The castle, which is deemed the best-preserved historical construction in the province of Cuenca, has a spectacular keep and arrowhead battlements. It’s surrounded by a double defensive enclosure and connected to the rest of the wall surrounding the town of Alarcón. The walls, the stone ceilings of the rooms and their decoration will take you back to medieval times.
Alarcón is a small medieval village that has been declared a Historical-Artistic Site and is bounded by the river Júcar. As you stroll through its beautiful narrow streets, you come across the churches of Santo Domingo de Silos and Santa María. Additionally, the Murals by Jesús Mateo in the church of San Juan Bautista should not be missed.
This is the most beautiful and best-preserved castle in Cuenca. The origins of this small but impregnable fortress are uncertain but are probably pre-Roman. It was initially an Arab stronghold and passed into Christian hands in 1184. This Site of Cultural Interest now looks like a Gothic castle (except for the Renaissance keep) built around a small inner courtyard with a cistern. On the outside, the three walls that once protected it are still standing. All the current interior rooms were rebuilt and adapted to the needs of the Parador, which opened in 1996. The gardens and car park today are located on a former parade ground.
One of the most famous lords of the castle was Don Juan Manuel (1282-1348), a warrior, politician and a man of letters. He was an influential adviser to kings, the architect of intrigues between the peninsular kingdoms, and a feudal lord. He is renowned in history for his famous book “El Conde Lucanor” or Tales of Count Lucanor.
The Parador de Alarcón is surrounded by the river Júcar and it’s a stone's throw away from the reservoir of the same name. It’s six kilometres away from Alarcón and has a large number of inland beaches, such as Playa del Árbol or Playa Olivares, ideal spots for water sports. The river Júcar is also an ideal fishing spot. If you're more of a hiking enthusiast, you can't miss out on the sights along the Hoz de Alarcón route.
If you prefer wine tourism, you can visit the wineries of Illana and Vitis Natura, which are less than an hour's drive away.
General data about parador hostel | |||
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Parador hotel | Parador de Alarcón | Stars | 4 |
Capacity | 28 Places | Styles | Castle |
Director | Javier Alvarez | Chef | José Saiz |
Address | Avda. Amigos de los Castillos, 3 | ||
Autonomous community | Castilla-La Mancha | Province | Cuenca |
Town | Alarcón | Postcode | 16214 |
Latitude | 39.547156 | Longitude | -2.083797 |
Telephone | +34 969330315 | Fax | +34 969330303 |
alarcon@parador.es | |||
Distance to airport | 132 Km. | ||
Distance to the port | 175 Km. | ||
Distance to train | 86 Km. |
Services offered by the parador hostel | |
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air conditioning | Elevator |
Laptop safe | Breakfast in the room |
Gastronomic space | Handicapped facilities |
Garden | Minibar with a carefully selected selection of products |
Flat screen TV | Outdoor parking |
Restaurant | Hairdryer |
Room service | Digital press and magazines service |
ChromeCast technology | Free Wifi |
Activities offered by the parador hostel | |
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Mountain biking | Hunting |
Fishing | Canoe trips |
Horseback trail rides | Winery tours |
The cosy restaurant of the Parador del Castillo de Alarcón is located in the lower part of the 8th-century castle. Decorated with elegant tables, diners can enjoy beautiful views of the river Júcar from the windows in its thick stone walls and immerse themselves in a journey through time to recall the sensations experienced in this same space by medieval knights during their lavish banquets.
Information on the halls | |
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Number of halls | 1 |
Minimum capacity of halls | 70 |
Maximum capacity of halls | 70 |
Coming on the A-3 from Madrid, take exit 166 (Honrubia) and coming from Valencia, exit 212 (Motilla del Palancar). Continue along the N-III and, at Km 187, you will find the turn-off to Alarcón. The Parador is in the same village.