Navacerrada is a charming little village located just 52 kilometres from Madrid, in the south of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range. As well as being in an idyllic natural setting, this place is one of the most popular destinations for locals and travellers to enjoy a day in a real haven of peace. Discover all the things to do in Navacerrada.
This little village is located very close to the Guadarrama reservoir, just at the entrance to the Barranca Valley, and is a popular place for hiking and nature lovers. If that wasn’t enough, close to this destination you will find the famous Puerto de Navacerrada, where you will find the famous ski resort. Don’t hesitate to come and visit Navacerrada in winter!
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Things to do in Navacerrada
Navacerrada Town Hall
The Navacerrada Town Hall is one of the most symbolic and beautiful buildings to visit in the town. Located right in the centre of Navacerrada, this town hall is the main feature of the Plaza de los Ángeles, where you can also enjoy excellent entertainment.
This structure has a beautiful façade made of different coloured stone, although its most striking feature is the clock on its highest tower. Don’t hesitate to stroll around the area once you’ve finished visiting this Navacerrada monument, and don’t forget to take your camera!
La Natividad de Nuestra Señora Parish Church
This church is the most important religious building in the village, as well as being one of the most symbolic places to see in Navacerrada. If you want to reach it, you have to climb to the highest part of the village. Although this may be a bit of a turn-off, it is certainly worth the climb to enjoy both the monument and the views.
This temple dates back to the 16th century, but you will see that it has been incredibly well preserved due to a series of restorations which have kept its appearance almost intact. You can not only visit the outside, but also go inside the temple and discover its different characteristic features. It is sure to become one of your favourite things to do in Navacerrada.
Paseo de los Españoles
The Paseo de los Españoles is a beautiful avenue where you will find some of the most beautiful and traditional buildings in Navacerrada. It creates an interesting contrast with some of the newer buildings in the village.
Along the avenue you can enjoy a unique atmosphere while you admire the different buildings. You will also find the Tourist Office on this street where you can get more information about the most interesting places to see. Once you have crossed the entire promenade, you will come to a beautiful park located at the end of the avenue. It is the perfect place to visit if you are travelling with children, they will love it!
Navacerrada Pass
Puerto de Navacerrada is probably the most famous place for those who travel to Navacerrada. Its ski resort is one of the best places for ski lovers in Madrid or Segovia, and no wonder why!
At 1,858 metres above sea level, this mountain offers an incredible environment to enjoy some of the best ski slopes. If you love snow, we highly recommend visiting Navacerrada in winter to enjoy this incredible place. But don’t forget to come early in the morning if you go on the weekend – you won’t regret it!
Plaza del Doctor Gereda
The Plaza de Gereda is certainly one of the most visited spots in Navacerrada, both by locals and visitors. This area has a unique atmosphere, where its charming traditional buildings and many activities to do make it amazingly dynamic.
You can enjoy a pleasant stroll around the area, as well as stop for lunch or dinner in one of its attractive restaurants or little bars. Fall in love with its explosion of colours and the liveliness and warmth of its people.
Cerca del Moro Viewpoint
Cerca del Moro is a spectacular viewpoint located a short walk from the village. From this point you can enjoy incredible views of the Navacerrada reservoir, as well as a special perspective of the village.
We recommend going on a Sunday, as on your way to the viewpoint, you will find the famous Navacerrada Flea Market on the esplanade next to it. This wonderful flea market offers a wide range of handicrafts and antiques, and is considered one of the best, along with the famous Rastro in Madrid. You can’t miss it.
Navacerrada Dam
The Navacerrada Dam is located on the course of the River Samburiel and dates back to the Franco era. To get there, you’ll take a very pleasant walk along the banks of the river. It is also a suitable excursion for both trained hikers and amateurs.
This dam has been operating since 1969, being one of the most important reservoirs in Madrid responsible for supplying the municipalities of the Sierra de Guadarrama. It offers spectacular natural scenery, as well as a circular route through a nature. A real visual gem.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Excursions near Navacerrada
Bola del Mundo
The hike to the Bola del Mundo starts at the Navacerrada Pass. Start by following the Vuelta de los Pastores trail, with a slight uphill climb in spectacular surroundings. It is important to bear in mind that this route is usually completely covered in snow.
At more than 2,000 metres above the Sierra de Guadarrama, this excursion is not suitable for everyone. You will go through different environments where you can admire places like the Barranca Valley or the beautiful Navacerrada Dam. Once you reach the top of the Bola del Mundo, you will understand how worthwhile this route was.
La Maliciosa
La Maliciosa is a simple route that runs through the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. The excursion suitable for all levels and ages. It starts from the village of Navacerrada itself, making it an ideal option if you are staying or visiting there.
Follow a route that starts at the Plaza del Gargantón, after just two kilometres you will reach the Navacerrada River. You will be able to enjoy a stunning natural environment, crossing the famous paths of La Angostura and Vereda de las Cabezas, ending the route at the spectacular Navacerrada Dam. It is the perfect route to do with the family.
Camino Shchmid
The Camino Shchmid is one of the best trails for hiking enthusiasts, where you can not only enjoy film-like scenery, but also its history. This route has a very interesting origin.
You can walk along a path starting at the Puerto de Navacerrada, crossing impressive wooded areas where nature is abundant. You will come across many natural features such as streams, pine forests and massifs, as well as springs and meadows. As this is a circular route, you will end up at the same starting point. An adventure not to be missed!
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Navacerrada
There are two transport options to get to the La Maliciosa route.
– Firstly, you can go by car and take the M-607 to Navacerrada. Another option is to take the A6 and drive to Collado Villabla. Once there, you will have to take the M-601 and exit at 39.
– Secondly, you can access by bus taking line 601 from Moncloa.
The best time to travel to Navacerrada tends to be from June to September, as you can avoid the likelihood of rainfall, while enjoying warm and pleasant temperatures.
The price of the ski pass for adults between 13 and 64 years old, as well as for those over 64, is €27 in both high and low season. The price for children between 7 and 12 is reduced to €22 in both seasons.
There are three options to get to Navacerrada from Madrid:
– You can take the bus from the Moncloa interchange. You will have to get on line 691 with the company LARREA.
– You can go by car from Madrid taking the A-6 until you get to Collado Villalba, then you have to take the M-601 towards Madrid-Segovia until you get to Puerto de Navacerrada.
– Finally, you can take the train to Cercedilla from Chamartín Station. Once there, you will have to change trains and take the Tren de Cotos to Puerto de Navacerrada.
How to organise what to do in Navacerrada?
If you don’t know how to organise your trip, or where to start when visiting all the points of interest in Navacerrada, sign up to Passporter for free and we will help you.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.
If you have any doubts, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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