Beautiful towns near Madrid

Last 2017 the city of Madrid received more than 9 million tourists. Which meant an increase of 2,7 percent according to the National Institute of Statistics. The capital of Spain has much to offer its visitors: traditional and avant-garde gastronomy, art, business, sports, museums and theaters, important monuments that speak of the history of the town ... However, the charm of Madrid as a Community goes beyond the big city and extends to all corners of the province. What beautiful towns are near Madrid? We discover them, below.

San Lorenzo del Escorial

In the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama the main tourist destination of the Community of Madrid is located outside the capital. It is located just 50 kilometers from Madrid and the population arose around the Monastery of El Escorial.

One of the reasons why this town is a recommended visit for travelers is that it has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site and contains a beautiful cultural and historical heritage. Its urban layout accommodates rationalist avenues and small squares of previous design with stately homes in the Herrerian style.

Its most famous monument is the Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was ordered to be built by King Felipe II. between 1563 and 1584 to commemorate the victory in the battle of San Quintín and to house the Royal Pantheon. Here the Spanish kings of the Austria and Bourbon dynasties are buried. Its structure was designed by Juan Bautista de Toledo and made by Juan de Herrera.

The simplicity of its forms concentrates all the attention on the harmony of towers, cloisters, fountains and patios. Among the main areas, more than 4.000 rooms are distributed. The entrance to the basilica of the monastery is through the Patio de los Reyes de Judea and it occupies the entire central part of the architectural complex.

We are facing a masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture that was built with a Greek cross plan but which had to be adapted to a Latin cross plan on the occasion of the Council of Trent. It is divided by three naves covered with a barrel vault and has a spectacular main altar that is visible from anywhere in the temple. The basilica is made of granite ashlar masonry and the floor is made of gray and white marble.

Other places of interest to visit in San Lorenzo del Escorial are the Houses of Offices, the Palace of the Marqués de Campo Villar, the Houses of the Company, the House of the Infantes and the Queen, the Coliseum of Carlos III, the House of the Duke. de Medinaceli are some examples.

Patones de Arriba

It is said that it is the most beautiful town in the Community of Madrid and that it holds the title of the only "black town" in the province because of its peculiar architecture, which uses slate as its main constructive element as it is cheap and very abundant in the area. This gave it a very peculiar style that it shares with some areas of Segovia or Guadalajara.

Unlike Patones de Abajo, a basically residential municipality, in Patones de Arriba hardly anyone lives and it is mainly a tourist place. Surely its secluded location has allowed its architecture, way of life and traditions to survive the passing of time.

Vehicle access is restricted so it is advisable to get up early and arrive early in town if we do not want to run out of space to park in the tiny parking lot.

It was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, which has given it the maximum protection allowed by the Spanish Historical Heritage law.

Chinchón

Located 46 kilometers from Madrid capital, Chinchón is one of the most unique and best-preserved towns in the Community. Its streets retain that charm that evokes bygone times and all the streets are distributed around its Plaza Mayor, medieval, irregular and closed in style that is surrounded by three-story buildings with wooden balconies called "clearings." Since the XNUMXth century, there have been royal festivals, bullfights, proclamations and comedy corrals.

Chinchón is considered an excellent gastronomic destination in the province. Hence the saying "Chinchón: anís, plaza y mesón". This municipality has olive oils, spirits and high-quality wines that are worth trying, and in the same way, it is convenient to be surprised by the typical dishes such as duels and losses, migas a la pastora, chichoneras beans or Castilian soup. .

Other places of interest to visit in Chinchón are the National Parador that occupies the old Discalced Augustinian Convent, founded at the end of the XNUMXth century. It was also used as a court and jail years later.

The town also has the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the castle, the Casa de la Cadena and many other places to discover.

Aranjuez

Crossed by the Tagus and Jarama rivers, this town near Toledo has a natural and cultural landscape available to very few in Spain. Among its main tourist attractions are the Royal Palace, built by the Austrian dynasty and the Parterre, La Isla or El Príncipe gardens.

Other interesting buildings to see in Aranjuez are the Palacio de Medinaceli, the Casa del Labrador, the House of Trades and Knights, the church of San Antonio, the House of Employees, the Plaza de Toros, the Mercado de Abastos or the Hospital de San Carlos.

A trip to Aranjuez should also include a visit to the Faluas museum, which houses the elegant boats used by the Spanish kings to navigate the Tagus River.

As if that were not enough, just one kilometer from Aranjuez is the Mar de Ontígola, an old reservoir for the recreation of royalty that is currently a refuge for waterfowl, with an ecological path and an observatory on the shore.

Rascafría

In the stupendous high valley of the Lozoya, at almost 100 meters of altitude and between two mountain ranges, Rascafría is located, a beautiful medieval town near Madrid. Among its emblematic buildings are the old Casa de Postas, the Monastery of El Paular, the Casa del Guardia de los Batanes, the Casa de la Madera, the Casona from the XNUMXth century that functioned as a hospital and the parish church of San Andrés Apóstol from the XNUMXth century. XV.

Its natural environment is of enormous scenic beauty as it is home to the Giner de los Ríos Arboretum, the Peñalara Natural Park and the Valdesquí station.