Happy TravellerWelcome to Villanueva de la Cañada, a beautiful municipality located just 30 km northwest of Madrid in the Community of Madrid, Spain. This charming town covers an area of 34.92 km2 and is situated on a large plain with several promontories, one of which is home to the castle of Aulencia, the town’s main landmark. The ESAs European Space Astronomy Centre is also located nearby, on the Guadarrama riverfront.
One of the most notable features of Villanueva de la Cañada is its geography. The town is watered by the rivers Guadarrama and Aulencia, as well as various streams. The latter eventually joins the Guadarrama, which flows into the Tajo. Geologically, the town’s limits form part of the depression of the Tajo and are defined by the existence of many alluvial fields, with an average elevation of 652 metres. Villanueva de la Cañada borders Valdemorillo and Villanueva del Pardillo to the North, Majadahonda, Boadilla del Monte and Villaviciosa de Odón to the East, Brunete to the South and Quijorna to the West.
Villanueva de la Cañada is home to several monuments and places of interest, including the castle of Aulencia, the Aquópolis waterpark, and the main campus of the Alfonso X El Sabio University. The town is also crossed by several major roads, including the M-600, which joins San Lorenzo de El Escorial with Navalcarnero, the M-503, which joins Villanueva de la Cañada with the M-50 and M-500 (carretera de Castilla), the M-513, which joins Brunete with the M-50, passing through Guadamonte, and the M-521, which joins Villanueva de la Cañada with Quijorna.
Villanueva de la Cañada is well-connected by public transport, with several coach lines serving the town. These include the 530, which connects Navalcarnero with Villanueva de la Cañada, the 575, which connects Boadilla del Monte with Brunete (via Guadamonte), the 581, which connects Madrid (intercambiador de Príncipe Pío) with Villaviciosa de Odón, Brunete, Villanueva de la Cañada, and Quijorna, the 623, which connects Madrid (intercambiador de Moncloa) with Las Rozas de Madrid and Villafranca del Castillo, the 626, which connects Las Rozas de Madrid with Majadahonda and Villanueva de la Cañada, the 627, which connects Madrid (intercambiador de Moncloa) with Villanueva de la Cañada and Brunete, and the 669, which connects San Lorenzo de El Escorial with Villanueva de la Cañada.
Villanueva de la Cañada is also home to the Lycée Molière de Villanueva de la Cañada, a French international school. The town has also been home to several notable residents, including actress and model Paula Echevarría, Padel Pro Tour player Juan Martín Díaz, singer David Bustamante, ex-minister and MEP Jaime Mayor Oreja, and ex-President of Argentina Isabel Perón.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the town’s rich history, enjoying its breathtaking landscapes, or simply relaxing and soaking up the local culture, Villanueva de la Cañada has something for everyone. So why not add this enchanting destination to your travel bucket list today?
