Monasteries were built for contemplation, community and, in many cases, centuries of history. Today, some of these buildings have taken on a rather different role: they welcome travellers with four-poster beds, wine lists, swimming pools, and occasionally, a spa. The appeal lies in the contrast. You might wake up beneath centuries-old stonework, walk through a cloister for breakfast, and spend the afternoon by a pool overlooking vineyards or Tuscan hills. Across Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, and the Czech Republic, former religious complexes have been carefully transformed into hotels while retaining details of their earlier lives. From a 12th-century monastery surrounded by forest in Guimarães to a medieval village in Tuscany, these properties offer a stay where architecture and history are part of the experience, rather than something to admire from behind a museum barrier.
Want To Stay In A Monastery? These 6 Hotels Let You Do Just That
These six former monasteries have been transformed into hotels, pairing historic architecture with modern comforts, spas, and scenic settings
Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães, Portugal
A former 12th-century monastery surrounded by eight hectares of forest, Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães makes a strong case for sleeping somewhere with a genuine sense of history. The beautifully restored property retains antique furnishings and period details throughout its rooms and public spaces, giving parts of the hotel the feel of a living museum. Guests particularly praise the spacious rooms, comfortable beds, cleanliness, and attentive multilingual staff. The gardens add another reason to linger, while breakfast comes with an extensive selection. The setting also makes it possible to enjoy Guimarães without being completely removed from nature, giving the stay a pleasant balance of heritage, greenery, and modern hospitality.
The Information
Address: Lugar da Costa, Largo Domingos Leite de Castro, 4810-011 Guimarães, Portugal
Tariff: INR 10,700 onwards
Contact: +351 253 511 249
Website: www.pousadas.pt/en/hotel/pousada-guimaraes
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Compare the hotel's direct rate with major booking platforms, and check whether breakfast or flexible cancellation is included before booking.
Things to do nearby: Explore Guimarães Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit Guimarães Castle and the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza.
Katikies Garden Santorini, Greece
For a stay that combines Santorini's famous scenery with a little history, Katikies Garden Santorini occupies a former monastery in the heart of Fira. The central location puts restaurants, shops, and attractions within walking distance, while the hotel itself offers a more secluded base. Guests praise its spacious, beautifully decorated rooms, polished service, and generous breakfast, with options ranging from fresh pastries and cheeses to eggs, yoghurt, pancakes, and fruit. Some rooms also come with private pools or jetted tubs overlooking the sea. The pool area offers another vantage point over Fira and the Aegean, making the property particularly suited to travellers seeking a romantic Santorini stay with a historic edge.
The Information
Address: Old catholic monastery, Thira 847 00, Greece
Tariff: INR 36,000 onwards
Contact: +30 2286 440900
Website: www.katikies.com/katikiesgardensantorini/
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Compare direct and booking-platform rates, particularly for packages that include breakfast, and check room categories carefully if a sea view or private pool matters to you.
Things to do nearby: Walk through Fira, explore the caldera viewpoints, and take a trip to the archaeological site of Akrotiri.
Pousada Mosteiro Crato, Portugal
Set in Portugal's Upper Alentejo region, Pousada Mosteiro Crato occupies a former monastery that has been restored into a spacious hotel. Its rooms retain historic details while incorporating contemporary comforts, and many offer views across the surrounding landscape. Breakfast is one of the property's highlights, with guests praising its variety, and use of local produce. The pool is another appealing feature, particularly for travellers looking to spend an afternoon outdoors, while the hotel's service is frequently singled out for its friendliness and efficiency. There are some mixed views about dining, maintenance, and certain spa facilities, but the combination of heritage architecture, rural surroundings, and modern amenities remains the hotel's defining draw.
The Information
Address: R. do Mosteiro, 7430-999 Crato, Portugal
Tariff: INR 10,715 onwards
Contact: +351 245 997 210
Website: www.pousadas.pt/en/hotel/pousada-crato
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Compare different sites, fixed, and non-refundable rates, and look for packages that bundle breakfast or spa access if you plan to use the facilities.
