Built amid the mountaintop towers of the Castillo de Santa Catalina, this 13th-century castle is one of the showpieces of the parador chain and a reason in itself to visit Jaén. The parador's grandiose exterior echoes the Santa Catalina fortress next door, as do the lofty ceilings, tapestries, baronial shields, and suits of armor inside. Comfortable bedrooms, with canopy beds, have balconies overlooking fields stretching toward a dramatic mountain backdrop. Pros: Unparalleled architectural grandeur, panoramic views. Con: Driving distance (3 mi) from Jaén.
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