Cala Agulla

This white sandy beach is quite large and forms part of the natural area of special interest declared by the Parliament of the Balearic Islands in 1991. It is, however, quite touristy, so arrive early to avoid the crowds. Many services are available on site, including a bar, hammock service, showers and other facilities.

Sa Calobra

Sa Calobra beach is one of Mallorca’s most photographed beaches. It is located on the Tramuntana coast and can be reached via the winding road between Sóller and Pollença, or by hiking across the Torrent de Parreis. Getting there by two-wheeler or car is an adventure, with its snake-like winding road from which it takes its name. The beach is narrow and surrounded by cliffs, which adds to its charm. It’s a pebble beach, so don’t forget your shoes. Take something to eat and drink, as there are no services.

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Caló des Moro

Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful coves on the island, its white sand, turquoise waters and vegetation make it the perfect place to spend the day. The cove is surrounded by cliffs and quite difficult to access. But if you’re brave enough, you won’t regret it ! The area is also ideal for diving and snorkeling. It’s accessible by shuttle bus from Santanyí, leaving you just a 15-minute walk away.

Cala Mondragó

This cove is much less frequented by tourists, making it the perfect place to relax by the water. It has been declared a Nature Park, then an Area of Interest for birdwatchers due to its large bird population. It is surrounded by a pine forest and covered with white sand.

Cala Llombards

Cala Llombards is one of the most unspoilt beaches on the eastern side of the island of Mallorca. The beach is formed by the mouth of a torrent, which itself has created several small coves in the surrounding area. Here you can admire the splendid high cliffs that encircle the beach, and the small pine forest in the background. It’s easy to reach by car, thanks to free parking, but not by bus. For hiking enthusiasts, several excursions leave from this beach, passing through villages and other beaches, to arrive, for one of them, at Calo des Moro, for example.

If you’re heading off to sunbathe in Mallorca, be sure to visit these magnificent coves, which will leave you with unforgettable memories.

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Aranjuez

Known as the “Royal Site of Aranjuez,” this town is famous for its stunning royal palace and gardens. You can discover a variety of monuments and enjoy all its green space.  Explore the lavish rooms of the palace, stroll through the gardens, and take a boat ride along the tranquil waters of the Tagus River. It’s the perfect destination for a day trip from Madrid.

Navalcarnero

This town is steeped in history, with its origins dating back to the Middle Ages. The famous place of Segovia must to be seen when you there, with its typical castillan style and the buildings that bordered the place with their charming wood balcony. With its rich history, cultural delights, and scenic beauty, this charming town offers a truly authentic Spanish experience.

Patones de Arriba

With slate stone as the main building element, Patones de Arriba is one of the most visited village in the area. You can visit the Church of San José, a striking example of rural Baroque architecture, and learn about the village’s past at the local museum. This place is perfect for seekers of a peaceful atmosphere. Located in mountains, you can walk in its alleys with its stone houses decorated with colourful flowers.

Chinchon

Step into the past as you enter Chinchón’s iconic Plaza Mayor, one of the most picturesque squares in all of Spain. Indeed, this decor has been used for all kinds of shows such as movies or royal festivities. Immerse yourself in the cultural effervescence of Chinchón, where tradition and modernity blend harmoniously. Located just a short drive from the capital, Chinchón offers an ideal escape.

La Hiruela

La Hiruela is a little-known town but well worth a visit. Delve into the rich history and cultural heritage of the city as you explore its historic landmarks and archaeological sites. Visit the Church of San Miguel Arcángel, an example of rural Spanish architecture dating back to the 16th century.

Rascafria

It offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty and rich history, with attractions such as the Monasterio de Santa María de El Paular, a 14th-century monastery featuring Gothic architecture and tranquil gardens. It is the most attractive monument of the city. You can also explore the forests of El Bosque Finlandés and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or biking. Admire the landscapes around it with the Lozoya river is a thing to do.

Manzanares el Real

Manzanares el Real is a historic town known for its medieval. The highlight of the town is the Castillo de los Mendoza, a well-preserved fortress built in the 15th century, offering panoramic views of the Sierra de Guadarrama. Moreover, Manzanares el Real boasts charming streets with traditional houses and artisanal shops. You can also enjoy the nearby Embalse de Santillana reservoir.

Buitrago de Lozoya

The focal point of Buitrago de Lozoya is its impressive Castillo de Buitrago, a medieval fortress that offers panoramic views of the countryside. The city is also perfect for amators of contemporary art with the Picasso museum which houses 60 artworks of the paintor. The town is also still surrounded by its intact ramparts and overlooks the river, providing a magnificent backdrop.

San Martín de Valdeiglesias

The town is known for its beautiful surroundings, including the Embalse de San Juan reservoir known as the principal ‘beach’ near Madrid and where you can swim and do activities such as boating, wakesurfing and water skiing.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the imposing El Escorial Palace, a grand complex built in the 16th century that served as a royal residence, monastery, and mausoleum for Spanish kings. The town is also perfect to wander around and discover its rich gastronomy, its atmosphere and its corners.

