Gibralfaro Castle could be characterized as a defensive fortress. It was built in the 14th century to reinforce the protection of the Alcazaba fortress located on the lower hill below this castle. It served mainly as a place for artillery and a guard post for the whole town.
It is connected to the Alcazaba Fortress by a fortified stone corridor about 250 meters long. Nowadays, Castillo de Gibralfaro is one of the most visited places in Málaga, especially for the spectacular views that can be seen from the local Mirador de Gibralfaro lookout.
Architecture and contemporary appearance
Gibralfaro, like Alcazaba, is one of the best preserved monuments of this period in the whole of Andalusia. The inner courtyards, with quarters for soldiers and officers and a weapons store, are protected by a double massive wall guarded by a total of 8 towers, the largest of which, the Torre Mayor, is 17 metres high. The castle stands on rocks that fall almost perpendicularly to a depth of 40 metres.
In the inner area, in addition to the fortifications, you can walk through the extensive courtyards with cypress and pine trees.
Entrance fees and opening hours
Gibralfaro Castle is open daily from 9:00-20:00, during winter only until 18:00.
The entrance fee is just 3,50 eur, then 5,50 eur in combination with the Alcazaba fortress. Students with ISIC card pay just 1,50 eur, or 2,50 eur in combination with the Alcazaba fortress, and every Sunday after 14:00 the entrance is even free.
Inside the complex you can also visit a small museum tracing the history of the castle.
Official information: visita.malaga.eu/castillo-de-gibralfaro
How to get there
There's a steep walkway of about 400 metres from the Alcazaba Fortress to Gibralfaro Castle, but you'll need to allow for a really big elevation gain.
Alternatively, you can take bus line 35, which terminates here, directly to the main entrance at the highest point of the hill.
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