Spring in Spain unfolds in many ways. Whilst some enjoy playing sport by the sea, others take the opportunity to explore those long-awaited wine routes through landscapes or islands where nature already envelops everything. On this journey through six different destinations, we suggest different ways of experiencing it, because they all share the spirit of Paradores, where travelling is not just about visiting, but about experiencing each place at a leisurely pace, with a sense of identity and a deeper connection.

Because Paradores is a way of travelling that adapts to every traveller, every moment and every way of experiencing the world. That’s why this selection is for you too. Six destinations. Six ways to experience spring. And one way of understanding travel: the Paradores way.

On the Costa del Sol, spring has the flavour of the sea and endless light. The Parador de Málaga Golf is one of those places where time stretches out between rounds of golf, walks and the blue horizon.

Here, the golf course is not merely an addition; it forms part of the Parador’s landscape itself. Stepping out of your room to find the green stretching all the way to the Mediterranean is part of the experience. Just a few steps away, a long stretch of white sandy beach awaits you for that first swim, whilst the Parador’s swimming pool becomes the perfect halfway point between sport and relaxation.

But Málaga always offers more than one perspective. Just ten kilometres away, the city showcases its heritage with the Alcazaba, the Roman Theatre, the Cathedral and the Picasso Museum, which coexist alongside contemporary museums and a vibrant cultural scene. And all around, the Costa del Sol boasts places of its own such as Mijas, Marbella and Nerja, where spring already feels almost like summer.

Málaga and the Parador de Málaga Golf are, in essence, the destination to experience the Mediterranean through sport, sea and city life.

On the border between Galicia and Asturias, the Parador de Ribadeo overlooks the estuary like a house open to the ocean.

The Eo estuary, declared a Biosphere Reserve, is a scene in slow motion where the water, the greenery and the light change with every hour of the day. From the Parador, the views are a constant invitation to pause. And just a few kilometres away, Playa de las Catedrales appears as an almost surreal space, where the cliffs become natural architecture.

The surroundings invite you to get out and explore, taking in viewpoints, coastal paths, small fishing villages such as Rinlo or Castropol, or excursions into the green heart of Galicia.

Córdoba in May is a must-visit destination where the scent of the courtyards envelops you like a perfume.

The Parador de Córdoba, perched above the city, offers one of the most comprehensive panoramic views of the Mosque-Cathedral and the historic centre. But it is in the streets that spring reaches its peak. The courtyards open up to the world like small floral universes, full of colour, water and shade.

It is also the ideal time to explore the Mosque-Cathedral, wander in the Jewish Quarter or discover the nearby Medina Azahara, that palatine city that seems suspended in time. Córdoba is history, but it is also everyday life transformed into beauty; it is the perfect destination to celebrate spring.

Half an hour from Valladolid, the Parador de Tordesillas is nestled amongst pine forests like a natural refuge where silence takes centre stage.

In May, the surroundings are bathed in greenery and soft light. It’s the perfect time to unwind, take a stroll through the garden or simply let time slip by. The Parador offers that perfect balance between relaxation and comfort in a setting designed to promote tranquillity.

But Tordesillas is also steeped in history. It was here that the Treaty that changed the map of the world was signed, and even today you can visit places such as the Casas del Tratado or the Royal Monastery of Santa Clara. Nearby, the river Duero and its wine routes add another dimension to the journey, where the wines of Rueda, Ribera del Duero, Toro and Cigales paint a picture of flavours and landscapes that you’ve surely been longing to enjoy once more.

La Gomera is an island unlike any other. And its Parador, facing the Atlantic, is the best starting point to understand it.

From the subtropical gardens of the Parador de La Gomera, the view opens out towards Tenerife and Mount Teide, whilst the swimming pool seems suspended between the sky and the ocean. But the real journey lies inland, in Garajonay National Park, a World Heritage Site, where the laurel forest creates a humid, dense and almost prehistoric woodland.

In May, the island is at its best with mild temperatures, open trails and unspoilt nature. San Sebastián de La Gomera bears the mark of Columbus, whilst viewpoints such as Abrante or Roque Agando reveal the volcanic nature of the landscape.

And amidst it all, the Gomero whistle remains a unique form of communication across the ravines. La Gomera is, without a doubt, a destination to lose yourself in nature and a safe bet if you decide to visit at this time of year.

Finally, at the mouth of the Guadiana, lies the Parador de Ayamonte which opens up like a balcony between Spain and Portugal and stands out as a unique destination to enjoy the sun and two sister cultures.

Here, spring arrives with golden light, vibrant marshes and beaches that begin to awaken without the hustle and bustle of summer. Isla Canela and Punta del Moral offer miles of sand, sports and the open sea, whilst the surroundings invite you to walk, cycle or simply take in the views.

But Ayamonte is also a cultural frontier. Crossing the river, the Portuguese Algarve comes into view with towns such as Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António, connected by the international bridge that links two worlds in just a few minutes.

At the end of the day, the most eagerly awaited moment arrives, when everything comes to a standstill. Watching the sun sink into the water from the Parador is simply spectacular.

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