Palacio Real de Olite

The Palacio Real de Olite in the town of Olite, 42 kilometres south of Pamplona, is one of the most spectacular medieval royal palaces in Spain. Construction began under King Charles III of Navarre — known as 'the Noble' — in the early 15th century, and the palace served as the preferred residence of the Navarrese royal court until the 16th century. The complex consists of two interconnected structures: the Palacio Nuevo, the main Gothic palace, and the adjacent Palacio Viejo, which today houses a national parador hotel. The Palacio Nuevo presents a dramatic skyline of 15 towers, turrets, and hanging garden terraces restored to their approximate medieval appearance after partial demolition during the Peninsular War. Visitors enter through a Gothic portal and move through interconnected halls, throne rooms, and spiral staircases climbing to panoramic roof terraces overlooking the vineyards of Navarre. Interior interpretation covers medieval Navarrese court life, the Evreux dynasty, and the palace's architectural evolution. Original 15th-century wine cellars lie beneath the Gothic state rooms. A visit of 1.5 to 2.5 hours is typical; audio guides in Spanish, French, and English are available at the ticket desk. The small town of Olite — with its medieval walls, Gothic church of Santa María la Real, and wine-producing heritage — merits an additional hour of exploration. The adjacent parador restaurant serves Navarrese cuisine and is open to non-residents.