Critique Itinerary

As you are driving a rental from Spain into Portugal, the car likely won't be equipped with a device to automatically track and pay for your tolls in Portugal. Check out portugaltolls.com for information on their toll highways.

Hello Jean,
A few things:
-Between Madrid and Porto, 2-3 towns that are must sees:
Segovia, just google this and see the aqueduc, the cathedral. I spent 4-5 hours there and do not regret at all.
Avila. I didn't see but know from my readings that there's a lot of history.
Salamanca. I spendt a day there. A lot of history, it's a 3 stars must see city.
This would also reduce that long drive
You also have El escurial which is the Versaille palace of Spain
So you'd need 1-2 nights.
Between Porto and Lisbon, try to stop in Obidos, a nice medieval town, and or Bathala monastary which is absolutly amazing. those 2 are also 3 stars-must see
In Lisbon, make sure to devote a day to Sintra
While in the algarve, kayakin in Lagos is unfogettable. The sceneries are spectacular. it's easy family kayaking. Also, Segres and Cabo da Sao Vicente are must sees on the western side.
I agree that Seville derserves maybe a day more. I would take off a day in Lisbon to give it to Sevilla if I had to
Think of Jerez de la frontera for the horse show in you like that, we loved it.
And also the white villages that start at Arcos de la frontera and goes thru Grazamela national park up to Ronda. I also enjoyed Zahara de la fronera and Grazamela
Think of 2 days for Granada, let's one for the Alhambra and une for the rest
Ronda is half a day to a day
on your way north, make sure to spend a day in Cordoba. If you are thre you can't miss the Mezquita and the jewish old town. As important as the Alhambra
Toledo is great but you don't need 3 nights.
You need a full day, so probably one night is ok
So if I had to cut somewhere to add what I suggest, my choices would be to cut a day in Lisbon, cut one or 2 in Quarteira, one or 2 in Toledo
Don't hesitate if you have some questions
Claude

Hi Claude; We are stopping overnight in Salamanca to break up the drive but your other suggestions sound great! We do plan to see Sintra, Lagos & Ronda; we will tour Cordoba when in Seville. Will consider cutting Toledo to 2 nights as well as consider your other great suggestions...maybe add a day to Nerja & tour other towns or would you stay 4 night in Madrid??? We're trying not to have 1 nighters.
Thanks,
Jean

Hello Jean, i haven't seen Madrid yet, so I can't comment. From what I read, as my plan is to do northern spain next year, something like arrive in Barcelona and leave from Madrid, 3 nights in spain seems ok.
So if you plan to visit Cordoba from Sevilla, definitly add a night in Sevilla minimum. This is a fantastic town, laid back, many things to see.
On your way to Cordoba, if you like castles, stop at Almodovar del rio castle, it's close to Cordoba and well worth spending 1 hour. Views from above are spectacular.
As far as 1 nights, i understand.
But for me, to spend 7 nights at one place, there has to be a lot to see within 1 hour 30 drive max.
So personally, we are all very different and that's perfect, i would probably spend a couple of nights in Ronda for instance and a couple in Granada, not 7 in Nerja.
Are you going to Nerja for the beach and relax? Because if not, Nerja is a cute little town but worth a half a day visit. There's a few things to do around like the caves, but mainly it's beach, on the sea type of town.
Something spectacular i wanted to do but couldn't as they were renovating and finishing it as caminito del rey.
Go on you tube, but make sure that you look at a video that was shot in 2016 or better. Before, this was a place for crazy adventurers. Not anymore it's a spectacular walk on cliffs, totally secure.
Too bad i was there the year prior.
It's about an hour from Ronda.

Good advice from others already. I see you are spending a lot of time at Quarteira, the algarve and Nerja , Costa del Sol. I am not a big fan of the Costa del Sol and its beaches. Of course, if you take day trips to Granada, etc. that is good. Never been to the Algarve, since going to the beach in Europe is not my thing. I would rather see historical places.

I Love Toledo, but you can see it in one day on a day trip from Madrid.

If you go to Porto and then Spain, consider taking some additional time for the Douro Valley. as well as Salamanca, Spain.
Also, three nights in Madrid could be a bit longer.

Hi Claude; good advice; we're not beach people either but want to tour other little villages from these towns. Can you give me the route # to drive through the Douro Valley.
Thanks,
Jean

The nicer part starts in mesao frio.
Go there and take the n108.
You can cross around peso da regua to take the n222 up to pinhao.
Some also take boat ride on the douro. i didn't
When done, go and visit mateus mansion, not to far. A 3 stars must see, in vila Real
In the northern part, you also have Guimaraes, the castle is nice.
Bom jesus do monte sanctuary in Braga is also worth a visit if you have time.