Parador de Ávila

State-run hotel in a 16th-century palace built into the city walls

The Parador de Ávila occupies the 16th-century Palacio de Benavides, built against the city walls in the eastern old town. The hotel is one of the Spanish state's Parador chain — a network of historic buildings converted to upscale accommodation, one of the most successful heritage tourism programmes in the world. Staying here means sleeping in a Renaissance palace with the city wall visible from the garden.

For visitors who prefer to stay in conventional accommodation, the parador is worth visiting for a drink or dinner in the dining room regardless — the building is beautiful and the views across the walled city from the garden terrace are among the best available within walking distance. The on-site restaurant serves traditional Castilian food, including the suckling pig and lamb dishes that are the regional speciality, at Parador-standard prices.

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A story
The Parador de Ávila occupies the Palacio de Benavides, a 16th-century palace whose garden wall is the city wall itself. Guests can walk from the hotel garden onto the medieval ramparts directly. The Parador chain converted it in 1966 as part of the national programme to rehabilitate historic buildings through tourism — one of the most successful heritage programmes in Europe.