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Medieval Arab Fortress
Situated on the boundary between La Mancha and Levante, some 80 km from Cuenca, this wonderfully preserved 8th-century Moorish fortress houses the Parador de Alarcón with its impressive castellated keep, standing high on a promontory above the River Júcar.
The castle – evocative of the period of the Reconquista – was captured from the Moors by King Alfonso VIII in the 12th century and subsequently became the home of the Marquises de Villena. With only 14 bedrooms, the Parador de Alarcón retains an air of exclusivity which is elevated by the rich furnishings including four-poster beds in several of the rooms. All rooms surround an a courtyard patio, one of the Parador's main features, and a pretty stop for a coffee or drink day or night.
The Parador's medieval history is reflected in its communal spaces by beautiful bare stone and Castilian wood, softened by a range of classic and modern fabrics, and a fine collection of paintings.
Just an hour and a half’s drive from Madrid, this attractive and seemingly timeless medieval village is set among the rocky surroundings of the River Júcar in Cuenca. Alarcón’s famous walls, castle and churches are all characteristic of the Castilla la Mancha region, making it a haven for visitors searching for tranquillity and a taste of rural Spain. The village has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site due to its superb monuments and natural surroundings that have been well preserved over the years, and a stroll through the village's quiet streets transports you back in time.
Restaurant opening times:
Breakfast: 8.00 to 11.00
Lunch: 13.30 to 16.00
Dinner: 20.30 to 23.00. It may be possible to arrive up to 22.30 and still enjoy a meal.
Located at the entrance of the same town, the Parador of Alarcón is 3 km from the N-III Madrid-Valencia, at kilometre marker 187.
Guests can use public parking in front of the Parador.
Castilla La Mancha, just south of Madrid, is perhaps best known for its Manchego cheese and its depiction in Don Quixote. The region has a number of World Heritage Cities and some lovely Paradors, both historic hotels and ones with fabulous views.
