Luxury hotel holiday Parador de Alarcon Alarcon, Heart of Spain

A stay at the Parador de Alarcón will take you back to the Middle Ages with its castle keep, battlements and defensible position atop a craggy promontory. The building has been loving converted into a four-star hotel, selecting decor in keeping with its majestic history. The neighbouring village of Alarcón is a declared area of Artistic-Historical Importance whilst the surroundings offer wetlands, pine woods and Alarcón Gorge. Choose this hotel for a unique stay in an Arab castle in the beautiful region of Castile la Mancha.
Included in your Expressions holiday
  • Accommodation in a double or twin room on bed and breakfast
  • Scheduled flights with British Airways London to Valencia
  • Hire of a group A car for the duration of the holiday
  • Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
  • Choice of upgrades available - rooms, flights and board basis

Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to the Parador de Alarcon

The Parador de Alarcon is a stunning Arab castle set atop a craggy promontory next to one of Spain’s most charming villages. We love the historic battlements and elegant interiors of this unique hotel.

Facts in brief

Official star rating 4

Location In the countryside, about an hours’ drive north of Cuenca.

Annual opening Open all year

Closest airport Valencia

Distance from airport 160 km

Closest railway station Cuenca Fernando Zobel

Distance from railway station 80 km

Hotel facilities and services

Restaurant, bar, garden, car parking

Out and about nearby

The beautiful village of Alarcón is a recognised area of Artistic-Historic Importance thanks to its churches, fortifications, towers and the Plaza de Don Manuel. Santa María Church is a must-see and features one of the best preserved Renaissance altarpieces. Castañeda Palace, the Alarcón Mural Painting Center for Contemporary Art and Santo Domingo de Silos Church are other sights you will want to visit. In the surrounding area you will also find the reservoir where guests can try sailing, windsurfing and canoeing as well as exploring the small sandy beaches and coves scattered along the shore. The nearby Alarcón Gorge is ideal for hiking with both a long-distance and short-distance footpath option. Further afield guests can visit Cuenca with its hanging houses, Ciudad Encantada and the Roman city of Valeria.

Sports nearby

Mountain biking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing.

Special offers for this holiday>

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Standard double room for 3 nights for a fly-drive holiday

From about

£680

Holiday Code EXH46011

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to the Parador de Alarcon

Room descriptions

The Parador de Alarcon has 14 rooms, air-conditioning, heating, private bathroom, complimentary Wi-Fi, mini-bar and safe, television, telephone and hairdryer.

Double room
Superior room
Junior suite

Special offers for this holiday>

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Standard double room for 3 nights for a fly-drive holiday

From about

£680

Holiday Code EXH46011

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to the Parador de Alarcon

The journey and how you get there

For a holiday to the Parador de Alarcon, our clients usually hire a car from Valencia or Madrid airport and include it as part of a fly-drive touring holiday. We include flights from London and a hire car, depending on what you would like to do and what is most appropriate to your overall journey.

Additional information

Children: An extra bed for a single child can be added in all room types.

Special offers

Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!
Mr W, July 2022

Holiday price guide Sample prices are per person based on two people sharing a Standard double room for 3 nights for a fly-drive holiday

From about

£680

Holiday Code EXH46011

The prices displayed here are a guide only. Each holiday price will be tailor-made at the time of booking to reflect all actual costs including up-to-date special offers.

Luxury bespoke hotel holidays to the Parador de Alarcon

Highlights of the Heart of Spain

The three world-class art galleries which make up Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art, home to works by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Francisco de Goya. The historical sights of Old Madrid, including the lavish Royal Palace, the grand Plaza Mayor and the city's spiritual centre, Puerta del Sol. Parque del Retiro, a popular spot for relaxation in the centre of Madrid with a boating lake. El Escorial, a large royal residence just outside Madrid which also functions as a monastery and is where many Spanish monarchs are buried. The Gothic cathedrals of León, Burgos and Toledo which feature stunning stained glass, mediaeval art and elaborate sculptures. The numerous castles which are scattered across the region including the Gothic-style Belmonte Castle, the Mudejár Coca Castle and the Moorish Alcazaba of Badajoz. The university city of Alcalá de Henares, birthplace of Cervantes, the 16th century author who wrote about the adventures of Don Quixote. The walled city of Ávila. The university city of Salamanca. Segovia, with its Roman Aqueduct and distinctive castle. Cuenca, a picturesque old town with houses which appear to hang over a gorge. The iconic windmills which sit on the plains near Consuegra. Roman ruins in Mérida. Elaborate palaces and manor houses in Trujillo and Cáceres. The wine-producing regions throughout central Spain including Ribera del Duero, La Mancha and Valdepeñas where visitors can visit vineyards and enjoy wine tastings. Mountain ranges which divide the central plateau, with many opportunities for walking and rock climbing.

Festivals in the Heart of Spain

February: Caja Madrid Flamenco Festival, February to March: Madrid Carnival, February to March: Madrid Contemporary Art Fair, March/April: Holy week celebrations, May: San Isidro bullfighting festival (Madrid), May/June: Toledo Corpus Christi processions (Toledo), July to August: Madrid summer arts festival, October: Saffron Rose Festival (Consuegra), October: Cervantes Week (Alcala de Henares), October to November: Madrid Autumn Festival

Gastronomy in the Heart of Spain

As expected, Madrid is home to some excellent restaurants serving a great range of cuisine from throughout Spain and around the world. Roasted meat and game as well as a variety of broths and stews are common features on menus throughout central Spain, where traditional cooking is simple and hearty. Cuisine varies slightly between the regions, with more paprika and saffron being used in the south. Various pulses are grown on the plains of Castilla y León, whilst Manchego cheese produced in La Mancha and high quality Ibérico ham is produced in Extremadura. There are a number of wine regions which produce high-quality red and white wines. Local dishes include ‘Pollo a lo Padre Pero’ (chicken with a spicy sauce), ‘El frite’ (fried lamb), ‘Sopa de ajo’ (garlic soup), ‘Pisto manchego’ (similar to ratatouille), ‘Yemas’ (a rich dessert made with egg yolks).

Climate in the Heart of Spain

The climate of central Spain is generally quite extreme, with extremely hot summers and bitterly cold yet dry winters. Rainfall is generally quite low thanks to the mountains which surround the region. Madrid can be almost unbearable in the summer months as temperatures reach 40 degrees, whilst during the temperatures regularly drop below freezing. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit as temperatures are warm and pleasant, although there is increased rainfall.

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