Gibralfaro Castle and it's splendid views

A defensive fortress

The castle was built in the 14th century by the Emir of Córdoba on an ancient Phoenician site in order to gather troops and protect the Alcazaba. It is a powerful fortress with a double enclosure that originally contained cisterns to support a garrison of 5,000 men. It is in a good state of preservation, and in 1933 the Andalusian Assembly granted it special recognition among the castles of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. It offers one of the most impressive views of the city of Malaga and its port.

The castle is divided into two parts. The upper part, known as the main courtyard, contains the 17-metre-high main tower, the Phoenician well, the thermal baths and information on the history of the castle. Then there is a lower section, known as the parade ground, housing the troop barracks, the stables and the white tower.

⏰ Opening times

Gibralfaro Castle is open every day, with different opening times depending on the time of year. From 1 April to 31 October, the site is open from 9am to 8pm. From 1 November to 31 March, it is open from 9am to 6pm. It is closed on 1 January and on 24, 25 and 31 December. The last admissions are 45 minutes before closing time. Good to know, the lift is closed on Mondays.

👛 Price

Full price: €3.50

Reduced ticket: 1.50 (students, over 65s, unemployed)

Free on Sundays after 2pm

Combined tickets are also available for the Alcazaba citadel.

Full price for both monuments: €5.50

Reduced price for both monuments: €2.50 (students, over-65s, unemployed)

🚌 Getting there

The castle is located on the heights to the east of Malaga's historic centre. So you'll have to climb a bit, but the view and the location are well worth it. Several bus routes also serve this historic site. The Camino de Gibralfaro stop on line 35 will drop you off just a few minutes' walk away. The Paseo del Parque stop on lines 1, 3, 14 and 21 will take you to 19. The Plaza de la Merced stop on line C1 will take you to your destination in 24 minutes on foot. minutes on foot. The Alameda Principal - Sur stop on line 7, 20, is 29 minutes' walk away.

Where to sleep?

⭐ Hotel Parador

Just a stone's throw from the castle, theHotel Parador offers one of the best views of the city and port of Malaga. The all-stone-built hotel is situated in a privileged position on Mount Gibralfaro. You can also enjoy its swimming pool, open all year round except January, on the hotel's penthouse. There is also a restaurant offering traditional Malaga cuisine using seasonal produce in an exceptional setting. The hotel has a free car park, but please note that heavy vehicles over 5 tonnes and over 6 metres in length are not permitted.

For more information, please visit the hotel's website.