Do you fancy sleeping in a romantic castle, a lonely monastery, an imposing fortress or an elegant stately home? In Spain, the dream is within everyone’s reach, all you have to do is book a night in a parador.
The paradores are the most fascinating tourist facilities you can find in Spain: they are luxury hotels made out of buildings of historical and artistic value (including some declared World Heritage Sites), set in scenic locations with breathtaking views or in places of special importance. They are 4- or 5-star establishments that combine the charm of ancient buildings with the utmost comfort, guaranteeing all modern services and impeccable quality staff.
Spain’s chain of paradores counts almost 100 establishments with a total of more than 10,000 beds, scattered throughout the country, including the Canary Islands and the two Spanish cities on Moroccan territory (Ceuta and Melilla). Many are located in rural areas, medieval villages or within natural parks, but there are also paradores by the sea and even in some cities.
Sleeping in a four-poster bed, admiring a picturesque valley from the top of a tower, sunbathing in a perfectly manicured garden, playing golf overlooking the sea, reading a book while sinking into a damask armchair, sipping a glass of wine comforted by the fire of a majestic stone fireplace: these are just some of the exclusive experiences you can have while staying in a Spanish parador.
In the heart of Spain, the Paradores tell the story of an area rich in contrasts and culture. The Parador de Toledo dominates the imperial city from a privileged position on the Tagus River, offering a breathtaking view of the cathedral and the Alcázar. The building, a 16th century palace, combines Mudejar elements with contemporary architecture.
The Parador de Alcalá de Henares, located in the former university of Cervantes’ hometown, occupies a magnificently restored 17th-century college-convent. Its rooms preserve original architectural elements such as cloisters, monumental staircases and a Baroque chapel.
Particularly impressive is the Parador de Sigüenza, housed in a 12th-century castle-palace overlooking the medieval town. Its mighty stone walls and fortified towers tell centuries of history, while the rooms, many with original vaulted ceilings, offer a truly unique atmosphere.
Andalusia boasts some of the most spectacular Paradores. The Parador de Granada, located within the Alhambra complex, is probably the most famous and popular. Housed in a former monastery from the 15th century, it offers its guests the unique privilege of staying inside one of the most visited monuments in the world.
The Parador de Ronda overlooks the famous El Tajo, the deep ravine that divides the city. The building, a former 18th century town hall, offers spectacular views of the gorge and the surrounding countryside. Its terraces are considered among the most impressive viewpoints in Spain.
In Arcos de la Frontera, the Parador occupies a spectacular location on the top of a cliff, in a building that combines Mudejar and Gothic styles. Its windows overlook the Guadalete valley and the expanses of olive trees that characterise the Andalusian landscape.
In Catalonia, the Paradores reflect the rich history and unique architecture of the region. The Parador de Cardona, located in an impressive 9th century castle, is one of the most spectacular. The fortress, which dominates the Cardener river valley, preserves a Romanesque tower and a Gothic church.
The Parador de Vic-Sau is idyllically located overlooking the Sau reservoir. The more recently constructed building blends perfectly into the Catalan landscape and is an ideal starting point for exploring the region.
In Tortosa, the Parador occupies the Zuda Castle, a fortress of Arab origin overlooking the Ebro. Its terraces offer panoramic views of the city and river, while the architecture combines Muslim, Gothic and Renaissance elements.
Northern Spain is home to some of the most impressive Paradores. The Parador de Leon, known as Hostal de San Marcos, is a former 16th century monastery considered one of the best examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture. Its plateresque façade and cloister are true masterpieces.
In Galicia, the Parador de Santiago de Compostela, known as Hostal dos Reis Católicos, is considered the oldest hotel in the world. Located on the Plaza do Obradoiro, opposite the cathedral, this former 15th century pilgrims’ hospital combines Gothic and Plateresque art.
The Parador de Santillana del Mar in Cantabria occupies a 17th-century palace in the heart of one of Spain’s best-preserved medieval villages, just a few kilometres from the famous Altamira caves.
The Valencian Community is home to Paradores that combine history and Mediterranean views. The Parador de Benicarló overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, offering direct access to the beach and spectacular sea views.
The Parador de El Saler is located within the Albufera Natural Park, amidst pine forests and dunes, next to one of the best golf courses in Spain. Although it is a modern building, it blends perfectly into the surrounding natural landscape.
In Jávea, although it is not a historical building, the Parador offers a privileged location overlooking the bay and the Mediterranean, perfectly representing the philosophy of modern Paradores of combining contemporary comfort with the natural environment.
In the Canary Islands, the Paradores offer unique experiences in extraordinary natural settings. The Parador in La Gomera overlooks the Atlantic Ocean from a privileged position, with spectacular views of Tenerife’s Teide. The building, which recalls traditional Canarian architecture, is surrounded by subtropical gardens.
In La Palma, the Parador is located in the middle of a banana plantation, with breathtaking views of the ocean. The colonial architecture and lush gardens create a unique tropical atmosphere.
The luxury hotel chain of the ‘Paradores de Turismo de España’ was founded in 1928 by King Alfonso XIII with the aim of promoting tourism in Spain. The timing was not the best, since less than ten years later a civil war would break out, which certainly did not stimulate tourism, but in the long run the idea proved successful.
The first parador opened was that of Gredos, in the Castilla y Léon region, followed two years later by the paradores of Oropesa (Castile-La Mancha) and Ubeda (Andalusia) in 1930. In 1931 it was the turn of Ciudad Rodrigo (Castile and Léon) and in 1933 of Mérida (Extremadura).
The 1960s were a period of great development for paradores, also thanks to the efforts of the then Minister of Tourism Fraga Iribarne.
In recent years, the concept of paradores has expanded and new buildings have been specially constructed to become part of the luxury chain. Today, the chain is still a state-owned company.
As luxury hotels with all amenities, paradores are suitable for holidays of all kinds, from romantic getaways to business trips.
The most exclusive paradores are usually those with a spa and wellness centre, ideal for those who want a relaxing holiday.
Some paradores specifically cater to families by offering a free extra bed for children under 12, a dedicated children’s menu and free or discounted tickets to family-friendly attractions.
A new project is the Paradores Museo, a network of paradores offering tours inside the building to learn about its history, architectural features and curiosities about its original owners. Six paradores are currently participating in the project: Oropesa, Cardona, Ubeda, Cangas de Onis, Léon.
Other special paradores are those that have been awarded the Destino Starlight certification, a sort of blue flag for observing the starry sky: if you like to stay with your nose in the air, these are the best paradores for you.
How much does a night in a parador cost? No more than in other luxury hotels, which of course does not mean that paradores are cheap, but prices vary greatly from parador to parador.
So don’t despair: you don’t necessarily have to spend an insane amount to sleep in a parador. If you look well, well in advance, you can find an exceptional hotel for the price of an average hotel. For the more exclusive ones or for peak periods, on the other hand, resign yourself to paying a rather hefty bill: on the other hand, however, with that money you are giving yourself a dream, which you will certainly not regret.
Paradores work like normal hotels, so booking is very easy. The best thing is to look for them on hotel booking sites, which allow you to know in real time prices and availability for the dates you are interested in and immediately send you a written confirmation of your booking.
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