Parador de Pontevedra, Casa do Barón

The Maceda pazo, the first Galician parador

The Parador occupies a Renaissance pazo from the 16th and 17th centuries, with a neoclassical façade, on Rúa do Barón, inside Pontevedra's old town. It was the home of the Counts of Maceda and later of the Baron of Casa Goda, hence the name Casa do Barón. It joined the Paradores network in January 1955 and was the first in Galicia. Turismo Rías Baixas lists it as a four-star hotel with 47 rooms.

Inside, what people remember is the carved stone staircase that rises to the bedrooms and the antique furniture in the lounges and rooms. It has a garden with a terrace, a bar and the restaurant Casa do Barón, serving traditional Galician cooking.

What the stay includes

Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 12:00. Reception is open 24 hours, there is a luggage store, room service, air conditioning and free wifi in the common areas. Children of any age are welcome; those up to two years old do not pay if they sleep in a bed already in the room. Bookings of more than five rooms may have special conditions.

Paradores does not publish a fixed rate: the price depends on the date and the room type, and it is worth checking on its website. If you are walking the Portuguese Way, which passes through the city, ask about the pilgrim prices advertised in the Camino guides.

No garage in a pedestrian old town

Pontevedra's old town has restricted traffic and the Parador has no car park of its own. On arrival, staff point you to the nearby public car parks. From the motorway, the exit Paradores recommends is Pontevedra Norte, then follow the signs to the Burgo bridge and the Parador. If you come on foot from the bus station, it is about two and a half kilometres.

Once you have left the car, you do not need it in the city. The Pontevedra Museum and the Santo Domingo ruins are within a few minutes' walk, as is Praza da Leña, where you can eat at O Eirado da Leña. Combarro, with its hórreos over the estuary, is a quarter of an hour by car.