If you are going to Malaga, do not miss Granada and Cordoba!! there are lots of things to see and do in Andalusia. Regarding Madrid, there are smaller towns you can visit. If you go to Segovia, you can visit the city and also the small town of La Granja, with a palace and its great gardens full of fountains (Everyday they switch on just four of them, but on 30th May, 25th July and 25th August they switch on more). That`s great! I wouldn't miss it. Some other things to do... You can also visit the palace of Aranjuez, in the town of Aranjuez, where you can go by train from Madrid city. If you like medieval castles there are some in the surroundings of Madrid like the one in Manzanares el Real. It is worth stopping there if you are going elsewhere, for example if you are going for a walk in the mountain (to La Pedriza, for instance).

Alcala de Henares (just outside of Madrid). It was the birth place of Cervantes. His house still stands, its beautiful. There is also an amazing cathedral. If you have time, go north a bit of Salamanca. There you can go to Burgos, and Leon. In Leon you will see a cathedral built by Gaudi (remarkable considering most of his architectural work was done in Barcelona) have a great trip!

Check out the Cathedral of Seville, it is a place worthy of a visit. One word: Majestic!

if you like, try www.waymarking.com or www.geocaching.com for a new approach to finding nice places :)

Hello. If you like the nature you can visit Sierra de Gredos and Montes de Toledo. And if you like the Spanish history, there are some interesting places in Extremadura, too: Guadalupe, Trujillo, Merida. Enjoy your time in Spain!

All great places, but don't miss out on Sevilla - the most beautiful city in Spain!

Close to Madrid: Cuenca. Also Valencia using the train (it's not that expensive)

Take a bus north to Burgos (about 2ish hours; halfway to the northern coast), the birthplace of El Cid. There is also a great gothic cathedral and a main attraction on El Camino de Santiago. Plenty of pilgrims are always passing through... This is the heart of Castilla la Vieja.

hola, marta, thanks a lot for your tips - i have already been to granada and for sure i am going again - i loved the city :) and i will check on the other things near madrid you have mentioned as well. gracias, ciao

thank you, sarah!

gracias, roberto, i will definitely have a look on those! :)

thanks, i am definitely planning to visit sevilla already before madrid (as i am going to work in malaga this summer)! :)