After landing at Madrid–Barajas Airport, allow roughly an hour for baggage, passport control, and the transfer into central Madrid. A taxi to your hotel near Querencia de Sevilla is the easiest option and has a fixed airport fare of about €33; the metro is cheaper but less convenient with luggage. Once settled, walk toward Puerta del Sol for an easy first orientation to Madrid—look for the El Oso y el Madroño statue and the kilometer-zero plaque. Continue west to Plaza Mayor, about a 7-minute walk, where the arcades and red façades are especially atmospheric in the late afternoon. Keep the visit unhurried after your flight; the surrounding streets are ideal for a first wander.
Meet your tuk-tuk for the booked Madrid Tuk Tuk Tour at the confirmed pickup point, allowing about 15 minutes to get there on foot and arriving a little early for check-in. The 1½–2-hour ride is a good arrival-day choice because it gives you the city’s layout without demanding too much walking; bring a light layer, as the vehicle can feel breezy after sunset. Afterward, have dinner at Casa Labra, just off Puerta del Sol on Calle de Tetuán. This historic tavern is known for its crisp cod fritters and croquettes; expect roughly €20–35 per person, and go early or be prepared to wait, since seating is informal and reservations may not be available. From there, your hotel is an easy walk or a short taxi ride—keep the rest of the night quiet so you are ready for tomorrow’s sightseeing.
Start at Museo del Prado when it opens—typically 10:00 AM—and allow about two and a half hours. Focus on Velázquez, Goya, and Bosch rather than trying to cover every gallery; the museum is much more enjoyable with a short, selective route. Timed tickets are usually around €15, and the entrance is easiest from Puerta de los Jerónimos. From your hotel, walk or take the metro to Banco de España or Atocha, depending on where you are staying.
Afterward, cross into El Retiro Park for an unhurried walk toward the Crystal Palace and the lake. The park is free and generally open from early morning until late evening, though the Crystal Palace may have limited access or occasional closures for exhibitions. September mornings can still warm up quickly, so carry water and take a shaded bench near the Palacio de Velázquez before continuing toward the center.
Make your way to Mercado de San Miguel, about a 20-minute walk from El Retiro via Calle de Alcalá, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza Mayor. It is convenient for sampling several things—croquettes, seafood, Iberian ham, and vermouth—but prices are higher than at a neighborhood market, so €20–35 per person is realistic for a light lunch. Go before 2:00 PM if you want a little more room; it gets crowded and lively through the Spanish lunch period.
After lunch, continue to the Royal Palace of Madrid in Palacio, allowing roughly 90 minutes for the state apartments, armory, and grand ceremonial rooms. Timed admission is strongly recommended; standard entry is generally around €14, with reduced rates available. The palace is usually open into the early evening, but last entry is earlier, so check the official schedule before setting out. It is only about a 10-minute walk from Mercado de San Miguel, and the surrounding Plaza de Oriente is a pleasant place to pause afterward.
Finish at La Mallorquina on Puerta del Sol, one of Madrid’s classic pastry stops. Order a coffee and something traditional—its napolitana de crema or napolitana de chocolate is ideal for a €5–10 break—and take it upstairs if you want to sit. From the palace, walk through Calle de Arenal in about 10 minutes. Keep the evening open after this: wandering around Sol, Calle de Preciados, or nearby Barrio de las Letras will give you a better feel for Madrid than adding another scheduled attraction.
Leave Madrid around 7:00 AM with your prearranged driver or tour; this is the only comfortable way to fit all three cities into one day. Start in Toledo before the old town fills up, allowing about 1½ hours for Toledo Cathedral. The Gothic interior is the highlight, especially the El Greco paintings and the ornate high altar. Tickets are generally around €12–€14; check the morning Mass schedule, as visitor access can be briefly restricted during services. Wear comfortable shoes—the historic center is steep and paved with uneven stone.
Afterward, ask your driver to take you to Mirador del Valle rather than attempting to walk there. From the overlook, you get the classic panorama of Toledo, with the Alcázar and cathedral rising above the Tagus; 30 minutes is enough for photographs. Continue to Segovia, where the Aqueduct of Segovia makes an impressive first stop. It stands directly at the edge of the old town and requires no ticket, so you can spend half an hour viewing it from the lower plaza before stretching your legs with a quick coffee or snack nearby. Keep lunch efficient today—this is a sightseeing circuit, not a leisurely restaurant day.
