Free walking tours in San Martín de Valdeiglesias and what to see

Must-sees

San Martín de Valdeiglesias is in the south-west of the Madrid region, by the Alberche river. Its 15th-century Coracera castle dominates the town and can be visited. In the centre, the large church of San Martín Obispo and the arcaded square stand out. The area is wine country, with bodegas in the Vinos de Madrid appellation.

Near the town is the San Juan reservoir, with the Virgen de la Nueva beach, one of the few inland beaches in the region, where you can swim and do water sports. In neighbouring Pelayos de la Presa are the ruins of the Cistercian monastery of Santa María la Real de Valdeiglesias.

Free tours and guided visits

Free walking tours are not common in San Martín de Valdeiglesias. The norm is guided visits to the Coracera castle and the historic centre, and visits to the monastery at Pelayos de la Presa. There are also winery visits with tastings, a practical way to get to know the local wines.

Among paid activities, kayaking, paddleboarding and boat trips on the San Juan reservoir stand out, as does hiking in the nearby Sierra de Gredos. A short, recommended trip is to the Toros de Guisando, pre-Roman stone sculptures in El Tiemblo, in Ávila province.

How long to spend

A full day covers the essentials: the morning for the castle, the church and the centre, and the afternoon for the monastery at Pelayos de la Presa or a winery visit. In summer, add a second day for the San Juan reservoir and its water sports. If you're into nature, the Toros de Guisando and Gredos are worth another day.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to stay in central San Martín, near the square and the castle, where there are small hotels, guesthouses and apartments. That way everything is on foot. If you're coming for the water, there's accommodation and rural houses near the San Juan reservoir and in Pelayos de la Presa, quieter and with quick access to the beach and the monastery.