When it comes to skiing, the destinations that first come to you may probably be Switzerland, France or Canada. Indeed, there are also many nice places for a ski holiday in Spain, and the Guadarrama Mountains is one of them.
In just less than an hour from Madrid, you will reach the stunning mountain range for skiing or snowboarding. There are two ski resorts, Valdesqui and Puerto de Navacerrada, where you can not only enjoy skiing and snowboarding, but also go for activities like snowshoeing, and have a relaxing time afterwards exercising in a spa.
The area is also a paradise for trekking during summer time. There are many walking routes in the Guadarrama National Park which is filled with forests, waterfalls, and stunning views of Mount of El Pardo.
The Guadarrama Mountains area is also easily combined with some visits to its nearby places from Madrid including:
Segovia
A historic city which is rich in architectural legacy, including a Roman aqueduct, an old Jewish quarter, Romanesque churches, a former royal palace, and a Gothic cathedral. The Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct were listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso
This former royal residence is like a Spanish version of Versailles, with its gardens and fountains styled after Versailles.
El Escorial Monastery
It is the most important architectural monument of the Spanish Renaissance which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Valley of Fallen
This memorial of those who died in the Spanish Civil War is an impressive stone crucifix which rises 500 feet out of a rocky mountaintop.