Pack your bags, because we're going to Castilla y León, a large region of inland Spain which includes eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. It's an attractive prospect, especially if we mention you can get there quickly and comfortably on the high-speed train (AVE). In fact, Madrid has high-speed rail connections to six provincial capitals in Castilla y León:
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6Segovia
This must be one of the most charming cities in Spain. A stroll around its historic centre is a delight, and the sights, such as the Cathedral and the Alcázar, are well worth seeing. But of course, the jewel in the crown is the Roman Aqueduct, a World Heritage site. It's quite amazing. Just 25 minutes from Madrid on the AVE.
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6Valladolid
The city where the Catholic Monarchs were secretly married is now a lovely place to explore on foot. For example, you can see the Museum Houses of Columbus and Cervantes, the National Sculpture Museum, the Cathedral or the Church of San Pablo, one of the prettiest Gothic buildings in the region. Just 55 minutes from Madrid on the AVE.
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6Palencia
In the city of Palencia you can visit the Casa del Cordón mansion housing the Palencia Museum, or take in the views from the hill of Cerro del Otero. And beyond the town, we recommend a side trip to villages like Frómista or Carrión de los Condes, on the famous Camino de Santiago (the route is a World Heritage Site). You could even start the Way from there! You can get to Palencia from Madrid in less than 90 minutes on the AVE.
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6Burgos
The jewel in the crown of the Castilian city of Burgos is its imposing cathedral (World Heritage), which followed the Franco-Norman Gothic model in its construction. However, it is not the only Burgos monument of enormous historical value, as there are many others such as the Casa del Cordón or the Monastery of Santa María Real de las Huelgas. And if you want to dive into an even more remote past, visit the renowned Museum of Human Evolution, based on the transcendent discoveries of the nearby Atapuerca site. By AVE, it will take just over an hour and a half to get from Madrid to Burgos.
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6Leon
A trip to León and a round of tapas in the district called Barrio Húmedo, or a visit to its Gothic Cathedral and the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro, is sure to be enjoyable. While you're there, strike out for Las Médulas (about 150 kilometres from the city of León), the only landscape of its kind in the world, where the Roman Empire once hollowed out the mountains in what is thought to be the world’s largest open-cast gold mine. It's another of the World Heritage sites in Castilla y León. León is about two hours from Madrid on the AVE.
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6Zamora
Once you're in Zamora, get your camera ready, because this is one of the European cities with the most Romanesque churches in the middle of town. And there are other villages nearby, like Toro (less than 40 kilometres from the city of Zamora), known for its wines and its beautiful Collegiate Church of Santa María. Zamora is around one hour from Madrid thanks to high-speed trains.
In addition to the cities connected by AVE to Madrid, we encourage you to visit other fascinating places in Castilla y León like the area around Soria, with such spectacular landscapes as the Cañón del Río Lobos Natural Park, and the other World Heritage locations: the old town of Ávila and its churches outside the walls or the old town of Salamanca.When you get to each destination, check the local Tourist Office for information on guided tours or interesting excursions.
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