Your final stop is Ávila, where the Ávila city walls are best enjoyed in the late-afternoon light. Enter near the cathedral and walk a manageable section of the ramparts for about an hour; admission is usually around €5, with reduced access possible if weather or maintenance affects a section. The views over the Castilian plain are particularly good from the eastern side. Bring water, since the walls offer little shade, even in September. Depart around 6:00 PM for Madrid, allowing roughly 1½ hours, and plan a simple dinner near your hotel rather than adding another major stop—the day will be wonderfully full but tiring.
After returning from Toledo, head first to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, beside Atocha station. Allow about two hours for Picasso’s Guernica, then spend a little time with the museum’s modern Spanish collection, particularly Dalí and Miró. The museum is generally open from 10:00 AM, with reduced hours on some days, so check the official calendar and reserve a timed ticket—usually around €12. From the museum, walk or take a short taxi ride south toward Madrid Río; the riverside paths around Matadero Madrid and Puente de Toledo are ideal for an unhurried one-hour stroll.
Continue by taxi or metro toward Los Austrias for lunch at Casa Botín, the historic restaurant on Calle de Cuchilleros. Reserve ahead and expect roughly €40–70 per person; the roast specialties are the traditional choice, though lunch here is about the atmosphere as much as the food. Afterward, take a taxi west to the San Antonio de la Florida Chapel in Moncloa, a small, easily missed gem whose ceiling and cupola are covered with lively Goya frescoes. Entry is usually free, and 30–45 minutes is enough; opening hours can be limited in the afternoon, so verify before setting out.
Finish at the Círculo de Bellas Artes Azotea on Gran Vía around sunset. The rooftop has one of Madrid’s best central views—look across the Metropolis Building, Gran Vía, and the distant Sierra de Guadarrama—and is best enjoyed with a drink rather than a full meal. Allow about an hour and expect a rooftop admission fee of roughly €5–6, plus drinks. From here, your hotel area is an easy walk or a short taxi ride, and it is worth keeping the evening relaxed: you have an early departure tomorrow.
Take the morning Air Europa flight from Madrid-Barajas Airport to Seville Airport, then allow about an hour for baggage, rental-car paperwork, and collecting the vehicle. For Querencia de Sevilla, do not try to drive into the narrow lanes of Santa Cruz: follow the hotel’s instructions for the nearest permitted drop-off, unload luggage, and use a nearby garage such as Parking Cano y Cueto. After check-in, keep the afternoon deliberately light—rest, shower, and get your bearings around Santa Cruz, where the lanes are at their loveliest before dinner.
Around 4:30 or 5:00 PM, take a taxi to Plaza de España—about 10 minutes from the hotel—or walk in roughly 25 minutes through the center. The plaza is generally open from morning until late evening and is free to visit; September is still hot, so the later timing makes a real difference. Allow an hour to admire the ceramic provincial alcoves, bridges, and canal, and take a few minutes to sit beneath the arcades rather than rushing through.
From there, continue directly into Parque de María Luisa for a relaxed 45-minute stroll. Follow the shaded paths toward the fountains and palms, keeping an eye out for tiled benches and the small landscaped corners away from the main avenue. It is an easy walk back toward Santa Cruz, though a taxi is sensible if the heat lingers.
Have dinner at Las Teresas, a classic little tapas bar on Calle Santa Teresa, ideally around 8:30 or 9:00 PM. It is atmospheric and traditional rather than polished, with hanging hams, tiled walls, and a short menu of Andalusian staples; expect roughly €25–40 per person with several tapas and drinks. Go early enough to find a table, or be prepared to wait briefly—the compact room is part of the experience. After dinner, wander the quiet lanes around Plaza de Doña Elvira back to the hotel, keeping the evening easy after the flight.
Start at Real Alcázar of Seville as close to opening as possible—usually 9:30 AM—before the courtyards become crowded and the September heat builds. Allow about 2½ hours for the palace and gardens, especially the Patio de las Doncellas, Salón de Embajadores, and shaded paths around the Mercury Pool. Timed admission is generally around €15–€20; book an official slot in advance, as same-day availability can be unreliable. From Querencia de Sevilla, it is an easy walk through Santa Cruz; leave the rental car parked, since the historic center is frustrating to navigate by car.
