Car rental in Spain

I drove twice in Spain, both times in Andalucia. My main problems would have been avoided if I'd had GPS (and that was only in cities. I didn't run into any restricted driving zones. Enric would probably be the best person to ask about that. I think speed limits were posted, I do remember that driving in the hills, the reduced speed limits for curves were in fact the fastest speed I felt comfortable with - something pretty unusual for me, even after hours on CA-1. My personal rule is never exceed the speed limit in Europe. I did take a toll road once, along the Costa del Sol.

The Golf is a decent-sized car for personal comfort and luggage storage. I wouldn't think it would be more difficult to manage. It might give you a little more power uphill. If you're worried about tight spots, a smaller car might be better though. Certainly in the pueblos blancos there were some very narrow turns - sometimes made narrow because of parked cars.

As for cost, if you are planning to spend a couple of days in Cuenca and don't need the car until you leave, will you be paying for those days if you rent in Valencia? If the only difference is the drive, I'd probably pick up the car in Valencia.

Did you compare prices with autoeurope.com? Sometimes it's cheaper than direct, sometimes not.

Lastly, you're going to be spending a lot of time in the car - and you'll be getting in and out often, sometimes just for a photo op. Go with what's comfortable.

I always rent from Avis, for any country, and have always had a good experience. Back in 2011 someone backed into a fender while in a parking garage in Sevilla leaving a decent dent and I never heard anything from Avis. My last rental was in 2017 for three weeks in northern Spain. Driving in Spain is just like in the states. All but the most rural roads (those with 4 digits) are in good repair. Yes, there are pedestrian only zones but I’ve never had difficulty seeing them before entering them. Many have bollards to prevent you from entering them. There are speed cameras throughout the country so you want to stay as close to the speed limit as possible. Where there’s a reduction in the speed limit is where you’ll notice most cameras. In my last 4 trips to Spain since 2007, all with a rental car, I’ve only received one ticket (last May). There are some toll roads, all interstates. On maps they will read AP- (autopista de peaje) and have a blue symbol. The ones marked as just an A are non-toll interstates. Many roads have more than one number which can sometimes be confusing, especially for a GPS unit. Liability insurance is mandatory in Spain and should be included in the rental price. Also, Spanish roads have 2 letters followed by numbers. They stand for the province or region you’re in and will change when you enter a different one. E.g., CA is for Cadiz, MA-Madrid, etc. GPS never pronounces them correctly. Mine would say CAlifornia X or Massachusetts Y.