Golfister

Hi! We're thinking of driving Burgos/Granada next Spring as part of a road trip to Portugal. Has anyone done this and is it mainly motorway? Via Michelin website reckons it's about a 7 1/2 hour drive, but as the route goes around Madrid, just wondering whether this is realistic?

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks

lunacrout

Yes - we've done the trip a few times (Bilbao - Velez Malaga via Burgos and Granada)

The last time we did the whole journey in 12 hours with a couple of rest stops. The first couple of times getting round Madrid was a nightmare but now we have sat-nav so much better.

The first time, we were taking our cat & dog with us so we made a few overnight stops - just south of Burgos, south of Madrid and then Granada itself.

You can do it all motorway or veer off and see some nice places on the way - good luck

lunacrout

Just thought - you said Spring - we did the cat & dog journey in March and experienced some pretty bad weather. We saw loads of snow ploughs around Burgos and the day after we'd passed through there there were news reports of loads of people having to be rescued after being trapped in their cars due to heavy snowfall.
There was heavy cloud going over the mountains near Madrid as well - not nice driving conditions, especially with lorries right on your tail!

pete_l

Yes, it is a realistic time estimate - presuming you don't hit Madrid's rush hour. If you do then add an extra hour if there are no "incidents" or another hour on top of that if there are roadworks or an accident. The main concern with driving round Madrid is getting the right exit. Also factor in stoppages for food, toilet breaks etc.
It's a frightfully dull drive though - as asked: yes, it is mostly (almost all) motorway, though the section past Las Carolinas is, ummm, interesting (hairpin bends, mountainous roads).

Golfister

Thanks guys for your replies! We're planning to do this drive on a Sunday and it'll be the end of April - so looks like it's do'able then.

We've done the UK/Algarve route a couple of times, stopping off (usually) 3 times each way, and just fancy a change of scene next time. Will probably find somewhere to stop just south of Burgos and then head down to Granada.

Looking forward to it already

lunacrout

I know a couple of reasonable hotels to stop at south of Burgos if you want to know - and last year we made a detour to Toledo to avoid Madrid & I'd thoroughly recommend that option

.

Golfister

Thanks Lunacrout! Yes I'd love to have any hotel recommendations, that would be great. We'll have to put the Toledo option on the list for the next trip!

We have found some lovely places to stay as we've been doing this drive and they all seem like "mini holidays" in themselves!

lunacrout

Hi -golfister, happy to help

we have stayed in the pretty, historic town of Lerma (35 km south of Burgos) on three occasions. The hotel we stayed in was right in the town centre - basic but clean & comfortable - but I can't remember the actual name & my papers are back in Spain However, other friends of ours always stay at the Hotel Alisa & it highly recommend it http://www.travbuddy.com/Hotel-Alisa-Lerma-v111223

There's also the Parador which seems to have great reviews http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R...tile_Leon.html

A few km south of Lerma is the larger town of Aranda de Duero. We stayed at the Tudanca - a popular stopping off place close to the motoway - they also let us have our cat & dog in the motel room at the back - not allowed in the actual hotel though!
http://www.maplandia.com/spain/casti...nca-aranda-ii/

There are several other hotels right in town which would probably be better if you want to do a bit of sightseeing and be near shops, bars & restaurants - the link above lists several of these.

Lastly, the other place that we've broken our journey in is the town of El Molar just north of Madrid (we were actually heading North that time but had just endured a nightmare navigating around Madrid and just looked for the first place to stay).

The motorway actually cuts the town in half so it's not the prettiest of places at first sight. We stayed at the Hotel Azul right in the town centre (underground car parking) Clean and basic - but probably not a first choice
http://www.booking.com/hotels/hotel/...092419402eeead

Hope this all helps

Suki

.

Golfister

Thanks Suki - that's great and really helpful! I'll check them all out and report back on how we get on.

Best wishes
Rosie