{"id":77266,"date":"2024-10-25T09:38:53","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T07:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=77266"},"modified":"2026-10-01T15:00:49","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T13:00:49","slug":"alcazaba-of-malaga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/alcazaba-of-malaga\/","title":{"rendered":"The Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga: opening hours, admission prices and what to see"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"product\"><div class=\"product\">\n<p>The <strong>Alcazaba of Malaga<\/strong> is the palatial fortress that the Muslim rulers built on the slopes of Mount Gibralfaro in the <strong>11th century<\/strong>, and one of the best-preserved complexes of its kind in Spain. The same site is home to both the military part \u2014 walls, towers and gatehouses \u2014 and the <strong>palace district<\/strong> with courtyards, fountains and gardens.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the <strong>opening hours, current prices and what to see inside<\/strong>. And an important reminder: <strong>prices rose in 2025<\/strong> and many guidebooks continue to publish the old ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/what-to-see-in-malaga-10-must-sees\/\" style=\"background-color:#feaa61\">10 must-sees in Malaga<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2>Opening hours of the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"The walls and towers of the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga\" class=\"wp-image-77261\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga.jpg 1640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Alcazaba is open every day, with opening hours varying depending on the season.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Open <strong>every day<\/strong>, comprising two series:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Summer, from 1 April to 31 October:<\/strong> from <strong>9.00 am to 8.00 pm<\/strong>, with the last bus at 7.00 pm.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Winter, from 1 November to 31 March:<\/strong> from <strong>9.00 am to 6.00 pm<\/strong>, with the last bus at 17:00.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The last admission is one hour before closing time<\/strong>, not half an hour as you\u2019ll see on many websites. That\u2019s the time you need to walk around the venue without getting thrown out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Closing days:<\/strong> 1 January and 24, 25 and 31 December.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Ticket price<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Please take note of this section.<\/strong> The Town Council <strong>doubled its fares in 2025<\/strong> and the old figures continue to appear in guidebooks, blogs and even on some local authority websites. These are the current figures:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>General admission to the Alcazaba: \u20ac7.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Concessionary admission: \u20ac3.<\/strong> For those under 16, over 65, pensioners, the unemployed, EU students, holders of the European Youth Card, large families and people with a disability rating of 33% or higher. Proof of eligibility is required at the entrance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Combined ticket for the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle: \u20ac10<\/strong>, valid for both monuments <strong>within 48 hours<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Free:<\/strong> children under the age of 6 and practising official tourist guides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If, when you get to the ticket machine, you see a price that differs from the one in this guide or any other guide you\u2019ve consulted, this explains why. Tickets are purchased <strong>from the vending machines at the entrance itself<\/strong>, on Calle Alcazabilla: <strong>There are no time-slot bookings or capacity limits<\/strong>, so you can\u2019t end up without a date, but you might find yourself queuing.<\/p>\n\n<h3>When is admission free?<\/h3>\n<p>There are more free days than people usually realise:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Every Sunday from 2.00 pm<\/strong>, right up until closing time. It\u2019s the best-known and busiest time of day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>28 February<\/strong>, Andalusia Day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>18 May<\/strong>, International Museum Day.<\/li>\n<li><strong>27 September<\/strong>, World Tourism Day.<\/li>\n<li>The days on which the <strong>European Heritage Days<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Free entry on Sundays also applies to Gibralfaro Castle. A handy tip: each monument charges around <strong>one and a half hours<\/strong>, so trying to fit both in on a Sunday afternoon is a bit of a rush. Better to do one properly than two badly.<\/p>\n<p>You can find the rest of the city\u2019s free options at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/what-to-do-in-malaga-for-free\/\">free things to do in M\u00e1laga<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2>What to see in the Alcazaba of Malaga<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-6-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Courtyards and arches in the palace area of the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga\" class=\"wp-image-77262\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-6-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-6-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-6-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-6-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-6-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-6.jpg 1640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The courtyards of the Cuartos de Granada, in the palace district.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The route climbs from the lower entrance to the upper viewing points. Here\u2019s what you shouldn\u2019t miss:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The arched doors.<\/strong> The <strong>Door to the Vault<\/strong>, the <strong>Gate of the Columns<\/strong> and the <strong>Arch of Christ<\/strong> They form a zigzag passageway. This is not merely decorative: it forced an attacker to turn several times in a narrow space, leaving them exposed from above and preventing the use of battering rams.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Rooms of Granada.<\/strong> The residential area, with horseshoe arches, columns and the <strong>Courtyard of the Fountains<\/strong>. It is a foreshadowing, on a smaller scale, of what would later become the Alhambra.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The keep<\/strong> and the towers of the military compound, in the upper part.