Hello. My family of 5- three teens- will be driving from Granada to Madrid for a flight out of Madrid the following day. I was thinking of leaving Granada early and spending a few hours in Córdoba before heading back to Madrid. Is this crazy? We will already have visited Barcelona, Madrid and Granada before leaving for NY. Thank you!
Posted by
Sevilla
1304 posts
I don't think it is crazy. It adds at least 2 hours driving (but best assume 3 hours), but that still leaves time to visit the Mezquita-Cathedral, perhaps have a very quick walk around other Cordoba highlights or have lunch before going to Madrid. Presumably you've no reason to get to Madrid early that day (personally I'd consider stopping again along the way for an hour in La Mancha and then going to and staying at the airport if you have a morning flight next day). Given how brilliant Cordoba is and, perhaps, that you won't be passing again very soon, I think the detour is worth it.
Posted by
OP
New Rochelle, NY, USA
33 posts
Thank you Nick. Where in La Mancha would you recommend visiting?
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7160 posts
As Nick said, you’re adding a couple hours of driving (110 additional miles) to an already long 4.5 hours driving day. It’s 260 miles directly from Granada to Madrid. If you go to Cordoba you won’t have much time for anything in La Mancha. If you wanted a taste of La Mancha then Campo de Criptana and its windmills is a short stop, while the castle and windmills of Consuegra are interesting too. Both places are within about 30 minutes of each other and just south of Madrid. Both are a short distance off the E5. Consuegra is only a couple miles off the interstate and the castle is easy to spot since it sits on a hill. Easy to get to, and easy to get back onto the E5. That would be my choice.
Posted by
Sevilla
1304 posts
I agree with the above suggestions. I wouldn't propose you head for a larger town in La Mancha - I don't think you have time for major sights - but find a stop along the way to enjoy the views, such as those already mentioned. Windmills would be "iconic" because windmills is what La Mancha is, sort of, famous for, it being Don Quixote country.