One of the great things about studying at ESCP is the amazing location of the campuses. I am currently in Madrid and am having a wonderful time discovering the city and its surroundings.
Madrid has a great location in Spain, being almost in the middle of the country and surrounded by cities full of history and heritage. It is the perfect spot to take advantage of day trips to get to know its surroundings. Here are three amazing cities to visit during your stay in Madrid.
àvila
àvila is a World Heritage City and is one of the best preserved in all of Europe. With cobblestone streets, medieval history, churches, and a peaceful atmosphere, this city is most famous for Santa Teresa, a nun and writer who created the order of the Barefoot Carmelites.
- Places to visit: Alcazar Gate, Basilica of San Vicente, Viewpoint of the Four Pillars, and the Convent of Santa Teresa.
- What to eat: Yemas of Santa Teresa and Veal T-bone steak “Chuletà³n”
- My tips: I suggest visiting the Santa Teresa Shop & Café located in the city center. Here, you can enjoy a complimentary sample of yemas before making a purchase of a full box. These sweets offer unique flavors and textures, so it’s best to approach them with an open mind and no preconceived expectations.
There are some tourist attractions that are a bit far to the city center, if you don’t feel like walking or are running out of time, I suggest renting a tuk tuk so you can comfortably sightsee most places.
Best views and instagram snap shots can be taken from the Viewpoint of the Four Pillars, as it allows you to see Avila from a bit far.
- How to get there: Avila is located 100 km from Madrid. It is easily accessible by bus or train. The average train trip duration is 1h40m, it leaves from the Principe Pio station, you can get tickets at the Renfe website or buy them there directly. The round trip is around 22€.
Segovia
The number one attraction to see in Segovia is the Aqueduct. It is a masterful ancient Roman monument of 167 arches built with unmortared granite bricks and supported only by the balance of forces. It has not been restored or modified ever since its creation. The city is small and can easily be discovered on foot.
- Places to visit: Aqueduct of Segovia, Alcà¡zar of Segovia, Cathedral of Segovia, House of the “Picos”
- What to eat: Segovian “Cochinillo” (small pig). Try to find traditional restaurants where the offer it. usually served with fries or salad as a side.
- My tip: It’s best to book your tickets in advance to avoid long queues. You can explore various appealing options on the Segovia Tourism Website. Additionally, the tourism office offers interesting tours starting from the aqueduct, available in several languages besides Spanish. For the best views and Instagram-worthy snapshots, head to the Alcà¡zar.
- How to get there: Segovia is located 90 km from Madrid and is easily accessible by train. Average train trip duration is 30 min from Madrid-Chamartin and the round trip costs around 20€.
Toledo
A city where Christians, Muslims and Jews lived together for centuries where you can easily differentiate the specific heritage left by each religion in the city. It is an amazing opportunity to get to know more of each religion and their passing through the country. Toledo was once known as the capital of the country before Madrid was named the official capital. Do not miss the opportunity to walk through the ancient cask.
- Places to visit: Zocodover Square, Toledo Cathedral, Synagogue of Santa Maràa La Blanca, Mosque of Cristo de la Luz and Church of Santiago del Arrabal
- What to eat: Toledo’s typical Marzipan. Confiteràa Santo Tomé has various presentations to choose from that you can also buy as a souvenir to give to someone else.
- My tip: I highly recommend joining a free walking tour to explore the city center of Toledo. This way, you can schedule the tour at your convenience and focus on the specific information that interests you the most. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as you’ll encounter uphill terrain and stairs along the way!
- How to get there: the city is located 72 km from Madrid it is easily accessible by train. Average train trip duration is 36 min from Atocha and the round trip costs around 28€
Whether you make a solo trip or go with your friends, don’t miss the opportunity to get to know more of this amazing country and enjoy the incredible sightseeing destinations. I am sure that everyone, regardless of where they come from, will have a good time and learn something new. And don’t forget to take amazing selfies to share on social media!
I hope that with this information you venture into discovering Spain and it helps you to feel more confident in calling Madrid and ESCP your new home.
By Ivana Bernal Marquez, Mexican student currently in the 1st year of the Master in Management specializing in Marketing. Travel lover, cultural learner and brunch enthusiast. Will never say no to a nice walk in the park.