I find that no matter how much of a city person you are, an occasional weekend getaway for nothing but rest and relaxation can be just what the doctor ordered.
With the old town enclosed by medieval stone walls, surrounded by a small river and a forested valley, Buitrago del Lozoya is less than a couple hours’ drive from Madrid, but it feels like a whole world away.
The castle is closed and one section of the old walls is being restored, but you can sit on the rocks by the river and listen to the water, traipse along the other part of the old walls, sit in the main square and watch the town go by, or enjoy your hotel.
As I soon found, La Beltraneja Hotel Rural doesn’t skimp on the charm. Each room has been decorated according to a different theme and elegantly appointed with lots of extras. We gleefully evaluated each room before deciding on the Arab-inspired room, Al Rabad. But we had to make a concerted effort to drag ourselves out of the hotel; otherwise we would have happily spent the entire battery-recharging trip lying in a nest of pillows, in the shower, or eating.
Now back to Madrid!
Buitrago del Lozoya
Buses from Madrid to Buitrago del Lozoya leave from Plaza de Castilla
La Beltraneja Hotel Rural
Calle del Arco, 10
28730 Buitrago del Lozoya (Madrid), Spain
