Spain Turns Abandoned Buildings into Boutique Hotels

Spain is one of the world’s most-visited vacation destinations, but the majority of visitors tend to stick to the more populated cities like Madrid and Barcelona, and neglect to make it to the country’s expansive and untouched countryside. What most travelers aren’t aware of is the existence of paradores, or old fortresses, monasteries, palaces and other historic buildings the Spanish government has transformed into boutique hotels.

Spain is home to 97 such accommodation options that give visitors a unique view of and experience in Spain by allowing them to stay on the sites of the country’s rich history. Acquired by the Spanish government since the 1920s, these buildings have been refurbished and equipped with modern amenities such as WiFi, TV and updated bathrooms.

One example is the Parador de Alcañiz in the region of Aragon. With more than 900 years of history, this former castle and monastery still contains original artwork and murals. The Parador de Lleida is tucked away in the mountains of Catalonia and, although it harbors a dark history from the Spanish Civil War, it was renovated in 2017 and now the chapel serves as a restaurant and the former convent is the hotel’s lobby.