...  thx!

[Buzzrock 14902]

Report back!

[Grimas 669]

Wrong thread…

Edited March 1 by Grimas

[Dbeasy 15040]

The art museums there are really good, if you have a mild interest in that type of thing. Also tapas tapas tapas. 

Edited March 1 by Dbeasy

[WBT 20561]

For day trips, I'll second El Escorial and Toledo.  Toledo is a really cool - walled, hilly with tons of history dating back to the Romans.

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

19 hours ago, WBT said:

For day trips, I'll second El Escorial and Toledo.  Toledo is a really cool - walled, hilly with tons of history dating back to the Romans.

Wow.  looks like Toledo, El Escorial and Segovia are on the docket...

 

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

Toledo is fantastic.  Day at the Prado is a must.

Edited March 2 by PenelopeWitherspoon

[VABuckeye 2472]

If you can make it work Ronda is beautiful.  Maybe a weekend trip to Seville?   It’s an awesome city. 

[GenXer 2850]

Go to La Barraca for paella

They gave me this butter dish so that I could remember the name of the place when I recommended them.

 

In Segovia, have the suckling pig. I believe we had it at Restaurante Jose Maria. One of the best meals I’ve ever had.

Go to Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid and see Picasso’s Guernica. There’s some other Spanish Civil War propaganda art in the same gallery that is amazing.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 2 by GenXer

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

Update.  Madrid and surrounding area was great.  Didnt get to venture out as much as I wanted because of the non-stop soccer itinerary.  But it was a blast.  Got to see Real Madrid vs Celta de Vigo and also Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid.
And yes, I am a shameless dad and posted a video of my son (IDGAF)...  Goal was first of four he scored vs Rayo Vallecano...

[Incredulity 11649]

Congratulations on your sons success.  Good stuff!

[Mo Horn 8822]

Great shot

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

13 hours ago, Incredulity said:

Congratulations on your sons success.  Good stuff!

Many thanks!

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

12 hours ago, Mo Horn said:

Great shot

Thanks.  I mentioned to him at breakfast, to play close attention to the goalies line.  I was flabbergasted that he actually listened to me and caught this one playing up too high...

[Incredulity 11649]

1 hour ago, Soccer Dudes Dad said:

Thanks.  I mentioned to him at breakfast, to play close attention to the goalies line.  I was flabbergasted that he actually listened to me and caught this one playing up too high...

I try really hard to let my kids manage and grow their out sports lives and just be supportive.  Of course I have ideas and attempt to encourage them to think about this or that in a very positive way.  It is so cool when the thing you have helped them with, or suggested, is directly tied to a goal, or good play.

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

5 hours ago, Incredulity said:

I try really hard to let my kids manage and grow their out sports lives and just be supportive.  Of course I have ideas and attempt to encourage them to think about this or that in a very positive way.  It is so cool when the thing you have helped them with, or suggested, is directly tied to a goal, or good play.

It was really cool.  Especially considering that, because I never played soccer (just American sports), he tends to completely disregard anything I might say about soccer that is any way tactical...😒

[VABuckeye 2472]

Smart kid.  Congrats pops!

[ClubWhatever 12120]

Are you Beckham?

[tejas60 3532]

On 4/18/2024 at 4:25 PM, Soccer Dudes Dad said:

Update.  Madrid and surrounding area was great.  Didnt get to venture out as much as I wanted because of the non-stop soccer itinerary.  But it was a blast.  Got to see Real Madrid vs Celta de Vigo and also Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid.
And yes, I am a shameless dad and posted a video of my son (IDGAF)...  Goal was first of four he scored vs Rayo Vallecano...

heading to Madrid May 7. can you tell me where/what these pics are? 

already got tickets to Prado Museum and definitely hitting up Botin Restaurant.

good job by your son!

 

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

On 4/20/2024 at 3:50 PM, ClubWhatever said:

Are you Beckham?

Hahahaha.  Not hardly.

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

On 4/21/2024 at 12:48 PM, tejas60 said:

heading to Madrid May 7. can you tell me where/what these pics are? 

already got tickets to Prado Museum and definitely hitting up Botin Restaurant.

good job by your son!

 

Pics 1, 2, and 3 are the cathedral of Segovia.
Pics 4, 5, and 6 are the Castle Manzanares el Real.
Pic 7 is Catherdral of Segovia.
Pic 8 is Castle Manzanares.
Pic 9 is a dish called Iberico Secreto at La Mi Venta restaurant in Madrid.
Pics 10 and 11 are wide city views close to the Cathedral of Madrid.

