Driving the scenic route from Santander to Quesada

jacqui9463 · by **jacqui9463** » Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:53 pm

Ive booked a ferry to land in Santander in June 21. I want to take the opportunity to look at Spain en route and when I look at google maps and click avoid highways its about 12 hrs which is fine and I could do with perhaps 3 stops to give me sightseeing time.
I have looked at the route but does anyone have any recommendations. I would like some nice villages with something to see. My thoughts so far are:-
day 1: 2.5 hrs drive stay in Burgos
day 2: 3.45 hrs stay in Daroca
day 3: 4 hrs stay in Almansa
day 4: 2 hrs to Quesada
I have no idea what these places (other than Quesada) are like so any recommendations would be really helpful.
I just dont want to get onto the motorway if I can help it.
Many thanks in advance.

Jan Patrick · by **Jan Patrick** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:12 am

I have driven the country route from Bilbao but not stopped overnight. The part of your journey I’m commenting on is the town of Almansa, which I know fairly well as I have a property in the area as well as one in Quesada so I travel between the two frequently.
Almansa has a castle worth visiting and an historic centre round it . If you’re interested in History the British were defeated in the Battle of Almansa during the Warsof the Spanish Succession.( they do a costumed re enactment every April)
There is a lovely quiet route out of Almansa going via Yecla, Pinoso, Orihuela and Almoradi. It takes around 2hrs 15 min to get to Quesada and is mostly through open countryside.

Paul58 · by **Paul58** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 1:44 pm

I would recommend adding Cuenca to your route if possible.

http://www.ciudadencantada.es/en

Driving the scenic route from Santander to Quesada