Spain’S Paradors

Holiday overview

Founded by King Alfonso XII in the early 20th century, Spain’s paradors are a network of luxury hotels converted from some of the country’s most important heritage sites. And, with over 90 to decide between, one moment you could be enjoying some convent respite outside of Madrid and the next staying among lances and cannons in a Basque Country castle. To help decide, the following are a selection of our finest self-drive offers. What’s more, those aged 55 or over are treated to preferential rates while our five-night Parador Card offers discounted stays and meals at almost all of the collection – enquire now for more details.

The Pyrenees Route – Four Days

Brushing up against the French and Andorran borders, this four-day drive brings you through the spectacular mountain scenery that best characterises the Pyrenees. Your first stop is La Seu d’Urgell for a stay in its delightful parador, arranged around a Renaissance cloister. After exploring its next-door cathedral, skiing on Olympic slopes or hiking in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, continue on to Viella and your spa accommodation. We recommend taking the Romanesque Route through the Aran Valley, stopping at pretty church villages to take in the snow-capped peaks of the region’s national parks. Your last stop is Bielsa for a mountain-lodge hideaway, returning to roaring log fires after exploring its nearby medieval castles.

Prices from: £375 Low Season / £540 High Season per person

Package includes: Return flights, 4 days car hire and 3 nights staying in parador accommodation on a B&B basis

Typical Pyreneen village scenery

The Don Quixote Route – Eight Days

On this eight-day loop around Madrid, discover the medieval sights and postcard-perfect scenery that influenced Spain’s greatest author – Miguel de Cervantes. You’ll be exploring La Mancha, a land whose feudal history lives on in such highlights as Oropesa’s turreted castle, Sigüenza’s medieval laneways and UNESCO-listed Cuenca. Here, 600-year-old houses hang from cliffs while galleries host some of the country’s finest contemporary art. In between, there’s whitewashed towns host to the country’s finest playhouses, and national parks awash with birdlife. You’ll explore it all with stays in a collection of Spain’s finest paradors; there’s everything from idyllic country houses to 500-year-old convents.

Prices from: £600 Low Season / £645 High Season per person

Package includes: Return flights, 8 days car hire and 7 nights staying in parador accommodation on a B&B basis

Oropesa Castle

The Legacy of Al Andalus – Eight Days

Andalucia is a land of ancient wonders, where Renaissance excess lives side by side with millennia-old Moorish grandeur. You’ll fly in and out of Málaga, pausing at its Roman amphitheatre and 11th-century palace-castle before spending two nights in a medieval fortress in Carmona, a Moorish town just outside the islamic treasures of sunny Seville. Then, it’s on to Córdoba’s atmospheric laneways and Arabic spectacles, enjoying spectacular city views from your hilltop parador – built on the site of an 8th-century summer palace. 

Prices from: £720 Low/ £765 High Season 

Package includes: Return flights to Málaga, 8 days car hire, 7 nights B&B parador accommodation.

Seville's Plaza de España

It's worth bearing in mind that these itineraries are merely our suggestions; with such an extensive network on offer, the paradors are ideal for trips throughout Spain. And, as always, our country experts are on hand to customise your itinerary to suit you.

Holiday pricing

Pyrenees Route (Ruta del Pirineo)

departs Sunday on selected dates (package not valid for July and August departure dates)

Includes:

• Return flights between UK and Barcelona
• 4 days car hire
• 3 nights staying in Parador accommodation on a B&B basis (HB available on request)
  

First night: Parador de La Seu

Forests, rivers, mountains and breathtaking scenery full of great natural beauty await you. In Seu you can explore Santa Maria d’Urgell Cathedral and the Diocesan Museum. Another must-see is Canonges Street, with its arcades and shops. The Segre Olympic Park in Seu is just the place for sports and recreation, offering sports such as pirogue canoeing and rafting in facilities which were used for the 1992 Olympic Games, and which are still vibrant and busy today. The Cadi-Moixero Nature Reserve offers unsurpassed beauty, allowing you to discover this region’s natural resources on foot.

Second night: Parador de Vielha

Along our journey from Seu to Vielha you will discover the beauty of the Pyrenees. In the Arán Valley, we recommend the Romanesque Route, allowing you to explore such places as Bossòst, with its Era Mair de Diu dera Purificaciòn Church; Salardú, with Sant Andrèu Church; and Arties, with Santa Maria Church. Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurice National Park is incredibly beautiful and majestic, offering you the immense beauty of nature any season of the year. Another must is the spa at the Parador itself, allowing you even more rest and relaxation during your trip.

Third night: Parador de Bielsa

The mountain scenery here is as good as it gets anywhere in Spain. The Parador at Bielsa is located near the entrance to Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here winter, autumn, spring and summer all offer you unforgettable moments, colours, aromas, and scenery. We also recommend a visit to the Ethnological Museum in Bielsa, or the nearby town of Ainsa (with its main square, castle, and church of Sta. María). 

Season Details

Low Season

07 Jan - 22 Apr / 02 Sep - 16 Dec 2018 (not valid 23 Apr - 20 May / 25 Jun - 01 Sep)

- All rutas start on Sunday only

High Season

20 May - 24 June 2018 (not valid 23 Apr - 20 May / 25 Jun - 01 Sep)

- All rutas start on Sunday only