Nestled in a hairpin bend of the Lozoya River, Buitrago del Lozoya is a small town to the north of Madrid. It’s home to the remains of a Gothic-Mudejar castle and ringed by beautifully preserved Moorish walls dating back to the 11th century. Buitrago del Lozoya holds ties to Pablo Picasso as the former residence of his barber.
Things to do in Buitrago del Lozoya
Dominating the town is the 15th-century Castle of Buitrago del Lozoya, a rectangular fortification that served as a residence of the Marquis of Santillana and his descendants. It’s dominated by seven towers in various shapes, each with rows of openings topped by horseshoe arches. Adjacent is a well-preserved “coracha” designed to cover access to the water in the event of a siege.
Don’t miss the Church of Santa María del Castillo, which is believed to have been built in the 14th century on the site of an old mosque. It is crowned by a Mudejar-style bell tower and fronted by a 16th-century atrium with Doric columns. Step inside to admire the ornately coffered ceiling and the icons created by the Bulgarian artist Silvia Borisova.
Occupying the Buitrago del Lozoya Town Hall is the Picasso Museum–Eugenio Arias Collection, which exhibits ceramics and paintings gifted to the town by the artist’s friend, a local barber. Get up close to drawings and pyrographic works, together with exhibition posters and books about Pablo Picasso. Nearby is the Sala de Exposiciones where changing exhibitions are showcased.
Getting around Buitrago del Lozoya
Buitrago del Lozoya is around an hour's drive from Madrid and 40 minutes from Adolfo Suarez Madrid–Barajas Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Buitrago del Lozoya and the town is small enough to explore on foot.