#58 of 100Historic

Parador de Hondarribia

Hondarribia, País Vasco•

•€€

“A medieval castle on the border of kingdoms”

About the hotel

The Parador de Hondarribia occupies a 10th century castle overlooking the mouth of the Bidasoa River. Charles V, Philip IV and Philip V stayed here, and its stone walls preserve the atmosphere of a frontier fortress. The views of France and the estuary are spectacular.

Nomadiq Pick

Breakfast in the courtyard and views of the Bidasoa estuary from the rooms.

Why we love it

The castle was built in the 10th century by King Sancho Abarca of Navarre, and later renovated by Emperor Charles V during the Renaissance.
The history of royal visits: Charles V, Philip IV and V, and even Velázquez stayed within these walls.
The proxy wedding of the Infanta Maria Theresa to Louis XIV in 1660, held in the neighbouring church of Santa María de Hondarribia.
The romantic courtyard and large spaces with coffered ceilings and wrought iron railings capture the imagination.
The spectacular views of the French coast from the rooms, over the Bidasoa estuary.

Highlights

Rubens tapestries

The Story of Achilles series

Tenth century castle

Medieval fortress

Charles V

Royal guest of the castle

History

The castle was built in the 10th century by King Sancho Abarca of Navarre, although it was later reformed by Emperor Charles V. It was a 10th century construction used for military defense on the Bidasoa River, which explains the thickness of the walls and the height of the building. In addition to serving as a fortress and playing an important role in several wars, it also hosted the Royal Family on several occasions, for example for the proxy wedding of the Infanta Maria Theresa to Louis XIV, held in 1660 in the church of Santa María de Hondarribia. In 1968, the castle was meticulously rehabilitated and was reborn as a Parador Nacional, a function it continues to perform to this day.

Architecture & Design

Construction

950

Restoration

1968

The Charles V Castle is a unique architectural marvel that combines elements of a fortress and a palace. This magnificent structure consists of two distinct parts: the fortress on the west side and the palace on the east side. The castle has a quadrangular plan with thick walls. The entrance on the main façade is notable for its small size, decorated with an arch framed by an alfiz crowned with the imperial coat of arms. The castle maintains Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements. The fortress was designed to house the troops stationed in Hondarribia, with five floors that included several barracks, warehouses, gunpowder and bomb-proof ammunition stores, dungeons and stables.

The Surroundings

País Vasco

The Parador is located in the historic center of Hondarribia, considered one of the most beautiful villages in the Basque Country. The mouth of the Bidasoa, which marks the border with France, is at the foot of the castle. San Juan de Luz and Biarritz, on the French coast, are just a few minutes away. San Sebastian and its world-famous gastronomy are 20 kilometers away. Hondarribia beach is at the foot of the old town.