The autonomous region of Madrid

In the autonomous Spanish region of Madrid, you will, of course, find the capital of the same name, but the region has so much more to offer. Around the capital, you will find beautiful historic cities, unique villages and amazing natural areas, such as the impressive Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range.

The Madrid region is the geographical centre of Spain and is sandwiched between the Castile and León and Castile – La Mancha regions. About 5.5 million people live there, 3 million of them in and around the capital. Madrid has a moderate continental climate with warm springs and summers, long mild autumn periods and not too cold winters. Nevertheless, enough snow falls in the surrounding mountains in winter to make it a popular winter sports area.

Madrid

The capital of Madrid is located in the centre of the region. The city is open and cosy and loved by tourists. In the centre, you will find the Puerta de Alcalá, the historic gatehouse from which the road to Alcalá de Henares once started. Nowadays the symbol stands for the Madrid that opens itself to the rest of the world. In addition to the gate, the city has several impressive monumental buildings and places, such as the royal palace and the “Plaza Mayor” town square. The so-called “triangle of art” is also famous: a short distance from each other you will find the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Art Center.

Historical cities

The Madrid region has a rich cultural heritage. Three of the historic towns in this region are on the UNESCO World Heritage List: Aranjuez, Alcala de Henares and San Lorenzo del Escorial.
Aranjuez is located south of Madrid, where the Tagus and the Jarama meet. Until 1752 this was the residence of the Spanish kings, and it played an essential role during the Enlightenment. Several buildings and places in Aranjuez are recognized as world heritage sites, including the former residence of the Spanish king, Palacio Real de Aranjuez, the church of San Antonio, also known as “Mariblanca”, and the intact Plaza de Toros, the bullfight arena.

The city of Alcala de Henares to the east of Madrid is worth a visit because of its beautiful historic centre of Roman origin. In San Lorenzo del Escorial you will find the Escorial, an immense complex with a royal palace, abbey and royal mausoleum, built by Fillips II. This, and the valley of the fallen, make San Lorenzo del Escorial popular among tourists. The Valley of the Fallen is a controversial monument to the victims of the Spanish Civil War, then built by forced labourers led by Franco himself.

Be surprised by Getafe.

Here you will find traces of fascinating historical and religious settlements, and geographically this city is the centre of the Iberian peninsula.

Book a vacation to Getafe and discover the hidden charms of the eponymous municipality. As well as being one of the leading industrial cities south of Madrid, Getafe has some lovely sights that tourists sometimes overlook.

Getafe is the perfect base for a visit to Madrid. Madrid is only 13 kilometres away and, thanks to its affordable prices, Getafe is the ideal place to stay. While in Getafe, take some time to climb the Cerro de Los Ángeles. The fun climb to the top takes you through endless pine forests, and once you reach the top, you can rightly say that you have traversed the geographic centre of the Iberian Peninsula.

At the top you will find some religious monuments to visit, including the Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, the Convento de Carmelitas Descalzas and the Seminario Diocesano de Getafe. Book a cheap holiday package to Getafe and explore the almost undiscovered places of this municipality in Madrid.

In the centre of Getafe, you can take a look at the Catedral de La Magdalena de Getafe. This cathedral was built between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries and is considered one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Madrid. A short distance from this is the Hospitalillo de San José with a beautiful monastery. The building no longer houses a hospital and now serves as a cultural centre. When you book a great value vacation package to Getafe with Expedia, you can explore the settlements on which the essence of the city is based.

Food lovers can indulge themselves in Getafe’s varied dining options. Cocido, a stew, callos a la madrileña, a dish with entrails, and a chickpea stew is among the dishes typical of Getafe’s cuisine. The Castilian climate and local products strongly influence the dishes.

Getafe has a continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters in which the landscape is sometimes covered with a thick layer of snow.

Book a cheap holiday package to Getafe, including flight and hotel, and discover for yourself that this cosy place has more to offer than just its proximity to Madrid.