On our last day in Spain, we will be driving from Granada to the airport in Madrid. We would rather drive than go by train so we can stop along the way for lunch and enjoy our last look at Spain. Can anyone suggest a small town or village along the way where we might enjoy a nice lunch and see a few sights? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

That drive is one of the most boring drives I've ever done in Spain. We actually bought some sandwiches at a small store by the side of the road and continue on. We only made a quick detour at Consuegra to see the breathtaking windmills and another stop at Toledo. We had been to both several times, so this was more of a "touch and go". Ciudad Real may be another option.

Unfortunately I agree with poster above. We did the drive last march and didn't stop at all which is unusual for us. We made great time though and got into Madrid in time for a late lunch!

Worth to make a detour to Almagro. As in almost all Castilian towns, its centre is the Plaza Mayor. This is a rectangular building, with stone porches and wooden balconies running round it. Here are the most symbolic buildings in Almagro, like the Open Air Theatre, the National Theatre Museum and the Town Hall. A tour round the Aristocratic District takes us back the town's most splendid centuries. Here we can admire the emblazoned houses. As examples of La Mancha palatial architecture there are the palaces of Maestri, the Marquises of Torremejía or the Palace of the Counts of Valparaíso. The grain and mercury store of Los Fúcares is also called a palace because of the quality of its construction.

The Almagro Corral de Comedias, at the Plaza Mayor, is the only 17th century theatre to retain its original structure in Europe, and has probably been in continuous use since it was first opened, possibly in 1628. Corral de Comedias means open-air theatre. There are performances of the works of classic authors from the Golden Age of Spanish theatre.
http://www.corraldecomedias.com/corr...e_almagro.aspx

National Theatre Museum
http://www.spain.info/en/conoce/muse...de_teatro.html

Museo del Encaje (Lace Museum) at Callejón Villar St.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A2Lnqj5uIb...E/s1600/a5.jpg

Suggested lunch at La Posada de Almagro, Calle Gran Maestre 5. Local cooking.

Almagro was my first thought as well, but realistically a detour + lunch would add at least 2 hours to your drive time making it a long day.

Ian

I think Consuergra is definitely worth a stop to see the windmills. I ate lunch in Consuergra at typical neighborhood bar - just fine but not memorable [obviously].

Lots of nice easy places ot detoru off that orad, or many right on it.

If you use www.mappy.com to do your route from granada, andalucia to Barajas Madrid..

you have

Jaén ( go up to the views at parador for coffee/bathroom break).

then detour to Ubeda.

Then take your choice of the following.

Tembleque.. google "fotos Tembleque.. you will see its unusual plaza.

we always pop in here for a stroll and bite to eat or coffee. I enjoy these small towns. Look for signage to centro histórico or centro monumental. I don't remember exactly but at one point from the slip road you will have to turn into the center of town. Otherwise you will obviously drive "around" the nice part of it.

Or very close to Madrid you have Aranjuez right on the road but you may be too tired by now to do much of anything. There's always Alcalá de Henares a few minutes from Barajas.

They are both very nice but it will make a long day. Depending on your stamina and how much more of Spain you want to see, you have very good opportunities on that Granada - Madrid road. I always have a great time .

Of course, if you don't get off into one of these cute towns, it's just another road. But the highways are fantastic most of the way, with simple, sometimes once very wealthy towns scattered along the route.

Enjoy.

I should also have added that Baeza is also a true gem near Úbeda, but not sure how much stopping off you want to do.

Thanks for your suggestions. Because of time involved, we are deciding between Consuegra and Tembleque. Any thoughts on which one we would enjoy for lunch and a short look around?

they are completely different. Consuegra is really a photo op.. with the castle and windmills.. but Tembleque is an actual pueblo, although obviously Consuegra has a pueblo, I have never spent time in there. Tembleque is more on your way.

The best town of all would be úbeda and baeza near the beginning of your trip. there are some REAL architectural real gems there.

Thanks so much, lincasanova. We had considered Ubeda early on and I think we will probably end of there.

Tembleque IS cute, though, quite different and a very easy access in case you later feel like a coffee or you are making good time.

Have a great time.

Good idea. Thanks again. I hope to write a trip report this time.

I hope i don't have exaggerated memories of Tembleque! I have stopped several times for coffee.. but the main square and its entrance are fairly unique compared to other plazas.

Remember to follow the signs to centro historico or something like that. The main town will be off to your left, i believe, as you drive down a boring straight street from the highway. There were a couple ornate buildings along that road, though, if i recall, but the plaza is where you need to get to and park and stretch your legs.

Tembleque is in a beautiful coffee table book I have of Spanish Plazas.

Here's a webpage with several interesting ones.

http://www.hernandezrabal.com/tematico/plazasesp.htm