Having stayed in some of the northern paradors and eaten at Malaga, Nerja and Granada, we are now beginning to think about next years holiday and really keen to tour central Spain. Has anyone done a similar trip and have any recommendations for us? We would prefer to stay in historic paradors with great views. Culture and scenary are our interests. I looked at the various pre-booked routes that are on the Parador site but none seems to fit the bill. We are thinking of flying into Madrid and out of Malaga next June.

I find odd that you state that you are keen to tour Central Spain but upon closer examination nothing seems to "fit the bill". What are you looking for? why Central Spain? is this a Summer vacation?

The organised 7 night routes on the Paradors site don't go where we want to go; the only possible one is called Silver route 1 but it has to be done from south to north and we would prefer to journey from Madrid to Malaga i e north to south. We would probably travel next June.

We stayed at the Parador de Almagro http://www.parador.es/en/parador-de-almagro
in 1999 and it was fabulous. The restaurant was top notch. Almagro is a beautiful little town 200 km from Madrid in the middle of Castilla. Windmills, saffron farms, rolling farmlands. Easy to get to on the autovista.

Historic Paradors with great views, between Malaga and Madrid? You could start with Jéan, the Arabic Fortress and then move on to Carzola, in the heart of the "Parque Natural Sierras de Cazorla", not that historical, but great views. The Parador de Úbeda is a great little 16th century palace, but with limited views. Almagro is a 16th Century Franciscan Convent, again, views are limited. Alarcon is an 8th Century fortress with beautiful views overlooking the Júcar river. And then there is the 16th Century Convent in Cuenca, facing the hanging houses and the gorge.

The Parador in Carmona, just outside wonderful Sevilla, might also be a good idea: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/para...FQOIDgodS0CFuw

you do not have to go in a straight line.. there are plenty.. Oropesa (Toledo province) and work your way down to Cáceres, . the historic paradors in that area are all in small towns that are charming.

Thank you very much. It is helpful to have a few recommendations; now I can start to plan but I am still interested to hear from anyone who has made a similar trip.

I agree with Robert2533, we have enjoyed Jaen's Parador with fantastic views on the hilly country side full of olive trees, also Ubeda a great place to visit, this was the palace of a Bishop, rooms vary, not the greatest views but great ambiance and an amazing town to visit with next door Baeza, the parador of Merida offers a great location to visit the Roman ruins, the Parador of <Guadalupe is charming and the little town is also charming.
The Parador of Jaen is a new building simulating the old fortress, the real one (ruins) is next door and can be visited,...we have had wonderful stays in many paradores,if you go to their website you can choose for yourself .It is difficult to go wrong. There were always several promotions in effect helping to enjoying the Paradores , I do not know if they are still on. Now I believe they are privately managed and of course they will not be as ready as the Spanish Government to make little money.

I have not done the exact trip all at once that you seem to be planning but have thoroughly enjoyed several individual trips through the bordering areas. You should be able to figure out how long/short you want to be on the road.. as we do not even know how long this transfer time is between Madrid and Malaga. A week? 10 days? 3 days?. That will dictate what you can do and see.

Whatever you do, I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the impressive, small, once very wealthy towns .

We are thinking of allowing 2 weeks and would prefer to stay at least 2 nights in most paradors.

There are two routes you can do north to south, all in Paradors in historic buildings.
One is basically the Silver tour mentioned, but southbound: Oropesa, Plasencia, Caceres, Trujillo, Guadalupe, Merida, Zafra and Carmona (Cordoba, Antequera or Malaga are not historical buildings). Choose your itinerary from these. You can change or add Jarandilla Parador to visit La Vera towns.
The other route is to the west, those mentioned by Robert: Alarcon, Cuenca, Almagro, Jaen and Ubeda.
Anyway you'll have to plan the drive and make your choice of Paradors.

Thanks everybody.

Welcome.
Come back when you make your route.

Our route included overnights in Tres Cantos, Salamanca, Gredos mountains, Jarandilla, Plasencia, Oropesa, Toledo and Madrid. All Paradors apart from the first 2 and Madrid. We had a fabulous time exploring central Spain and learning of the history of the region. If I had to choose 2 highlights I think I would choose Salamanca (for the fabulous atmosphere in the Plaza Mayor) and Merida (amazing Roman remains) but we have come back enthused about that part of Spain and would love to return soon.