Have you ever had that feeling of finding a place so fascinating that you can't help but imagine yourself there? The perfect place to escape from routine, to celebrate something unique or simply to unwind. We have all, almost without realising it, created a wish list on our phone. A blog of notes full of destinations, restaurants and hotels that we dream of visiting, but that, for some reason, we are still putting off.

The same applies perfectly to our Paradores. With 98 establishments distributed throughout Spain and its 1 franchise in Portugal, each one has something unique that makes it an irresistible destination at some point in our lives. Whether it is because of the perfect combination of history, architecture and nature that defines these accommodations, because you are missing the stamp of one of them in your Parador passport, or because you are looking for the ideal place to celebrate a special occasion. At some point in your life, one of these Paradores has made its way onto your bucket list.

Each Parador has its own charm, its own magic. And best of all: there is always the perfect Parador for each person. So, we propose a list of ten Paradores you can't miss. We assure you that the trip will not only be to a destination, but a unique experience.

It is not easy to be at the same level as the Cathedral of Santiago, and yet the Hostal dos Reis Católicos manages to do so. Located right in the Plaza del Obradoiro, this Parador is not only the finishing touch of the Camino de Santiago, it is a part of it.

A former pilgrims' hospital, its history is intertwined with that of thousands of travellers who, over the centuries, have arrived exhausted, been moved and transformed. Sleeping here is like being part of that collective story, where comfort is not only a matter of service, but also of soul. There are places that welcome you, but the Parador de Santiago de Compostela, embraces you.

Not all hotels can say that they are, at the same time, an art gallery and a jewel of the Spanish Renaissance but also a stage and witness of historical memory. The Parador de León, housed in the former Convent of San Marcos, is a place that overflows with history and sensitivity. Because here it is not just a matter of sleeping between centuries-old walls, but of living with centuries of beauty and history.

Behind its imposing Plateresque façade, one of the most beautiful in the country, hides a calmly woven story: the choir stalls, one of the most important of the Renaissance, sculptures by Juan de Juni, corridors full of light where works by Zóbel and Chillida hang.

But it is also full of scars and memory. Because San Marcos was used as a prison and concentration camp during the Spanish Civil War and the first years of the dictatorship.

What makes this Parador special is not only its monumentality, but also its ability to move you without raising its voice. A place that does not forget, and that, for that very reason, leaves its mark.

If nature and the sea are your thing, the Parador de El Saler, on the Valencian coast, should be on your list. This Parador is located in the heart of the Albufera Natural Park, a place where the sea and the mountains meet.

The views from its windows, which open out onto golf courses and golden sandy beaches, are a real treat for the senses. You can sample a perfect paella, lose yourself in the Natursenda nature trail or just lie back and watch the light change. Less than half an hour from Valencia, yet light years away from the noise.

Entering the Parador de Granada is like stepping through a doorway to another era. But not just any era: one in which beauty was a form of prayer. Located within the grounds of the Alhambra, in a former convent that was also a Nasrid palace, this place has the calm of the monasteries and the delicate quality of Andalusian art.

From its courtyards to its walls, everything invites you to lower your voice. Even the garden fragrances are different. Few accommodations in the world offer such an intimate experience with a World Heritage Site. Here you don't just sleep, you daydream. And if Granada is on your list, you won't find a better place to stay.

The Parador de Cádiz doesn’t hide behind centuries of history, it launches itself into the present with an architecture that faces the ocean. It is bright, modern, open to the sea. Everything in it speaks of the horizon: the terraces, the swimming pool, the enormous glass windows, and much more.

A few steps from the beach of La Caleta, this Parador is not intended to be a museum, but a viewpoint. Ideal for gazing at sunsets, strolling along the boardwalk or wandering along the narrow streets of the oldest city in the West. Because sometimes, the luxury is in seeing how the light transforms every hour from a unique place.

In the bend of a river, surrounded by infinite greenery and with the Picos de Europa mountain range towering in the background, the Parador de Cangas de Onís is pure harmony.

It occupies a Romanesque monastery that seems to have been born out of the landscape itself, as if the centuries had carefully left it there. Ideal for unwinding, but also for reconnecting: with nature, with history, with oneself.

Here you can spend the morning among carved columns, the afternoon walking along the Sella, and the evening in front of a fireplace. A place to feel at home away from home. A great place to include in your list of next destinations.

The Parador de Santo Estevo is not just a destination to visit, it is a place to stay. At the bottom of a Galician valley, hidden among the lush forests of the Ribeira Sacra, this ancient monastery reveals itself as a well-kept secret.

Its three cloisters, each of a different period, create a silent labyrinth where every corner is a surprise. And outside, only trees, hills and the echo of the rivers Miño and Sil.

It is a place that invites you to meditation, a quiet stroll and contemplation. It is one of those Paradores that take your breath away.

The Parador de Aiguablava is not only located in one of the most spectacular spots on the Costa Brava. It is also full of art. Each corridor is an exhibition, with works by Miró, Tàpies, Dalí and Clavé in dialogue with the sea views. Here, art does not hang on the walls, it is part of the landscape.

It is only a few minutes away from the cove of the same name and is perfect for those who are looking for culture, calm and sea in equal doses. It is also a coastal destination that can be visited all year round, so it would be a mistake to consider this Parador only for the summer months.

The Parador de Corias is impressive even before entering. This 11th century Asturian monastery, secluded between mountains and rivers, has a breathtaking presence.

Its monumental scale, its austere stonework, its history spanning almost a thousand years... all speak of grandeur and endurance. But inside, the surprise is twofold: warm spaces, silent libraries, cloisters that invite you to lose track of time.

Corias is not only monumental on the outside, but also on the inside. Ideal for those who are looking for beauty in its purest form, without artifice and to get away from the more common destinations we are used to.

The castle of Cardona was considered impregnable for centuries. And even today, its silhouette on the hill commands respect. Inside, the Parador de Cardona, allows you to experience history in all its spaces and rooms.

You don't have to imagine what life was like within these walls, just walk around the rooms, look out from the towers or listen to the legend of the Minyona, the young woman imprisoned for love.

If you've always dreamed of staying in a Cardona castle, it could be one of the most impressive places you'll ever visit. If you are looking for a different kind of stay, you can't miss it.

And from here on, we could go on adding Paradores to this list because depending on your tastes, dreams or the moment, there is always one that stands out from another. But tell us... What would be your Top 10?

We’ll read your response on our Social Networks. #Top10Paradores

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