Driving from Madrid to Malaga
 

I will arrive Madrid airport early Sun morning Sept 26th and pick up a rental car to head south to Benaldemenas just outside of Malaga. I plan on winging it and take my time driving south and making little stops. Any suggestions on little towns to stop at on the way down?

Should I look at stopping in Cordoba and enjoying the afternoon then spend the night instead of trying to make the trip in one day? Mapquest shows that it would be approx 6 hours of driving time to Malaga.

Also, any recommendations on where to stay the last night that would be relatively close to the Madrid airport? Not necessarily in Madrid. Maybe a little town close by?

Thanks

IMO you would be better off taking the train or flying between Madrid and Malaga--I don't believe that's a particularly scenic or interesting drive. Then you could pick up the car in Malaga.

There are many towns south of Madrid that are interesting to visit, but it depends on how much time you have & how quickly you want to get to Malaga. IMO two "must sees" driving south from Madrid are Toledo and the Alhambra in Granada, but they will each really require a day. You might be able to do a day trip (a long day!)from Malaga to visit the Alhambra.