Loading...
Do not worry,
we wait with you...
The Alcazaba is the Moorish fortress that overlooks the centre of Málaga from the slopes of Mount Gibralfaro. It was built in the 11th century, when Málaga was an independent taifa kingdom, and the Nasrids rebuilt and enlarged it in the 14th century. It is one of the best-preserved fortresses of its time in Spain and has been a listed monument since 1931.
The path zigzags up through two rings of walls, with angled gateways designed to slow down attackers, such as the Puerta de las Columnas and the Arco de Cristo. Roman columns and capitals, taken from the theatre at the foot of the hill, can still be seen in its walls. At the top are the courtyards of the Nasrid palace, including the Courtyard of the Orange Trees and the Courtyard of the Pool, with fountains and ponds, and the remains of a residential quarter that show what life inside the fortress was like.
The main entrance is on Calle Alcazabilla, next to the Roman Theatre, and there is also a lift up from Calle Guillén Sotelo, behind the City Hall. A combined ticket includes Gibralfaro Castle, which was linked to the Alcazaba by a double wall known as La Coracha. Wear comfortable shoes, as there are slopes and cobbled paths, and check the current opening times and prices before you go.
To explore Málaga and the Costa del Sol at your own pace, pick up a rental car at Málaga Airport from Marbesol, with no deposit and all-inclusive rates.
