Hotels in Arenas de San Pedro

Central Arenas and the castle

The town is laid out around the castle of the Sad Countess, the parish church of La Asunción and the old bridge over the Arenal. Bars, shops, pharmacies and restaurants cluster here. If it is your first trip to the Tiétar valley, you have everything at hand and can eat out without the car.

The roads to the mountain villages and the caves also start from the old town, so you can head off in any direction.

Best-rated in this area: Hostal El Castillo, with a score of 8.1 from 1,430 reviews.

Outskirts, La Mosquera and San Pedro de Alcántara

Around the town there are rural houses and farms with gardens, roomier and with views of Gredos. From here the Mosquera Palace and the San Pedro de Alcántara sanctuary are close. It appeals to families and groups who want space, a pool or a barbecue and do not mind driving a few minutes to the centre.

Ramacastañas and the Águila caves

Ramacastañas is a hamlet of Arenas to the south, by the entrance to the Cuevas del Águila. It is small and flat, surrounded by pine woods and countryside. It makes sense if you are mainly coming to see the cave or want somewhere truly quiet, with central Arenas a short drive away. It is also well placed for continuing south through the Tiétar valley.

Guisando, El Hornillo and El Arenal

These three villages climb the slopes of the southern face of Gredos. They have steep streets, stone houses and gorges with cold water almost all year. It is the area for hikers and mountaineers who want to start walking without driving first, because routes to the peaks of the massif begin here and in summer there are swims in the pools. Nights are cool and silent. Arrive by car and bring your shopping, as services are few.