Julie and Michael’s self-guided bike tour itinerary for Madrid

1. Download the app called RideWithGPS on your cell phone
2. Follow the steps to make a free account in the app
3. Once you have your account set up, connect it with your tour routes by clicking this link: click here
4. This should open an EVENT in the RidewithGPS app, which will include all of your routes. 
5. To access the routes, at a later date, from the home screen in the app click on “More” then on “My Events”. You should find the routes there! Now you’re ready to pedal!
6. We recommend downloading each route to ensure offline accessibility. 
7. Please make sure that you finish the route recording at the end of each day’s ride.
8. Tips for saving your battery while using the GPS: Click here

Chinchon’s star attraction is its unique arcaded medieval square. The town also boasts a ruined castle, numerous traditional underground wine cellars, and picturesque, whitewashed streets. Don’t miss sunset from the mirador (viewpoint) in front of the Parroquía de la Asunción church.

• Mesón Cuevas del Vino: Dating back 300 years, this restaurant-museum is one of a kind! Visit the 18th century oil mill, sample locally-produced wine from the traditional underground cellars, see signatures from famous patrons and try Castilian roast meat from the wood-fired oven (open 12pm – 4:30pm).

• Restaurante La Balconada: For dinner, we recommend this elegant restaurant, located in one of the traditional arcaded houses overlooking the central square (open 12:30 – 6:30pm/8pm – 11:30pm)

• Be sure to visit one of the town’s bakeries to try some of Chinchon’s curiously-named traditional sweets: pelotas de fraile and tetas de novicia!

• The majestic Palace of Aranjuez is open 10am – 6pm. The entrance ticket to the palace includes entrance to the Royal Barge Museum, which houses a collection of the elegant barges (falúas) once used by members of the Spanish royal family to cruise the rivers of the palace gardens.

• The expansive Palace Gardens comprise over 110,000 hectares of beautifully maintained parkland, and are open daily from 8:30am – 6:30pm. Bicycles are not allowed in the gardens. 

Restaurante El Rana Verde
Tue-Wed 10am-7pm, Thu-Sun 10am-midnight
Laid-back riverside restaurant serving traditional
Castilian fare.

Restaurant Matilde
Sunday-Thursday 12pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am, kitchen 1-4pm, 8-11pm
Elegant riverside option serving a range of Mediterranean dishes.

Casa Jose
Tue-Sat 1.30pm-4.30pm, 8.30pm-11.30pm, Sun 1.30pm-4.30pm
A renowned restaurant famous for its traditional Spanish cuisine, particularly its delicious rice dishes and seafood. With a warm, welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service, it’s a perfect spot to enjoy a memorable meal while in the city.

• Take a short walk around town to find the viewpoints that overlook the Lozoya Valley. These spots offer lovely views of the surrounding landscape and make for a peaceful place to relax or enjoy a moment of quiet reflection. Walk around the reservoir, which is really nice! 
• The Church of San Sebastián is a key landmark in Lozoya, with its quaint architecture and peaceful surroundings. Spend some time admiring the details of the church, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a local mass or event.

Barra Brava
Barra Brava is a cozy tavern located in the heart of Lozoya; this small restaurant offers a warm and inviting atmosphere where guests can enjoy a selection of beers and wines alongside a menu that blends traditional dishes with modern twists.

These places highlight the mix of history, art, and nature that makes El Escorial a unique and fascinating destination.

• Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
  Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Monday
  The most iconic landmark in El Escorial, this vast and impressive monastery complex was built in the 16th century by King Philip II. It combines a royal palace, a monastery, a church, and a library, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The architecture is breathtaking, and the interior features stunning frescoes, tombs of Spanish royalty, and beautiful courtyards.

• Real Sitio de El Escorial Gardens (Friar’s gardens)
  Open Tue-Sun 10am-6pm, closed Monday
  These beautifully landscaped gardens surround the Monastery and offer a peaceful retreat from the grand buildings. You can stroll through the intricate designs, fountains, and ponds while enjoying the views of the monastery and the nearby Sierra de Guadarrama mountains.

