Pilar Bridge 2026: the best road trips from Madrid

October 12th falls on a Monday this year, so the Pilar holiday weekend creates a truly long weekend: Saturday, Sunday, and a public holiday Monday, and up to four full days off for those who want to take Friday off as well. With the summer heat now behind us and the roads much quieter than in August, it's one of the best times of year to leave Madrid by car.

A short bridge, but more than enough to disconnect

You don't need a long trip to feel the change of scenery. Less than an hour and a half from Madrid, there are destinations that completely transform your weekend plans: city walls and monasteries, mountains and charming villages, all accessible without spending half your getaway behind the wheel.

Five short getaways for the long weekend

• Toledo: Just over 30 minutes away by motorway, a World Heritage city to spend the day or stay overnight.
• Segovia: Aqueduct, Alcázar and a gastronomy that justifies the trip on its own, all less than an hour away.
• Ávila: The best-preserved medieval wall in Spain, ideal for a peaceful day visit.
• Chinchón: 45 minutes away, main square with wooden arcades and a good selection of barbecues for a long weekend meal.
• Sierra de Guadarrama: Hiking trails and stone villages like Manzanares el Real or Rascafría are perfect if your plan is more about the mountains than monuments.

Why it's a good idea to bring your own car on the bridge

On a holiday weekend like this, trains or buses often mean fixed schedules and waiting at the station. With your own car, you can leave whenever you want, stop wherever you like along the way, and combine several destinations in the same days without depending on connections. And on a holiday weekend with so many people traveling at the same time, that freedom of schedule matters more than usual.

Book in minutes and leave without going to any office.

With Carmove, We'll bring the car to your home or wherever you need it., We'll drop it off at the time you choose, and pick it up at the end of the long weekend. The insurance is comprehensive. without franchise, With 300 km included each day—plenty of time to combine two or three of these getaways without looking at the odometer. Taking advantage, moreover, of the October prices, It's a good time to book well in advance before the bridge's availability runs out.