The Alcazaba, a fortress that has stood the test of time

The Alcazaba, largely built in the 11th century on Roman remains, has been the residence of Muslim and Christian kings and governors. Between the 13th and 16th centuries, the building was renovated and linked to **Gibralfaro Castle. One of the most important events in the history of the Alcazaba took place during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs. It was besieged and then returned to the Catholic monarchs after a long period of blockade. The cross and banner on the Torre del Homenaje bear witness to this victory. The palace was originally built for defensive purposes. However, it was put to many different uses during the 19th century: it was turned into a refuge for delinquents and a home for the marginalised and destitute. Today, it is owned by the local council and houses an archaeological museum. It was declared a National Monument in 1933, and 60 years later the Assembly of Andalusia granted it special recognition among the castles of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. A must-see for history lovers or those simply curious about the history of Malaga.

⏰ Opening times

The Alcazaba citadel is open every day, with different opening times depending on the time of year. From 1 April to 31 October, the site is open from 9am to 8pm. From 1 November to 31 March, it is open from 9am to 6pm. It is closed on 1 January and on 24, 25 and 31 December. The last admissions are 45 minutes before closing time.

• Good to know: the lift is closed on Mondays.

👛 Price

• Full price: €3.50
• Reduced ticket: 1.50 (students, over 65s, unemployed)
• Free on Sundays after 2pm
• Combined tickets are also available for Gibralfaro Castle.
• Full price for both monuments: €5.50
• Reduced price for both monuments: €2.50 (students, over-65s, unemployed)

👉 Practical information

• The citadel is accessible to people with reduced mobility (except on Mondays).
• Guided tours are also available
• tours generally last 1 hour 30 minutes
• You can download a free audio guide by scanning the QR codeon the monument's website

🚌 Getting there

The citadel is located on Calle Alcazabilla, 2 to the east of Malaga's historic centre. Accessible on foot after a stroll through the city centre, several bus routes also serve this historic site. The Plaza de la Merced stop on line C1 will drop you off a 3-minute walk away. The Paseo del Parque stop on line 21 is a 5-minute walk away. The Alameda Principal - Sur stop, on lines 7 and 20, is a 10-minute walk away. The Avda. de Fatima stop, on line 17, is a 14-minute walk away.

Just a few minutes' walk from the Alcazaba and a stone's throw from the La Malagueta Cultural Centre is Anyway Wine Bar. A magnificent wine bar with a gourmet shop where you can sample over a hundred wines by the glass, cocktails, Iberian ham and a wide range of over 20 artisan cheeses. Olive oil tasting is also available. A not-to-be-missed experience for discovering local specialities.

For more information on the shop and the products on offer, visit the Aniway Wine bar website.