Parador de Alarcón

Alarcón is a small medieval village surrounded by the River Júcar, which was designated a Historic-Artistic Site in 1981. As you stroll through its charming narrow streets, you’ll be struck by the variety and beauty of its monuments: from palaces, such as the Concejo Palace and the Castañeda Palace, to numerous churches such as Santo Domingo de Silos and Santa María, whose stylistic diversity demonstrates Alarcón’s importance well into the Early Modern period. You mustn’t miss the murals by Jesús Mateo in the now deconsecrated church of San Juan Bautista, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.

The wall surrounding the town is almost entirely preserved, along with the Campo, Calabozo and Bodegón gates. Furthermore, on the small isthmus you’ll find the Calabozo Gate and the castle’s Torre de Armas, both dating from the 8th century. Outside, the Parador is surrounded by the River Júcar and its nearby reservoir, an ideal spot for water sports or a swim at its inland beaches. If you prefer hiking, don’t miss the hidden gems along the Hoz de Alarcón trail.

What’s more, nearby you’ll find some of Spain’s Natural Trails, a network of routes that invites you to explore the area in a sustainable way. From Alarcón, you can explore the Júcar Nature Trail, which follows the course of the river through gorges, meanders and landscapes of great natural and cultural value, or the Turia-Cabriel Nature Trail, a route that connects the two rivers, passing through protected areas, vineyards and some of the most characteristic landscapes of the Levantine interior.