Thanks to this list you now know what to do around Madrid if you want to discover more about the spanish culture or just want to discover incredible villages.

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Embalse de San Juan

To start this list of the top 5 lakes for swimming in Madrid, here is the Embalse de San Juan. Just an hour’s drive from Madrid, this extensive reservoir offers ideal waters for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding. It is surrounded by an environment that provides serenity and tranquillity, ideal for taking a break and resting after a swim. The place is only an hour’s drive from Madrid and has 2 areas where you can go for a swim.

Embalse de Picadas

Located in the foothills of the Sierra Norte, Embalse de Picadas is the perfect place to escape the heat and noise of the city. Alongside the reservoir there are trails ideal for cycling. Like the previous one, it is an hour’s drive from the centre of Madrid.

Las presillas

Las Presillas is famous for its natural pools. Whether you seek solitude or share the experience with friends, the cool waters of Las Presillas offer a welcome respite from the summer heat. With designated areas for picnics and barbecues, Las Presillas is a popular destination for families looking for outdoor fun.

Embalse de Valmayor

Located northwest of Madrid, the Embalse de Valmayor is perfect for sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts. There is also a peaceful walk along the shore of the lake. Despite all the activities and the good time you can have at the lake, it is also a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.

Las lagunas de Ruidera

This place is the furthest from the city among the previous ones on the list, but well worth a visit. It is an enchanting series of interconnected lagoons that offer a tranquil setting and a haven to recover from the stresses of the city. The Lagunas de Ruidera boast spectacular natural beauty at every turn. You can enjoy a wide range of activities on site. And outside these magnificent waters, you can explore the charming villages surrounding the lagoons and find castles, churches and monuments that perfectly illustrate Spanish culture.

When summer is in full swing, these five lagoons near Madrid will entice you with their cool waters and picturesque surroundings. Whether you’re looking for a family beach day or a mountain adventure, there’s a lake to suit all tastes among these 5 swimming lakes in Madrid.

Check out our upcoming destinations including a trip to Lagunas de Ruidera.

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Cobblestone streets, stately houses with balconies full of colorful flowers, charming corners and squares and a wonderful natural environment that surrounds it, Pedraza offers a charming experience a peaceful atmosphere.

Remember that we have scheduled group departures to Segovia and Pedraza, you can see the dates and book on our official link.

The history of Pedraza dates back to the 12th century when Fernando Gómez de Albornoz was named Lord of Pedraza. Then, 200 years later in the fifteenth century the town passed into the hands of the Constables of Castile until the nineteenth century when the lordships were abolished. But it was not until the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that Pedraza had its golden years with the construction of its houses and palaces thanks to the prosperity generated by the export of wool from its flocks of sheep.

Declared a Monumental Site in 1951, it has been the setting for more than 200 series and films and belongs to the most beautiful villages in Spain. This can be visited in an hour and we wanted to leave you some recommendations on what to do in Pedraza:

Tour the Old Town: Explore the narrow cobblestone streets and enjoy the well-preserved medieval architecture. You can go into the village and walk along some of the main streets such as Calle Real, Calle Mayor or Calle de la Calzada.

Walking through Pedraza is like going back in time to the Middle Ages.

Pedraza Castle: Visit the impressive 13th century castle located on the outskirts of town, less than a 10-minute walk from the Plaza Mayor.

With a Romanesque style, Pedraza Castle was built in the thirteenth century on an ancient Arab fortress. The building has several courtyards, a keep, a wall with turrets and is surrounded by a moat. After several centuries of abandonment, in the early twentieth century it was bought by a painter named Ignacio Zuloaga who renovated it and installed a small museum.

The castle is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm. In winter it is only open from 4 to 6 pm. The entrance fee is 7 euros.

If you want to know more about this incredible Medieval Town in the Community of Castilla y León, don’t forget that we have a group outing scheduled for January 20, you can check all the information and book in our destinations section.

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Zaragoza, the epicenter of these festivities year after year, is a city with 670,000 inhabitants located in the region that bears its name and is the fifth most populated city in Spain.

The origin of the Fiestas del Pilar dates back to 1807 with the concession of Pope Pius VII for the feast of the Virgen del Pilar, although some years earlier celebrations with bulls, parades and processions were already taking place.

Throughout the years, more activities were added to these festivities, many of these acquiring the category of tradition, such as the Official Jota Contestthe Fruit Offering or the Flower Offeringas well as the procession of the Crystal Rosary or the Lanterns. These festivities were declared of National Tourist Interest in 1965.

Currently, the Fiestas del Pilar range from the Pregón, which kicks off the festivities, through the various fairs that are held throughout the city. Of all these activities, 3 are the most characteristic of these festivities; The Flower Offering which is celebrated on October 12, the day of the patron saint and the day of the Hispanic community. Fruit Offering on the morning of the 13th, and finally one of the most unknown, but at the same time one of the most amazing, is the Crystal Rosary which is held on the evening of October 13.

In addition to all these events, the festivities in honor of the Virgen del Pilar are celebrated with multiple concerts, theater and bullfighting fairs.

