Free walking tours in Buitrago del Lozoya and what to see

Must-sees

Buitrago del Lozoya is the only town in the Community of Madrid that keeps its walls almost complete. The enclosure sits on a bend of the Lozoya river, and you can walk part of the wall-walk. Inside are the Mendoza castle, in Gothic-Mudéjar style, and the church of Santa María del Castillo, with a Gothic doorway and a Mudéjar tower.

A surprising visit is the Picasso Museum, with the collection that the painter's barber, Eugenio Arias, donated to the town: drawings, prints and dedicated objects. Outside the walls, the riverside path has the best views of the whole ensemble. At Christmas a living nativity scene draws big crowds.

Free tours and guided visits

There are usually no regular free walking tours in Buitrago. The norm is guided visits to the walls, the castle and the church, organised by the town council or local guides, telling the story of the town and the role of the Mendoza family. Some focus on the wall-walk.

Excursions into the Sierra Norte of Madrid start from Buitrago. The best known are the guided visit to the Hayedo de Montejo, with limited places, the walk around Patones de Arriba and its slate architecture, and hikes in the Lozoya valley and around the local reservoirs.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough to walk the walls, go into the castle and the church and see the Picasso Museum. If you want a relaxed lunch and a riverside walk, allow a day. With two days you can combine it with the Hayedo de Montejo, especially in autumn, when the colours are at their best, or with Patones de Arriba.

Where to stay

The best option is to stay inside the walled enclosure or in the streets nearby, where there are guesthouses, rural houses and a small hotel or two. That way everything is on foot and you can stroll at night without cars. If you'll be hiking in the Sierra Norte, there are also rural houses in the surrounding villages, quieter and surrounded by nature.