11 Beautiful Ruins and Castles in Malaga (My Favourites!)
Malaga is a very popular destination for its beautiful beaches, but did you know that there are incredible castles in Malaga too?
The beautiful Alcazaba de Malaga, Bil-Bil Castle and the unique Colomares Castle are only a few of the many castles you can find in the province.
Whether you love learning about history and architecture or getting the best panoramic views, Malaga and its surroundings will amaze you.
In this blog, I’m sharing with you my favourite castles and ruins in Malaga City as well as in the whole province, including the ones you don’t want to miss.
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11 Beautiful castles to visit in Malaga and Costa del Sol
1. Castillo de Gibralfaro
This list of castles in Malaga has to start with the main castle in the city, Castillo de Gibralfaro, also known as Gibralfaro Castle in English.
This 14th-century castle sits atop Mount Gibralfaro and overlooks the entire city, offering the best panoramic views of Malaga.
Although it is said to have been built in the 14th century, Gibralfaro Castle dates back to Phoenician and Roman times, and ceramics and other objects attest to this.
This castle was built to protect the troops and the Alcazaba de Malaga, which is why the two historic sites are connected. The location of Gibralfaro Castle played an essential part in defending Malaga from attacks.
Nowadays, the castle is very well preserved, and it’s a must-see for anyone who wants to enjoy the city’s best views. Inside the castle, there isn’t much to it (at least that’s my opinion), but walking on its walls makes the visit worth it.
2. Alcazaba de Malaga
If you only had time to visit one castle in Malaga, I’d recommend going to Alcazaba de Málaga. It’s one of those historic places that won’t disappoint you.
This fortress palace, built between the 11th and 14th centuries, is one of the most intact alcazabas in Spain. Connected with Castillo de Gibralfaro, this fortress also served as a strategic defence location until the 18th century.
Wandering around the Alcazaba de Malaga is a fantastic experience. Walk its passages to discover its beautiful gardens scented with jasmine flowers, visit the Nasrid palace, where you’ll find detailed Moorish architecture, and take in the views from the different viewpoints.
You can visit it at your own pace, but if you want to learn more about this unique place, you can book a guided tour.
The Alcazaba also has a lovely cafeteria, perfect for enjoying Moroccan mint tea in winter and a refreshing homemade lemonade when the heat hits. I love sipping their lemonade on a spring or summer day while taking in the city views.
Top Tip
The best way to go to these castles is by car. The only exceptions are Castillo de Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba. Most of them are in towns near Malaga, and renting a car will give you the flexibility to explore them at your own pace. Check out affordable rental cars here.
3. Castillo de Bil Bil
Castillo de Bil Bil is one of the most emblematic buildings in the coastal town of Benalmadena.
Its red pastel colour and Arab architectural details make it stand out on the beach promenade.
The castle was built in 1927 and was the residence of a wealthy family in the area; however, the council bought it in 1980 when it became a cultural spot in Benalmadena.
Not only is the facade beautiful, but the interior is, too. As you enter, you’ll find a lovely courtyard with big windows overlooking the sea and a few rooms.
Bil Bil Castle is also home to the tourism office, which is another reason to visit.
One of the most interesting facts about the castle is that it’s the most popular civil wedding venue in Malaga.
4. Castillo de Sohail
Castillo de Sohail is one of the main attractions in Fuengirola. This castle, located on the right side of the Fuengirola River, is surrounded by beautiful beaches and mountain views.
Sohail Castle was built in the middle of the 10th century, but its grounds had been occupied by earlier settlements, including those of the Phoenicians and the Romans.
In the 14th century, Christian armies made Sohail Castle their home and battled against the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. These consecutive battles led to changes in the castle’s architectural style and refurbishments.
Fuengirola Castle has a rich history, and you can learn about it and visit it for free. One of my favourite things about Sohail Castle is taking in the breathtaking ocean views.
Apart from being a historical point of interest, the castle hosts fantastic events – from concerts to the Medieval Market. This is why you might want to check out its calendar.
5. Castillo de Marbella
Castillo de Marbella, also known as Castillo de la Madera, is the most important Moorish building in the old town of Marbella.
The castle was built in the 10th century during the Abd al-Rahman period to protect the inhabitants and attack enemies such as Ibn Hafsun. After this, it was strategically important to defend the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada until its defeat by Christian troops in June 1485.
Due to attacks during the war, the castle has undergone several restoration projects, but only parts of the walls remain.
Top Tip
One of the best ways to learn more about Marbella’s old town, including its castle, is by taking a self-guided walking tour.
