Sierra de Madrid and Gredos: weekend getaway
You don't need a week off or to cross the country. Less than two hours from Madrid you've got mountains, natural pools and mountain villages for the perfect campervan getaway. Three days, not much driving, and plenty of disconnecting.
Not every campervan trip needs a week's holiday and half of Spain ahead of you. Sometimes all you need is to set off on Friday afternoon, sleep with the smell of pine in the air, and come back on Sunday feeling brand new. And for that, those of us in Madrid have a luxury less than two hours away: real mountains, natural pools and mountain villages, all within easy reach. This is the perfect weekend getaway to get started with campervan life, or simply to switch off without complications.
The map above marks the loop. Three days, not much driving.
Friday: setting off and the Sierra de Guadarrama
Leave Madrid at the end of the week and in under an hour you're already in the Sierra de Guadarrama. Head up towards Manzanares el Real, with its castle and the Santillana reservoir, and get into La Pedriza, that chaos of granite that looks like something from another planet. A short first walk at sunset, dinner in the campervan, and off to sleep under the sierra's stars, which look far better here than from the city.
Saturday: mountain passes, pine forests and on to Gredos
Spend the morning up in the high sierra: the Puerto de Navacerrada, the pine forests of Valsaín, viewpoints and trails for everyone. Around midday, head west towards the Sierra de Gredos, swapping Guadarrama's granite for Gredos's great rock masses and valleys. The drive is short and scenic, exactly what you want on a weekend: no gruelling stints at the wheel. Reach the Gredos area, find your spot for the night, and get ready for tomorrow's main event.
Sunday: gorges, pools and the way back
The finishing touch of the weekend is water. The Gredos area and northern La Vera are full of gorges and natural pools, with crystal-clear water flowing down from the mountains: the pools of the Garganta de los Infiernos, the ones at Cuartos, perfect spots for a cold, restorative dip. A brilliant plan in summer, especially with kids in tow. After the last swim, have a relaxed lunch and head back to Madrid, which is right there on your doorstep, with that feeling of having been away for much longer than two days.
Why this getaway is perfect for first-timers
If you've never driven a campervan before, this is the ideal trip to start with: not many kilometres, everything close by, and if something doesn't go as planned, home is only an hour away. You get the hang of driving it, sleeping in it, and managing the water and power without the pressure of a long route. For any first-time doubts, check out our tips in driving a campervan for the first time.
Where to sleep and refuel
There are service areas and campsites throughout the Sierra de Guadarrama, Gredos and La Vera. Inside Guadarrama National Park and other protected areas, spending the night is restricted and camping is banned, so sleep in the villages' service areas and campsites and follow the signage. The general rules are covered in where it's legal to sleep in a campervan in Spain. Refuelling isn't an issue this close to Madrid, but fill up before heading into the more remote valleys.
Adventure closer than you think
The great thing about setting off from Madrid is this: any old weekend can turn into a mini adventure without booking time off or planning anything. We give you the campervan fully checked over on Friday, and you drop it off on Sunday or Monday, ready for you to just drive and enjoy.
Take a look at the Winkles available and choose your dates and book. The mountains are much closer than you thought.
Which campervan to choose
For a short weekend getaway, the Winkle Adriático is the simplest and most affordable option to get started without any hassle.
Related routes
- Picos de Europa by campervan: a 5-day route
- The Basque Coast and Landes by campervan: 7 days
- The Algarve and Portugal's Atlantic coast by campervan: 9 days
- From the Pyrenees to Cabo de Gata (12 days)
Before you book
Check the requirements, price and how booking works in our guide to renting a campervan in Spain.
Fancy this route? Choose your dates and book →
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth renting a campervan just for a weekend?
Absolutely. In two or three days you properly switch off without spending the whole trip driving, and since you're setting off from Madrid, almost all your time is for enjoying yourself, not for getting there. It's also the perfect way to try out campervan life before committing to a longer route.
Where can you spend the night in the campervan near Madrid?
There are motorhome service areas and campsites dotted around the Sierra de Guadarrama, Gredos and La Vera. Inside the national parks and protected areas, spending the night is restricted and camping is banned, so it's best to use the service areas and campsites in the villages and always follow the local signage.
Is this a good getaway to do with kids?
Ideal. The natural pools and gorges of Gredos and La Vera are a brilliant summer plan for the little ones, and the gentle mountain trails are easy to do as a family. Not much driving, plenty of nature, and water to swim in: that combination always wins.
What's the best time of year for this getaway?
Spring and early summer are best for the gorges and natural pools, with plenty of water and no crowds, and autumn for the colours of the sierra. In the height of summer, the pools of Gredos and La Vera make a perfect cool refuge; in winter, the snow-capped sierra has its own charm too, as long as you've got heating.