What to see in Valdemorillo: a guide to the town and its surroundings in the Sierra Oeste

The must-sees in Valdemorillo are its old town, presided over by the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción; the covered La Candelaria bullring, home to one of the best-known bullfighting fairs in Spain; and its natural surroundings: holm oak woods, wooded pastures, granite landscapes and the shores of the Valmayor reservoir. It is a place to enjoy at a leisurely pace, with country walks and good food, and it is a stone's throw from San Lorenzo de El Escorial, so you can combine both visits on the same day.

In this guide we go through its monuments, the best areas for walking, what to see in the surroundings and how to get there from Madrid or from Barajas Airport.

Valdemorillo lies in the Sierra Oeste (western sierra) of the Madrid region, where the plain gives way to the first foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The municipality is very large and combines the historic centre with numerous housing estates scattered among holm oaks and pines, which explains its peaceful atmosphere and its population of families looking to live close to nature without moving too far from the capital.

That dual character, a town with history and a municipality full of nature, is what makes the visit interesting: in the morning you can explore the centre and in the afternoon lose yourself on a track through the wooded pastures with the mountains in the background.

Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

It is the town's main monument. Built in stone in the sixteenth century, its austerity recalls the architecture that would soon afterwards take hold in nearby El Escorial, and its tower is the visual landmark of the centre from almost any street. It is worth walking around it to admire the ashlar masonry and, if it is open, going in to see the interior.

The square and the streets of the centre

The life of the town is concentrated around the plaza del Ayuntamiento: café terraces, local shops and residents coming and going. The nearby streets keep traditional stone houses with ironwork, and a stroll through them gives you an idea of what the town was like before the housing estates grew up.

La Candelaria bullring

Valdemorillo is famous in the bullfighting world for its covered bullring, a modern and unusual building for a mountain town. It hosts the feria de San Blas y la Candelaria, traditionally considered the first fair of the bullfighting season in Spain, which draws fans from all over the region. Even if bullfighting does not interest you, the building is part of the town's present-day image.

What most surprises first-time visitors to Valdemorillo is how much countryside surrounds it. Much of the municipality is holm oak pastureland, with granite outcrops, seasonal streams and old drovers' roads that are now used for walking, running or cycling.

• Valmayor reservoir: the area's large reservoir stretches across several mountain towns, Valdemorillo among them. Its shores offer good views and pleasant walks, especially at sunset.
• Tracks through the wooded pastures: tracks and paths through the oak woods start from the town itself, suitable for almost all levels. Take water and outdoor footwear: the ground is uneven and it is hot in summer.
• Natural viewpoints: because it is high up, from several points in the municipality you can see the Sierra de Guadarrama and, on clear days, the distant outline of Madrid.
• Wildlife: the wooded pastures are a good place for birdwatching; first thing in the morning is when there is most activity.

Respect fenced areas and livestock, and check the restrictions on fires and access during periods of wildfire risk, which are common in the Sierra Oeste in summer.

The fiestas de San Blas y la Candelaria are the big dates in the local calendar, with the bullfighting fair taking centre stage, but also with music, street activities and a great atmosphere in the centre. These are the busiest days: if you go then, expect closed streets, scarce parking and accommodation that fills up early.

During the rest of the year the town organises markets, cultural activities and food events. Mountain cooking rules at the table: chargrilled meats, lamb, seasonal stews and cheeses from the sierra, accompanied by the Madrid wines produced in the nearby districts.

Around Valdemorillo are some of the most interesting places in the Sierra Oeste and the Sierra de Guadarrama:

If you plan to spend the afternoon at the monastery, read our guide to what to see in San Lorenzo de El Escorial first. To keep discovering the Madrid mountains, another trip with a castle, a reservoir and mountains is Manzanares el Real. And if you are staying in the surrounding towns, we also pick up in Galapagar, Colmenarejo or Villanueva de la Cañada.

Valdemorillo has no train station: from Madrid you get there by car or by intercity bus. Within the municipality, the distances between the centre, the housing estates and the natural areas are large and public transport is limited, so it is worth planning how you will get around, especially if you do not drive or are going out for dinner.

If you are arriving by plane, the journey from Barajas by public transport means crossing Madrid and combining several modes of transport. The simplest way is to book a taxi from Valdemorillo to the airport (and from the airport to Valdemorillo): pickup at your terminal or at your front door, a fixed fare you know before you confirm and a 24-hour service, including for flights first thing in the morning.

For very early flights or dates with high demand, such as the fair days, it is best to book well ahead. In our article on how far in advance to book your airport taxi we explain how to work it out.