If you go to Segovia, it's definitely amazing but make sure to drive to Castle de Manzanares.   Old castle, semi restored, beautiful museum and amazing views from the turrets...  https://www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/manzanares-el-real-castle/

The drive to La Sierra de Guadarrama National Park.  Mountain views, probably still snow at the summit, and widlife...  https://www.spain.info/en/nature/sierra-guadarrama-national-park/

Also, after leaving the park, and on the way to Segovia, visit the Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso.  Its a beautiful palace and chapel with some amazingly landscaped grounds...and the small city has many shops and restaurants on cobblestone streets...  https://www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/royal-palace-granja-san-ildefonso/

Segovia speaks for itself.  https://www.spain.info/en/destination/segovia/

This could be done in a day, but it would be a looong day.  I suggest at least two-three days.  All of this is within an hour and a half, by car, from Madrid.

HAVE FUN and post pics of the trip...

 

[beer 3220]

I missed this whole group somehow. I really should browse more. PM if you want any info about straight south, that's where I tend to hang out. Have been sort of house shopping for a place on the coast somewhere between Gibraltar and Motril. Granada is 2.5-3 hours by train.  Fútbol team about to get relegated tho. It's not really a day trip but the Alhambra/Generalife is worth the trip. Málaga itself is just kinda "going to the beach" for Brits but driving up the coast up much nicer and full of little places with gorgeous views. Faster to get there going to Granada and renting a car from there ..easy drive to the coast and turn right. 

May will still be crisp mornings perfect 15-20 degree days all day in the city. Beaches a tad warmer. 

Don't leave Madrid without a churro. Doesn't sound like much but it is. 

[Mo Horn 8822]

2 hours ago, beer said:

Don't leave Madrid without a churro. Doesn't sound like much but it is. 

San Gines FTW

[Soccer Dudes Dad 91]

17 hours ago, beer said:

I missed this whole group somehow. I really should browse more. PM if you want any info about straight south, that's where I tend to hang out. Have been sort of house shopping for a place on the coast somewhere between Gibraltar and Motril. Granada is 2.5-3 hours by train.  Fútbol team about to get relegated tho. It's not really a day trip but the Alhambra/Generalife is worth the trip. Málaga itself is just kinda "going to the beach" for Brits but driving up the coast up much nicer and full of little places with gorgeous views. Faster to get there going to Granada and renting a car from there ..easy drive to the coast and turn right. 

May will still be crisp mornings perfect 15-20 degree days all day in the city. Beaches a tad warmer. 

Don't leave Madrid without a churro. Doesn't sound like much but it is. 

Churros are proof that God exists and he loves us...

[MR David 3]

On 4/23/2024 at 2:58 PM, Soccer Dudes Dad said:

Pics 1, 2, and 3 are the cathedral of Segovia.
Pics 4, 5, and 6 are the Castle Manzanares el Real.
Pic 7 is Catherdral of Segovia.
Pic 8 is Castle Manzanares.
Pic 9 is a dish called Iberico Secreto at La Mi Venta restaurant in Madrid.
Pics 10 and 11 are wide city views close to the Cathedral of Madrid.

If you go to Segovia, it's definitely amazing but make sure to drive to Castle de Manzanares.   Old castle, semi restored, beautiful museum and amazing views from the turrets...  https://www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/manzanares-el-real-castle/

The drive to La Sierra de Guadarrama National Park.  Mountain views, probably still snow at the summit, and widlife...  https://www.spain.info/en/nature/sierra-guadarrama-national-park/

Also, after leaving the park, and on the way to Segovia, visit the Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso.  Its a beautiful palace and chapel with some amazingly landscaped grounds...and the small city has many shops and restaurants on cobblestone streets...  https://www.spain.info/en/places-of-interest/royal-palace-granja-san-ildefonso/

Segovia speaks for itself.  https://www.spain.info/en/destination/segovia/

This could be done in a day, but it would be a looong day.  I suggest at least two-three days.  All of this is within an hour and a half, by car, from Madrid.

HAVE FUN and post pics of the trip...

 

I am also planning a trip there in June. I have gone through this https://www.spain.info I sorted out some places. Can you please recommend must-see places that we shouldn't be missing? 

[MR David 3]

I was also checking out other articles like these ones: https://www.patrimonionacional.es/en/visita/royal-palace-madrid and https://gowithguide.com/blog/tourism-in-spain-statistics-2024-your-in-depth-travel-guide-5686 The Royal Palace seems like a must-visit place. I have gone through their official ticket buying page: https://tickets.patrimonionacional.es/en/tickets/palacio-real-de-madrid. I am having doubts about which package to buy. Any suggestions? Which one covers all?