Central Spain

Region

The high plateau of the interior, with the capital at its centre. Madrid has the Prado, the Royal Palace and late nights, and within reach are Toledo, Segovia's aqueduct, Ávila's walls, Salamanca's golden university town, Burgos and León's cathedrals, Don Quixote's windmills and Roman Mérida in Extremadura. Spring and autumn are best.

Central Spain Plaza de España, MadridAqueduct of SegoviaAlcázar of SegoviaPlaza Mayor, MadridMuseo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina SofíaParque Warner MadridThyssen-Bornemisza MuseumNational Museum of Natural HistoryMuseum of Human EvolutionNational Sculpture MuseumCerralbo MuseumRailway Museum (Madrid)Museo del TrajeBernabéu (stadium)Burgos CathedralCantabrian MountainsMeseta CentralVicente Calderón StadiumAlmudena CathedralToledo CathedralLas MédulasIberian SystemNumantiaRoyal Palace of AranjuezLeón CathedralMonastery of Saint Mary of GuadalupeValley of the FallenAlcántara BridgeAlfredo di Stéfano StadiumMadrid cityToledo citySegovia CityCáceres cityMéridaMuseo del PradoRoyal Palace of MadridEl EscorialAlconabaAlmajanoNavalenoParlaSanta María de las HoyasMonteagudo de las VicaríasArévaloLa Puebla de MontalbánArenas de San PedroValdelacalzadaAdaneroAlbornosMadrigal de las Altas TorresAmavidaSalobralValdecasaCasavieja

Central Spain essentials

Country: Spain
Driest months: Jul-Sep
Pay in: Euro (€)
Language: Catalan
Emergency: 091

Where to Go in Central Spain

City Alconaba AlconabaSmall village in Soria province City Almajano AlmajanoSmall municipality in Soria province, Castile and León City Navaleno NavalenoMountain town in Soria province, pine forests City Parla ParlaSuburb of Madrid with modern amenities History Royal Palace of Madrid Royal Palace of MadridGrand state palace and official royal residence museum History Aqueduct of Segovia Aqueduct of SegoviaRoman aqueduct still standing as engineering marvel History Alcázar of Segovia Alcázar of SegoviaFairy-tale castle formerly royal fortress and museum History El Escorial El EscorialHistoric Spanish royal monastery and royal mausoleum complex Nature Cantabrian Mountains Cantabrian MountainsCoastal mountain chain across northern Spain with diverse ecosystems Nature Sierra de Guadarrama Sierra de GuadarramaMountain range north of Madrid with granite peaks Nature Parque del Buen Retiro, Madrid Parque del Buen Retiro, MadridHistoric central Madrid park with sculptures and gardens Nature Pico Almanzor Pico AlmanzorHighest peak of Sierra de Gredos, popular ascent
Regions & Cities
Explore Madrid city Plazas teem at dusk; the Prado and Reina Sofía hold old and modern masterpieces, tapas bars in La Latina serve jamón and tortilla, Retiro offers green shade, and late nightlife moves from tapas to club floors. Toledo city Explore Toledo city Walk Toledo’s cobbled lanes to the cathedral and Alcázar, where medieval syncretism is carved in stone. Segovia City Explore Segovia City You can’t miss the Roman aqueduct striding across Plaza Mayor; Alcázar turrets, a Gothic cathedral and plates of cochinillo draw history and food-minded visitors. Explore Cáceres city Cáceres’ Roman walls, medieval palaces and narrow plazas form a preserved Old Town; history buffs trace Moorish towers and Renaissance palaces, then sample Extremaduran ham and take wildlife trips to nearby Monfragüe. Mérida Explore Mérida In Extremadura, Mérida’s Roman theatre and aqueducts dominate itineraries; tourists come for the amphitheatre shows, National Roman Museum, tapas in stone courtyards and the occasional festival of classical drama. Museo del Prado Explore Museo del Prado The Museo del Prado holds Spain’s major collection of European painting-Velázquez, Goya, El Greco and Bosch dominate-drawing visitors for masterpieces, curated galleries and rotating exhibitions. Royal Palace of Madrid Explore Royal Palace of Madrid Madrid’s Royal Palace, used for state ceremonies, opens grand rooms, frescoed halls, and an armory; tourists tour the throne room, royal apartments, and the palace’s formal plazas. El Escorial Explore El Escorial El Escorial northwest of Madrid combines a royal palace, monastery and royal mausoleum built under Philip II; visitors tour its basilica, historic library and formal courtyards.

Central Spain at a Glance

Local Time
12:42 AM
GMT+1
Population
12,541,708

Best Things to Do in Central Spain