What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think of Malaga? More likely than not, it’s going to be beaches, hitting the shops, and the nightlife. Sure, Malaga has plenty of beaches to visit along the Costa del Sol, but there’s so much more to it than that. The Province of Malaga has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Many of the ancient and medieval ruins that make up its fascinating history are still visible today. If you’re a big fan of history, there are plenty of castles in the Province of Malaga to visit. Although many of these castles are ruins, some are incredibly well preserved or have been recently restored.
The Province of Malaga is a lot larger than you may think. If you’re thinking of heading out on a road trip in Andalusia, make sure you do some research first. You’ll be surprised to find that there are a lot of castles within an hour from Malaga. I’ve put together a small list of the best castles in the Province of Malaga worth adding to your itinerary.
Castles in the Province of Malaga
1. Castillo de Gibralfaro
I wanted to start this list of the best castles in the Province of Malaga in the city of Malaga. Castillo de Gibralfaro is often confused with the Alcazaba de Malaga, because they sit next to one another. The Alcazaba is what you’ll see directly behind the remains of the Roman Theatre. Castillo de Gibralfaro is accessed by a 20 minute hike along the Paseo de Don Juan Temboury.
You can purchase tickets for both sites at the entry to the Alcazaba, but the two are not connected. You’ll need to leave the Alcazaba and follow the signs to the walking path that connects to the castle. If you’re only interested in seeing the castle, you can drive to the entrance and purchase a ticket there.
The castle was built in the 14th century by the Muslims with the purpose of protecting the Alcazaba below. In the mid-15th century it was besieged by the Catholic monarchs, with Ferdinand making it his temporary residence. It’s one of the most historically significant castles in the Province of Malaga to visit. The castle also offers amazing views of the city, especially at sunset.
2. Castillo Arabe
If you find yourself heading to the famous Caminito del Rey hike, I would recommend stopping at Alora. There are some interesting places to look at in Alora, but its main attraction is the 5th century Castillo Arabe. The castle was built on top of Roman fortifications, and was considered a key stronghold during the area’s Muslim rule.
The castle is currently in a ruined state, but they’ve restored 2 of the towers and a beautiful Arab arch. Castillo Arabe was also used as a cemetery for over 200 years before it was deemed a National Historic Site. This is definitely one of the best castles in the Province of Malaga – so don’t miss it!
3. Castillo de Mijas
Another great option for a day trip from Malaga is the white village of Mijas. It’s a beautiful village to walk around, with a few interesting points of interest to visit. It’s also home to the remains of a medieval castle. There are only a few parts of Castillo de Mijas remaining, including a tower and parts of the castle walls.
The area where the castle once stood has now been turned into a garden, with fantastic views of the coastline. Paseo de la Muralla is one of the main attractions in Mijas and is open all year round. It’s not one of the most typical castles in the Province of Malaga to visit but it’s a unique one. Castillo de Mijas has some interesting history behind it and it’s still very much a central aspect of Mijas.
4. Castillo Sohail
Continuing along the Costa del Sol, in the coastal town of Fuengirola, is the 10th century Castillo Sohail. It was built by the Muslims in order to strengthen their defence in the area. The castle was almost fully destroyed in 1485 though, during the Christian Reconquest. It was later rebuilt due to its strategic location on the coastline. The castle also played an important role in the Napoleonic era during the War of Independence in 1812.
Despite its importance throughout history, the castle fell into neglect. It wasn’t until recently that it was given a new lease on life in the form of an auditorium. If you’re lucky enough to be in Fuengirola when there’s an event on in Castillo Sohail, make sure you get a ticket for a unique experience. This is one of the best castles in the Province of Malaga if you want unrivalled views of the coastline.
5. Castillo de la Estrella
One of my favourite castles in the Province of Malaga is Castillo de la Estrella (Castle of the Star). It may only be a ruin now, but it’s a formidable one sitting high up on the hilltop overlooking the countryside. It’s located in the town of Teba, and it was once the second largest castle in the Province of Malaga. The castle dates back to the 13th century and had 18 towers, which you can see the remains of as you walk around the perimeter of the castle.
Interestingly enough, Castillo de la Estrella has strong ties to Scotland. It’s known for being the location in which the Scottish knight Black Douglas was killed with his troops on their way to the crusades carrying the heart of Robert the Bruce. The body of Black Douglas and the heart of the king were eventually sent back to Scotland by the Muslim king, and they still rest together in Melrose Abbey (the city is twinned with Teba as well).
