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13th century castle-fortress (4*)
This magnificent Parador perches on top of the rugged hill of Santa Catalina, looking out across the historic city of Jaén. The Parador de Jaen occupies a castle built after the reconquest of the city by Ferdinand III of Castille in 1246. This is a favourite spot for the locals, especially for smart weddings and special occasions. The Santa Catalina castle complex includes the remains of an earlier Moorish fortress and its towers. Its walls and castellations descend from the hill down into the steep narrow streets of the old city. The origins of this fortress go back to the time of the Carthaginians.
The Parador's interior boasts impressive arches and traditional furnishings. The balconies of the bedrooms look out across the plain of the River Guadalquivir to the distant Sierra Morena. Some overlook the Sierra Nevada to the south. This is a spectacular landscape of olive groves, this province being a leading producer of olives. Green waves of groves fill the panorama, creating a wonderful sense of tranquillity. Among the illustrious guests who have spent a night in this remarkable hotel are the former King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain. Several other national and international personalities have enjoyed staying here, amongst them a French President; Charles de Gaulle spent a prolonged period in the Parador de Jaén as he set about writing his memoirs and one of the Parador's rooms now bears his name. The Parador de Jaén's grounds contain pleasant gardens and a swimming pool (which is open in summer months). The views from many parts of the hotel make spending a night in the Santa Catalina castle an unforgettable experience. The surrounding province is dotted with sleepy villages and towns that remain much unchanged over time. Renaissance architecture and a mix of designs feature in the buildings and you will be surprised by the extensive natural attraction of this region with its mountains, parkland and riverbeds,
The province of Jaén contains the largest concentration of olive groves in Spain and these have played a prominent role in both the cultural and economic development of the city which has come to be known as world’s olive oil capital. The city’s economy is still based heavily on being a centre for the agricultural production so be sure to take advantage of the high quality olive oil and other fresh local produce on offer in the city's bars and restaurants. Like many other parts of Andalucía, Jaen has seen the coming and going as well as coexistence of Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities which have left behind a rich architectural legacy. Among the real gems for today's visitor are the city's imposing cathedral as well as the largest Arab Baths in Europe. The Cathedral of the Asunción in Jaén is considered one of the centrepieces of Renaissance architecture in this part of Spain. Originally constructed on the site of a former mosque, a Gothic shrine was added in the 15th century to house the Holy Veil and the cathedral assumed its current Renaissance style following renovations by Andrés de Vandelvira in the 16th century. To visit we advise you check opening hours and prices with the Spanish tourist office. The Cathedral is particularly impressive when illuminated at night so be sure to enjoy the views down from the Parador's observation point. The city's Arab Baths are the largest and best-preserved collection of Arab Baths in Andalucía. The complex, which covers 450 square metres, dates back to the 11th century and remains intact below a 16th century palace (Villardompardo Palace) which today houses a cultural centre and guests can visit the baths up to an hour before closing.
For those looking to explore further afield, Jaén is perfectly situated for heading on to explore nearby sites of interest such as the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Baeza and Ubeda, as well as for those moving on to explore other Andalucían cities such as Cordoba (120km) and Granada (92km).
For seasonal Parador pool opening times please visit our information on pools page.
Breakfast is served from 7.30 to 11.00
Lunch is served from 13.30 to 16.00
Dinner is served from 20.00 to 22.30. (Please note it does not open until 20.30 in summer months). It may be possible to arrive up to 22.00 and still enjoy a meal.
Cafe/bar is open from 11.00 to 23.00 offering bar snacks and lighter dishes.
The Parador is located on top of the Cerro de Santa Catalina, just 5 km from the capital. The easiest way to reach the Parador de Jaén is by car. The closest airports are those at Granada (97km) and Malaga International (214km). From Córdoba, take the A4 east of the centre before joining the A306 which will take you almost to Jaén. This will then merge with the A316 and you should stay on this road until Junction 63 where you should take the turn-off signposted ‘Jaén Oeste´. Once on this road you should follow the signs for ´castillo-parador Santa Catalina’ which will take you to the door of the hotel.
From Madrid, take the A4 south. Exit at junction 292 to merge onto E-902-A44 toward Jaén/Granada/Malaga. Stay on this road until exit 36 where you need to merge onto the A-316 toward Torredelcampo. Look out for Junction 63 where you should follow the signs for ‘Jaén Oeste´. Once on this road you should follow the signs for ´Castillo-parador Santa Catalina’. From Granada, that the A44 north which will take you almost all the way to Jaen, at Exit 42 follow signs for Jaén “Avda de Granada”. From here you should follow signs for the Castillo de Santa Catalina. There is also a direct train service between Córdoba and Jaén taking about 90 minutes.
Free exterior parking alongside the Parador and facilities for charging electric vehicles, the cost of which is payable locally.
Spain's southernmost region is rich in sunshine, culture, beaches and excellent food. Find out why you should visit and which Parador hotels to stay in.
