Buildings of religious orders for the monks or nuns built in the period when the church had great wealth.
These fine former monasteries and convents (some declared National Monuments) originally had austere decoration and the severity of monastic life is evident.

	Pousada Santa Maria Bouro	Amares Portugal	Located between the historical town of Braga and the Geres National Park, this pousada is the result of the restoration of a 12th century cistercian monastery. Its decoration lovely combines the severity of the monastery together with modernity and comfortability.
	Pousada Santa Marinha	Guimaraes Portugal	Overlooking the town of Guimaraes, called the "Birthplace of the Portuguese nation", this luxurious hotel is the renovation of an Augustian convent dating from 17th century. Its riched Portuguese glazed tiles, the cloisters and the small gardens are worth to be seen.
	Pousada Convento Belmonte	Belmonte Portugal	At only one kilometre from the town of Belmonte, the birthplace of Pedro Alvares Cabral, this pousada was created after the restoration of the ruins of the old Convent of Senhora da Esperança (Lady of Hopes). A small chapel from the XIII century is still held there.
	Pousada Convento do Desagravo	Vila Pouca da Beira Portugal	Built in the last quarter of 18th century, the Convento do Desagravo was recently converted into this luxurious and peaceful accommodation, preserving, at the same time, its history alive. The mountains of Serra da Estrela, the highest in Portugal, are at a short drive away.
	Pousada N. Sra.  da Assuncao	Arraiolos Portugal	In a valley in Arraiolos, town internationally renowned by its magnicient carpets, this ancient convent dating from XVI century was converted into this hotel Pousada. It is a great example of the perfect conjugation between the traditional and modern architecture.
	Pousada Convento D. Joao IV	Vila Vicosa Portugal	In the historical village of Vila Viçosa, the D. Joao IV pousada takes place in the Royal convent of Chagas Cristo. The convent cells, the retreats and the oratories were all recovered. Its thematic rooms are full of legends and histories to tell. The conventual recipes may be tasted in a royal atmosphere.
	Pousada Loios	Evora Portugal	In Evora town centre, a world heritage site named by UNESCO, the Hotel pousada is set in the magnificent XV century Convent of Loios. Each monk cells were luxuriously converted into very good tasting decorated bedrooms, giving the opportunity to be sleeping in the very heart of Evora history.
	Pousada Sao Francisco	Beja Portugal	Pousada Sao Francisco is located in the antique 13th century Franciscan Convent, in the centre of the historical town of Beja. This is an impressive building with some beautiful painted ceilors and frescos, ideal to have a peaceful stay in a fascinating area with many typical places to be visited.
	Parador Cangas Onis	Cangas Onis Spain	With magnificent views over the Asturian landscape, this five-star hotel is set in a former XII century monastery which was declared National Monument in 1907. An added wing was built in an harmonious architectural combination with the main building. The installations are modern and comfortable. It is ideally located to discover the Peaks of Europe.
	Parador Leon	Leon Spain	This monastery-hospital was built in the XVI century replacing one dating from the 12th. It is considered one of the most beautilful Renaissance building in Spain. Its long facahas carvings depicting religious and historical events. The bedrooms of this five-star hotel are decorated with carvings, paintings and tapestries.
	Parador Monforte Lemos	Monforte Lemos Spain	On the highest point of the town of Monforte Lemos, stands a group of historical buildings - a keep, S. Vicente do Pino Monastery and ConLemos Palace. The hotel takes place in the last two ones. The original monastery dates from the 9th century but it was then substituted by this Neoclassical one in the 17th.
	Parador Santo Estevo	Ourense Spain	This Benedictine Monastery is in the very heart of Ribeira Sacra,  a beautiful natural space where the Mino and Sil rivers meet. It is believed that it was founded around 6th or 7th century. The interior reflects a combination of various architectural styles, especially visible in its three cloisters.
	Parador Cuenca	Cuenca Spain	The Convent of san Pablo dates back from the XVI century and is located opposite the Hanging Houses. The antique chapel and cloister are now the cafeteria of the hotel, evoking the atmosphere of that period. Tradicional decor elements have been perfectly combined with more contemporary features. Nearby is the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art .
	Parador Chinchon	Chinchon Spain	This four star hotel is in the renovated buildings of a XVII century Augustian Convent, which is located in the famous "Plaza Mayor" in Chinchon. The decoration reminds the wealth, good eating and gracious living of the monasteries of that period, with classical and Castillian style furniture.
	Parador Plasencia	Plasencia Spain	The Convent of Santo Domingo was founded by the Zuniga family in the mid 15th century. The Gothic style prevails in the interior and part of the exterior. Situated in the historical centre of the town, it is ideal to discover the architectural delights of Plasencia and its surrounding countryside.
	Parador Guadalupe	Guadalupe Spain	The former Hospital of St. Johns the Baptist where this luxury hotel is set, makes part of the Monastery of Nuestra Senora Guadalupe. The main characteristic of this hotel is the white washed arches adorned with vegetation. The bedrooms remind the original religious functions.
	Parador Trujillo	Trujillo Spain	This hotel was previously a convent dating from XVI century, located in the historical town of Trujillo, the birthplace of discoverers such as Pizarro. The interior decoration creates a peaceful and calm atmosphere, remembering the monastic life. The beautiful cloisters are worth of note.
	Parador Merida	Merida Spain	Located on the ruins of a temple dedicated to the Concordia Augusto, this ancient convent of the XVIII century is nowadays a four star hotel which has preserved its original structure. Its main value remains in the  "Jardin Antiguidades", an archeological collection of Mudejar, Roman and Visigothic elements.
	Parador Almagro	Almagro Spain	This Franciscan convent was built by the Davila Family in 1596. Converted into a four star hotel, the monastic cells have been transformed into peaceful bedrooms. Different atmospheres are recreated in the living-rooms. Cervantine ambiance in the cellar-bar, austerity in the Boardroom and flavour of the period in the Louis XVth room.
	Parador Granada	Granada Spain	This hotel is a former convent which was ordered to be built by the Reyes Catolicos in the XV century. It makes part of the famous Palace of Alhambra and is the most popular parador. The insidecoration perfectly combines Moorish and Christian style. The bedrooms are all different and have views over the Alhambra site.