Buitrago del Lozoya combines a striking fortified ensemble with art, historic buildings and trails of varying lengths. Highlights include the history of the walls, the features of the Iglesia de Santa María del Castillo, the Picasso collection, and walking and cycling routes. When choosing a hotel, it helps to first decide whether culture, specific buildings or trails will be the focus of your stay.

Walls, Castle and Bridge

The walled area is the most striking and best-preserved fortified complex in the Autonomous Community of Madrid; it was declared a National Monument in 1931. The Torre del Reloj forms the main entrance to the walled area and was the most important element of its defensive system. The so-called adarve bajo, or lower wall walk, runs parallel to the Lozoya along the northern, eastern and western sides of the fortress. It is about four metres high and about two metres wide.

The Castillo de los Mendoza dates from the 14th to 15th centuries and features Mudéjar architecture made of brick and masonry. It was the residence of the Marqués de Santillana and his family, and later of the Dukes of the Infantado; Juana of Portugal and her daughter Juana la Beltraneja also lived there. The Puente del Arrabal, also known as the Puente Viejo, lies north of the medieval walled area and spans the Lozoya on a single semicircular granite arch.

Church, Picasso Collection and Casa del Bosque

The Iglesia de Santa María del Castillo was completed in the early 14th century, possibly on the site of an earlier mosque. During restoration in the 1980s, its Gothic roof was converted into a Neo-Mudéjar roof. The church contains an original 15th-century Mudéjar coffered ceiling from the former Hospital de San Salvador, as well as a Renaissance-style processional cross from 1574. The 35-metre-high bell tower can be visited from inside the church via a staircase; the first section has 115 uneven steps. Check access options for the tower before your visit.

The Museo Picasso-Colección Eugenio Arias has been housed in rooms in the town hall since 1985. It preserves works that Picasso dedicated and gave to his barber, Eugenio Arias. The collection includes drawings, graphic works, photographs, ceramics, pyrography, a Cagafierro, exhibition posters and books bearing the artist’s dedications to Arias.

The Casa del Bosque is protected as a Bien de Interés Patrimonial of the Autonomous Community of Madrid. Its unique architecture is modelled on Italian villas of the 16th century. The Mendoza family built the building in the early 16th century in the Dehesa del Bosque, after turning the area into a hunting ground in the 15th century.

Trails and Riosequillo

The Senda Ribera del Río Lozoya is an easy, linear 560-metre trail that can be explored on foot. The easy Senda de las Gariñas is eight kilometres long and can be completed as a linear route or a circular walk, on foot or by bicycle. The equally easy, linear Senda del Embalse de Riosequillo is listed as either 2.5 or 7.5 kilometres long and can be travelled on foot or by bicycle. The Senda del Cerro de Cinco Villas is a linear, six-kilometre, moderately difficult trail; it offers panoramic views across the Lozoya Valley, with visibility varying by season. The trails therefore range from 560 metres to eight kilometres; the Cerro de Cinco Villas is the only one listed with a moderate difficulty level. Check local trail conditions before setting off; for the Senda de las Gariñas, this includes signage, and for the Riosequillo route, access points.

One trail descends to the Puentes Viejas Reservoir and into the Gariñas forest; it also follows a peripheral path near the reservoir shore. A trail along the Lozoya River leads to the Puentes Viejas Reservoir and includes two viewpoints, information panels and a picnic area in the El Tomillar pine forest.

The Área Recreativa Riosequillo is about two kilometres from the town. It has a 4,500-square-metre swimming pool with a capacity of 2,305 people, as well as a free car park with 700 spaces. Pool details may change during renovations; check current access and parking conditions before your visit as well.

Getting There from Madrid

From Madrid, you can reach Buitrago del Lozoya via the A-1 and exit 74. Intercity bus route 191 connects Plaza de Castilla in Madrid with the town. Check the bus timetable before travelling, as routes and times may change.

Discover more destinations: San Sebastián De Los Reyes, La Estación, Galapagar, Bustarviejo, Soto Real, La Serna Del Monte, Lozoya, San Martín De Valdeiglesias.

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