The Castillo de Gibralfaro in Málaga is perhaps the city’s best-known monument. Situated on Mount Gibralfaro, 130 metres above sea level and beside the Alcazaba, the castle is undoubtedly the ideal place to enjoy a breathtaking view of the historic centre of Málaga, the harbour and the coastline, a privileged vantage point over the Plaza de Toros and, if you’re lucky and the day is clear, you might even make out, on the other side of the Alboran Sea, Morocco and the African mountain range of the Rif.
The Castillo de Gibralfaro in Malaga is one of those monuments you simply cannot miss on your trip to Andalusia: it will bring to life the historic moments of a besieged, combative Malaga and also gift you the magic of the magnificent panorama of present‑day Malaga.
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The history of Málaga Castle
Originally, where the castle now stands there was an old Phoenician enclosure with a lighthouse within it; it is from this that Gibralfaro takes its name: “yabal”, meaning hill in Arabic, and “faruh”, lighthouse. It was Abd al‑Rahman III who turned the ancient ruins that existed before the arrival of the Romans into a fortress. The fortress was enlarged and transformed into a proper fortified castle by the Arab king Yusuf I in 1340.
The castle is famous for being the last place in Malaga conquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1487. After a long siege, the Spanish managed to take possession of it, and King Ferdinand chose it as his residence, while his consort Isabella I of Castile preferred to live in the city.
The original purpose of the Castillo de Gibralfaro was to house the troops and to protect the Alcazaba, to which it is joined by the outermost of the two ramparts, the Coracha. A second wall, the more internal one, traces a circular route along the perimeter of the fortress. This double rampart, together with the eight towers, constitutes the castle’s defensive system and has made it, for many centuries, impregnable.
Curiosities
- The Castillo de Gibralfaro is so important in Malaga that it is the city’s symbol: it even appears on the flag and on the municipal coat of arms.
- In 1959 some scenes from the film Scent of Mistery were filmed at the Castillo de Gibralfaro, directed by Mike Todd and starring Elizabeth Taylor.
- Every summer the Castle provides the backdrop to theatrical and musical events, welcoming large numbers of visitors and bestowing on them a little magic.
Visiting the Castillo de Gibralfaro
The area of the castle accessible to visitors, apart from the beautiful outer gardens, can be divided into two parts:
- in the lower part there is the White Tower (which houses a cistern), the stables, the parade ground and the areas reserved for the troops;
- in the upper part, by contrast, stands the Torre Mayor, 17 metres tall, the baths and the famous Pozo Airón, more than 40 metres deep.
At the upper part of the castle there is also an Interpretation Centre, housed in the old powder magazine, where an interesting exhibition traces the elements of military life in the castle throughout history. Among other things, the typical military uniforms of the various regiments that, over time, were stationed in the castle are on display.
You can admire, therefore, the uniform of the 16th-century Alabardero Corps, the 17th-century Arcabucero, the Fixo regiment in Málaga in the 18th century, as well as the uniform of an officer of the Reding infantry No. 3 (19th century) and of a soldier of the 17th Bourbon regiment.
Where is it located
Mount Gibralfaro, as well as flanking the fortress of the Alcazaba, forms the backdrop to Malaga’s historic centre. At its foot, in fact, are all the city’s main attractions: Plaza de Toros, the Museo Picasso, and the ancient Roman Theatre of Malaga.
Moreover, with a slightly longer but unquestionably pleasant walk, you will find yourself at La Malagueta, the city’s most popular beach. But as mentioned, from the various viewpoints and from the Mirador de Gibralfaro you can enjoy a truly remarkable view.
How to get there
Reaching the Castillo de Gibralfaro on foot is a nice walk (a bit tiring in the heat…), but it’s perfectly doable by following the Paseo Don Juan de Temboury and continuing along the path. A good alternative is the bus no. 35: you can catch it along the Alameda Principal (on the seafront side), it drops you right in front of the castle and you can buy the ticket on board for €1.20. If, instead, you arrive by car, you can use the car park accessed from the Paseo de Reding side.
Opening times and prices for the Castillo de Gibralfaro
The monument is open to visitors every day. The opening hours of the Castillo de Gibralfaro during the winter period (November to March) are from 9:00 to 18:00, while in the summer season (April – October) it is open from 9:00 to 20:00.
The ticket price is 7 euros, and a reduced rate of 3 euros is available(for children up to 16 years of age, students and senior citizens). Additionally, it is possible to purchase a combined ticket to visit both the Castillo de Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba for 10 euros (reduced to 5 euros)
If you happen to be there at the weekend, please note that every Sunday, from 2 pm until closing, the castle can be visited free of charge.
Where to stay?
When choosing accommodation in the area, we always recommend looking for a place to stay in the Centro district or in the nearby Malagueta: the attractions are all concentrated in the immediate vicinity.
