Top Incredible Historic Paradores of Spain

Don’t miss them!

Originally published January 25, 2021. Updated June 13th 2024

All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.

Patio of Parador of Carmona.

What are Paradores of Spain?

The paradores of Spain are a network of 90 hotels located all across Spain. These hotels are usually at least three stars by international standards and a lot of them are located in historical buildings such as castles, monasteries, convents, and sometimes even within the old city walls.

The paradores of Spain are uniquely Spanish and offer travelers the opportunity to spend the night in a spot with historical and cultural significance to Spain.

Dreamed of sleeping in a castle? We’ve got you covered!

Here are some of our favorite incredible paradores of Spain that you can’t miss….

And remember, here at Spain Less Traveled we work individually with clients to help plan the Spain itinerary of your dreams. Our itineraries can include these paradores of Spain or any of the others too based on where you are going, what your interests are, and what your travel style is. We can help you too!

(Check out our top why you should use a travel advisor to plan your trip to Spain too!)

Parador of Trujillo

Trujillo, Spain.

Trujillo is a small city in Extremadura, Spain, one of Spain’s least traveled autonomous communities. The city is noted for its yearly cheese festival, quaint plazas, and grandiose mansions. Like many Spanish cities, overlooking the city is a castle. Trujillo’s historic center is one of the best-preserved in all of Spain.

The Parador of Trujillo is housed in the former convent of Santa Clara.

Although right in the midst of the historic center, the parador is a place of calmness and tranquility. Make sure to take note of the cloisters, especially the one graced with Renaissance-style arches. Guests can also make use of this four-star hotel’s pool.

Trujillo makes for a great base for exploring more of Extremadura including Monfragüe National Park, noted for its birds of prey. Be sure to visit when the town hosts its yearly cheese festival!

Parador of Zafra

Parador of Zafra, perfect for those who want to spend the night in a castle.

Going a bit further south in Extremadura, you will reach Zafra. And the Parador of Zafra is nothing short of magnificent. It is the perfect spot to spend a night (or a few) for those who really do want to sleep in a castle.

Located just on the edge of Zafra’s quaint historic center, this majestic castle was constructed in the 1400s to house the dukes from nearby Feria. These days it is no longer a royal residence, but you will think you are royalty if you stay here.

The rooms are outfitted to look like grand bedrooms in a castle complete with high coffered ceilings, intricate ironwork, and other decorations fit for royalty to remind you that yes, you are sleeping at a castle.

The Parador of Zafra also has an impressive patio, the perfect place to relax with a glass of local Extremadura wine or a coffee.

Zafra also makes for a great base to explore some of the pueblos of southwestern Extremadura such as Jerez de los Caballeros. It is not far away from the Portuguese border and the cities of Badajoz and Mérida on the Spanish side.

This parador of Spain will impress even the most jaded of travelers.

Parador of Mérida

Interior patio of the Parador of Mérida

Rounding out our favorite paradores in Extremadura, we end in Mérida. While Mérida is most famous for its extensive Roman Ruins, the parador is not in an ancient Roman site.

Like many paradores, the Parador of Mérida was once a monastery (17th century). But unlike any other parador, after it ceased to be a monastery, the (now) parador became a mental hospital!

These days it is a four-star hotel a stone’s throw from Mérida’s many Roman sites.

Be sure to check out the public grounds of the Parador. You will find a”Garden of Antiquities” where you can learn more about the city’s Roman, Visigothic and Mudéjar times through archaeological exhibits.

Parador of Carmona

Carmona, Spain.

Carmona is a small city to the east of Seville and is a true gem of Southern Spain.

The Puerta de Sevilla, the impressive main gate of the old city wall, leads to the old town. Have a coffee at the market, which is in a converted convent. The well-preserved church, Iglesia Prioral De Santa María, is worth taking a peek at the interior too. A stop on Seville Province’s “Ruta de la Tapa,” Carmona makes for a great destination to try some typical Andaluz foods like salmorejo and caracoles.

But no visit to Carmona is complete without stopping by the Parador of Carmona. Built right on top of the ruins of a spectacular fortress perched above the city, the paraor’s impressive Andaluz-style patio is open to the public.

Guests of this four-star hotel can enjoy the sweeping views from the terrace as well as the pool.

Carmona is a gem. Make sure to include it on your itinerary of Andalucía!

Parador of Jaén

Views from the balconies of the rooms at the Parador of Jaén.

The small city of Jaén is the regional capital of the province of Jaén, also in Andalucía Spain.

Jaén is best known for two things: castles and olive oil.

A visit to the Parador of Jaén and you will see both of these things firsthand.

The Parador of Jaén is housed in one of many of Jaén’s castles (this province actually has the most castles in Spain!). Overlooking the city you will find the Castillo de Santa Catalina. While the parts of the castle are open to the public (totally worth a visit!), the parador itself is in a different wing of the massive castle.