During the first week of August, Teba commemorates Black Douglas during what’s known as Scottish Days. The main tower has an interesting exhibition inside of it which outlines its Scottish connections in more detail.
6. Castillo de Velez-Malaga
Castillo de Velez-Malaga is actually considered to be an Islamic fortress. It was built in the 10th century and later expanded during the 14th and 15th century. Overlooking the landscape sits Torre de Homenaje, the main tower of the castle and the only one that has been rebuilt. The city of Velez-Malaga was once one of the most important cities of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, because it granted access between the Moorish city of Granada and Malaga along the river that flowed through it.
The fortress was captured by King Ferdinand in 1487 and later turned into barracks and a jail. This castle is a bit confusing to get to, even using Google Maps. I had to turn around countless times and backtrack on myself to find it. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and since it was once one of the most important castles in the modern day Province of Malaga, it’s definitely worth visiting.
7. Ruinas de Bobastro
This may not look like your average castle, but the Ruinas de Bobastro are an incredibly preserved piece of history in Andalusia. Finding the ruins of this fortress is part of the fun. On the road to the popular walk at El Caminito del Rey, there will be signs posted for Bobastro heading in the opposite direction. After a lovely scenic drive through the mountains, you’ll eventually find a little hut on the side of the road where the tickets are sold, and a fence on the opposite side of the road where you need to enter.
There is a guided tour option available in Spanish, but the tour guide let me go ahead of them and make my own way along the trail to the ruins since I only speak English. There are, however, a good number of information points along the forest route that are in English, giving the history of the area and the ruins.
It takes no more than 20 minutes to walk to the Ruinas de Bobastro, which is the most important 9th century cave complex in Malaga. There’s a lot of history behind this archaeological site. It was essentially built as a refuge for those who were rebelling against the Caliphate of Cordoba. Its location within the Ardales made it difficult to reach, and the Caliphate’s troops were unable to attack. This made it the perfect hideaway for the Christians who were living under Muslim rule at the time.
Bobastro was actually a castle of Roman origins. Today you can see the remains of a few key aspects of its 9th century constructions such as the ruins of the Alcazar, the Muslim necropolis, and the Mozarabic church – the only one if its kind in the world. It’s a historical site that’s different to other castles in the Province of Malaga.
8. Alcazaba de Antequera
Last on my list of castles in the Province of Malaga that are worth visiting is the Alcazaba de Antequera. It’s a Moorish fortress built in the 14th century on top of Roman ruins, with the walls of the complex stretching further down the hill than the core parts of the citadel itself. During a visit to the Alcazaba, you can also enter the Real Colegiata de Santa Maria La Mayor which is a beautiful 16th century Renaissance church – the first in this architectural style in Andalusia.
The Alcazaba is easy to access by foot but you’ll need to walk uphill through the charming historic streets of Antequera first. I would recommend parking at the bottom of the hill because the streets can be a bit tricky to navigate the further up you go. The views from the top of the hill of the city below are incredible as well, and if you’re feeling hungry there are a couple of restaurants facing the castle for you to choose from.
BONUS: Castillo Monumento Colomares
One of the most unique locations in Andalusia to visit is Castillo Monumento Colomares. Though not a castle in its own right, this monument was built in the form of a castle which is why it makes my castles in the Province of Malaga list. Located only a short drive from Malaga’s city centre, Castillo Monumento Colomares sits in the hills of the coastal town of Benalmadena, and is an interesting option for a day trip from Malaga.
It was built between 1987 and 1994, in commemoration to the life and adventures of Christopher Columbus. The monument is covered in intricately carved stonework, with the different sections relating to important events in the explorer’s life. Upon entry you’re given a map that points out the key carvings so they’re easier to locate. It doesn’t take long to walk around, so you can easily add it to your southern Spain itinerary, or take a couple of hours out of your schedule to make a stop here.
There are many more fascinating castles in the Province of Malaga to explore, but most of them are ruins and sadly barely noticeable now due to centuries of neglect. The Spanish castles that I’ve pointed out in this list are well worth adding to your Andalusia itinerary, and are under an hour from the city of Malaga. So the next time that you’re in Malaga, remember, it’s not all about the beaches and the nightlife. There are plenty of historical and cultural attractions around Malaga to visit as well.
Drop me a comment below if you’ve had the opportunity to visit any of these fantastic castles in the Province of Malaga before, or if you have any recommendations on where I should head to next in the area. I love to keep in touch with fellow travellers too, so don’t forget to follow me on Instagram.
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