Continue on foot to Seville Cathedral, allowing roughly 1½ hours. Look for the enormous Gothic nave, the Tomb of Christopher Columbus, and the quiet side chapels away from the main entrance route. Standard tickets are typically about €12–€15, and shoulders and knees should be covered. Your ticket usually connects with the La Giralda visit: climb the broad internal ramps rather than stairs, reaching the bell tower in around 45 minutes. The view across the tiled roofs toward the Guadalquivir is particularly good before mid-afternoon haze develops.
After the climb, pause at La Cacharrería in Santa Cruz for coffee and a pastry, budgeting roughly €5–€10 per person. It is a useful breather before wandering the small lanes around Callejón del Agua and Plaza de Doña Elvira; keep the afternoon loose rather than adding another major sight, since the Alcázar, cathedral, and tower make a full morning. For dinner, walk toward Centro and settle into Casa Morales, a wonderfully old-fashioned bodega with tiled rooms and large ceramic storage jars. Arrive around 7:30–8:00 PM, before the busiest tapas period, and order gradually—perhaps montaditos, cured meats, salmorejo, and a local wine—allowing about €20–€35 per person. From there, Querencia de Sevilla is a comfortable walk back through the center; the streets remain lively well into the evening.
Leave Seville around 8:00 AM for Arcos de la Frontera, following the A-376 and A-382; the drive takes about 1½ hours. Park in the public areas below the old town rather than attempting the steep, narrow lanes around the historic center. From there, walk uphill through Arcos de la Frontera Old Town for roughly two hours, taking your time around the whitewashed lanes and the viewpoints near Plaza del Cabildo. The views over the Guadalete River and surrounding countryside are the real reward, and the morning light is much kinder than the afternoon heat. Wear shoes with good grip—these streets are attractive but uneven and polished smooth in places.
Continue about 45 minutes into the Sierra de Grazalema to Grazalema, a cooler mountain village with flower-filled balconies and broad views across the limestone peaks. Have lunch here rather than trying to eat between stops; allow about €20–35 per person for a relaxed meal at a traditional restaurant such as La Maroma or Gastrobar La Maroma, and ask for local specialties including mountain cheeses, venison, or sopa de Grazalema. Afterward, take a short stroll around the village and its nearby viewpoints—September afternoons can still be hot, so there is no need to attempt a longer hiking route.
Drive roughly 30 minutes to Zahara de la Sierra, one of the prettiest stops in the area, set dramatically above its turquoise reservoir. Allow about an hour for photographs and a brief walk through the hillside village; the road and viewpoints approaching Zahara de la Sierra are particularly scenic. Begin the return to Seville around 4:30 PM via the A-382 and A-376, allowing 1½–2 hours depending on traffic. Fill the tank before returning the car, and if you are keeping it overnight, park at the hotel rather than entering the restricted lanes around Santa Cruz. Expect a winding first section out of the mountains, so leave a little flexibility rather than planning dinner immediately after arrival.
Leave Seville around 8:30 AM for Málaga, following the A-92; the drive is roughly 2½ hours. Once in the city, head directly to AC Hotel Málaga Palacio in Centro. The hotel is central, but the surrounding streets can be awkward with luggage, so confirm your reserved parking before arrival and follow the hotel’s directions rather than relying on the narrowest old-town lanes. Allow about an hour to check in, freshen up, and leave the car parked for the rest of the day—Málaga’s center is easiest on foot.
Walk a few minutes to Mercado Central de Atarazanas, where the enormous iron-and-glass market hall is especially good for a relaxed first taste of Málaga. Browse the fruit, seafood, cured meats, and local produce, then settle at one of the small market bars for fried fish, grilled seafood, or a simple plate of jamón; budget about €15–25 per person. Check the market’s schedule before setting out, as it generally closes by mid-afternoon and is usually closed on Sundays. After lunch, continue uphill through the historic center to the Alcazaba of Málaga. Allow about 1½ hours for the fortress, gardens, terraces, and views toward the port; tickets are usually around €3.50, with combined tickets including Castillo de Gibralfaro costing more. September afternoons remain hot, so carry water and take the shaded sections slowly.
From the Alcazaba, walk or take a short taxi ride up to Mirador de Gibralfaro—the uphill route is manageable but steep in places. Arrive roughly 45 minutes before sunset for the best light over the harbor, Málaga’s bullring, and the old town; check the exact September sunset time that day and bring a light layer, as the viewpoint can feel breezy. Return downhill into Centro Histórico for dinner at El Pimpi, whose ceramic-lined rooms and covered terraces are part of the experience. Reserve ahead if possible, request a table on the terrace or in one of the historic rooms, and expect roughly €30–50 per person. Walk back to AC Hotel Málaga Palacio afterward—about 10 minutes—or take a taxi if you prefer not to navigate the lively evening streets.
