Incorporated in the Parador is the old tower of the castle known as the "Torre del Caracol". This tower contains a beautiful room of the Parador with a much admired Mudejar coffered ceiling.

Beautiful gardens surround this hotel in the Paradors group where it is possible to sit and enjoy a glass of local wine.

The interior decoration is of classical style with the wall ornaments such as wrought iron lamps recalling the turbulent past of the castle.

The castilian bricks are featured with wood floors covered in rugs. The coffered ceilings are a special feature of this Parador.

The bedrooms are particularly pleasant. There are twenty nine twin bedrooms, 4 double bedrooms, 2 suites and three single bedded rooms.

Like all the hotels in the Spanish Paradores group, the restaurant specialises in the regional cooking. Worth trying are:
"Bacalao a la tranca", a dish of reconstituted dried salted cod with eggs and peppers.
"Dos y pingada" fried eggs and bacon together with fried bread.
"Lechazo asado" which is roast lamb.
"Tocinillo de ceilo" which is a desert made with egg yolks and syrup.

Benavente has over the centuries been a favourite resting place for teavellers being the crossing point of the road from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela and the road from France to Pontevedra, Tui and Vigo.

Buildings in the town worth visiting include the Santa Maria de Azogue and San Juan del Mercado churches, and also the Piedad Hospital.

The main local festival is the 'toro enmaromado' (tied-up bull) which is held the day before the Corpus Christi religious holiday in June.

All the bedroom accommodation has a private bathroom, a telephone, cable television and a mini bar.

The Parador has a conference room.

Pets are not allowed in the hotels in the Spanish Paradores group.

Parador of Benavente Luxury hotel in a restored twelfth century castle.

• 3 Single bedrooms
• 29 Twin bedrooms
• 4 Double bedrooms
• 2 Suites
• Bar
• Restaurant
• Telephone
• Heating
• Air Conditioning
• Television with Canal Plus
• Minibar
• Shop
• Lift
• Currency exchange
• Seasonal swimming pool
• Garden
• Conference Facilities
• Facilities for the disabled
• Airport: 110 kms
• Train: 70 kms
• Port: 195 kms
• Map with location
• Parador Benavente comments