Madrid Countryside: Explore Nature's Beauty for day trips

Your Guide to Visiting Madrid's Countryside

Tired of concrete views and coffee-shop Wi-Fi? Then it's time you meet Madrid countryside—and it’s closer than you think.

Just an hour or two from the city, you'll find beautiful towns like Puebla de la Sierra and La Hiruela, where peace and productivity go hand in hand. These aren’t just sleepy villages—they’re smart choices for remote workers, creatives, and anyone craving fresh air and fewer distractions.

Whether you're planning a quick day trip or plotting a new route for your work-from-anywhere life, this guide will show you the best towns to visit, where to stay, and how to get there (yes, even without a car—high speed train included).

Keep reading. Your next base might just have chestnut trees, clean air, and stronger focus than any coworking in Malasaña.

Where to Go – Rural Escapes That Actually Deliver

These handpicked spots near Madrid give you more than views—they offer stillness, history, and surprisingly solid Wi-Fi. All within 1–2 hours of the capital.

Hidden Villages Worth the Trip

• Patones de Arriba
  One of the most beautiful towns in the region. Think slate stone streets, black houses, and a silence that hits different. Great for slow mornings and offline weekends. Tip: Visit midweek if you want the village to yourself.

• Chinchón
  A classic village with a circular plaza, wine cellars, and a church that’s been standing since the 16th century. Don't miss the local anise liqueur and Saturday market.

  

• Buitrago de Lozoya
  Framed by medieval walls and mountain views, this town has a cool breeze and a Picasso museum you wouldn’t expect. It's the kind of place where every photo looks like a postcard.

  

Nature That Clears Your Head

• Sierra de Guadarrama
  Remote enough to recharge, close enough to not panic about signal. Stay in Cercedilla or Navacerrada. Hike La Peñota or rent a rural apartment with mountain views. You can also find the valley of La Fuenfría in this area, considered a natural treasure with its waterfalls and mountains views.

  

• Hayedo de Montejo
  This UNESCO-protected forest turns gold in autumn and feels like walking through a fairytale. You’ll need to book ahead—access is limited to protect the trees.

  

Local stat: 38% of madrileños take regular countryside escapes for mental clarity. Turns out, a bit of nature is good for your next big idea.

What to Do – Not Your Average Nature Walk

This isn’t just about hiking boots and birdwatching. The Madrid region is full of activities that blend adventure with culture—in fact, Rural activity bookings in Spain rose 32% last year. Most of these villages are just a short route away from the towns you’ll want to explore and stay in.

For the Active: Trails, Bikes, and Horseback

• Hike Around Horcajuelo de la Sierra and Montejo de la Sierra
  Craving snowy landscapes in winter or chestnut-filled paths in autumn? These villages are your starting points. Hiking trails here connect through oak forests, rivers, and views of the mountains. The beech forest of Montejo de la Sierra has been awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO.

  

• Explore on E-Bike
  Rent one in La Hiruela and glide through the community of Madrid’s most scenic protected areas. A good example of slow travel meets high performance.

  

• Horseback Riding in Bustarviejo
  You’ll pass abandoned mills, pine woods, and quiet other villages. Expect to pay €20–€30 for an hour-long ride with local guides.

  

For the Culture-Seekers: Markets, Castles, and Local Flavors

• Castle of Manzanares el Real
  Less famous than Segovia’s but just as impressive, this lakeside fortress is a real gem. €6 entry, zero crowds. Located at the foot of the mountains, it makes a great combo with a hike.

  

• Weekend Markets in Rascafría and El Escorial
  Fresh cheese, handmade crafts, and the kind of bread that never makes it home. Shopping in El Escorial’s market is a staple in the Madrid region—plus it’s well connected by public transport.

  

• Vineyards and Food Tours
  Try Bodega Tagonius near Tielmes for a tasting tour among olive trees and old stone houses. Tours start at €15 and pair local wine with jamón and queso.

  

• Bonus find
  In Torrelaguna, you can walk from your rental to a 15th-century church, grab a local pastry, and still be back at your desk before your 10 a.m. standup.
  Fun fact: This town was once home to Cardinal Cisneros—proof that even five centuries ago, people knew this was a great place to think.

  

Local tip: Plan your visits around local fiestas—many towns host seasonal events that are a window into village life you won’t want to miss.

Where to Stay – Peace, Wi-Fi, and Ergonomic Chairs

Forget the dining table-as-desk setup. The countryside in Madrid has leveled up—and so should your workstation.

Remote-Ready Rural Stays

• Casas Rurales with Comfort in Mind
  In Buitrago de Lozoya and other tucked-away spots in the Community of Madrid, you’ll find charming homes with stone streets, warm hosts, and surprisingly fast Wi-Fi. Expect to pay €60–€100 a night for a stay that blends rest with productivity.

• Boutique Hotels That Understand Remote Work
  Try Hotel Rural Las Rozuelas, located near Cercedilla. It’s the ideal place to recharge and get things done, with forest trails just beyond your window and cozy restaurants nearby for your post-call lunch.

• RentRemote Listings with Real Workstations
  No bar stools here. We’re talking adjustable chairs, external monitors, and full desks in sunlit rooms. If you are looking for a furnished apartment in Madrid countryside, this is your best option. Most properties sit within 90 minutes of the capital—easy to reach by train, even easier to stay longer.

Since 2020, rural tourism in Spain has grown by 25%—many remote workers now choose vineyards over coworking noise to find clarity and rest.

Bonus: Café Work Spots (For When You Need a Change of Scenery)

• Café de la Iberia, Chinchón
  Right on the main square, this is where slow emails and long coffees happen. Grab a table facing the plaza mayor and stay for the local menu del día—it’s worth it.

