10 awesome ideas for corporate retreats in and around Madrid
1. Tour the city’s museums
Did you know there are more than 44 museums in Madrid? This vibrant city is home to some of the world’s most famous artworks, like Pablo Picasso’s Guernica and Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas. And there’s more to Madrid’s museums than just art. For example, dinosaur buffs will love the Museum of Natural Sciences, while history lovers may be interested in the National Archaeological Museum. Venues and operators:The Museum of Illusions offers special tailor-made team building activities, while operators like Madrid Adventures run interactive museum tours. How to get there: Madrid is easy to navigate by taxi or metro. The city’s central museums are easily accessible via Lines 1, 2, 3, 5, and 11. Best time to visit: Madrid can get chilly in the winter and the summer brings more crowds, so the best times are September-November or March-May. Average budget: $
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2. Enjoy a culinary tour
Who doesn’t love sampling delicious food? Along with its countless tapas bars, cafés, and markets, Madrid is also home to 26 Michelin-starred restaurants. At a tapas crawl or cooking class, team members can try local gastronomic staples like Spanish omelet, Iberian ham, croquetas, and patatas bravas, as well as other Spanish and Mediterranean delicacies like paella. Venues and operators: Operators like Cook Madrid, Madrid Adventures, and Cocinea run culinary tours and cooking classes suitable for business teams.How to get there:There are great restaurants and bars all over Madrid. Some suggested spots to check out the city’s gastronomy and nightlife are the Chueca neighborhood (accessible via metro line 5), and the Mercado de San Miguel and Calle Mayor, located near the Opera metro station. Best time to visit: The best times to visit Madrid for a food tour are in the spring or summer, when the weather is warm and diners like to sit outside. Average budget: $
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3. Take a day trip to Toledo
Toledo is just an hour’s drive from Madrid. The historic center is the heart of the city and a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, with 2,000 years of rich history. It’s known for the presence of important Jewish, Christian, and Islamic monuments. Visitors can tour wineries in the region, see sites like the Catedral Primada and the Mirador del Valle, or stop to watch a sunset from the San Martín or Alcántara bridges. Venues and operators: Large groups looking to stay in Toledo may want to visit the Cigarral El Bosque Hotel, which has 10 meeting rooms. Smaller groups may want to choose an option like the AC Hotel Ciudad de Toledo or the Sercotel Alfonso VI.Operators like Blue Wolf Team Building and Uno + Uno Team Building offer team bonding activities and tours. How to get there:You can drive to Toledo along highway A-42. Alsa buses depart regularly from the Plaza Elíptica transport hub in Madrid. High-speed AVE trains also leave approximately every hour from Puerta Atocha station, with the journey taking just 36 minutes. Best time to visit:Toledo gets a bit hotter than Madrid in the summer, so the best time to visit is in May and June, when the weather is nice. Average budget: $$
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4. Try out some art and wine
Art and wine nights are becoming increasingly trendy in Spain, as they’re a nice way to get your creative juices flowing while having fun with a group. Learn to create a beautiful masterpiece as you enjoy some Spanish wines. Most operators provide painting supplies, aprons, and canvases, so your group can paint in a comfortable environment. Venues and operators: Some venues offering art and wine events are Arte Bar, Art & Wine by Jean D, and Wine Gogh. How to get there:The venues mentioned can be accessed via the Puerta de Toledo, Islas Filipinas, and Menéndez Pelayo metro stations. Best time to visit: Classes are offered throughout the day, with some operators also offering the option of a private class at a location of your choice. Average budget: $
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5. Visit an escape room
Have you ever heard of an escape room? These exciting venues are a great place for teams to practice working together, cooperating, and competing in a fun environment. Players are locked in a room together, then asked to solve a series of puzzles and decipher clues to find their way out. Venues and operators: Some Madrid escape room options are The Rombo Code, Fox in a Box, and Exit Madrid, among others. How to get there: The venues mentioned can be accessed via the Quevedo, Chueca, and Alonso Martínez metro stations. Best time to visit:Most escape rooms are available throughout the day. Check with individual operators to see reservation times. Average budget: $
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6. Explore Segovia