One of Spain’s best Paradores, if you choose to dine here, you truly are dining in a castle. Breakfast is available to guests of the parador, and dinner can be booked as well.

Each room has a balcony with sweeping views of Jaén and the surrounding. You can truly see millions and millions of olive trees from your room.

The land leading up to the Parador is perfect for hikers. And there is great cycling nearby as well. It is a hike up from the bus and train stations (and central Jaén), so take a taxi if you arrive in Jaén without a car.

Parador of Santiago de Compostela

Parador of Santiago de Compostela.

Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of Galicia Spain.

It is also the last stop for many pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Spain. Built in Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic style, it’s one of the most impressive cathedrals in all of Spain.

Right across from the cathedral is the Parador of Santiago, also known as the Hostal dos Reis Católicos. This world-class parador of Spain is built on the grounds of an old royal hospital, constructed in 1499.

Today, instead of tending to patients, this five-star hotel is one of Spain’s most luxurious paradores. Guests can enjoy the parador’s expansive grounds and dine at its world-class restaurant, sampling some of Galicia’s finest foods, a region known to have some of the best food in Spain.

According to some, the Parador of Santiago de Compostela is the oldest hotel in the world.

Even if you are not spending the night at the parador, be sure to check it out while you are in Santiago de Compostela.

Parador of Baiona

Baiona, Spain.

We will stay in Galicia for a moment and head a bit southwest from Santiago de Compostela to the seaside town of Baiona.

Housed in a neo-Gothic palace, the Parador of Baiona is right in the heart of the Rías Baixas area (think: amazing Albariño wine!). In fact, the old stables of this palace now house a massive wine cellar. Some of the rooms offer sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.

If having the ocean right there isn’t enough, this parador also features a pool right smack in the middle of a massive garden. With even more views!

In fact, this beautiful parador was voted #1 parador in 2023 by the readers of Lonely Planet España (content in Spanish). And we have to agree, this is one of our team’s favorite paradores of Spain!

Parador of Hondarribia

Views of the Parador of Hondarribia.

Hondarribia is one of the most beautiful villages in Basque Country. Just across the river from the border with France, this seaside village deserves to be on any Spain travel itinerary that includes Basque Country.

The Parador of Hondarribia is in the small historic area of the town. Housed in a castle, staying here you will feel like you are truly in a medieval fortress. Overlooking the Bay of Biscay (and yes, that is indeed France on the other side!), construction of the castle began in the 10th century.

Guests can choose to take their meals in the castle’s elegant dining area. The Parador of Hondarribia is the only Parador in the northern part of Basque Country, making it a great base for those who want to explore Spain’s famed gastronomical region while staying in a site with so much history.

Parador of Sigüenza

Patio of the Parador of Sigüenza.

Sigüenza, in Guadalajara province of Castilla La-Mancha, makes for the perfect stop on a road trip between Madrid and points north. Very well off the beaten path, this little town is worth visiting for its Plaza Mayor, thriving culinary scene, and beautiful natural surroundings on the Henares River.

Perhaps the town’s biggest draw is the Parador of Sigüenza. This four-star hotel is housed in medieval castle in an old Moorish fortress built right on top of an anicent Roman settlement. Talk about historical!

But there is no doubt that this parador of Spain is located in Castilla - la Mancha. The rooms are decorated with traditional Castilian furnishings, so very Spanish! If you are lucky your room will have a canopy bed that will make you feel as if you are Castillian royalty sleeping at your very own palace.

The stone-walled patio is open to the public and is a great place to linger over a drink in this town full of history.

Parador de Alcañiz

Alcañiz, Spain (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

Alcañiz, located in Teruel province in Aragón really is Spain Less Traveled. There are medieval underground passageways as well as a Gothic market.

The town also hosts the MotoGP Grand Prix of Aragón.

But above all the parador is really a reason in itself to visit. The Parador of Alcañiz is housed in a castle/monastery from the 12th-13th century! The former Aragonese palace is incredibly well-preserved.

Guests of this four-star hotel can marvel at the Gothic, Plateresque, and Baroque architectural styles. And architecture lovers take note, nearby Teruel boasts some of the best Mudéjar architecture in all of Spain.

Parador of Chinchón

Chinchón, Spain.

Chinchón is a small village in the community of Madrid. It makes for one of the best day trips from Madrid because it is such a contrast to the large and bustling capital, yet so close by.

But for visitors who choose to spend the night, a beautiful Parador of Spain awaits them!

The Parador of Chinchón is housed in a former Augustinian monastery, just steps from the town’s iconic Plaza Mayor. The patio is a maze of loquat trees. Guests looking to escape the summer heat of Madrid can take a dip in this four-star hotel’s pool.

