nicky54

Hi all

We have a reservation at the Hotel Alvaro de Torres in Ubeda and we are trying to decide if we should keep our rental car when we are there.We will be in Ubeda two nights. We would also like to go to Baeza while we are staying in Ubeda.

We are coming from Rhonda and will be going to Granada after our stay in Ubeda. Anything else do see/do in the area?

Things are a little complicated because we arrive on Sat and the rental drop off is closed at 1:00 PM Sat and Opens again Monday. We will be leaving on Monday for Granada. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Our other questions are

Is parking close to this hotel and how much does it cost ?
Where is the drop off to give back the the rental car ?
what is driving like in Ubeda ?
How close is the bus station to go to Baeza and Granada ? We see the bus to Baeza is frequent and only 10 minutes and the bus to Granada is also several times a day and is about two and one half hours. But the bus from Ubeda to Granada (Alhambra) is much more expensive and much longer 5 hours ) Is that right ?

Thanks ! for your help

Robert2533

There is no parking at the hotel, but there is public parking nearby, an underground parking garage in the Plaza de Andalucia.

Úbeda has some narrow streets, but they shouldn't be a problem.

welltraveledbrit

Nicky54.
So lovely to see a question about Ubeda - a town we loved! We went last spring and we really enjoyed the trip. We did a one way car rental Cordoba to Grenada and very much enjoyed the trip. I don't know where your hotel is located (we stayed in the Parador) but Ubeda is a hilltown. It's a bit confusing when you drive in but essentially you'll probably do what we did drive in, park and then ask someone! Car traffic is restricted in certain areas but there are free public lots around the edge of the old part of the city. With no idea where you hotel is so I can't be more specific. It sounds like you're already doing a one way rental? Have you checked the cost of returning in Grenada?

I'm sure you can get to Baeza easily by bus but we had the car and we drove for the quick trip. The drive to Grenada did take a while (I don't remember it being quite as long as five hours but a car is probably faster than the bus) but we enjoyed the scenery and dropped the car at the train station in Grenada when we arrived.

In fact we ended up being there on the day of a general strike so we were glad we had the car and weren't depending on the bus. However, I took the bus from Grenada to Malaga airport and it was both efficient and reasonably priced, so buses are a good option.

Here's a link to our blogpost on Ubeda, we really liked the town...

http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...aen-spain.html

I also have a page on Baeza which was lovely too....
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...nce-spain.html

Here's our page on Spain in case you're interested in Cordoba or Sevilla
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/search/label/Spain

nicky54

Thanks very much. It looks like we might keep the car until Granada and take a bus to the airport in Malaga. Thanks again !

welltraveledbrit

nicky54,
Fyi there are lots of buses from Grenada to Malaga bus station and a few that go directly from Grenada to Malaga airport. The direct bus didn't coincide with my flight so i went to the bus station and then took a second bus to the airport. It's a very easy transfer so don't hesitate even if the direct bus doesn't work for your flight.

Spaniola

Ubeda is on the doorstep of Cazorla Natural Park, Spain's largest protected area and really beautiful. Baeza is a must see but also Jaen city has some gems with an amazing Renaissance cathedral, Arab Baths and castle/Parador on a hill overlooking the city.

LuisJp

One more vote for Jaen, especially for a view from Santa Catalina.