The long way there
The drive from Barcelona to Madrid connects Spain's two largest cities across the varied landscapes of the interior. Leave the Mediterranean coast behind as you cross Aragon and Castile-La Mancha—land of Don Quixote's windmills. Experience the contrast between Catalonia's coastal culture and Castilian traditions.
Where to pull over
Montserrat
60 km inDramatic mountain monastery near Barcelona
Zaragoza
300 km inMoorish palaces and stunning Basilica del Pilar
Calatayud
380 km inMudéjar architecture and fortress ruins
Sigüenza
480 km inMedieval town with castle parador hotel
Alcalá de Henares
590 km inCervantes' birthplace and historic university
Driving tips
- 1
Spanish highways (autopistas) have tolls; national roads are free
- 2
Avoid driving in Spanish cities—traffic and parking are challenging
- 3
Embrace the Spanish schedule: late lunch, late dinner
- 4
Summer in central Spain is extremely hot—travel spring or fall
- 5
Stop at roadside ventas for authentic Spanish cuisine
Other ways through
AP-2/A-2 autopista direct
N-II scenic national road