Cuenca

There are AVE, Alvia, Avlo and Avant trains on that route that take only a bit over an hour. Yes, the Fernando Zobel train station where those trains stop is outside town. There is some bus service from the station into town, but I don't know what the schedule looks like. Those buses may terminate in the lower, modern part of town. You might prefer to stay in the historic upper town, and you'd need some form of transportation to avoid walking up the hill.

I'd expect to find taxis waiting at the Fernando Zobel station, but it would be prudent to have some phone numbers at hand, just in case. Just Google taxis Cuenca Spain. (You don't want taxis in Ecuador.)

I like the IRYO trains and, coincidentally, have booked one from Madrid Chamartin Station to Cuenca for next month. (Note, Chamartin, not Atocha station in Madrid).

The ride takes about an hour and from there we plan to taxi to the parador where we have booked for two nights.

Other, perhaps, slower, trains, will deposit you closer to the center of Cuenca.

Hi eks, you are in for a treat--have you been to Cuenca before? The parador is situated in such an interesting spot!
Here is a chat I had with Maribel and the places we ate:
https://www.hungryonion.org/t/spain-recently-in-cuenca-or-caceres/28556/11
I still think about that meal at Raff: http://www.raffsanpedro.es/
The wonderful server who recommended the skin contact wine made it even more special.
And if you explore the area, the hike at El Escaleron was fantastic (would be nice to just drive by and look up at the raptors as well)
https://casaelescaleron.com/la-ruta-del-escaleron-a-la-raya/

Thank you!
Gladys

Valadelphia: Great to "hear" from you! I've never been to Cuenca!! Wonderful to read of your enthusiasm for the city and the Parador.

I had a table booked at Raff but then wrote me a few weeks ago, before the flooding, to say the they had extended their vacation week so I've had to cancel the booking, with chagrin.

So I've got two places booked, with the help of Maribel (on Fodor's Travel forum).

The first is Figon de Huecar (booked) and the second, which I will ask the parador to book, is an asador:
NAZARENO Y ORO. Now I will read again your HO thread on Cuenca. We need more people to participate on that forum!!

Once again, we are caught up in the Sunday/.Monday closing issue in both Cuenca (Monday) and Madrid (Sunday night). But I think we will do well; I've got La Castela booked in Madrid for Saturday night and am torn between returning, on Sunday, to either Rafa or to Sala des Despiece. Both very different, I know, and the latter would likely be more fun for my partner who at this date is waiting for medical clearance to leave in a week's time!!!

I hope the train will run from Madrid to Cuenca and then on to Valencia, where we have booked 12 nights, followed by five in Denia......will be sure to report and now I've learned to post photos!! Finally!!

***In case anyone does not know this,, IRYO offers a free service for train travelers with mobility "issues." They meet you at your stop and escort you, with your luggage, to the taxi or bus stand...of help you change trains wifi that is your plan, I've only taken IRYO once, earlier this year, from Madrid to Cordoba, but would use them ahead of Renfe in future if I have that choice. The assistant came onto the train at arrival and called me by name, and helped me, with my suitcase, to the taxi stand. Since the rest of my luggage had been lost, he even offered to come with me to a shop in the train station so Ii could buy a jacker for the rainy and cold weather. (I did not ask him to do that, but it was a little problem as I had only t-shirt and jeans and it was freezing for those two days in Cordoba, until I got my luggage delivered to me..!!

I also had, I think, two dinners at Eustaquio in Caceres but cancelled the booking at Atrio....this was just after they had opened (I knew of it only from Maribel of course) but I had the feeling that it was just too fancy for us, In Spain, in that city, back then....
Sorry, however, that I will have to miss Raff....