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The gardens and terraced gardens<\/strong>, with fountains and water channels that cooled the rooms by making use of the slope.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The exhibition halls<\/strong>, featuring pottery and everyday objects from al-Andalus.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The viewpoints<\/strong>, with the harbour, the cathedral and the rooftops of the old town stretching out below. They explain why the fortress was built right here.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019re interested in the views from above the monument, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/the-5-best-best-viewpoints-of-malaga\/\">The 5 best viewpoints in M\u00e1laga<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/best-sunsets-in-malaga\/\">The best sunsets in M\u00e1laga<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\" style=\"min-height:148px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(242,140,15,0.28) 0%,rgb(196,182,11) 100%)\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Two of the viewpoints offering the best panoramic views of M\u00e1laga are here: the one at Gibralfaro Castle and the one at the Alcazaba itself<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignwide is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/the-5-best-best-viewpoints-of-malaga\/\">The 5 best viewpoints in Malaga<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2>The Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle are not connected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-4-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"The walls of the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga on the slopes of Mount Gibralfaro\" class=\"wp-image-77263\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-4-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-4-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-4-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-4-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-4-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-4.jpg 1640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Coracha once linked the two fortresses, but today it is not a pass that can be used.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the most common misunderstanding, so it is worth clearing it up. Historically, the two fortresses were linked by <strong>the coracha<\/strong>, a walled passageway that protected the passage between the two. But <strong>Today, it isn\u2019t possible to go from one to the other via the interior<\/strong>: both monuments have <strong>separate entrances<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>To get to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/gibralfaro-viewpoint\/\">Gibralfaro Castle<\/a> You need to leave the Alcazaba and head up the hill, either on foot along the path up the hillside \u2014 which takes between 20 and 30 minutes \u2014 or by city bus. The combined ticket for \u20ac10 is valid for both, and is valid for 48 hours, so you don\u2019t have to visit both on the same day.<\/p>\n<p>A layout that works: the Alcazaba is home to the palaces and gardens; the castle features the walkway along the ramparts and the most sweeping views. And at the foot of the complex lies the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/teatro-romano-de-malaga\/\">Roman Theatre<\/a>, which is free to visit and provides a comprehensive historical overview of the hill.<\/p>\n\n<h2>History of the Alcazaba<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-2-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"The walled interior of the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga\" class=\"wp-image-77264\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-2-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-2-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-2-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-2-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-2-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-2.jpg 1640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The double line of walls separated the military compound from the palace area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The core of the fortress was built on the <strong>11th century<\/strong>, and its construction is attributed to <strong>Badis ben Hab\u00fas<\/strong>, king of the Zirid Taifa of Granada. It was designed both as a defensive stronghold and as a residence for the governors, making the most of a location that allowed <strong>to control the city and the port<\/strong> at the same time.<\/p>\n<p>During the <strong>Nasrid period<\/strong>, between the 13th and 14th centuries, the defences were reinforced and the residential quarters were renovated. This overlapping of phases is why elements from different periods coexist today within the same layout.<\/p>\n<p>M\u00e1laga lost to the <strong>Catholic Monarchs in 1487<\/strong>, and the fortress remained in use for some time before falling into a long period of decline. Over the centuries, houses were built up against it, eventually covering a large part of the site. The <strong>20th-century restoration campaigns<\/strong>, launched following the rediscovery of the Roman Theatre in <strong>1951<\/strong>, they cleared the walls and restored the palaces and gardens. It is worth noting that: <strong>Part of what visitors see is the result of that reconstruction<\/strong>, produced in accordance with the criteria of the time to make the fortress legible.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Interesting facts about the Alcazaba<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-3-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Detail of arches and columns at the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga\" class=\"wp-image-77265\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-3-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-3-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-3-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-3-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-3-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/alcazaba-de-malaga-3.jpg 1640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>A city within a city.<\/strong> It was not merely a fortress: with palaces, gardens, baths and cisterns, it could function independently during a siege.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The name.<\/strong> It comes from Arabic <em>al-qasba<\/em>, \u00abcitadel\u00bb or fortified enclosure, the very origin of all the alcazabas on the peninsula.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Roman marble on Muslim walls.<\/strong> The builders reused columns, capitals and ashlars from the <strong>Roman Theatre<\/strong>, which lies literally at their feet. In some of the arches, 2,000-year-old elements coexist with 11th-century masonry.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Luxury behind the walls.