Madrid, although one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, is decidedly landlocked. In fact, it is more than 300 kilometers, or almost 200 miles, from the sea. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have some options to visit the beach during your stay in Madrid if you’re willing to travel a bit and get creative.
Valencia: your best and fastest bet
Thanks to the high-speed AVE train, the closest beach to Madrid is in Valencia, the third largest city in Spain and a verifiable Mediterranean metropolis. You can get there by train from Madrid for an hour and 40 minutes, then take a taxi to the city beach. It is expensive, but it is not an impossible day trip from Madrid. If you catch the AVE train as early as possible from Madrid (which generally leaves around 8 am or shortly after), you can be in Valencia and on the beach by mid-morning.
Valencia itself also serves as a great home base if more fun in the sun is on your agenda. The city is well connected to many other nearby beach destinations. To really take advantage of your summer, consider a longer stay in Valencia so that you can take a day or two excursion from there. A great option nearby is Alicante, which seamlessly blends a vibrant city with the feel of a laid-back seaside town.
Catalonia: fun on the beach further afield
If your itinerary and budget allow it, you can also get on the AVE in Madrid and go to Catalonia. The AVE also reaches the northeast of Spain, so it can reach Barcelona in three hours and Tarragona in two and a half. Both are home to some of the best city beaches in the country. Barcelona, in particular, is an ideal base to discover the unspoiled beaches of the region, while Tarragona is a great option if you want a side of history and culture with its sun and sand (it is one of the main destinations in Roman ruins of Spain).
Costa del Sol: the most emblematic beaches of Spain
While it will probably cost you more than a hundred euros, the AVE train also serves Malaga, making it easy to visit the Costa del Sol from Madrid. If the magic and passion of Andalusia are calling you, this is your best option. You can get to Malaga from Madrid in less than three hours, then stay there or visit one of the beaches in a nearby city on the Cercanías commuter train.
Alberche beach: a hidden gem by the river
Believe it or not, there is a nice little beach an hour from Madrid. Although Alberche Beach is not located on the sea, it is packed with so much coastal and tropical charm that you will almost forget that it is located at the junction of the Alberche and Perales rivers. Locals flock here on weekends for fun in the sun close to home – you can rent boats, have a picnic, and hone your back, all at a hopping, hopping, and hopping from the city.
Sounds good? Your best option for getting to Alberche Beach is to rent a car, but that may not be an option for everyone. If not, the 551 bus from Príncipe Pío also serves the area.
Madrid Rio: Fun in the sun within the city limits
Madrid Río is Madrid’s newest recreational development, complete with sports facilities, skate parks, an incredible 17 play areas for children (making it extremely family-friendly), and even an urban beach (more on that in a moment). The 10-kilometer-long park stretches along the banks of the Manzanares River and also features concert halls, a new cultural center and more than 26,000 trees.
Madrid Beach is an urban beach area located within the Madrid Río Park between two bridges: Puente de Toledo and Puente de Praga. It is transformed into an ice skating rink, but in summer, locals and tourists are encouraged to swim and tan. The closest metro station is Pirámides, but several other stations, including Príncipe Pío, Puerta del Ángel, Marqués de Vadillo, Legazpi, and Almendrales, also provide easy access to the park.
