Free walking tours in Las Rozas and what to see

Must-sees

Las Rozas is a residential town north-west of Madrid, with lots of greenery and a good quality of life. In the old town are the church of San Miguel Arcángel and the town hall square, with a village atmosphere. For walks, the Dehesa de Navalcarbón is a large park with holm oaks and paths. To the west runs the river Guadarrama, protected as a regional park, with walking and cycling routes.

Many visitors come for the town's large outlet shopping centre, one of the best known in the area. The Ciudad del Fútbol is also here, home of the Spanish football federation and the national team's training base. Its location by the A-6 puts it close to the Sierra de Guadarrama, El Escorial and central Madrid.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Las Rozas. The practical thing is to use it as a base and take the Cercanías into Madrid for a free walking tour of the historic centre: Sol, the Plaza Mayor, Habsburg Madrid and the area around the Royal Palace. Among paid visits, a guided visit to the nearby monastery of El Escorial and trips to Segovia, Ávila or Toledo are worthwhile.

How long to spend

The town can be seen in a few hours, between the old town and a walk in the Dehesa de Navalcarbón. If you use it as a base, plan three or four days. Spend two in Madrid, one at El Escorial and the Valle de Cuelgamuros, and another in Segovia or on a hike in the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Where to stay

The most convenient choice is to look for somewhere near one of the Cercanías stations, which get you to central Madrid without a car. If you are driving, the areas by the A-6 let you get out quickly to the sierra and Segovia. The old town has restaurants and a quiet atmosphere to come back to at night.