The Parador of Chinchón’s restaurant serves up some of Madrid’s favorite regional specialties. Chinchón is truly special at night, and the parador is the perfect place to stay and experience that!

Parador of Cuenca

Parador of Cuenca, Spain.

A favorite of Spain Less Traveled, and en route between Madrid and Valencia or Madrid and Alicante, the regional capital of Cuenca is worth a stop. Conveniently located on the AVE (high-speed train) line that connects the cities, a visit to Cuenca is not much of a detour at all.

Most famous for its casas colgadas (hanging houses), Cuenca also has a small abstract art museum as well as many beautiful hiking trails nearby with lovely miradores.

Some like to go to Cuenca on a day trip from Madrid, but it’s worth spending the night. Cuenca lights up beautifully after the sun goes down. And the Parador of Cuenca is the ideal place to spend a night, as it has the best views, especially at night.

This four-star hotel is housed in a former monastery on top of the Huécar Gorge. There is a café (open to the public) that is in the former cloister, now enclosed in glass. And guests can enjoy the views of Cuenca from the swimming pool or (if they’re lucky) their hotel room.

Make sure to at the very least stop by the parador, which is one of the most impressive paradores of Spain, on your visit to Cuenca.

Parador of León

Facade of the newly renovated Parador of León (Photo courtesy of Canva Pro)

The newly renovated five-star Parador in León in Castilla y León is one of the most luxurious paradores there is.

Located in a 12th century hospital for pilgrams on the Camino de Santiago, this parador features all the fittings such as four-poster beds and impressive city views.

Be sure to look up at the intricate ceilings and pay close attention to the Gothic and Mudéjar features. Additionally, the Parador of León is one of the best representations of the Plateresque style in Spain.

Getting a reservation at this parador can be difficult, but it is worth it for exploring León and its surroundings!

Parador of Cardona

Cardona with the parador above (courtesy of Getty Images)

Cardona, located outside of Barcelona, has one of the most famous paradores of Spain.

This four-star hotel is housed in a medieval castle which of course achieves the dream of sleeping in a castle! Constructed in the 9th century, you can also visit Minyona Tower as well as a church, both built in the 11th century.

There are panoramic views of charming Cardona as well as the Cardoner River can be seen from the Parador of Cardona. The restaurant boasts several Catalan specialty dishes.

The town itself is very medieval and is a great antidote to a visit to Barcelona offering visitors a completely different side of Cataluña.

Parador of Lorca

Synagogue ruins on the site of the Parador of Lorca, Spain.

The Parador of Lorca is one of the modern paradores of Spain. But it was accidentally built right on top of a site of historical significance, which was discovered by chance when the parador was being constructed.

Sitting on a hill above the City of Lorca, and built right next to the castle, while they were digging the foundation of the parador, they stumbled upon the ruins of the old synagogue. Right next to the parking lot for the parador, visitors can now go see the Lorca Synagogue, which is the only remnant of Sephardic Spain in the region of Murcia.

Although guests who stay at the Parador of Lorca are not sleeping in a historic building, they are staying right where Spain’s once-thriving Jewish community lived and prayed.

Guests of this four-star hotel can take advantage of the pool and spa services.

Lorca makes a good base for exploring the Murcia region, especially the Costa Cálida which is under an hour’s drive away.

Parador of Granada

Patio at the Parador of Granada, Spain.

The last parador on our list of incredible paradores of Spain is perhaps Spain’s most famous parador, on one of Spain’s most famous sites: the Parador of Granada located on the Alhambra Complex.

Granada has attracted visitors for years because of its charm, history, and mostly its impressive Alhambra, the world-famous Moorish castle.

The Parador of Granada gives visitors the chance to sleep at the site of the Alhambra.

The parador itself is housed in a former monastery built on the orders of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the Catholic Monarchs, on the site of a Nazrid palace. Luckily, some of the Moorish remains were preserved.

The price for this four-star hotel is steep; you are basically paying for the experience of sleeping on the grounds of the Alhambra. Non-guests are welcome to enjoy the parador’s café, which provides for a great break during a day-long visit to the Alhambra. Be sure to stop by to check out the views from the terrace!

The Alhambra a must on any Andalucía Spain itinerary. But to spend the night there is truly a once in a life time experience!

Inspired by these paradores of Spain?

So there you have it! Some of our favorite historic paradores of Spain.

But wait…. there’s more!

These are just a few out of 90! There are so many more beautiful and historic paradores all across Spain. And weaving in stays at them into your itinerary of Spain is guaranteed to enhance your Spain travels!

No matter how much or how little help planning your trip to Spain you need, we got you covered.

We offer several levels of Spain traveling planning services. Spain Less Traveled can work with all different types of travelers and travel planners, from those who want our full support throughout the entire travel planning process to those who simply need to talk with a Spain destination specialist to assist with specific aspects of travel planning. 

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