Begin at Museo Picasso Málaga in the Palacio de Buenavista, arriving close to opening—usually 10:00 AM—to enjoy the galleries before the September heat and tour groups build. Allow about 1½ hours for the collection, which traces Picasso’s development rather than attempting to represent his entire career. Tickets are generally around €12–€15; check the timed-entry schedule ahead, as popular morning slots can sell out. From the museum, walk a few minutes through the old quarter to the Málaga Roman Theatre, beside the Alcazaba. The small archaeological site and adjoining interpretation center take roughly 30 minutes, and admission is usually free.
Continue downhill toward Muelle Uno, the lively waterfront promenade beneath La Farola. It is an easy 15-minute walk from the theatre, or you can take a short taxi ride if the sun is strong. Spend about an hour browsing the shops and enjoying the harbor views, then pause for lunch at one of the shaded terraces—José Carlos García is the special-occasion choice, while La Barra de Zapata is better for a more casual meal. After lunch, return toward the center along Larios Street, Málaga’s polished pedestrian boulevard. Allow an hour to browse the side streets around Calle Nueva and Plaza de la Constitución; most shops open roughly 10:00 AM–9:00 PM, though some close for a mid-afternoon break.
By late afternoon, take a taxi or the eastbound bus toward Pedregalejo—roughly 15–25 minutes depending on traffic—and stroll the seafront promenade between the old fishermen’s houses and small coves. This is a pleasant contrast to central Málaga: less formal, more local, and ideal for a relaxed walk before dinner. Continue a little farther east to El Tintero, where seafood dishes are carried around the dining room and guests bid for plates in the restaurant’s famously theatrical auction-style tradition. Expect approximately €25–€45 per person, depending on how enthusiastically you bid. Arrive around 8:00 PM, or check the current service hours and reserve if possible; afterward, a taxi back to AC Hotel Málaga Palacio is the simplest option, usually taking 15–20 minutes.
Leave Málaga around 8:00 AM and drive inland toward Setenil de las Bodegas, allowing about 1½ hours. The final approach is narrow and hilly, so follow signs to the larger parking areas on the edge of town rather than trying to enter the central lanes. From there, walk down toward Calle Cuevas de la Sombra and Calle Cuevas del Sol, the town’s famous streets built directly beneath enormous rock overhangs. Allow roughly 1½ hours to wander slowly, look into the small shops, and take photographs; the morning light is especially good before the streets become busy.
Stay in the center for a relaxed café or tapas lunch beneath the rock at Bar La Escueva or Cafetería Sol y Sombra, budgeting about €15–25 per person. After lunch, drive approximately 25 minutes to Ronda and use a public garage or the signed parking areas near the modern town rather than attempting the tight lanes of the old quarter. Spend about 1½ hours exploring the La Ciudad district, following the quiet lanes around Plaza Duquesa de Parcent and the Moorish-era streets near Casa del Rey Moro. The old town is best enjoyed at an unhurried pace; September afternoons can still be hot, so carry water and save the most exposed viewpoints for later.
Continue to Puente Nuevo for the day’s essential view, allowing around 45 minutes. Walk to the overlooks on both sides of the bridge, then, if energy and daylight allow, follow the short path toward the Mirador de Aldehuela for a broader look across the gorge. Depart Ronda around 5:00 PM for Málaga, returning via the A-367 and A-357; expect roughly 1½ hours, with a little extra time if traffic builds near the city. Back in Málaga, return the car to the hotel parking area and keep the evening simple—an easy dinner around Soho or Muelle Uno will feel better than adding another major sightseeing stop.
Leave Ronda around 8:00 AM for Córdoba, following the A-376, A-92, and A-45. The drive usually takes about 2½–3 hours, so expect to arrive in the late morning. Reserve a space in a central garage such as Parking La Ribera or Parking Paseo de la Victoria—the lanes around the old quarter are restricted and not suitable for exploring by car. After parking, take a taxi or walk with your luggage to Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula; allow about 45 minutes to check in or leave your bags and refresh.
From the hotel, walk toward the river and cross the Roman Bridge of Córdoba, one of the best first views of the city. It takes about 45 minutes at an easy pace, especially if you pause near the center for photographs of the old town, the Calahorra Tower, and the Mezquita-Catedral across the water. September afternoons remain hot, so carry water and avoid lingering in the full sun; the riverside paths are more pleasant before lunch.