6. Alcazaba de Antequera
A 50-minute drive from Malaga, Antequera is a beautiful whitewashed town in the mountainside. It’s home to significant historic buildings and monuments, such as the Alcazaba de Antequera.
This 14th-century Moorish fortress sits on a hilltop in the town’s highest area. It’s believed to have been constructed over Roman ruins, and its location was strategic so the Moorish could defend themselves against the Christians.
However, it was not until the Christian invasion of the Alcazaba that the castle underwent a significant transformation.
Explore its gardens, walk on its extensive walls, learn about its interesting history and stories, and take in the panoramic views from Torre del Homenaje (Homenaje Tower).
Your ticket to Alcazaba also includes admission to Real Colegiata de Santa María La Mayor, a royal collegiate church with beautiful Renaissance architecture. This one is one of a kind, and it was the first one of this style built in Andalucia.
7. Castillo de Colomares
Another castle near Malaga is Castillo de Colomares. Despite its name, Castillo, which means castle in English, it isn’t a castle. It’s actually a monument in the shape of a castle.
Regardless, it’s worth visiting Castillo de Colomares. Not only is it unique for its detailed architecture, but the views you get from it are too.
This sort of castle in Benalmadena Pueblo was built to commemorate the life and adventures of Christopher Columbus.
As you enter the castle, you’ll be amazed by the architectural details from the predominant cultures at the time (Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, and Mudejar). The informative panels across the monument also teach you about this project.
Last but not least, if you love photography, you’ll be in your world. Castillo de Colomares is one of the most picturesque places in Benalmadena.
My pro tip is to visit it early in the morning to avoid crowds and the heat in the summer months. In addition to this, apart from going to Colomares Castle, explore the old town of Benalmadena and head to another hidden gem – the Buddha Temple.
8. Castillo de Comares
Castillo de Comares, called La Tahoma, is situated in the charming small town of Comares in the Axarquia region.
There isn’t much information available about this castle; however, it’s confirmed that it was built during the Arab period on top of Roman ruins.
Unfortunately, you can only see the remains of some of the walls, but it’s worth visiting to admire the beautiful viewpoints overlooking the town of Comares and the mountains. It’s one of the best places to enjoy the sunrise or sunset.
9. Castillo de Mijas
Like most fortresses, Castillo de Mijas was built to protect the town from attacks.
There isn’t much information available about this castle. Still, an old document confirms that it was built before the reign of the Spanish Catholic Kings, as they sent someone to analyse the conditions of Mijas Castle.
At present, you can’t really tell there was a castle, with the exception of its tower, which you can climb and admire splendid views of Mijas Pueblo.
Although you might not come all the way from Malaga to see the tower, I highly recommend visiting Mijas Pueblo because it is one of the most enchanting towns on the Costa del Sol and has other beautiful attractions.
10. Castillo de Álora
If you want to explore the mountainside of Malaga, add Alora to your list. This town, located 40 minutes from Malaga, has a few historic buildings and monuments worth seeing, including the Castillo de Alora.
Alora Castle is in the highest part of the town, on Cerro de las Torres. It was built above a Phoenician and Roman church; however, the current structure dates from Arab times.
It was declared a Historic National Monument in 1931 despite the incomplete castle. You can only see its remains now – two towers and a pointed horseshoe arch.
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11. Castillo de Vélez-Malaga
Castillo de Vélez-Málaga is situated atop a hill, offering beautiful views of the Axarquia and the Mediterranean Sea.
Velez-Malaga Castle was built in the 10th century, but was refurbished between the 14th and 15th centuries and became a very important Alcazaba in the Nasrid Kingdom, serving as a defence point for the whole town.
It’s one of the must-see castles near Malaga because it’s well-preserved. You can go inside the castle, climb up to its tower, called Torre Homenaje, and take in the panoramic views.
Map with all the castles in Malaga
Click on the map below to open it in Google Maps. You can access directions to each of the Malaga castles mentioned in this article.
Conclusion on castles in Malaga
Although Malaga isn’t well-known for its castles, you can find quite a few in towns near Malaga, so I highly recommend renting a car.
If you love visiting castles, other incredible castles in Spain are worth visiting, too. For example, Alcázar de Segovia and Castillo de Manzanares el Real.
Are you adding any of these castles in Malaga to your list?
Safe adventures!
Cristina xx
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Key things to do before travelling to Malaga
- Book cheap flights to Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) with Skyscanner.
- Are you looking for accommodation in Malaga? Check out this hotel guide.
- Discover all the amazing activities you can do in Malaga and its surroundings with Get Your Guide.
- Travelling around Malaga and the Costa del Sol? Hire a car with Discover Cars.
- Book travel insurance for your trip; it’s a must! SafetyWing offers flexible travel and health insurance.
