The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Alcazaba de Malaga
If there’s a historical sight you shouldn’t miss in Malaga, it’s the Alcazaba. Its history, beautiful gardens and stunning city and sea views make it special.
I have visited it many times since I was a kid, as I was born in Malaga and lived near the centre. Even now, I often take people to show them around.
It’s my favourite sight in Malaga!
Since it’s one of the most emblematic buildings, it gets busy, even more so if it’s a bank holiday or peak season.
In this blog, I’m going to share a little bit of the history of the Alcazaba, the unmissable areas inside this fortress palace, and tips on how to visit it alongside the Roman Theatre.
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Short history of the Alcazaba
At a glance, the Alcazaba Palace appears to have been built during the Moorish period in southern Spain; however, it was inhabited by other civilisations before the Moors. The Phoenicians were the first in 600 B.C. After that, it was the Romans who lived in the southern area of the Alcazaba, as the remains of a Roman villa were found.
It wasn’t until the arrival of the Moors that the Alcazaba became a palace fortress and the core of Malaga City, when it was known as Malaca.
The Alcazaba was recognised as a fortress from 755 during Abd-al-Rahman’s time, as he ordered the construction of a mosque.
However, the most crucial time for the Alcazaba was about 1056. It’s during this time that many of the walls, doors and towers were built.
The fortress palace had approximately 150,000 residents by the second half of the 14th century, when it was part of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.
The building played a significant role for many years but experienced a notable decline after the Catholic Kings’ conquest, and it stopped being the leading governmental and military site of the city from the 18th century. As a result, it became a marginal area.
The restoration and recognition of the palace as a historical monument started in 1933.
Must-see parts of the Alcazaba
Puerta de las Columnas
As you walk up the fortress, you’ll go through one of the main gates, called Puerta de las Columnas. What makes this gate different from others is the two Roman columns on the sides. Some believe that these were reused from the Roman Theatre.
Next to this gate, you’ll also find a wall from which the army started attacking any enemies to protect the fortress. Interestingly, one of the things they used was beetroot juice, as it is very sticky and could potentially cause enemies to slip and hurt themselves.
Torre del Cristo
This is the second access to the Alcazaba Palace. During the Andalusi period, many called this gate Puerta de la Llave because of its shape, which resembles a key.
If you have a look at this tower in more detail, you’ll also see Felipe IV’s coat of arms, who lived in the Alcazaba for some time. During this time, the tower was busy because it housed an altar piece with a figure of Christ inside, so people came every day to pray.
However, before he lived there, this was a simple block of apartments.
Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is my favourite place in the Alcazaba. This manicured garden, surrounded by small bushes and beautiful jasmine flowers, and with a fountain in the middle, is very picturesque.
Hearing the sound of the fountain’s water, seeing pigeons fly over it, and smelling the scented jasmine typical of Málaga when there aren’t many crowds is an unforgettable experience.
It’s also a great spot for pictures! Take some next to the garden or near the walls with beautiful views of Malaga.
Another thing worth mentioning is that before you step into this square, you can check out what it looks like an old well but it wasn’t its purpose. I learned about this when I took a guided tour of the Alcazaba. The guide told us that it was initially used as a food storage facility and also served as a prison at one point.
Taifa-period palace
This palace is the only one that dates back to the Taifa period (aka the 11th century); however, it’s incomplete nowadays. You can only see the remains of the southern wing, which were extensively restored in the 20th century.
The two things I love the most about this palace are the Caliphal-style horseshoe arches, which remind me of La Mezquita in Cordoba, and the stunning views of the port.
The Nasrid Palace
The Nasrid Palace is one of the must-see buildings within the Alcazaba complex.
If you’ve visited the Alhambra in Granada or other emblematic historical buildings like the Alcazar de Sevilla, you can see the resemblance in the architecture.
Whilst it’s beautiful to see, I must admit that you can’t compare this Nasrid palace to the one in Granada, which is much more mesmerising.
Within this palace, you can find two central courtyards: Patio de los Naranjos (Orange Courtyard) and Patio de la Alberca (Pool Courtyard). The names of these courtyards literally describe what they have, orange trees and a long central pool with a fountain.