Continue into the San Basilio neighborhood for the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, allowing roughly 1½ hours for the fortress, Roman mosaics, and formal gardens. The shaded paths and pools make this a particularly good choice after the drive, although the stone surfaces can still be hot. Tickets are generally around €7–€8, with hours varying by day and season, so check the official schedule before setting out; timed or advance tickets are worthwhile if available.
For dinner, settle into Bodegas Mezquita in the Judería, a short walk from the Alcázar through the narrow lanes of the old quarter. Order classic Cordoban dishes such as salmorejo, flamenquín, and possibly berenjenas con miel; expect about €25–€40 per person depending on wine and dessert. Reserve ahead for the evening, then take an unhurried walk through the quieter lanes back toward Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula—this is the best time to appreciate Córdoba’s whitewashed walls, flower-filled corners, and softly lit courtyards.
Begin at the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba in the Judería, ideally for a timed entry around 9:30 or 10:00 AM. Allow about two hours: the forest of red-and-white arches is most atmospheric in the quieter morning, and the contrast between the original mosque, later cathedral nave, and surrounding chapels is the real story of the building. Tickets are generally around €13–15; modest dress is appreciated, and photography is allowed but should be discreet. From there, walk a few minutes through the old quarter to Calleja de las Flores, a tiny lane best visited before midday groups arrive. Spend about 30 minutes wandering and photographing the balconies, but keep expectations realistic—it is beautiful and very small.
Walk toward the Mercado Victoria through the edge of Jardines de la Victoria, roughly 15–20 minutes from the Judería. This covered market is an easy, relaxed lunch stop, with Andalusian, Spanish, and international stalls; plan on €15–30 per person depending on how much you graze. It is usually open from late morning into the evening, though individual vendors may keep different hours. After lunch, continue on foot or take a short taxi ride to Palacio de Viana in Santa Marina. Allow about 1½ hours for the courtyards and aristocratic interiors—the shaded patios make this a particularly good September afternoon stop. Entry is typically around €8–12, and guided visits may follow a fixed schedule, so check the day’s last admission before setting out.
Finish in Plaza de la Corredera, about a 15-minute walk from Palacio de Viana through the central streets. Its broad rectangular arcades feel completely different from the intimate lanes of the old quarter, and the surrounding cafés are ideal for a slow drink or light dinner as the square cools down. Arrive around 7:00 PM, when the light softens and local life begins to pick up. From here, your hotel or parking garage is easily reached on foot or by taxi; avoid driving into the historic center, where restricted lanes and limited parking make the car more trouble than it is worth.
Leave Córdoba around 8:00 AM via the A-4 and A-31, allowing roughly 4½–5 hours of driving plus a coffee or fuel stop. Before entering Alicante’s old town, confirm parking with Hospes Amérigo; the historic center has restricted, narrow streets, and it is much easier to unload at the hotel or use the recommended nearby garage than to search for street parking. After arrival in the early-to-mid afternoon, check in, refresh, and take an hour to enjoy the hotel’s rooftop views over Santa Bárbara Castle and the harbor. Keep the rest of the day light after the long drive.
From Hospes Amérigo, walk downhill through the old town toward Explanada de España, about 5–10 minutes. Stroll beneath the palms along the distinctive red, cream, and black mosaic pavement, then continue east toward Alicante Marina for an easy harbor walk and sunset views. The waterfront is particularly pleasant as the heat fades; pause around Muelle de Levante or by the boats for a drink before dinner. Both areas are free to visit, and the entire route is flat, though the walk back toward the old town is slightly uphill.
Have dinner at Nou Manolín on Calle Villegas, one of Alicante’s most dependable choices for seafood, traditional tapas, and a lively local atmosphere. Arrive around 7:30–8:00 PM, before the restaurant becomes busiest, or reserve ahead; sitting at the bar is ideal for sharing small plates, while the dining room is more comfortable for a full meal. Expect approximately €30–50 per person with drinks. Afterward, wander briefly through the surrounding Centro lanes before returning to Hospes Amérigo—the old town is atmospheric at night, and there is no need to add another major attraction after the day’s drive.
