Fodor's Expert Review Hostal de los Reyes Católicos

This hostel was built in 1499 by Ferdinand and Isabella to house the pilgrims who previously slept on Santiago's streets. It's the oldest refuge in the world and was converted from a hospital into a parador in 1954. The facade bears two Castilian coats of arms along with Adam, Eve, and various saints; inside, the four arcaded patios have gargoyle rainspouts said to be caricatures of 16th-century townsfolk. Behind the lobby is the building's focal point, a Renaissance chapel in the shape of a cross. Thanks to the Parador Museo initiative, even non-overnight guests can behold these architectural treasures on a guided tour.