Segovia is another great day trip option from the city of Madrid. It’s best known for its Roman aqueduct, and for its medieval cathedral and Alcázar. Groups can tour the city, sample local cuisine in the city’s Plaza Mayor, or enjoy a wine tasting nearby. Venues and operators: Local team building companies include Kaizen Team Building, Uno + Uno Team Building, and Tuset Eventos. Tour operators include Winebus and Yellowtours, among others. Large groups can meet in a retreat venue like the Candido Hotel, which has a business center with several meeting rooms, while small groups can try the Spa Hotel Casa Mudejar, which has 42 guest rooms and one meeting room. How to get there:Segovia is an hours’ drive from Madrid. Regular trains leave from Chamartín station and take about half an hour. Avanza runs a bus route leaving from Moncloa Station that takes about an hour to reach Segovia.Best time to visit:March to November are the best months to visit Segovia, with shoulder seasons being the best for those who want to beat the heat. Average budget: $$
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7. Go hiking in the Guadarrama Mountains
The Guadarrama Mountains are located in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. They’re more than 7,500 feet (2,286 m) high, and are home to pine forests and lots of wildlife.The mountains are home to 24 hiking routes, with options to suit all durations and levels of difficulty. Venues and operators: Some meeting and retreat locations in and around the Sierra de Guadarrama include La Arena and Monte Holiday Ecoturismo. How to get there:Buses run from Moncloa Station to Ctra. M601 - Club Alpino Espanol in the park. The route takes about an hour and 45 minutes. The park can also be reached via a 45-minute drive, or by taking a train to Cercedilla and then Puerto de Navacerrada.Best time to visit:Spring (March-May) has pleasant temperatures, and is great for seeing flowering daffodils and spotting baby ibexes. Average budget: $-$$
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8. Do a history tour of Alcalá de Henares
Another easy day trip from Madrid is to Alcalá de Henares, a town just 40 minutes away. The center of Alcalá is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the town is known for its historic universities. It’s current home to the University of Alcalá. The 18th-century Calle Mayor is the city’s main shopping street. Some sites to see here include the Archbishop’s Palace, Catedral de Alcalá de Henares, and Convento de San Bernardo. Venues and operators:Large groups may want to meet at the Parador de Alcalá de Henares, which has 13 conference rooms. Small groups may prefer the Hotel El Bedel, which has 50 guest rooms and three meeting rooms. Operators running team building experiences here include Alcalá Turismo y Más and Escapology, among others. Best time to visit:Between October and August, visitors to Alcalá can spot some of the town’s famous white storks. How to get there: You can drive from Madrid to Alcalá via highway A-2. You can also take the Alsa bus from the Intercambiador Avenida de América, which takes about 45 minutes. Another option is taking a Cercanias train from Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios, Recoletos, or Atocha railway stations. Average budget: $-$$
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9. Cycle around the Madrid region
A cycling tour is a simple and budget-friendly way to enjoy Madrid. Bikes can be rented for just a few euros per person. Madrid has many cycling lanes, and the Paseo del Prado boulevard is closed off to car traffic on Sundays. There are also trails heading out of the city for a pleasant trip through the countryside.Venues and operators: Rent bikes from an operator like Baja Bikes or Bike Madrid Tours. Best time to visit:To avoid the hot summer temperatures and see the fall colors, try biking in September or October. April or May are also good months for a bike trip. How to get there: To bike around the outskirts of Madrid, follow the Anillo Verde cycling ring around the city, or break off and head north to the village of Soto del Real and the Sierra Norte de Madrid. Average budget: $
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10. Go skiing at La Pinilla
You might not immediately think of Madrid as a skiing destination, but the mountains near Segovia offer plenty of opportunities for winter sports! La Pinilla is a ski station north of Madrid with 14 miles (22 km) of trails. The station has been open since 1968, and offers trails for all levels, from beginners to expert skiers. Other winter sport options, like snow trikes and snowboarding, are also available. Venues and operators: All the information about La Pinilla Ski Park can be found on their website. The resort offers three options for accommodation: a guesthouse, a hostel, and a glamping site. Best time to visit: January and February tend to get the best snow at the resort. How to get there: La Pinilla is a 1.5 hour drive from Madrid along highway A1. Other options include taking a shuttle bus, or taking an Alsa bus to the nearby village of Riaza. Average budget: $$
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