Spain’s Historic Paradors Invite Pilgrims to “Stop and Relax” Along the Camino del Norte

Paradores offer women immersion into Spain’s culture  

by Carolyn Ray

From renovated fortresses to castles, convents and monasteries, each one of Spain’s paradors is unique. Often set in UNESCO World Heritage cities and national parks, these comfortable hotels invite weary travellers to ‘stop and relax’ on their journeys in some of the most historic buildings in Spain.

On a recent trip to Spain, I had the opportunity to visit several paradors, including a restored Benedictine monastery, a medieval fortress and a ‘pazos’ country house. And when I decided to walk the Camino del Norte along the north coast of Spain in 2026, I planned my route to allow for stays at selected paradors, along with hotels, hostels and albergues. Through the paradors, I can learn about Spain’s culture and history, and have time to restore and relax on this challenging route.

Raquel Sanchez, CEO, Paradores, hopes that women will embrace paradors as safe places that support cultural immersion. “In Spain, there is a parador for everyone. There are iconic paradores such as Santiago de Compostela, Leon, Toledo or Granada, and smaller ones that are jewels and treasures for heritage, gastronomy for culture. But most importantly, I want women to think of paradores as a home, a place they can feel treated like family.” 

On my Camino in April 2026, I’l start my walk on the Camino del Norte  at the Parador de Gijón, after a brief stay at the Parador de Leon, a city on the popular Camino Francés. Travelling toward Santiago de Compostela, I’ll stop at paradors in Ribadeo and Vilalba and then head north to the Parador de Ferrol and Parador Costa da Morte in A Coruña. As is often said, there is no one way to do the Camino de Santiago, and I am not in a race to the finish, so why not enjoy the history, the food and the paradors?

Exclusive offer: For JourneyWoman readers, Paradores is offering an exclusive 15 per cent discount with code CE26JWMN.