Road trip to Cordoba and Estremadura
 

Hi !
To visit Extremadura and Córdoba in May 2024 for 10 days, I am considering the following itinerary options:

First option: Take the train from Madrid to Córdoba for 2 or 3 days. From Córdoba, take the bus to Cáceres. Rent a car in Cáceres to visit Trujillo, Guadalupe, and Mérida.
Finally, return to Madrid by train.

The second option could be to rent a car firvall the trip and started from Madrid airport and drive to Guadalupe for 2 days. Afterward, drive to Cáceres for 2 days, visiting Trujillo on the way.
The next destination will be Córdoba.
Finally, return to Madrid by train.

Which option do you think would be the best in your opinion?

The second one.

I would choose option 2. Extremadura is really, really, truly best explored by car, and at a slow pace, and there is so much of relatively unexplored beauty to see..Guadalupe, Cáceres, Roman ruins of Mérida, Trujillo (birthplace of Pizarro), Monfragüe National park, Plasencia and on and on...Get off the beaten path with a rental car and enjoy it all.