• Badiana, Navacerrada
  A café that opens early, has fast Wi-Fi, and delicious food. Local service, detailed and attentive, it’s one of those places where your to-do list shrinks while your mood lifts.

Local tip: If you're exploring Toledo or small city getaways, look for cafés located near landmarks like the Royal Palace—they're perfect for a quick session between sights.

Sometimes all it takes is leaving Madrid’s busy streets behind to reconnect with your focus.

Getting There and Getting Around

You don’t need to rent a 4x4 to discover the Community of Madrid’s rural gems. In fact, most towns are easier to reach than you think—and sometimes the route is half the charm.

Do You Need a Car?

• Not for a Short Stay
  Many places are just a quick day trip from the city. El Berrueco, for example, is nearby and reachable by bus. It’s known for its reservoir views and peaceful rhythm—perfect for a one-night reset.

• Yes, If You’re Going Deep into the Mountains
  Planning to stay longer or hike through the Sierra de Guadarrama? Then a rental car gives you more freedom, especially if your base is tucked in a valley or off the main course of transport.

  

Pro tip: For trips over 3 days or if you're aiming to visit multiple towns in the same region, a car turns your trip into a flexible road escape.

Public Transport Tips (It’s Better Than You’d Expect)

• Buses & Trains

  • Bus 337: Madrid-Chinchón—runs regularly, lands you right at the town hall in under 90 minutes.

  • Cercanías C-9: Gets you straight to Cotos, the gateway to mountains and forest hikes in Sierra de Guadarrama.

  • To El Escorial: Train from Madrid’s Atocha or Chamartín stations. Ideal for architecture fans—it’s home to a famous guided tour of the Royal Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Best Apps to Download

  • Renfe Cercanías: For train times, platforms, and connections.

  • Moovit: Real-time bus and train data across Spain, plus walking routes between stops.

85% of the rural destinations in the Community of Madrid are reachable by public transport, making it one of the most connected countryside regions in the world.

You don’t need wheels to escape the city. Just a good plan, a reliable app, and maybe a book for the ride west.

How Much Does It All Cost?

Spoiler: working from a sunny terrace in Prádena del Rincón doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, a few days in the surroundings of Madrid often cost less than a noisy weekend in the Capital—and come with a lot more clarity.

Your Budget Breakdown

• Stay
  €70–€130 per night for remote-ready houses, boutique hotels, or RentRemote apartments located near charming towns. Most come with full workstations and better views than your old office. Check out Prádena del Rincón if you want pure peace just 90 minutes from Madrid.

• Meals
  €10–€20 per meal at local taverns. Think grilled meats in Toledo, or home-style stews in the mountains of Buitrago del Lozoya. Bonus: many restaurants are located near the town hall—easy to find, always full of locals.

• Transport
  €5–€15 round trip if you go by bus or train from Madrid. Renting a car? Budget €30–€50 per hour-based rental (or cheaper for multi-day bookings).

• Activities

  • Castles and museums: ~€6 per visit (like art-filled galleries in Buitrago or Toledo).

  • Wine or food tours: €15–€30. Many include tastings and a local guide who knows the community of Madrid like their own backyard.

Compared to Madrid, expenses in the towns and rural surroundings drop by 30–40% on average—meaning you get more out of your budget without sacrificing comfort.

TL;DR: A 3-day workcation in the Madrid countryside costs less than two dinners and a show in the Capital—but gives you fresh air, quiet houses, better focus, and amazing views of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Is It Really Remote-Work Friendly?

Spoiler: Yes, With the Right Setup

You’re not the only one wondering if it’s possible to work from the mountains without losing connection—or your mind. The answer is yes. But you need to know where to go, what to pack, and which places get it.

Your Best Bet: RentRemote-Approved Stays

We’ve already handpicked houses and boutique spots across the Sierra de Guadarrama, El Berrueco, and the towns north of Madrid that are built for performance.
Expect:

• In-room desks (actual desks, not side tables)

• Ergonomic chairs

• Reliable Wi-Fi

• Quiet surroundings that let your brain breathe

Need help choosing? Filter by location and features to match your working style—whether you're writing a deck or designing art.

Rural Coworking? Yes, But Choose Wisely

If you’re the type who needs a bit of background buzz, check out La Solana Hub near El Escorial. It’s a cozy, functional space in a historic building with a view of the mountains—and better coffee than most city coworkings.

Other towns along the route toward Sierra de Guadarrama are starting to pop up with coworking options too, though they’re more community-driven and small scale.

Local stat: Nearly 1 in 4 remote workers in Spain have done at least one “workation” in a rural town since 2022, driven by better infrastructure and the need to unplug without disconnecting.

Why In-Room Workspaces Still Win

Even in towns like El Berrueco or Rascafría, café-hopping isn’t the move. Plugs are rare, Wi-Fi can be spotty, and once the lunch rush hits, you’re out of luck. A setup where you can rest, focus, and take a proper call? Non-negotiable.

Turns out, the city doesn’t have a monopoly on good ideas. You just need a different view of the mountains.

Why the Countryside Isn’t a Break—It’s an Upgrade

You don’t have to pick between a focused workday and a meaningful route through nature. The countryside in Madrid gives you both.

Here, your morning walk might pass a centuries-old church, your lunch break could involve a vineyard, and your weekend might include a hike through a beech forest or a stroll among the black architecture route of La Hiruela. It's about proving you don't need to be in the center of Madrid to get your work done.

This is about finding places where your brain works better because you feel better. Where the Wi-Fi works, but the rush doesn’t follow you.

Need art? Need silence? Need space? It’s all a train ride away.

Ready to unplug the noise and replug your focus? Let us help you find your next base.