The Hotel

15th century convent within Alhambra (4*)

The exceptional Parador de Granada offers its guests a unique opportunity to stay within the grounds of the Alhambra, one of the greatest wonders of the Medieval world and arguably Spain's most famous monument. Most of the palace complex was built between 1238 and 1358 on this hilltop site overlooking the city Granada, although the site originally housed a fortress from the 9th century which was extended and embellished in the 13th century, eventually forming the citadel of the Alhambra, which was the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain and finally fell to the Christians in 1492. A substantial complex cascading down the hillside overlooking the city, the Alhambra was awarded UNESCO status in 1984 and is frequently the most visited attraction in Spain. The Alhambra (from al-hamra, Arabic for ‘the red’, referring to the red stucco of the walls) consists of a complex of palaces and fortresses, and the Parador San Francisco, as it is known, was originally part of a 15th-century palace and mosque, later converted into a Franciscan convent. Part of the building was once a chapel where the Kings of Spain were buried (although they were later moved elsewhere), and the Parador also features a fine tower and an arcaded courtyard of breath-taking beauty and serenity.

The Parador's interiors combine both Moorish and Christian styles, with wooden window frames and vaulted ceilings hinting at the Parador's origins as a convent. There is a pretty interior patio featuring a fountain and area to enjoy refreshments, the perfect area to cool off in summer months. The bedrooms – each one unique – are decorated in classic, neutral tones and many have views of the gardens and buildings of the Alhambra. Following the refurbishment of the Parador, some of the standard rooms have state of the art bathrooms with excellent shower facilities but without a bathtub. Should you prefer a standard room with a bath, we recommend that you advise us at the time of booking so that we can request this. Rooms here also have an electric kettle and superiors and suites have a coffee machine.

The Parador de Granada shares part of the Alhambra gardens and you can enjoy looking out onto the splendid greenery whilst enjoying a drink on the terrace. The Parador has a modern, airy restaurant offering both local and international dishes. 

Keytours tips:

• For a family of 3 or 4, the Torreon suite is particularly suitable, consisting of 2 rooms over 2 floors with a lounge (with a large sofa bed) and a double bed in a separate bedroom. This is also usually more economical than booking 2 separate rooms (for 4 people)
• Tickets to the Alhambra can be pre-booked by telephone (+34 858 953 616) or by Internet: https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es, and we would strongly suggest pre-booking to obtain the most suitable entry time. The palace complex is really substantial and you can usually expect to spend a minimum of 2-3 hours on your visit.
• Enjoy a drink in the evening in the garden of the Parador, which forms part of the Alhambra's gardens, a rather special experience on a warm day.
• If you are arriving at the Parador by car, please advise us of your registration number before you travel (or after you pick up your hire car) so that it can be registered with the local police for easy access to the complex without hindrance. You will also need to pre-book parking.