We are going to be in Madrid in the first week of July and are planning to rent a car to go to Granada and return the following day. Does anyone have any advice on driving this distance, any places of interest to stop on the way, time to allocate for these stops and if there are any alternatives to driving such as flights/tours/train? Would we be on highways mostly or be able to visit small towns etc on the way... flights are turning out to be too expensive. Any advice is much appreciated. thanks!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Sure it can be done, but you certainly won't have time to stop and see anything on the trip, which is a shame. I would tack on a half hour in each direction for getting into/out of Madrid & Granada.
The hotel you're staying in is a nice new modern one, and the hotel should be able to show you how to easily access the Alhambra parking lot up the back way. But if you want to visit the Albaycin, walk (about 2 miles) or take a cab, since parking in that area is all but non-existent/impossible. Tons of restaurants in the area. ANd make sure you hike up to the square at the Church of San Nicolas for the best view of the Alhambra at night.
BTW, the hotel has parking
Posted by
OP
NY, NY, USA
67 posts
Fantastic... with the limited time we have this seems to be the best itinerary we can draw up...thanks for all your help...
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
You'd be better off going to Toledo or Segovia for an overnighter. Madrid to Grenada - you'll arrive in time to check into your room, sleep, get up and then return to Madrid.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Agree with Bob. It's about a five hour ride, not including stops. The bus is a little slower, the train trip only marginally faster. As he suggests, Segovia and Toledo would make much better destinations...and you can make those trips easily by rail.
As for flying, you can get cheap flights thru Iberia...the earliest in the morning and the latest at night are usually 29 Euro each way. With check-in, security, luggage, and getting into downtown Granada from the airport, you'll likely spend at least 3 hours in transit.
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
we drove this route on April 27th and there is a lot of road work going on at the moment. Many areas south of Madrid had speed zones with long stretches of single lane traffic. I don't feel that these areas of construction and resurfacing would be completed by early July. If you stayed 2 nights in Grenada it might be worth your while. You could even visit the Alhambra - a must see!
Posted by
OP
NY, NY, USA
67 posts
Thanks for your responses. Alhambra is the reason for our visit to Granada. From what you are all suggesting, driving is tedious and may not be worth it. what about trains, buses or other tours? Alhambra is a must see for us so any advice is helpful as we plan this leg of our trip. thanks!!!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
See earlier responses re: train, bus....no one I know does tours from Madrid-Alhambra in a day and night.
Posted by
OP
NY, NY, USA
67 posts
Norm, as i browse through the archives, i see many of your postings about this area. Thanks for your advice. you seem to know this area very well.
here is what i gather from previous posts
- drive takes approx 5 hours
- highway construction can slow things down
- arrive in granada and see Albacyzin (sp?) and spend the night enjoying evening views of the alhambra and catch a late night flamenco show is possible.
- next day early morning visit to alhambra takes about 5-6 hours with lunch on the palace grounds (a bar or cafe onsight)
- parking for private car available behind the alhambra hill, parking is expensive but worth it.
- head out by 4-5 pm to reach madrid around 9 pm.
We are looking at staying in http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187441-d629173-Reviews-Hotel_Macia_Real_de_la_Alhambra-Granada_Granada_Province_Andalusia.html but not sure if they have parking on site. if you can think of any other hotels near alhambra or enroute to the sight from the highway, please advice. thanks again for all your help and advice!
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
One last tip.....get to bed early the night before and leave early. Rush hour in Madrid can be atrocious...worse than NYC at times...but it usually runs a little later than North American rush hours. If you're heading out by 7 or 730 at the latest you should be OK.
Posted by
OP
NY, NY, USA
67 posts
Great advice... thanks a lot!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Norm has been giving good advice but not sure how well you are listening. Do you have your reservation for the Alhambra? Get it as soon as you can. Entry times are restricted and the 30 min window for the Palace is rigidly enforced. Four or five hours is min to see the Alhambra. We spent all day there and the crowds will be huge. The Alhambra is the most popular tourist attraction especially with locals in all of Spain. Think Disneyworld in mid July.
The main road to the Alhambra was under reconstruction earlier this year and the back road in is very tricky with one ways poorly marked. If you have to do it in two days I would take the train -- very departure first day and very late to second.