I’ll be honest … I enjoy what surrounds Madrid more than what is in the actual city. Now don’t get me wrong … I like the city of Madrid and always have an amazing time when I go. However if you don’t get out of the city a bit, you’re missing out. There are so many day trips from Madrid that you can take!

There are towns full of history and culture just 30 minutes-an hour outside of the city. If you want to experience some amazing food and explore some Roman ruins, look no further.

These 6 day trip ideas are easy to add onto a few days in the city. If you want to experience a bit more of the Spanish culture in a different way but don’t have time to go stay in a different city, one of these day trips could be the perfect thing to make your trip to Spain’s capital a bit more unique!

If you find yourself visiting the La Rioja region in Northern Spain, there are many day trips from Logroño that you can take. Logroño is the capital city of the region and a stop on the Camino de Santiago. While it’s not the biggest city in the world, its population of 150,000 definitely won’t leave you bored.

While the city has some sights to see, food to eat and wine to drink, I would definitely recommend a day trip or two to get more of the authentic La Rioja experience. You really need to get out and see the lush countryside full of vineyards to really experience this region. Here are a few places within a 30 minute-hour drive that are worth the trip.

If you’re looking for a delicious restaurant in Laguardia, Spain, I have just the place for you. Villa Lucía has the perfect mix of innovative food, entertaining events and an amazing atmosphere. It sits amidst the Rioja vineyards, giving it the perfect backdrop for an evening out.

Laguardia is a charming Basque village located in the North of Spain. It sits just an hour from Vitoria and a little over an hour from Bilbao. Laguardia is a little less than four hours to the North of Madrid. If you want a relaxing weekend away, it’s the place to be.

In the North of Spain between mountains and vineyards sits one of the most charming villages I’ve ever visited. Laguardia, Spain is one of those towns you easily spend a few days soaking in the architecture, history, wine, food and views. If you want a weekend to enjoy life at a slower pace, this medieval village is the perfect escape.

Laguardia is located in the Southern part of the Basque Country. It’s not apart of the La Rioja autonomous region but it is apart of the El Rioja wine region. As you make your way into town, you’ll be surrounded by vineyards that come alive in the fall. The closest big cities are Logroño (20 minutes by car) and Vitoria (45 minutes by car).

A weekend in Santander is the perfect escape if you live in the North of Spain. This small but charming Spanish city has lots for you to do in 48 hours. Here are some of the highlights.

How to spend a weekend in Santander

The first thing you should be aware of is the weather. I’m afraid the expression “Sunny Spain” doesn’t always apply to Santander. Now don’t get me wrong, there are days where the sun is shining and it’s warm. However there are also many days of cold, wind and rain.

Both times that I went to Santander were in mid-June and the water was still a bit too cold to swim (although locals were enjoying a little dip in the water). I would definitely recommend to still pack a bathing suit as the beach is still a great option! Be careful because the tide rises. I kept having to move my stuff back!

There’s no doubt that La Rioja wineries are quite abundant where I live. For those of you who don’t know me well or are perhaps visiting my site for the first time, I live in La Rioja, Spain, a region well-known for wine. Haven’t heard of La Rioja before? That’s okay because you are definitely not alone. While the region isn’t as well-known as say Barcelona or Granada, it is still worth a visit especially if you enjoy a fermented drink or two.

Since La Rioja has so many wineries and vineyards, one of my favorite things to do is visit them! Basically a guide walks you through the process of a grape turning into wine and then you get to try a few! They generally cost anywhere from 12-25€ or more depending on the winery and what is included in the visit.