Parador de Vilalba

Spain – Galicia – Lugo – Vilalba

Medieval stone tower

4-star

The small Galician town of Vilalba lies to the east of La Coruña in the far northwest of Spain, half an hour or so from the coast. It is a good base for exploring the surrounding area, including the cathedral town of Lugo, the pilgrimage centre of Santiago de Compostela and the miles of glorious beaches along the wild Atlantic coast. The Parador de Vilalba is partly housed in a 15th-century tower (in fact this was the original Parador, with just six rooms) and partly in a more modern extension, using traditional stonework. Some of the bedrooms are still in the tower, where the medieval look is preserved with wall paintings and coats of arms, while the majority of the rooms and the bar and restaurant are in the new building, in the style of a country mansion. Facilities include a sports centre with sauna, gym, solarium and squash court and there is swimming in the nearby River Magdalena, or in the indoor pool on its bank. At the restaurant a number of local specialities are on offer, including Empanada de raxo (pastry stuffed with pork loin and onion), Lacón con grelos (pork with greens) and Capón vilalbés (locally bred capon roasted in the medieval style – a special Christmas dish).

There is garage parking at this Parador.