Segovia to Granada in April
 

Finally going to Spain!!! sooooo excited!

I've just "officially" joined this website, though I've read it for at least 2 years.

First big, BIG thanks (THANKS!) to all you Fodorites - your posts and reports are amazing sources of information. I have used your expertise more than once.

Now for my question - DH and I will be flying into MAD on april 21. We will spend 2 nights in Segovia, 2 nights in Toledo (Parador), 3 nights in Jaen (Parador) and 2 nights in Madrid.
My inclination is to rent a car at the airport and drive to Segovia, Toledo, Jaen. From Jaen we will make day trips to Granada (The Alhambra, of course) and Cordoba. We would return the car in Cordoba and take the AVE to Madrid, where we will spend 2 days before flying back home.

Does is sound crazy? Too much driving? Distances seem ok to me from where I sit, but how is it, really?

Thank you for whatever help/suggestions you can provide.

Hi Screen,

I'm probably not the best qualified to reply here, since I haven't even been to Spain yet, but I've been obsessively planning our driving holiday too, and I think this looks fine. Not too much driving on any one day, and 2-3 nights in each place to relax.

Using viamichelin.com for driving times, it's only 1h51 minutes from Segovia to Toledo, and then 2h51 minutes from Toledo to Jaen. If you do Granada as a daytrip from Jaen, it's one hour each way. (You would have to book your Nasrid Palace/Alhambra visit for the middle of the day.) Then, the drive to Cordoba from Jaen is only 1h37min , so you could do this in the morning, drop off the car, see the main sights in Cordoba, and take an evening AVE train to Madrid from there.

It sounds great to me. Any comments from people who have actually been there?

According to viaMichelin, the "discovery" itinerary from Segovia to Toledo which includes Avila will take 4 hrs. That's what I would do. And if you do go to Avila, drive out a couple miles west of the city, for that is the best overall view of the ramparts.

Thanks to both of you!
I checked distances using Google maps, and aside from knowing we will drive from Segovia to Toledo, I have not given much thought as to the road we will take. Avila is certainly a possible stop. We want to check out the Parador at Chinchon, so we thought we'd drive SE instead of SW, and stop at Aranjuez also. Maybe going SE is 3hrs and SW 4hrs (+o-?)

Again, thanks for suggestions - keep them coming :)

Dear Screen:
I live in Madrid and travel alot due to work reasons.
Your plan seems nice to me. Maybe I can give you some advice.
- Segovia and Toledo are on opposing sites from Madrid. It will take you 1 hour to go from Madrid to Toledo and 1 hour from Madrid to Segovia. Toledo is much nicer than segovia and the Toledo's Parador is located in such a beautiful place... Segovia's Parador is a modern one , well located but without the charm of older "paradores". I will not doubt. If you have a nbight to spend, spend it at Toledo, the capital of three cultures (Jewish, Islamic and Christian).By the3 way , you can go to Toledo by AVE.
-There's a 2 and half drive from Madrid to Jaen (all Highway). Jaen's parador is a very nice medieval castle located on a hill dominating the city. The city itself is not very beautiful; but Jaen may be a perfect central point to discover Andalucia. If you have time (and like eating) you can go to Baeza, to a restaurant called "Juanito". Is one of spain's best restaurants, with dishes centered in olive oil. You will also see the olive fields in the area (spectacular).
-

I would not stay in the Paradores in either Segovia or Toledo--there are better options. I would try to include Avila as you drive between them.

Dear screen:
Sorry, but my first answer went wrong, so thats the complete one.
I live in madrid and I think I can give you some tips about your trip to my country.
- Madrid is an excellent central point in Spain.. All places are near and it’s the central point for all spanish highways; so you will have no problem drving to all the palces you want to go.
- From Madrid there’s aabout 1 hour drive to Segovia and 1 hour drive to Toledo. There are in opposing directions, so it should take yuo two hours to driver from Segovia to Toledo (all the way highway). Toledo is a must in Spain. It’s the capital of three medieval cultures (Islamic, Jewish and christian) and the Parador is locaed in a nice hill dominatinfg the city. Segovia has less to show, The cathedral and the roman aqueduct are very nice but you can do it in one morning.
- Jaen is about 2 hours and a half drive from Madrid (all hoghway; only take care on “Despeñaperros” mountains, just arriving to Jaen) . It’s not a very sightseeing sity, but it’s an excellent central point to visit Andalucia. The Parador is gourgeous. It’s a medieval castle located on the top of the city. You will like it very much. From Jaen (if you like eating) you can go to restaurant “Juanito” in Baeza, located some 60 kms. From Jaen. It’s one of my favourite restaurants in spain; with a menu centered in regional dishes and olive oil cooking. It’s one of the best restaurants in spain (and mot very expensive). On the way you will see the olive trees fields (an spectacular view).
- From Jaen to Granada there’s a one and a half hours drive. Granada is a nice city. The Alhambra is one of the wonders of the world. Take your time to visit it. You will be astonished.
-From Jaen to cordoba there’s about 1 hour drive (all highay). Don’t miss the “Mezquita” (Mosque) of Cordoba. And if you have time go to Medina Azahara, the summer palace of arab leaders, wich is about 5 kms from Cordoba. It’s a very beatiful place, not very much visited by foreign tourists. Take your time to street walk in Cordoba. It has very nice places, courtyards and buildings. Restaurant “El Caballo Rojo” , just in front of the Mezquita’s entrance is a very good place to eat (bull’s tail is a typical dish if you like strong flavoured meat)
-I only miss one thing in your itinerary. Seville. The capital of Andalucia and only a 1 hour highway drive from Cordoba. Seville is a Must. The cathedral is very nice with the Giralda Tower . It’s a city to walk and see. It has an AVE station; so you can go from Seville to Madrid in about two hours by train.
-You mention Avila. It’s also about 1 hour from Madrid. The main attraction are it’s medieval city Walls, very well conserved. You can walk on top of them and see the city at your feet. It’s a nice ½ day visit from madrid.
-While in Madrid don’t skip Prado’s museum and if you like old art as I do, I will recomend you also Thyssen museum (very near to Prado’s museum), and the royal palace in Madrid.
If you want to do a good visit near Madrid you can also go to “El Escorial” , where there’s the royal palace that Philip II built to conmemorate Trafalgar’s victory over the Turkish Armada. It’s the place where all spanish kings are buried and it’s an spectacular palace.
I hope I have helped you as much as other people in that forum has helped me with my trips.
If you have further questions don’t hesitate. I will answer the best I can. My email is [email protected]

Bob, I already booked the Paradores. What options will I miss?
I read that the best view of Toledo at sunset is from the Parador. (And I love sunsets) How wonderful to be able to sip something delicious while being in awe of what men did hundreds of years ago. Not to mention Nature!

Thank you andonius. Lots of info!
Yes, you are right - Sevilla is not in the itinerary at all. Because I am certain I will return to Spain, so I am saving Sevilla, Malaga, Pueblos Blancos, etc. for my next trip. ;)

The view is nice but it is way out from town--I like to be able to walk around the town early and late.