Things to do nearby: Explore the historic town of Crato, visit local castles and monasteries, and drive through the Upper Alentejo countryside.
Castilla Termal Valbuena, Spain
Surrounded by vineyards in Spain's Ribera del Duero wine region, Castilla Termal Valbuena turns an ancient monastery into a polished wellness retreat. The restoration preserves the property's historic character while adding spacious rooms, contemporary comforts, and an extensive spa. Guests particularly enjoy the breakfast, which features a wide selection of local and high-quality produce, as well as the outdoor pool overlooking the vineyards. The surrounding wine country gives the hotel another dimension, with wineries making it a natural base for exploring the region. It is the sort of property where a day can easily move from a morning spa treatment to a long lunch and an afternoon tasting without requiring much planning.
The Information
Address: C. Murallas, s/n, 47359 San Bernardo, Valladolid, Spain
Tariff: INR 37,466 onwards
Contact: +34 983 68 30 40
Website: www.castillatermal.com/en/hotels/castile-and-leon/castilla-termal-monasterio-de-valbuena/
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Compare room-only and spa-inclusive packages, and check whether treatments or access to thermal facilities are included in the quoted rate.
Things to do nearby: Visit Ribera del Duero wineries, explore Valladolid and tour the historic towns and villages along the Duero.
Augustine, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
In Prague's historic centre, Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel occupies a former monastery in a particularly enviable position between Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. The location makes it easy to explore the city's major landmarks on foot, while the hotel's historic character gives the stay a more distinctive feel than a conventional luxury city hotel. Guests praise its spacious, spotless rooms, castle views, attentive staff, and extensive breakfast. The interiors balance the building's heritage with contemporary comforts, creating an elegant base for a Prague break. For travellers who want to spend their days exploring the city's architecture and return to a hotel with plenty of its own history, Augustine fits the brief neatly.
The Information
Address: Letenská 12/33, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia
Tariff: INR 36,740 onwards
Contact: +420 266 112 233
Website: www.augustinehotelprague.com/en
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Compare direct and Marriott rates, check member pricing if applicable, and look at packages that include breakfast, or other hotel benefits.
Things to do nearby: Visit Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral, walk across Charles Bridge, and explore Malá Strana.
Castel Monastero, Tuscany, Italy
About 23 km from Siena, Castel Monastero is centred around a restored medieval village and former monastery in the Tuscan countryside. Its 74 rooms and suites, including a villa, pair natural materials with contemporary rustic interiors, while views extend towards the surrounding Chianti landscape. The property has a medieval piazza and village streets alongside gardens, indoor and outdoor pools, and wellness facilities. Guests can also arrange activities such as horseback riding, wine tours, and cooking classes. Dining reviews are more varied, but the setting, architecture, and service remain central to the experience. For travellers looking beyond the standard Tuscan villa, staying within a restored medieval settlement offers a more immersive way to experience the region.
The Information
Address: Loc. Monastero D'Ombrone, 19, 53019 Castelnuovo Berardenga SI, Italy
Tariff: INR 50,088 onwards
Contact: +39 0577 570570
Website: www.castelmonastero.com/
How to get the best deal on the hotel: Compare seasonal rates and packages, particularly those combining accommodation with wellness experiences, meals or wine activities.
Things to do nearby: Spend a day in Siena, explore Chianti's vineyards, and visit the medieval villages of the Tuscan countryside.
FAQs
1. Can you stay in a former monastery?
Yes. Several historic monasteries have been converted into hotels while retaining their original architecture and character.
2. Which countries have monastery hotels featured here?
The list includes properties in Portugal, Greece, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Italy.
3. Are these monastery hotels suitable for luxury holidays?
Yes. Many offer upscale rooms, spas, pools, restaurants, and other contemporary hotel facilities.
4. Which monastery hotel is near vineyards?
Castilla Termal Valbuena in Spain, and Castel Monastero in Tuscany are both surrounded by wine country.
5. Which former monastery hotel is in Prague?
Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague occupies a former monastery in the city's historic centre.