In addition to the events, you should not miss the Basilica del Pilar (the one you can see in most photos of Zaragoza), the Aljaferia Palace or the Pablo Gargallo Museum.

Remember that we have scheduled a group outing to the Fiestas del Pilar this 2023, you can sign up on this official link and do not miss one of the biggest festivals in Spain.

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They have been declared a Wetland of International Importance and a Site of Community Importance.

These lagoons are formed by the waters of the aquifer 24 of the Montiel field, giving rise to the birth of the Pinilla River. It is the rain that is in charge of dissolving the limestone rock in the area, leaving the water laden with carbonates that form the tuffaceous barriers.

In a stricter sense, these would not be lagoons, but rather a stagnant stream of water that is created by collapses of the riverbed.. They are a succession of sinkholes that extend 18 kilometers. The Tobáceas barriers are the link between the lagoons, forming cascades and waterfalls.

Before starting with the list, remember that we have scheduled trips to the Ruidera Lagoons on different dates, traveling in a group, making new friends and with the possibility of kayaking. You can see all the information about this trip in our official link.

Now we will show you which would be the essential things to see in Ruidera Lagoons:

Peñarroya Castle

This castle was originally built by the Muslims, but with the Christian conquests it became the domain of the Order of San Juan. Peñarroya Castle houses the Chapel of Our Lady of Peñarroya, which is the patron saint of Argamasilla de Alba and La Solana.

It is currently used for pilgrimages, a place of worship and is freely accessible to tourists.

Low Lagoons

It must be taken into account that the various lagoons that make up all this heritage have different divisions. We begin with the Lagunas Bajas, named for their shallow depth and abundant marsh vegetation..

Those that make up Las Lagunas Bajas are Laguna Cenagosa, Laguna Coladilla and Laguna Cueva Morenilla.

Ruidera

The name of these lagoons is due to the fact that the town of Ruidera is located in the heart of them..

In this small town, the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha highlights its Church of Santa María la Blanca, the Casa del Rey or its old Gunpowder Factory. However, what is most striking is its spot known as El Hundimiento, a waterfall that serves as a separation between the lower and middle lagoons.

Medium Lagoons

From the so-called Laguna del Rey to the Laguna de San Pedro, the Lagunas Medias are located. These are the best for swimming and water activities These are surrounded by hotels, camping and restaurants.

They are the ones that usually stand out on visits due to their clear waters, greater depth and limited vegetation on their edges. The so-called Laguna Colgada is the one that marks the separation between Ciudad Real and Albacete.

Then we have the Batana Lagoon, Santos Morcillos Lagoon and Salvadora Lagoon, which are quite close together. Finally, you will find in the Median Lagoons the Lengua Lagoon, the Redondilla Lagoon, the smallest of all, and the San Pedro Lagoon.

High Lagoons

Similar to the Lower Lagoons, these present marshy beds, ideal for the habitat of birds and amphibians. The names of the lagoons that make up this group are Laguna Tinaja, Laguna Tomilla, Laguna Concejo and Laguna Blanca.

One of the most beautiful formations in the entire park is called Plaza de Toros, which is located between the Tinaja Lagoon and the Tomilla Lagoon, with great greenish water.

Now that you know what you can see on your visit to Las Lagunas de Ruidera, we will tell you a little about what you can do on your way through this natural beauty.

Walking and hiking routes

Although it is possible to access each part of the lagoons by road, we recommend that you take a walk through its entire ecosystem and discover the beauty it has to offer. Here we leave you some of the official routes in the area

• Path of the Cave of Montesinos, begins at the Hermitage of San Pedro and stretches 800 meters to the famous cave of Don Quixote.
• Rochafrida Castle Path strong , circular path of 4.30 kilometers and low difficulty.
• Peñarroya Castle Route, a linear route of 21 kilometers and medium difficulty.
• Left Route of the Lagoons, linear path of 2.80 kilometers and low difficulty.
• Ossero Route, linear route of 5.30 kilometers and low difficulty.
• Route of the Laguna Blanca, linear route of 8 kilometers and medium difficulty.
• Senda del Pie de Enmedio, circular interpretive path of 6 kilometers and low difficulty.
• Senda del Castillo de Peñarroya, circular route of 1.80 kilometers around the fortress.

Swimming in the Ruidera Lagoons

Yes, it is possible to swimm in this paradise of transparent waters, however, we want to tell you which are the best ones to bathe in so you can get through the summer heat.

Those that have bathing areas are Laguna del Rey, Colgada, Santo Morcillo, Salvadora Redondilla and San Pedro. All these are duly signposted and with enabled accesses to be able to bathe in them.

Water activities

In addition to being able to swim in the Ruidera Lagoons, it is also possible to do water activities such as kayaking, paddle surfing, canoeing, snorkeling, diving and sailing.

The only water activities that are not allowed in the lagoons are those that are motor boats or that may disturb the fauna.

Remember that we have scheduled outings to the Ruidera Lagoons, in groups and with the possibility of doing activities such as Kayak or Paddle Surf. You can reserve your place at this link.

We hope you enjoy this beautiful natural landscape and make the most of your summer days.

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