A Day Away: Manzanares el Real

Manzanares el Real Castle

During the frigid winter holidays between Christmas and Three Kings Day, my friend and I got the itch to escape the city and visit Manzanares el Real. For a while, I had been trying to plan a day to go hiking and see the castle, but nothing had worked out. Finally, on a brisk day in early January of 2025, we made the jaunt out of Madrid.

We took the green bus 724 from Plaza de Castilla and rode for a little over an hour. I always enjoy bus rides outside the city—you never know what you’ll see. Sometimes it’s snowy mountains, herds of cattle, or even a roadside sign shaped like a giant bull.

We started our visit with the town’s main attraction: the castle.

The Castillo de los Mendoza, built in the late 15th century, is one of the best-preserved castles in the Madrid region. Commissioned by Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, it served as a residential fortress for the powerful Mendoza family. The structure combines Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles and was constructed on the remains of a Romanesque-Mudejar hermitage. Today, it houses a small museum featuring period furnishings, tapestries, and artwork, offering visitors a glimpse into noble life during the late Middle Ages.

Of the castles I’ve visited in Spain, this is easily one of my favorites. It wasn’t crowded, and several rooms contained beautiful exhibits of period furniture, paintings, and clothing. Plus, admission was only about 5€. From the walls, you can enjoy stunning views—on one side, the Santillana Reservoir; on the other, the majestic rocky mountains of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

After exploring the castle, we hiked up to a lookout point where a small chapel stands. Feeling adventurous, we decided to continue climbing one of the nearby mountains. We hadn’t downloaded a proper map, so we relied on a photo from the welcome center. Fortunately, the trail was fairly well-marked—more so than on other hikes we’ve done around Madrid. The path led us past patches of snow and ice, small creeks with waterfalls, and lots of greenery. It was a peaceful hike, full of good conversation and nature. Around halfway through, we stopped for lunch before heading further up. Eventually, we decided to turn back, not wanting to risk getting lost without a reliable map.

Back in town, we warmed up with a coffee and tea at a cozy café before catching the bus back to Madrid. It was a refreshing and scenic escape from the city—a perfect blend of history, nature, and winter adventure. I always cherish the chance to reconnect with the outdoors and enjoy God’s creation—and it’s even more meaningful when shared with a dear friend.