<\/strong> Despite its military purpose, it featured internal gardens, fountains and a natural cooling system based on water and air currents.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It was buried beneath houses.<\/strong> The original route was not rediscovered until the excavations of the 20th century.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>How to get to the Alcazaba<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s in the <strong>2 Alcazabilla Street<\/strong>, right in the heart of the historic centre, next to the Roman Theatre and just a few minutes\u2019 walk from Plaza de la Merced, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/calle-marques-de-larios-la-calle-mas-famosa-de-malaga\/\">Larios Street<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/cathedral-of-the-incarnation-of-malaga\/\">Cathedral<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>On foot:<\/strong> from anywhere in the old town, along Alcazabilla Street itself, where the lower entrance is located.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Without going up the hill:<\/strong> There is a <strong>public lift<\/strong> which connects Guill\u00e9n Sotelo Street with the upper part of the site.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By city bus:<\/strong> the lines <strong>1, 36 and C1<\/strong> There are stops nearby. The train station and the bus station are just a short walk away.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By car:<\/strong> The best thing to do is to leave it in a public car park in the city centre and walk there.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>Tips for your visit<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Closed-toe footwear.<\/strong> There are cobblestones, ramps and lots of steps.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accessibility:<\/strong> the venue <strong>it is not adapted<\/strong> and the route is not wheelchair-accessible. The lift provides access to the upper level, but the interior has constant changes in level.<\/li>\n<li><strong>In summer, early in the morning or late in the evening.<\/strong> There are sections with no shade, and M\u00e1laga is getting hot. Bring water; there are vending machines at the entrance and in the upper area.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Allow an hour and a half<\/strong> to take your time exploring it. With Gibralfaro and the Roman Theatre, set aside the whole morning.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pets are not allowed<\/strong> on the premises.<\/li>\n<li>There are <strong>cafeteria and toilets<\/strong> inside, next to the caf\u00e9 and at the top of the palace.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Alcazaba also hosts <strong>temporary exhibitions, open-air concerts and historical re-enactments<\/strong> throughout the year. One of the liveliest events is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/la-noche-en-blanco-malaga\/\">M\u00e1laga\u2019s \u2018Noche en Blanco\u2019<\/a>, when it is open in the evening.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Excursions from Malaga<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ruinas-del-teatro-romano-de-malaga.jpg\" alt=\"Ruins of the Roman Theatre in M\u00e1laga at the foot of the Alcazaba\" class=\"wp-image-75230\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ruinas-del-teatro-romano-de-malaga.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ruinas-del-teatro-romano-de-malaga-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ruinas-del-teatro-romano-de-malaga-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ruinas-del-teatro-romano-de-malaga-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/ruinas-del-teatro-romano-de-malaga-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Roman Theatre, at the foot of the Alcazaba, with free entry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We are a local tour operator based in M\u00e1laga with over 50 years\u2019 experience organising trips around Andalusia, with <strong>collection point at Avenida Andaluc\u00eda 10<\/strong>, just a few minutes from the city centre.<\/p>\n<p>If the Alcazaba has left you wanting to see more of the Al-Andalus heritage, the two nature getaways are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/granada\/\">Granada<\/a>, including the Alhambra, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/cordoba\/\">Cordoba<\/a>, with the Mosque-Cathedral. And to explore the coast, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/nerja\/\">Nerja<\/a> and Frigiliana, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/ronda-turismo\/\">Ronda<\/a> and the Serran\u00eda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/escapada-romantica-granada-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The Alhambra in Granada, another great Al-Andalus complex, an hour\u2019s drive from M\u00e1laga\" class=\"wp-image-74778\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/escapada-romantica-granada-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/escapada-romantica-granada-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/escapada-romantica-granada-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/escapada-romantica-granada-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/escapada-romantica-granada-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/escapada-romantica-granada-1-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/escapada-romantica-granada-1.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Alhambra in Granada, the natural next step after a visit to the Alcazaba.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\" style=\"min-height:148px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim has-background-gradient\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(242,140,15,0.28) 0%,rgb(196,182,11) 100%)\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Take a guided tour of M\u00e1laga\u2019s historic centre, including the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons alignwide is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/product\/malaga-excursion-from-costadelsol\/\">Panoramic tour of M\u00e1laga with a guide<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2>Frequently asked questions about the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga<\/h2>\n\n<h3>How much does it cost to visit the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga?<\/h3>\n<p>Standard admission costs \u20ac7 and concessions \u20ac3, for under-16s, over-65s, pensioners, the unemployed, EU students, large families and people with a disability rating of 33% or higher. The combined ticket with Gibralfaro Castle costs \u20ac10 and is valid for 48 hours. Please note that prices rose in 2025 and many guidebooks still list the old prices.<\/p>\n\n<h3>When is entry to the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga free?