Jayne11159

We'll be driving (A-3) from Madrid to Valencia next month. Arriving Madrid early morning and don't need to be in Valencia until the following afternoon. I don't see much along the route so I'm hoping for some suggestions for interesting stops along the way and someplace interesting to spend the night.
Thanks.

afterall

I guess you have a map, but you haven't gone that step further and thought - well, if there is nothing on the route itself, what might be possible as a detour?

How about Cuenca?

BTW - if you like the idea of Cuenca, you'd actually be much better off doing Madrid - Cuenca - Valencia by train.

lincasanova

i would do the following to take full advantage of your car. otherwise the train to cuenca-valencia is an excellent option.

Leave madrid on N4 SOUTH owards Aranjuez but leave highway at M404 going east towards Chinchon, your first stop. (or see aranjuez´s royal navy museum and the royal summer palace (from outside only if you are pressed for time) and continue up to chinchon form there on M305.

There is a quaint round main plaza (doubling as bull ring during festivals) with several restaurants dotting the balconies and a lovely parador of the main plaza for a coffee stop.

Continue east to the main highway to valencia, the A3. leave highway at tarancon to go to cuenca.. (very worthwhile).

Leave cuenca towards Motilla de Palancar, turning west towards Alarcon before hitting the A3 ( you need good map) this is the national parador, also a castle and an obligatory stop even just for coffee on any trip from madrid to valencia. It is EASILY accessible from the A3.

Hungry after awhile? stop in Caudete de las Fuentes ( before reaching Utiel) at the only restaurant along this small, country sleepy town´s main road called "fuente la chica", after the water fountain nearby. The ex-mayor still runs this well-known unpretentious eatery tempting businessmen on their sometimes boring routes! (tell him the american from valencia sent you).

Or drive across the highway towards Los marcos/los isidros on route 452 going deeper into this renown wine country for some very delightful views and a casa rural called "las Viñas".

As you approach Valencia you will pass Buñol. known for the Tomatina.. then you will pass Cheste area, the large race track where you may run into some type of competition.

know where your accomodations are before entering valencia as you might accidentally drive WAY out of the way with all the options there are now and the signage can be confusing. i will be happy to give you a simple route to your hotel or any Valencia suggestions.

happy travels.

i am sure there is SOMEthing that will appeal to you on that route that many think there is nothing of worth!

Jayne11159

Thanks so much lincasanova. This is exactly what I was looking for. It wasn't necessary to state the obvious that a detour would be necessary once I looked at the map!

lincasanova

for those with less time and "ganas" the short detour to the Parador National Alarcon is a must.

It is actually on the old road to madrid, very well connected from the north and south to the A3.