Local tips for visiting the Alcazaba
I’ve written an article on tips for visiting Malaga, but you’ll find specific tips for the Alcazaba below:
Book a guided tour
You don’t need a tour to visit the Alcazaba. You can visit it at your own pace, and if you aren’t into history, do it that way.
However, if you want to know the importance of this building, who lived there and what happened, you must book one.
You’ll discover Alcazaba in a fun and entertaining way. See photos of what it looked like in the past and hear very interesting stories that aren’t everywhere.
By booking a tour, you’ll also skip the lines. There’s a separate entry for groups with a tour guide.
There are many tours out there, but I can recommend the one I did once. This tour lasted 1.5 hours, and the guide was knowledgeable and funny too.
Wear comfortable shoes
One of my number one tips is to wear comfortable shoes.
The Alcazaba isn’t as high as Gibralfaro Castle, but it’s still on a hilltop, so you can expect walking up hills and taking some stairs.
The floor is made out of mosaics and cobblestones, so it isn’t even or flat most of the time.
You definitely need comfortable shoes like trainers or flat boots if visiting in winter.
Go during lunchtime
Okay, this doesn’t always work, but usually if you go during lunchtime, Spanish lunchtime, which is between 2 and 3:30 pm, you’ll come across fewer people.
This means you have more freedom to wander around and take photos without the crowds.
Another good time to visit the Alcazaba is an hour before closing.
✨ Note: Are you visiting Malaga on a Sunday? If so, you can visit the Alcazaba for free after 2 pm. Many travellers know about this, so you’re very likely to have to queue or be around more people.
Stop by the kiosk
It was a few years ago when I discovered the small cafe inside the Alcazaba.
I thought it wasn’t worth it, but I went with a friend and had one of the best lemonades in Malaga. It was minty, refreshing, and so good.
If you don’t like lemonade, opt for mint tea, although they also have the soft drinks you would find anywhere else.
Visit the Teatro Romano
This one might seem obvious, but before you go inside the Alcazaba, I also recommend checking out the Roman Theatre.
Most guided tours start there, but if you aren’t interested in tours, you have two options. You can visit the Interpretation Centre, which features the Lex Flavia Malacitana, a bronze tablet displaying Latin local statutes, or simply take a photo with the view of the Alcazaba.
Prices and times
The general ticket is 3,50 euros, but bear in mind that this ticket doesn’t include any sort of tour. This ticket is great if you want to see the monument but aren’t really interested in learning about its history.
It’s also possible to buy a discounted ticket if you’re a student, you bring a child under 6, you have a disability, or you are retired. In these scenarios, the ticket is 1,50 euros.
But before you get your tickets, it’s good to know that you can buy a combo ticket to visit the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle. By purchasing this one, you’ll save a bit of money. The combo ticket is 5,50 euros.
If you want a guided visit, book it through the Alcazaba’s official website; the prices range from 6 to 10 euros. You’ll also learn about the Roman Theatre and Gibralfaro Castle in this tour, but you won’t visit them.
This is why, if you plan to book a guided tour, I’d do it via Get Your Guide, where you’ll find tours that include explanations and visits to these monuments too.
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Short FAQ
Where’s the Alcazaba?
The Alcazaba is in Malaga Old Town, a short walk from Plaza de la Merced and the Malaga Museum.
When do you need to buy the tickets?
You can buy them online or at the ticket office on the same day. However, book them online a few days in advance if you want a guided tour, as there are more chances that these types of tickets will sell out.
Is the Alcazaba accessible?
Unfortunately, the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle aren’t accessible for wheelchair users or those who might need assistance with walking. The complex is cobbled and hilly.
Conclusion: Is it worth visiting?
I totally think it’s worth visiting. This complex was a city, so you get to see different buildings, gardens and walls.
By walking there, you get to experience what life was like and, if you’re into history, learn about it as well.
Can it be compared to the Alhambra in Granada? Well, not really. The Alhambra is much bigger; therefore, there’s more to see and history.
Still, the Alcazaba is one of the most iconic castles in my hometown and its surroundings, and personally, it’s the best one to visit.
Enjoy your visit!
Cristina x
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