Begin at Santa Bárbara Castle on Mount Benacantil, ideally around 9:00 AM before the sun becomes intense. Take the lift from Calle de Jovellanos near Postiguet Beach—the entrance fee is usually around €3–4—or use a taxi if you prefer to avoid the climb. Allow about two hours for the fortress, including the Macho del Castillo viewpoints, where you get the clearest panorama over Alicante, the marina, and the coast. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water; much of the castle is exposed, and September afternoons remain hot.
Walk downhill afterward into Barrio de Santa Cruz, the prettiest part of Alicante’s old town, allowing roughly an hour to wander its steep lanes of whitewashed houses, blue doors, and flower-filled balconies. Continue toward the Central Market of Alicante on Avenida Alfonso X el Sabio; it is generally open until mid-afternoon on weekdays and Saturday, though individual stalls begin closing after lunch. Browse the seafood, fruit, cured meats, and local cheeses, then have lunch at one of the market’s small counters or nearby Nou Manolín, where a casual meal of tapas and regional dishes usually runs about €15–25 per person. Arrive before 2:00 PM for the fullest selection.
After lunch, stroll downhill toward Postiguet Beach for an unhurried couple of hours by the water. The beach is directly below Mount Benacantil, so it is easy to reach on foot from the market in about 15 minutes; bring sandals, sunscreen, and a small bag for valuables, as the sand can become very warm. If you want a break from the sun, use the palm-lined promenade rather than staying on the beach continuously. Later, walk along Dársena de Alicante and settle in for an evening drink at Marmarela or one of the marina terraces—cocktails and cold tinto de verano are especially pleasant as the light softens over the harbor. From the marina, Hospes Amérigo is about a 10-minute walk, though a taxi is worthwhile if you have beach items or feel tired.
Start at Santa Bárbara Castle on Mount Benacantil around 9:00 AM, before the September heat settles over the city. Since you visited the castle area yesterday, keep this as a focused final look rather than a full repeat: take the lift from Calle de Jovellanos if you want the easiest access, then spend about two hours on the ramparts and viewpoints. The castle grounds are generally open from morning until evening, with the lift costing roughly €3–4; wear shoes with good grip, as the stone surfaces can be uneven. Walk downhill afterward toward Mercado Central de Alicante, about 15 minutes through the Centro streets, and browse the fruit, seafood, cured meats, and local pastries for about an hour. It is usually open until around 2:30 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, but stalls begin closing earlier, so arrive before noon.
Have lunch at Nou Manolín on Calle Villegas, one of Alicante’s classic tapas addresses. The downstairs bar is more casual and atmospheric than the dining room: order several small plates from the counter, perhaps a seafood tapa, jamón, croquettes, and something seasonal, budgeting about €25–45 per person. After lunch, stroll toward Explanada de España and take the TRAM or walk to Playa del Postiguet; the beach is roughly 10–15 minutes from the center on foot. Settle in for a relaxed couple of hours by the water rather than adding another sightseeing stop. Bring cash or a card for drinks, and remember that the afternoon sun remains strong even in September.
If everyone still has energy, drive to Dénia Marina, roughly an hour each way via the AP-7 or the free N-332, depending on traffic. Park near the marina and take an easy promenade past the yachts and harbor before dinner. This is a pleasant final Costa Blanca outing, but skip it if the day already feels full—the return drive to Alicante is not worth rushing. For dinner, choose a rice dish at a marina restaurant, budgeting around €30–50 per person; reserve ahead, especially for paella, which is normally prepared for two or more diners and may take 30–40 minutes. Return to Hospes Amérigo afterward and arrange the next day’s car departure and airport timing before turning in.
Leave Alicante no later than 7:00 AM for Madrid-Barajas Airport, following the A-31 and then A-3 toward Madrid. The drive is about 4½ hours without a stop, so allow extra time for fuel, traffic approaching Madrid, and returning the rental car. Because your international flight is to the United States, aim to reach the airport around 12:00–12:30 PM, or at least three hours before departure. Keep your rental agreement and final fuel receipt handy, and follow the signs for your rental company’s return area rather than airport departures.
After returning the car, take the shuttle or airport walkway to the correct terminal and complete airline check-in, security, and passport-control formalities. US-bound flights may involve additional document checks, and the airport can be spread out—especially if you are departing from Terminal 4S, which requires the airport’s internal transit system after security. A quick meal is easiest airside; Mercado de San Miguel-style options are not available in the terminals, but you will find Spanish cafés, bocadillos, and sit-down restaurants throughout the airport. Keep some time for duty-free shopping, but avoid leaving security once you have entered the departure area.