Renfe Cercanías and Media Distancia trains are free in Spain from September 1 to December 31, a measure that the Government announced last July and that we are all waiting for “like rain in May”. A measure that means enjoying great plans and that we can already request on the Renfe website.
During the first day, almost 92,000 free subscriptions were sold, 65% were purchased on-line and 35% at ticket offices and vending machines at Renfe stations.
With the arrival of autumn we feel like making weekend getaways, going out to eat in the mountains, enjoying hiking trails… plans with friends or family that are perfect for escaping the stress of big cities like Madrid. For this reason, we propose a calendar of getaways to the outskirts of the capital, a total of eight destinations until December to complete 16 trips (8 one way + 8 return) that we explain below.
Calendar of getaways to the outskirts of Madrid
El Escorial (September 3-4)
El Escorial is one of the best destinations from Madrid, ideal to spend a weekend. An option where you have a lot to visit such as the magnificent Royal Monastery (Historic-Artistic Monument since 1931 and recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage since 1984), the gardens of the Casita del Príncipe, Jardín de los Frailes, Mirador del Parque Adolfo Suárez or the forest of La Herrería and Silla de Felipe II. All accompanied by a great gastronomic proposal. If you feel like doing a route, the Monte Abantos route is the best.
Alpedrete (September 17-18)
Another of the towns in the Sierra de Guadarrama that is worth visiting is Stone. A walk through its historic center seeing the Plaza de la Villa where the Town Hall, the Church of Ntra. Sra. de la Asunción or the ‘Monumento al Cantero’ are located: a hiking route along the Miaccum path, the Arcilleros (Las Canteras ) or the meadow of Alpedrete; and finally, enjoy a good meat with denomination of origin… complete its magnificent options.
The Mills (October 15-16)
To go eat on a Saturday or a Sunday, The mills It is a very wise choice. It is located in the Sierra de Guadarrama and has direct access to the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. The name of the population is due to the old mills of which, at present, the remains of some of these can be seen. The location of Los Molinos gives it great natural beauty with abundant animal and plant species.
Alcalá de Henares (October 29-30)
There is only one world heritage city throughout the Community of Madrid: Alcala de Henares. The city of the Cisnerian University, Miguel de Cervantes and the Roman remains of Complutum. There is much to visit in this beautiful city: Palacio Laredo, Cervantes’ birthplace, the chapel of the oidor and the tower of Santa María, Plaza Cervantes, the Cathedral, or the walls of Alcalá are some of the visits that you cannot miss. And of course, its historic center where you can end up having an appetizer or pintxos, and a good sweet in one of its fantastic patisseries. A very complete destination
Zarzalejo (November 12-13)
briar It is located near San Lorenzo del Escorial. Spending the day in this town in the Sierra de Madrid is a perfect rural option. It is divided into two: the upper part where the old town is located and the lower part is La Estación, perfect for “building legs” on a beautiful walk, with beautiful landscapes as a backdrop. And of course, you can end the day enjoying its wonderful gastronomy.
Aranjuez (November 26-27)
Aranjuez, It’s the perfect fall outing. Without a doubt, the first thing to visit is its Palace. History and beauty fill every corner of this enclave that is part of the Cultural Landscape of Aranjuez and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Next to it are the gardens of the Parterre and that of the Island, where you can enjoy, if the weather is good, a kayak route through the waters that border the palace and the gardens of the Island. It is also worth visiting the Church of Alpajes , the Garden of the Prince. If it’s really cold, the strawberry train is a perfect alternative.
Cercedilla (December 3-4)
Cercedilla It is a mountain town in the Sierra de Guadarrama where you can breathe fresh air. An ideal rural destination for hiking thanks to Las Dehesas, located in one of the most important forest masses in the Community of Madrid, especially large Scots pine forests. It has natural pools (for the summer) and a risky adventure park, the EcoParque. In winter it is a perfect location if you like to ski, as it is just a few minutes from Navacerrada Y Valdesqui.
Robledo de Chavela (December 17-18)
To celebrate a Christmas meal outside the capital Robledo de Chavela it is all a success. It is located in the Sierra de la Madrid, in an area located halfway between Guadarrama and the Sierra de Gredos where you can enjoy a great gastronomic offer. As interesting visits are the Satellite Monitoring Center, the space museum or the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, a Gothic building from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Which trains are going to be free
First of all, not all trains will enjoy the same benefits. Only the trains Cercanías, Rodalies (Catalonia) and medium distance enjoying free multi-trip passes. Therefore, high-speed trains (Avant or AVE) and long-distance trains are excluded from the measure.
- Madrid-Valladolid-Vitoria
- Madrid-Jaen
- Barcelona Sants-Girona-Cebere
- A Coruña-Santiago-Vigo
- Seville-Cadiz
- Seville-Cordoba-Jaen
- Valencia-Vinaroz-Tortosa
- Valencia-Alicante-Murcia
- Salamanca-Madrid
The multi-trip vouchers have a duration of four months. Those bought to move in Cercanías or Rodalies cost 10 euros and the middle distance 20 euros. In addition, in either of the two cases it will be necessary to make a total of, at least, 16 trips in the four months of validity of the measure, an average of four trips per month. Once it is verified that the traveler has made at least those 16 trips in the next four months, the money will be returned starting next December. So you can get them.
Cover photo | National Heritage