Rascafría and El Paular at a glance
Rascafría is a town in the Lozoya Valley, at the foot of the Peñalara massif. The Monastery of Santa María de El Paular stands a few kilometres away, beside the M-604 road. Founded in 1390 as a Carthusian monastery, it later became a Benedictine abbey. Its best-known features are the alabaster altarpiece in the church and the Transparente, a Baroque chapel behind the high altar.
For a day, choose one main goal: the monastery visit, a stroll around the Puente del Perdón and the river, or a hike to the waterfall. All three are possible by car on a fine day; by bus, the return trip limits the day. For other villages in the region, see the article on villages around Madrid, whose Rascafría section this page expands on.
Visiting El Paular Monastery: hours, prices and booking
According to Madrid's official tourism website (EsMadrid), the monastery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00, and closed on Monday and Tuesday (except public holidays), as well as on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. Visits are by advance reservation only.
Two options are offered:
| Option | Full price | Reduced price | Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monastic area (guided tour) and cloister with exhibitions | €7 | €4 (over 65s, people with disabilities, jobseekers, large families) | €3 |
| Espacio Paular Contemporáneo, cloister with exhibitions (self-guided) | €5 | €3 | €1 |
The guided tour lasts about an hour and a half: it starts in the church, then goes through the chapter house, the sanctuary, the refectory and the cloister. Time slots vary by day of the week; book by phone on 91 869 19 58 or through the monastery's website. The sources we found differ slightly on the guided slots and their length: confirm your tour's start time when you book. Parking at the monastery is free.
Walking in Rascafría: the Puente del Perdón and the Lozoya riverbank
The Puente del Perdón, a stone bridge over the Lozoya River near the monastery, can be visited freely: it is an easy walk, with views of snow-capped mountains in winter. The centre of Rascafría, a few minutes away, is the place for lunch; sierra cooking, with beans, roasts and stews, is the natural choice on a cool day. Book for weekend lunch.
The Purgatorio waterfall: a 3 to 4 hour hike
The Cascada del Purgatorio is the best-known hiking goal in the area. Allow about 10 km round trip from the Las Presillas car park, i.e. 3 to 4 hours of walking, of moderate difficulty, through pine and oak forest; the last kilometre and a half is narrower and rockier. Swimming at the waterfall is forbidden. Hiking boots and water are essential.
The Las Presillas car park is paid (about €20 from June to September and €10 the rest of the year according to a 2026 travel guide: check the rate on site) and fills up early at weekends. If you come by bus, add the trip to the trailhead. Do not combine this walk with the monastery visit if you depend on the last bus: choose one or the other for the morning.
Getting there from Madrid: bus 194 or car
By bus. Line 194 (operated by Alsa) links the Plaza de Castilla interchange with Rascafría via Alcobendas, Colmenar Viejo, El Molar and La Cabrera. The 194A variant also serves Buitrago del Lozoya, Lozoyuela and Rascafría, and passes close to the monastery. Service is infrequent: check the official timetables from the Madrid Regional Transport Consortium or Alsa for your date, find the last return bus and aim for the one before. At weekends, a shuttle links Rascafría with Cotos for hikers: check its times.
By car. Allow about 90 km and 1 h 30 via the A-1 and then the M-604. Parking at the monastery is free for booked visits; Las Presillas is paid. If you do not have your own car, you can rent one for the day.
Which itinerary for a day?
- Culture and a stroll: bus or car in the morning, guided tour of El Paular, Puente del Perdón, lunch in Rascafría.
- Nature: early start to Las Presillas, Purgatorio waterfall, lunch in the town, return in late afternoon.
- Without a car: just one activity, timed around the bus 194 schedule.
For other outings in the mountains, read about the Sierra de Guadarrama; the neighbouring village of Buitrago is covered in Buitrago del Lozoya from Madrid. To compare with other destinations, see the day trips from Madrid and the Manzanares el Real castle.
When to go and what to plan for
Autumn (valley colours) and spring are the best times; summer is cooler than Madrid, but weekends are busier. In winter, snow can cover the trails: bring warm clothes and check the weather. Monastery bookings fill up at weekends: reserve ahead.
Key points
- El Paular Monastery can only be visited by reservation (€7 guided tour, €5 cloister with exhibitions self-guided); closed Monday and Tuesday.
- Bus 194 from Plaza de Castilla is infrequent: check the last return.
- Purgatorio waterfall: about 10 km round trip, 3 to 4 hours, no swimming.
- For a single village in the region, compare Buitrago and Pedraza.
