Pelayos de la Presa at San Juan Reservoir

The discovery of Pelayos de la Presa begins at San Juan Reservoir, with more than 50 kilometres of shoreline and 14 beaches. Swimming is permitted in the reservoir. The lake lies within the municipalities of San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Pelayos de la Presa and is protected by the ZEPA Encinares de los ríos Alberche y Cofio and the LIC/ZEC Cuencas de los ríos Alberche y Cofio.

When comparing holiday apartments in Pelayos de la Presa, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the respective offer pages. This keeps your choice aligned with the details that are actually relevant to your own travel planning.

More places in the town overview: Humanes De Madrid, Ciempozuelos, Pinto, Valdemorillo, Mejorada Del Campo, Manjirón, Pozuelo De Alarcón and Tielmes.

Water

El Muro is an important recreational area in Pelayos de la Presa and also an officially registered bathing area. Shoreline, number of beaches and bathing area represent different aspects that you can compare when planning.

Culture

The Santa María la Real de Valdeiglesias Monastery in Pelayos de la Presa is the most significant surviving monastery foundation of the Cistercian Order in the Community of Madrid. The monastery complex encompasses successive construction and alteration phases from its foundation in the 12th century through to the 18th century. The monastery church has three apses, a transept and a single-nave body.

The Santa María la Real de Valdeiglesias Monastery can be visited independently using explanatory panels and illustrations. Guided tours of the monastery last approximately one hour.

The rock paintings of La Enfermería are located in rock shelters and were created using natural pigments made from minerals and plants. The parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción dates from the 16th century. The prehistoric rock paintings of Pelayos de la Presa were discovered at Cerro de San Esteban in the 1980s.

On 5 January, children in Pelayos de la Presa perform a live nativity play. From 30 January to 1 February, a triduum is held in honour of Saint Blaise.

Nature

The Senda del Yelmo is a hiking trail that links a forest track, pine forests and natural viewpoints. Much of the Senda del Yelmo runs along San Juan Reservoir and offers extensive views. Cerro del Yelmo is the highlight of the Senda del Yelmo, a granite dome with panoramic views of San Juan Reservoir.

The surroundings of the Senda del Yelmo are designated as the ZEPA 56 Special Protection Area for birds and provide a habitat for species such as the Spanish imperial eagle, black stork and cinereous vulture. The various components of the hiking trail can be considered separately when planning your own day.

The Aventura Amazonia Pelayos adventure park is currently closed after a fire completely destroyed the park.

For the higher-level travel overview: Madrid.