Stops on the way from Granada to Madrid?

Curious as to why you are driving?

I am doing this drive (in reverse - Madrid to Granada) soon and have looked into it a bit. Jaen is right along the route and has a well-regarded Parador and a cathedral of note. Baeza and Ubeda are a little bit off the route but look quite interesting. Known for their Renaissance architecture and such. Also, Consuegra with the Quixote windmills is nearby. I haven't done this drive yet and can't vouch for any specific place, but this is what I have read elsewhere and what has turned up on my research.

Driving because I am flying into Madrid and will need a car in Granada (staying outside the city, planning on day trips into the mountains and smaller times). I like driving and it makes more sense to rent the car at the airport vs. waiting four hours for a connecting flight, or going for a train that leaves in a few hours, and then getting a car in Granada. Which is a smaller airport and I'd be a little more nervous about getting my automatic transmission car. Yes, I need to learn stick. If there is a magical way to do this without having a stick shift car and not knowing anyone who can teach me...

We love the little town of almagro and have stayed at the parador there. A really interesting main square I don't recall it being too far off the main highway from Granada to Madrid. If you are venturing out from Granada we enjoyed walking around lanjaron which is south of Granada and Alhama de Granada which is southwest - had an eggplant dish in a little bar there called el Aguilla that the family is still talking about 4 years later!

A few years ago we detoured on the same drive to Consuegra. It was worthwhile. We saw the windmills in the distance and just drove that way until we found them. It's about 10 km off of the A-4, if you're looking fir it on a map, the windmills are next to Castillo de Consuegra.

Great answers. Thanks.
I own a car which is kept in Malaga.
I have learned to ask the question as, more often then not, folks tend to think of driving as being a convenient mode of transport when their travel itinerary can be wholly sated by the wonderful modes of public transportation.

Jodi Where else are you going in Andalucia? And why are you driving to Madrid? It sounds like you want to leave Granada in the morning and get to Madrid in the evening. It's at least 5 hours driving on the highway. Then there's driving in Madrid. viamichelin.com is good for planning. It's route shows you would be going through Jaen and Valdepenas. Are you returning the car when you get to Granada. If you have to be at a rental agency by a certain time . . .

Unless you need the car while you are in Granada, like Mira does, why not return the car when you get to Granada and take the very comfortable bus or train to Madrid?

We will be driving from Seville to Granada. Thought about the train from Granada to Madrid, and are not opposed to it, but we would like to experience a bit of the towns and countryside rather than speeding through. Planning on dropping the car at the Madrid airport so we don't have to worry about parking, directions, traffic, etc.

We have done something similar (trains mixed with non-city driving) in England, Italy and Portugal and have enjoyed our time on the ground and the little places along the way.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions so far!

I'd like to add a few more suggestions for places that you can research and see if they align with your interests for your journey from Granada to Madrid. On your way north, not too far from Jaén are two towns which would be great stops, Baeza and Úbeda. Both get two out of three stars for tourism in the Michelin Green Guide. I have used the Green Guide series over the years for numerous European countries and trust their recommendations. These are exactly the kinds of smaller scenic towns that I like to find and explore. Further north, I agree with all of the above recommendations for Consuegra, with its hilltop windmills and castle. Very photogenic. I have been there. We did a daytrip by car from Toledo, ate lunch in the small town and spent our time on the hill with the windmills. Also, if you like palaces and gardens, consider a stop in Aranjuez, further north, closer to Madrid. Visit the royal palace and its garden and then head in to Madrid.

Thanks Pat! Great info!

We will be driving from Seville to Granada. Thought about the train from Granada to Madrid, and are not opposed to it, but we would like to experience a bit of the towns and countryside rather than speeding through. Planning on dropping the car at the Madrid airport so we don't have to worry about parking, directions, traffic, etc.

You won't need (or want) the car in Granada. You'll just be paying for the rental and the parking. There are many possibilities between Sevilla and Granada. How long do you have to do that? I have suggestions - and others will too, anywhere from 1 to 10 days!