Summer is here, and with it comes that unstoppable urge to go out, to savour every ray of sunshine, to linger over meals and to raise a toast in the open air. At Paradores we know it well, there’s nothing like a good terrace in summer, where time melts away between conversations, landscapes and sunsets.

We suggest you exchange your routine for a table by the sea, a drink at the top of a valley or a coffee amidst the sounds of a natural park. Because our terraces are not just terraces: they’re settings open to the pleasure of good weather, where heritage, nature and art combine to offer you unique moments.

Your summer plan awaits you at Paradores. Shall we say a toast?

There are places that have everything a place might need to be the perfect summer refuge, and the Parador de Aiguablava is one of them. Perched on a cliff in the heart of the Costa Brava, this modern and elegant parador invites you to experience summer as it deserves, amidst the calm of the pine trees, the murmur of the sea and terraces that seem to float above the blue Mediterranean.

Here time is measured in golden sunsets, meals taken as you look out to sea with a taste of Palamós red prawns or suquet de roca (rock fish stew), and moments of absolute relaxation in its spa overlooking the Aiguablava cove. All the while you’ll be surrounded by first-class contemporary Catalan art: Dalí, Tàpies and Miró, which put the finishing touch to an artistic, natural and sensory experience.

This summer, the best terrace is here, in Aiguablava.

BOOKING AT THE PARADOR DE AIGUABLAVA

There are summers that call for the sea.... and others that invite you to look inland, where silence mingles with intense green and history can be breathed everywhere you go. This perfectly describes the Parador de Argomaniz, a Renaissance palace in the heart of the Álava plain that is the perfect place to enjoy the summer at a different pace: more leisurely, more authentic, more natural.

The terrace and gardens overlook the endless landscapes of Álava, with the Gorbea mountain range in the background and the Ullíbarri-Gamboa reservoir a stone’s throw away. Here, every sunset is a spectacle and every meal at the Aletegui restaurant, located under centuries-old wooden ceilings and with dishes that taste of Basque tradition, is an experience to savour at your leisure.

And if you’re one of those who can’t resist a good route on two wheels in summer, you’re in the perfect place, since this parador offers cycle touring activities. And after an intense day’s cycling, there’s nothing better than relaxing on the parador’s terrace, raising a toast and recharging your batteries. Because when the effort is celebrated in a place with history, it tastes even better.

BOOKING AT THE PARADOR DE ARGOMANIZ

There are places where summer is different, more intense and wilder. The Parador de Costa da Morte is one of them. Overlooking Lourido beach and embraced by the Atlantic, this spectacular balcony at the end of the world invites you to enjoy the summer like never before, with your feet almost in the sand, a glass of ice-cold Ribeiro in your hand and the ocean breeze as the soundtrack.

On its terrace, Galician cuisine comes to life with fish and seafood from the fish market, local meats and zero-kilometre products. And if you’re looking for more than just relaxation, its spa, infinity pool and ecotourism experiences such as kayaking in the Ézaro waterfall or your diving baptism, will ensure you form a unique connection with nature. This parador is more than merely a place to stay: it’s a summer that stays with you.

BOOKING AT THE PARADOR DE COSTA DA MORTE

On El Hierro, summer doesn’t run, it flows. Everything is more serene, purer, more authentic. And right there, amidst the volcanic mountain and the black sand surrounded by the Atlantic, is the Parador de El Hierro, a haven of calm facing the sea where time stretches to the rhythm of the waves.

Imagine waking up with endless views of the ocean, diving into one of the best seabeds in Europe, and ending the day on the terrace of the parador, savouring local fish and dishes with all the flavour of Canarian cuisine. Because here, every sunset is a gift, every meal a celebration and every nook and cranny an invitation to enjoy yourself.

BOOKING AT THE PARADOR DE EL HIERRO

Imagine waking up surrounded by nature, with the murmur of the sea in the background and a terrace that opens to miles of unspoilt coastline. This is the kind of summer you can enjoy at the Parador de Mazagón, a natural paradise nestled in the heart of the Doñana National Park, where time stands still and rest takes on a new meaning.

Here, the perfect plan starts with a stroll along the beach, continues with a dip in the pool or a relaxing moment in the jacuzzi, and ends with an informal lunch on the terrace of the restaurant, where the flavours of Huelva’s cuisine can be enjoyed at your leisure.

Nature trails, breathtaking views and the tranquillity of knowing that you don’t have to do anything... except let yourself be carried away.

BOOKING AT THE PARADOR DE MAZAGÓN