<\/h3>\n<p>Every Sunday from 2.00 pm until closing time, just like Gibralfaro Castle. Admission is also free on 28 February (Andalusia Day); 18 May (International Museum Day); 27 September (World Tourism Day); and during the European Heritage Days. Sunday afternoons are the busiest time.<\/p>\n\n<h3>What are the opening hours of the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga?<\/h3>\n<p>It is open every day from 9.00 to 20.00 from 1 April to 31 October, and from 9.00 to 18.00 from 1 November to 31 March. The last admission is one hour before closing time, i.e. at 7.00 pm in summer and at 5.00 pm in winter. It is closed on 1 January and on 24, 25 and 31 December.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Is it possible to walk from the Alcazaba to Gibralfaro Castle?<\/h3>\n<p>Not inside: the two monuments have separate entrances and the passageway that used to link them is no longer a viable route. You\u2019ll need to leave the Alcazaba and walk up the hill along the path on the hillside \u2013 a 20- to 30-minute walk \u2013 or take the city bus. The combined ticket for \u20ac10 is valid for both sites within 48 hours, so you don\u2019t need to visit them on the same day.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How long does it take to visit the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga?<\/h3>\n<p>It takes about an hour and a half to explore it at a leisurely pace, including the gates, the Cuartos de Granada and the upper viewing platforms. If you combine it with Gibralfaro Castle and the Roman Theatre, it\u2019s best to set aside the whole morning, as each of these two walled monuments takes an hour and a half to explore.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How do you get to the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga?<\/h3>\n<p>It is located at 2 Calle Alcazabilla, next to the Roman Theatre and just a few minutes\u2019 walk from Plaza de la Merced. It is within walking distance from anywhere in the historic centre. Anyone wishing to avoid the hill can use the public lift that connects Calle Guill\u00e9n Sotelo with the upper part of the site. City bus routes 1, 36 and C1 stop nearby.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Is the Alcazaba accessible to people with reduced mobility?<\/h3>\n<p>The site is not accessible and the route inside is not suitable for wheelchair users, due to the cobbled surface and the number of steps and uneven ground. The public lift on Calle Guill\u00e9n Sotelo allows visitors to reach the upper level and enjoy the views, but it does not provide access to the entire route inside the fortress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/alcazaba-of-malaga\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Malaga\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/malaga\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Alcazaba of Malaga\"}]},{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/alcazaba-of-malaga\/#faq\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How much does it cost to visit the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Standard admission costs \u20ac7 and concessions \u20ac3, for under-16s, over-65s, pensioners, the unemployed, EU students, large families and people with a disability rating of 33% or higher. The combined ticket with Gibralfaro Castle costs \u20ac10 and is valid for 48 hours. Please note that prices rose in 2025 and many guidebooks still list the old prices.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"When is entry to the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga free?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Every Sunday from 2.00 pm until closing time, just like Gibralfaro Castle. Admission is also free on 28 February (Andalusia Day); 18 May (International Museum Day); 27 September (World Tourism Day); and during the European Heritage Days. Sunday afternoons are the busiest time.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What are the opening hours of the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It is open every day from 9.00 to 20.00 from 1 April to 31 October, and from 9.00 to 18.00 from 1 November to 31 March. The last admission is one hour before closing time, i.e. at 7.00 pm in summer and at 5.00 pm in winter. It is closed on 1 January and on 24, 25 and 31 December.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is it possible to walk from the Alcazaba to Gibralfaro Castle?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Not inside: the two monuments have separate entrances and the passageway that used to link them is no longer a viable route. You\u2019ll need to leave the Alcazaba and walk up the hill along the path on the hillside \u2013 a 20- to 30-minute walk \u2013 or take the city bus. The combined ticket for \u20ac10 is valid for both sites within 48 hours, so you don\u2019t need to visit them on the same day.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long does it take to visit the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It takes about an hour and a half to explore it at a leisurely pace, including the gates, the Cuartos de Granada and the upper viewing platforms. If you combine it with Gibralfaro Castle and the Roman Theatre, it\u2019s best to set aside the whole morning, as each of these two walled monuments takes an hour and a half to explore.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do you get to the Alcazaba in M\u00e1laga?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It is located at 2 Calle Alcazabilla, next to the Roman Theatre and just a few minutes\u2019 walk from Plaza de la Merced. It is within walking distance from anywhere in the historic centre. Anyone wishing to avoid the hill can use the public lift that connects Calle Guill\u00e9n Sotelo with the upper part of the site. City bus routes 1, 36 and C1 stop nearby.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is the Alcazaba accessible to people with reduced mobility?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The site is not accessible and the route inside is not suitable for wheelchair users, due to the cobbled surface and the number of steps and uneven ground. The public lift on Calle Guill\u00e9n Sotelo allows visitors to reach the upper level and enjoy the views, but it does not provide access to the entire route inside the fortress.\"}}]}]}<\/script>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Alcazaba of Malaga is the palatial fortress that the Muslim rulers built on the slopes of Mount Gibralfaro in the 11th century, and one of the best-preserved complexes of its kind in Spain. The same site is home to both the military part \u2014 walls, towers and gatehouses \u2014 and the palace district with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":77264,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[829],"tags":[861],"class_list":["post-77266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-malaga","tag-practical-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77266"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77266\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}