
Eight days - Madrid and Valencia
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Days 1 and 2: Madrid
Arrival at Adolfo Suárez Madrid - Barajas airport. Spend two days enjoying the top attractions of Madrid, the capital of Spain: the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, the Gran Vía, the Temple of Debod, the Puerta del Sol, the Hammam Al Ándalus baths, the Arab Wall, the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and shopping on the “Golden Mile” (Milla de Oro). You'll love Madrid's style. Packed with people, monuments and history, restaurants, bars and shopping, it will leave you speechless. Bring your camera: you'll want it in districts like the Austrias and Las Letras. Also in the beautiful Retiro Park which, together with the Paseo del Prado, make up the so-called “Landscape of Light”, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 2021. If you’re travelling with kids, you can also visit the Warner Park, the Faunia park, the Zoo Aquarium or the Puppet Theatre of El Retiro. You’ll spend the two nights in Madrid.
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Day 3: Day trip to Segovia
Take the high-speed train from Madrid-Chamartín station to the World Heritage City of Segovia (about half an hour away). Explore this medieval town. Don’t forget to visit the Alcazar, a castle which, with more than 2,000 years of history, was once a Roman fortress but also a fortress of Moorish Spain. Another must visit is the Roman Aqueduct, one of the most outstanding engineering works of the entire Roman Empire. You can stroll through the Segovia’s medieval streets and buy local souvenirs to take home.
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Day Four - Day trip to Toledo or Cuenca
Toledo: Take the high-speed train to Toledo, which will take about 40 minutes. The famous “City of Three Cultures” is an essential day trip from Madrid. Toledo was once the capital of the kingdom of Spain and is a must-see because of all its historic churches, synagogues and mosques, which serve as a reminder of how Muslims, Jews and Christians once lived together in harmony here. You can visit the Mosques of Cristo de la Luz and El Salvador, as well as the Islamic baths of Tenerías and the Bisagra Gate. Don't miss the Alcazar and the Cathedral of Santa Maria. Night in Madrid. Cuenca: Take the high-speed train from the Madrid-Atocha station to another World Heritage City, Cuenca (about an hour away). The town is ensconced on the cliffs of the Huécar river gorge and is famous for its Hanging Houses. Don't forget to take a memorable photo from the San Pablo bridge! You can take the opportunity to try one of its typical dishes: “migas” with eggs or the garlic-based “ajo arriero”. Night in Madrid.
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Day 5: Madrid - Valencia
Take the high-speed train from Madrid Chamartín or Madrid Puerta de Atocha stations to Valencia Joaquín Sorolla station (an hour and 45 min) or get on the same train from Cuenca (53 min). In the evening, head to the trendy Ruzafa neighbourhood and sample some Valencian cuisine. Night in Valencia.
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Day 6: Valencia
Valencia offers beautiful beaches and historical attractions: visit the Plaza de Toros de Valencia and also the Valencia Cathedral, the Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) or the traditional Mercat Central market. Discover all the nooks and crannies of the city and take the opportunity to eat paella in one of its restaurants. Night in Valencia.
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Day 7: Continue visiting Valencia or excursion to Peñíscola
You can either hire a car and drive to Peñíscola, or go there by train or bus. Don't miss Peñíscola Castle, the Artillery Park and the Casa de las Conchas. You can also stroll along its beaches and admire the town's lighthouse. If you prefer to continue visiting Valencia, you can go to the emblematic City of Arts and Sciences, which houses a science museum, an opera house, a planetarium, the Oceanogràfic Valencia aquarium and many other activities that can take up the whole day. In the evening, head to Malvarrosa beach to end the day watching the sunset. Night in Valencia.
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Day 8: Valencia
Before leaving, you can take the opportunity to visit L'Albufera, a Mediterranean ecosystem full of beaches, dunes, a forest, a rice field and a lake. To make sure you don't miss anything, you can follow one of the routes they offer from the site. Fly home from Valencia airport or take the high-speed train to Madrid.