• Museum of the Monastery of El Escorial
  This museum, housed within the monastery complex, is home to a collection of artwork, manuscripts, and historical artifacts. Highlights include works by renowned Spanish artists like El Greco, Goya, and Titian, as well as royal collections of tapestries and sculptures.

• La Herrería Forest and El Escorial’s Royal Hunting Preserve
  For nature lovers, the La Herrería forest is perfect for hiking and exploring. It’s a lovely spot to get out into the natural surroundings, which were historically used by Spanish royalty as a hunting preserve. You can enjoy walking trails and breathtaking views of the monastery and the surrounding landscape.

• Casita del Principe (King’s house)
  (Open Saturday from 10-15h, however, the charm here are the surrounding gardens. Entering the house isn’t the idea)
  The Casita del Principe is a charming royal retreat located just outside El Escorial. Built in the late 18th century for the future King Charles IV, it was designed as a private residence away from the royal palace. The building is a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture, and its peaceful surroundings make it an ideal escape. The interior is simple yet elegant, and the surrounding park offers lovely views of the nearby mountains.

Restaurante El Charolés
A traditional Spanish restaurant offering classic dishes, including grilled meats and local specialties. It has a cozy atmosphere and great service, perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal.

Cava Alta- Restaurante
This spot affords a cozy and inviting atmosphere, serving traditional Spanish cuisine with a modern twist. The menu features a variety of delicious tapas, meats, and fresh local dishes, paired with an excellent selection of wines.

Ku4Tro

This intimate spot is a favorite for its welcoming ambiance and seasonal menu. It features a mix of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and creative presentation.

Campo a través
Open Wed – Sat 10am-2pm, 4.30pm-8pm, Sun 11am-2pm
This is a very unique spot! Two girls who have gone to shepherding school and then opened a very creative ice cream shop where they produce ice cream with their local goat’s milk and very unique flavors. This shop is a few steps away from the center but we really recommend visiting this unique project!

Connexus Coffee Roaster and Shop
Open Tue- Fri from 9am-2pm, 5pm-8pm, Sat 10am-2pm
Just across the street from the ice cream shop is a locally run coffee shop. The barista is very communicative and he can make all kinds of coffees! Worth a few extra steps out of the center for these delights!

• Visit one of the galleries that make up Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art”: the classical Prado (open Mon – Sat 10am – 8pm, and Sun 10am – 7pm), the modernist Reina Sofia (open Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat 10am – 9pm and Sun 10am – 2:30pm), or the Thyssen-Bornemisza, a former former private collection (open Tue – Sun 10am – 7pm and Mon 12pm – 4pm).
• Make a selfie stop at some of Madrid’s most legendary landmarks: Plaza Mayor, the elegant arcaded square that has been at the centre of madrileño life for centuries; Plaza del Sol, where you can visit the iconic bear and strawberry tree statue and the Km 0 plaque, the origin of all Spain’s roads and the exact geographic centre of Spain; Gran Vía, Madrid’s buzzing central street, full of shops and theatres; and the imposing Puerta de Alcalá, which once marked the entrance to the city.
• Explore the Royal Palace, the biggest in Europe, built by a  (open Mon – Sat 10am – 6pm and Sun 10am – 4pm).
• Next door, visit Madrid’s unique cathedral (open daily 10am – 8:30pm), whose construction spanned more than a century and was only completed in 1993!
• Take a stroll in the elegant Parque del Retiro, Madrid’s answer to Central Park. Catch at art exhibition at the striking Crystal Palace, rent a rowboat for a romantic cruise on the lake, or visit the peacocks in the “secret garden” named after architect Cecilio Rodriguez.
• Watch the sunset from the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop bar and restaurant (open Tue – Sun, 11am – 2pm/5pm – 9pm).
• Discover Madrid’s very own Egyptian temple! Dating back to the 2nd century BC, the Temple of Debod was transferred to Madrid, brick by brick in the 1970s.

If you happen to be in Madrid on a Sunday morning, we recommend a trip to El Rastro market (open Sun 9am – 3pm) to hunt for treasures and soak up the lively atmosphere!

