The Oldest Hotels in Spain and Portugal
Ancient paradores, pousadas, and other hotels offering accommodation on the Iberian Peninsula
Parador de Alarcon
During the creation of Nights in the Past we’ve come across many places to stay that are of an extraordinary age. Should you know of any old hotels, inns or other accommodation which applies to this section, please get in touch. It should be noted, however, that the list below reflects only a small proportion of the overall number of historic hotels listed on the site.
Inclusion in this Oldest Hotels in Spain and Portugal section is based on there being some of the original structure still in existence rather than those places that have been entirely rebuilt. Naturally, in many cases this will apply to a relatively small section of the present-day building, though in some instances it applies to the majority. Please bear in mind that Nights in the Past can make no guarantees as to the veracity of the reputed age of any of the properties here or elsewhere on the site and cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies. The date information we supply has, however, been previously documented and is in the public domain either on the internet or in print.
Also see our main historic hotel sections for Portugal and Spain.
It is important to stress that this isn’t a definitive list, and has been compiled from some of those we have encountered during research.
Inclusion in this Oldest Hotels in Spain and Portugal section is based on there being some of the original structure still in existence rather than those places that have been entirely rebuilt. Naturally, in many cases this will apply to a relatively small section of the present-day building, though in some instances it applies to the majority. Please bear in mind that Nights in the Past can make no guarantees as to the veracity of the reputed age of any of the properties here or elsewhere on the site and cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies. The date information we supply has, however, been previously documented and is in the public domain either on the internet or in print.
Also see our main historic hotel sections for Portugal and Spain.
It is important to stress that this isn’t a definitive list, and has been compiled from some of those we have encountered during research.
Parador de Alcaniz
8th Century? Parador de Alarcon. Cuenca, Castile la Mancha, Spain. Quite how much of the ancient Moor fortress remains is difficult to ascertain, although the existing building patently contains elements of the early medieval period. Discover more at our specific page for Parador de Alarcon
10th Century. Parador de Hondarribia. Basque, Spain. Undeniably one of the most famous of the Spanish Paradores, work on this former fortress was thought to have commenced in 980AD (although the building was largely reconstructed in the 16th century). See our main page for the Parador de Hondarribia
11th Century. Castillo De Buen Amor. Castile-Leon, Spain. Although largely reconstructed during the fifteenth century, the original castle (of which we assume remnants remain) was built some 400 years earlier. Check reviews at Booking.com
1116. Can Cuadros. Palouet, Catalonia, Spain. A number of architectural details (including the jail and some arches) are known to date from the 12th century when the castle was defended by the Knights Templar. Learn more at our entry for Can Cuadros
1179. Parador De Alcañíz. Aragon, Spain. The architecture of existing superstructure suggests a later date, but parts of the building are reputed to be 12th century when it was occupied by the Order of Calatrava. See our specific historic hotels page for Parador de Alcaniz
12th Century. Parador de Cangas de Onis. Cangas de Onis, Asturias, Spain. The heritage of the site is thought to date back as far as 746 AD when the first monastery was built by King Alfonso I. The existing building, however, is reputed to be part 12th century (with later additions made in the early 1900’s). Booking.com
10th Century. Parador de Hondarribia. Basque, Spain. Undeniably one of the most famous of the Spanish Paradores, work on this former fortress was thought to have commenced in 980AD (although the building was largely reconstructed in the 16th century). See our main page for the Parador de Hondarribia
11th Century. Castillo De Buen Amor. Castile-Leon, Spain. Although largely reconstructed during the fifteenth century, the original castle (of which we assume remnants remain) was built some 400 years earlier. Check reviews at Booking.com
1116. Can Cuadros. Palouet, Catalonia, Spain. A number of architectural details (including the jail and some arches) are known to date from the 12th century when the castle was defended by the Knights Templar. Learn more at our entry for Can Cuadros
1179. Parador De Alcañíz. Aragon, Spain. The architecture of existing superstructure suggests a later date, but parts of the building are reputed to be 12th century when it was occupied by the Order of Calatrava. See our specific historic hotels page for Parador de Alcaniz
12th Century. Parador de Cangas de Onis. Cangas de Onis, Asturias, Spain. The heritage of the site is thought to date back as far as 746 AD when the first monastery was built by King Alfonso I. The existing building, however, is reputed to be part 12th century (with later additions made in the early 1900’s). Booking.com
Pousada de Estremoz
Note: Argument persists about which is Europe’s oldest de facto hotel (i.e. built specifically for the accommodation of travellers) still in existence. Those with the strongest claims include the Hostal dos Reis Catolicos in Santiago de Compostela, Northern Spain.
Also reputed to be 13th Century: Pousada de Estremoz (Portugal); Parador de Siguenza (Castile la Mancha, Spain); Sao Francisco Hotel Monumento (Galicia, Spain); Castell d'Emporda Hotel (Catalonia, Spain); Hotel La Posada del Mar (Valencia, Spain); Parador de Jaen (Andalucia, Spain)
Also reputed to be 13th Century: Pousada de Estremoz (Portugal); Parador de Siguenza (Castile la Mancha, Spain); Sao Francisco Hotel Monumento (Galicia, Spain); Castell d'Emporda Hotel (Catalonia, Spain); Hotel La Posada del Mar (Valencia, Spain); Parador de Jaen (Andalucia, Spain)