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Complete Relaxation at the Stunning Monastery in Guadalupe Spain

For a quiet place to stay with great food and an interesting museum on site, we loved the Santa Maria Monastery in Guadalupe.


Whenever we are traveling, we love to stay in unique accommodations. In the Extremadura region of Spain sits the small town of Guadalupe where they just happen to have a world heritage monastery that takes guests. How could we say no to that?

The towers and exterior of the monastery.

We took our time getting to Guadalupe. Our road trip was so much fun. From gaspingly beautiful cities like Jerez, Alcala, Caceres, and Segovia, to wonderful world heritage sites like the Alhambra in Granada or the mines of Almaden, we’d been touring and learning so much.

So, when we started driving in the stunning, mountains of the Extremadura region which is famous for its beauty, its food, and its pigs, we decided to slow down a little.

Did I say “famous pigs” Yes, pigs. In this region, pigs are raised and sold as the famous jamon iberico (Iberian ham).The pigs, born in spring, are put out to forage for themselves where they feast on holm and cork oaks to produce the tasty ham. We came a cross many pig farms in the area, and since it was a hot summer’s day, the pigs were trying to roll in the puddles and mud to stay somewhat cool.

The famous pigs of the Extremadura Region of Spain.

So after a few hours of sitting in the car enjoying the views and the pigs, we were ready to check in and then make sure we made it to the museum on the monastery grounds before it closed.

The interior of the monastery, looking down from the room floors to the restaurant area.

The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria

Monastery Santa Maria Guadalupe's outdoor hallway was quiet and peaceful.

The monastery museum holds all kinds of relics from the its illustrious history. Dating back to 1638, it celebrates two very important events in Spain’s history, first the reconquering of the Iberian peninsula from the Moors, and second the sailing of Christopher Columbus to the New World.

The architecture itself is impressive and one of the main reasons it is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Some interesting pieces included: the choir stands to hold the music, the vestments, and even some icons.

A peaceful fountain at the Santa Maria Monastery.

When you stay you can go to the museum for free, so we waited for the next tour, since we could not go in alone. Everyone must be accompanied. However, residents can stay there longer and wander around the corridors. The tour was in Spanish, so we picked up some of it, but for the most part we just looked around while the guide talked. 

A beautiful bride and groom were having a photo shoot in the monastery.

After the rest of the tour left, we enjoyed having the entire courtyard almost to ourselves. As it turns out there was a wedding party and we watched them take beautiful shots and just relaxed in the prettiest part of the convent as the sun was beginning to set.

This is the entryway to the museum where you meet for the tour.

There is a restaurant on site that serves local specialties and between the five of us, we enjoyed some dishes of rabbit, beef, Guadalupe’s famous morcilla (blood sausage), and fish. Every meal was delicious and since we were staying upstairs, we loved just lingering, talking to the waiter and indulging on some wonderful Spanish wines.

Interior courtyard of the monastery in Guadalupe.

After our decadent dessert, we headed to our rooms. The rooms were simple, but the few pieces of furniture that were in them were richly decorated in reds and golds, and extremely comfortable.

Conclusion

We thoroughly enjoyed staying at the Monastery of Santa Maria in Guadalupe, it was a peaceful respite from some of the touring we’d done on our road trip. It was such a peaceful place to stay, and after a long windy road trip through the mountains of the region, it was a welcome refuge from the summer heat. As soon as you walk through the door, the quiet surrounds you and you feel the tension being released. If you are going to Spain, take a couple of days there and relax.

Have you been to the Extremadura region of Spain?  Wouldn’t you just love to stay in this monastery?

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Monastery Santa Maria Guadalupe.

Sandy N Vyjay

Wednesday 25th of January 2017

This definitely is a great place to stay. Makes for a different experience altogether. It reminds me of the old Palaces in India, many of them have been converted into hotels.

Corinne Vail

Wednesday 25th of January 2017

Sandy, I know. I love the heritage buildings that allow you to stay right there.

Alexa Meisler

Tuesday 24th of January 2017

I'm in love with your photos. Especially love the pigs!

Corinne Vail

Tuesday 24th of January 2017

Alexa, Thank you. I love taking them! And I love pigs, too!

Emily

Monday 23rd of January 2017

Gorgeous! You can see the Moorish influence for sure. Imagine getting married there; you'd have the most beautiful wedding photos ever!

Corinne Vail

Tuesday 24th of January 2017

Emily, We actually did see a wedding there, and you are right. Stunning wedding photos.

Ruth - Tanama Tales

Saturday 12th of December 2015

I have not been to Extremadura but I contemplating the possibility to include it in my next trip to Spain. It is a very beautiful region that is virtually unknown to outsiders. This monastery is so beautiful. The architecture is really stunning.

Corinne Vail

Sunday 13th of December 2015

Ruth, Go! It is beautiful. Stay at the monastery and take a Jamon tour!

Anne Godfrey

Friday 11th of December 2015

Wow - this is beautiful It reminds me of our trips to Vicenza in Italy from Zagreb, all those years ago when the boys were tiny. We would go for the weekend to shop at the commissary at the base there (at the time having two boys in diapers and no commissary in Zagreb). There was a Monastery nearby there too - simple but beautiful and so very peaceful. I think it was called San Raffaelle, but not 100% sure.

Corinne Vail

Friday 11th of December 2015

Anne, I love staying at small places, not namebrand hotels!