• Enjoy a Spanish-style tapas crawl at one of the local hotspots: laid-back Calle Cava Baja in La Latina, Calle de las Huertas in the historic Barrio de las Letras, or trendy Calle Ponzano in Chamberí.
• For a fun local experience, grab lunch or dinner at one of Madrid’s renovated gastromarkets. The elegant Mercado San Miguel, which is located right by Plaza Mayor, is the most famous, and we also recommend Mercado Ildefonso, Mercado San Antón or Mercado Anton Martín.
• Try traditional Castilian fare at the oldest restaurant in the world! Sobrino de Botín has been in continuous operation since 1725 (open daily 1pm – 4pm/8pm – 11:30pm).
• Sample excellent fusion cooking in a laid-back, traditional setting at La Castela (open Mon – Sat 12:30pm – 5pm/8pm – 12:30am).
• Enjoy excellent seafood at Pescadería & Club Fisherman’s, located in the trendy Ibiza district.
• Treat yourself to an unforgettable meal at one of Madrid’s 27 Michelin star restaurants.
• Visit one of Madrid’s “tabernas centenarias”: the title awarded to restaurants and taverns that have been in continuous operation for at least a century, and often two! Some of our favourites are Bodega La Ardosa, Casa Alberto and Casa del Abuelo. For a sweet treat, visit La Mallorquina, a bakery that dates back to 1894!
• For an immersive historical experience, visit La Venencia, a unique bar that only serves sherry, where the waiters will likely write your order on the bar in chalk and where cameras are banned: a tradition dating back to the bar’s popularity with spies during the Spanish Civil War!
• Ranked multiple times among the best bars in the world, modern cocktail spot Salmon Guru is a great place to celebrate your bike trip with an amazingly creative concoction!

Must try food and drink

• As a land-locked city, Madrid has for centuries prided itself on its ability to obtain top-quality seafood through sheer purchasing power! To this day, fresh seafood is auctioned in coastal cities in the very early hours of the morning and rushed to Madrid to be sold in markets and served in bars and restaurants. For this reason, one of Madrid’s signature dishes is the bocadillo de calamares (squid sandwich). Try this madrileño staple at one of the famous bars near Plaza Mayor (we like Bar Postas and La Campana), or at Bar El Brillante near the Reina Sofia Museum.
• One of Spain’s most cherished traditions (and particularly in Madrid) is la hora del vermut: vermouth o’clock! Traditionally, Spaniards enjoy their vermouth pre-lunch, between 12pm and 2pm, although in recent years la hora del vermut has extended to most of the day. Our favourite spot to indulge in this tradition is at Casa Labra near Sol, where vermouth is paired with delicious cod, served in croquetas and as deep-fried bites. Don’t be afraid of the frequently long queues, they move quickly!
• When visiting Madrid in winter, you can’t miss one of the city’s most traditional comfort dishes: cocido a la madrileña. Every madrileño has fond memories of their grandmother cooking this hearty stew of vegetables, chickpeas, chorizo and pork, which is traditionally served as two or three courses: first the broth, then the vegetables and then the meat. Two of our favourite spots to try cocido are Taberna Malacatín and Taberna La Bola, both family-run establishments that have been in operation for over two centuries.
• For the most daring, a very traditional side to madrileño cuisine is casquería: offal! These dishes date back to the hard times in Madrid’s history, and one of the most popular variations is callos: a stew of strips of tripe,chorizo and morcilla (blood sausage). For a really authentic experience, try callos along with caracoles (snails) at Restaurante Casa Amadeo Los Caracoles.
• No trip to Spain would be complete without churros con chocolate! The most traditional spot for churros in Madrid is at Chocolatería San Ginés, which has been serving up churros (thin deep-fried dough) and porras (fat deep-fried dough) 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, since 1894!
• One of the most unique snack experiences in Madrid is buying cookies from an “invisible” nun! For centuries, Spain’s cloistered monasteries and convents have funded themselves by selling baked goods, a tradition that still persists today. Ring the bell at the Convento Carboneras (located right behind the Bike Spain Tours office!) between the hours of 9:30am – 1pm/4:30pm – 6:30pm, and place cash on the torno (rotating wall) to buy cookies baked by the nuns themselves!