Monfragüe, one of Spain’s 15 national parks, is the world’s largest and best-preserved patch of Mediterranean forest. At the confluence of the Tagus and Tietar rivers, the park is home to 280 species of vertebrates. More than 200 of them are birds, with the Iberian Imperial Eagle the star of Monfragüe.
Bring a pair of binoculars and spend the afternoon birdwatching, one of the most unique activities the park offers and a perfectly zen way to begin your Madrid road trip.
Besides spotting the diverse wildlife, other activities worth enjoying at Monfragüe are hiking, cycling and horse riding. There are several well-marked paths to explore although you’ll need to apply for a permit to access some.
Water sports are prohibited within the park, but there are several kayaking options on the outskirts of Monfragüe, both on the Tagus and on the Tietar rivers.
Extremadura’s two most important contributions to Spain have been conquistadores and jamón ibérico. From this land came some of the leading conquerors of the Americas. Hernán Cortés, Pizarro, Núñez de Balboa and Orellana, to name just a few, all come from the region.
Your second stop on this Madrid road trip takes you to Trujillo, a stunningly well-preserved medieval town. Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Peru, and Francisco de Orellana, the first person to fully navigate the Amazon River (originally called the Orellana River), were both born here.
Spend half a day admiring the main square, the old palaces and churches, and its castle. Sample some jamón ibérico at one of the bars on the Plaza Mayor, the town’s main square with the imposing statue of Pizarro.
Resume your road trip and head to the provincial capital, Cáceres, whose old quarter is one of the best-preserved in the continent.
As soon as you wander the narrow old streets of Cáceres, you feel like you’ve travelled back to medieval times. Palaces, churches and convents built from beautiful golden stone will transport you to its glorious past.
From the Middle Ages to the Roman Empire! Your next stop on this wonderful Madrid road trip is Mérida, a town founded in 25 BC under the name of Emerita Augusta by order of Emperor Augustus.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, Mérida’s archaeological complex is one of the most impressive in the country. The Roman theatre and amphitheatre, the Roman circus, the bridge over the Guadiana, the aqueduct and many other buildings and remains are breathtaking thanks to how well preserved and beautiful they are.
Leave the old architecture behind and take a break in nature. Drive your campervan east towards Puerto Peña Reservoir, a local secret ideal for watersports. Swimming, canoeing and motorboating are all great fun at the reservoir.
Near Puerto Peña, pay a visit to the old town of Puebla de Alcocer — its castle offers spectacular views over the reservoir and the whole region.
We leave Extremadura and enter La Mancha, Don Quixote’s land. Your next stop on this Madrid road trip is one of La Mancha’s main cities, Ciudad Real, often called The Capital of La Mancha.
Ciudad Real is a small city, perfect for exploring on foot. The Romanesque cathedral and the Church of Santiago are both impressive and worth a visit. Toledo’s Gate, at the north end of the old city, is a magnificent Gothic gate of military origin.
The city also has Don Quixote’s Museum, a small free museum that combines an art exhibition related to the novel with multimedia displays about the Cervantine period.
A traditional dish worth trying is migas, which literally means breadcrumbs. Shepherd-style migas are small pieces of stale white bread mixed with garlic and bacon sautéed in lard or olive oil.
Don’t forget that Manchego cheese is one of the most famous Spanish cheeses and that La Mancha also produces plenty of good-quality red wines. There’s your lunch for the day! Afterwards, head to Toledo rather than spending the night in Ciudad Real.
Toledo is known as the City of the Three Cultures because for many years Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived peacefully together in its narrow, hilly streets.
The old city sits on a mountaintop surrounded by the River Tagus on three sides. As you reach the city by campervan, the view of Toledo in the distance is unforgettable.
An hour’s drive from the capital, Toledo is the last stop on your Madrid road trip. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, it’s packed with medieval churches, synagogues and mosques. The old city walls and gates still stand, as do the iconic Roman Alcántara and San Martín bridges.
