Parador of Gredos (Ávila)

The parador in Gredos, Avila, was Spain's very first parador.

Opened in 1928 as the first of the new Paradors of Spain network, Gredos Parador is set in one of Spain's most impressive sierras, the Sierra of Gredos. The sierra is over 140 km and extends across the provinces of Avila, Salamanca and Caceres.

Gredos Parador is another practical parador, similar (in organization and type of guests) to Carzorla. Guests here come to enjoy the open air, to do some proper walking, eat good food and get away from the bustle of everyday life as the Parador and its surroundings offer all the ingredients for a healthy holiday.

The parador is comfortable and is ideal for a family holiday. It has a small park for children outside, and a woody area beyond that, so there is plenty of room for children to play. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. The restaurant serves good food (although breakfasts can get a bit crowded and noisy). Avila is famous for its excellent beef and also wild mushrooms, game and beans, and the restaurant includes local dishes in its menu.

Gredos Parador was refurbished just a couple of years ago, and the whole works took almost a year to complete, so it has a feeling of newness about it, even though it is Spain's oldest parador. It can get very cold here in the Autumn, and freezing in the Winter, but the parador has an excellent central heating system and warm welcoming lounges. In the Summer temperatures get very high indeed, and the parador has not got a pool, but visitors can always go and have a swim in one of the mountain streams nearby to cool off.

This in an excellent part of Spain to come to if you enjoy walking, mountain sports, fresh air, visiting small mountain villages and eating good, wholesome food.

Places to visit nearby include Circo de Gredos, La Laguna Grande, Navarredonda de Gredos, Hoyos del Pino etc. And a bit further away, Caceres, Salamanca and La Alberca

For more detailed information on other sights, hotels and restaurants in the province see Guide to Ávila.