Frequently asked questions
Both buildings belong to the same fortress complex, which is completed by the fortified corridor of the coracha that connects the two structures. Both were built by the Moors. Their main difference is when they were built: the citadel was established in the time of Abd-al-Rahman I in 755 and the castle of Gibralfaro between 1344 and 1354 in the reign of Yusuf I.
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices located at the entrances to the Gibralfaro Castle or the Alcazaba. They can also be purchased online .
No, unfortunately neither the Alcazaba of Malaga nor the Gibralfaro Castle are adapted to facilitate access for people with reduced mobility.
No, it is strictly forbidden to bring animals inside the castle or the citadel. Only guide dogs are allowed inside the castle.
On Sundays from 2 p.m., on Andalusia Day (28 February), International Museum Day (18 May), International Tourism Day (27 September) and on the day of the European Heritage Days.
Yes, both the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle have a cafeteria or bar area inside.
Along the route you will also find several seating areas where you can take a break and rest in comfort.
Only the citadel has a lift access. This is not the main access. It will take us to the highest part of the monument, the palace area, so that if we want to see the fortress part, we will have to go in the opposite direction of the visit.
The lift is currently temporarily unavailable.
If you have purchased a ticket for only one monument, it includes access to that monument.
If you have purchased a joint ticket, this includes access to both monuments within 48 hours of purchase.
Only if you buy a joint ticket, which allows access to both monuments.
It is important to remember throughout the visit that we are inside a monument, so we must respect the architectural structure as well as its gardens and fountains as much as possible. We also recommend keeping an appropriate tone of voice so as not to disturb other visitors who are also enjoying the place.
For your safety, we advise you to proceed with caution, as the pavement is uneven and uneven, which may cause you to trip or fall. On the stairs, which are narrow in some places, it is best to go up or down carefully and respect other people’s turn to pass.
On busy days, we also suggest paying attention to your belongings to avoid possible incidents with pickpockets.
Best time to visit: Spring is the ideal time to enjoy the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle, when the orange trees are in bloom, the weather is optimal and the sunsets are spectacular. During the summer, we recommend avoiding peak sun hours for a more comfortable experience.
Days of the week to avoid: It is best to avoid visiting on Sunday afternoons, when admission is free and the number of visitors increases considerably, which can make the tour more difficult. However, the flow of people decreases towards the end of the afternoon, making it a good time to take advantage of the free admission.
Recommended timetables: For a quieter atmosphere, we recommend an early morning or late afternoon visit, when both the Alcazaba and the Castle offer a calmer and more relaxed experience.
As both monuments are open-air spaces, it is important to take some precautions to enjoy the visit comfortably and safely. On very hot days, we recommend wearing a hat or cap, sunscreen and enough water to stay well hydrated.
The entire route involves approximately 2,500 steps, so it is advisable to wear light clothing and comfortable shoes to make it easier to move around. Please note that, in the case of the Alcazaba, around 70% of the route is on a slope, so a good choice of footwear is essential to avoid discomfort and fatigue.
In addition, the weather can vary, so in cooler seasons it is also suggested to bring a light jacket.
To visit the Alcazaba, the most convenient option is to park in a public car park. We recommend, due to its proximity, the Alcazaba car park, although you can also opt for those in Plaza de la Marina, Plaza de Toros or Muelle 1.
It can be accessed, but our recommendation is not to do so. The pavement is uneven, narrow and uneven, making it impracticable to walk comfortably. We will advise you where to leave the trolley before starting the visit so that you can make the most of the experience.
Yes, inside the Gibralfaro Castle and the Alcazaba of Malaga there is a bathroom. The bathroom in the Alcazaba is in the middle of the route, so you have to wait until you reach it.
It is not possible to enter the interior of the Gibralfaro Castle or the Alcazaba with food.
Accessible with water bottles. Inside the enclosures there are different water machines to buy a bottle of water and fountains that may be out of use due to the drought.
The use of drones is prohibited in the area of the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle. Both monuments are within a security radius due to their proximity to sensitive public buildings. A special accreditation is required for their use.
Inside the citadel and the castle, filming is possible and there is even the option of reserving the spaces for such use.
Gibralfaro Castle houses an interpretation centre where you can see a model of Muslim Malaga, a collection of military uniforms from each period, furniture, weapons (some of them on temporary loan from the Army Museum), documents, engravings and plans, navigational instruments of the period, decks of cards, etc., which help to understand the long military period of the castle and give a proper use to the surviving walls of the old powder magazine.
There is currently nothing on display in the citadel.
Yes, at the entrance there is a QR code to download the audio guide with your mobile phone.
The audioguide of the Gibralfaro Castle consists of only 3 points and is very poor in its information.
The audio guide of the Alcazaba is composed of 17 points.
The guided tour of the Alcazaba or Gibralfaro Castle takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The guided tour includes admission to the monument, its management and direct access through the group door, thus avoiding waiting in queues. Everything is organised by a qualified local guide, who will welcome and accompany you during the tour, providing you with all the necessary information and making sure you have a unique experience.
In addition, the visit to the Alcazaba includes the Roman Theatre if access is available; otherwise, an explanation will be given from the closest possible point.
No, we make sure that everyone, regardless of age or physical condition, can enjoy the tour, making small strategic stops along the way and adapting the pace to the needs of the group. We’re not in a hurry, we’ve all come to enjoy ourselves together!
We are available to assist you by mail info@castillodegibralfaro.com or by WhatsApp. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
You can always change your visit to another available date without any problems by notifying us by sending an email to info@castillodegibralfaro.com or WhatsApp
To cancel we refer you to the cancellation policy link where everything is detailed. If you have any doubts, please contact us at info@castillodegibralfaro.com.
If you arrive late, we offer you the option to join the next available tour. This is the most recommended option so that you don’t miss any of the tour. If this is not possible, we will try to coordinate with the guide so that you can join at the point where the group is at that time.
Regular tours are offered in English and Spanish.
Private tours are offered in English, Spanish, Italian and French.
Meeting point: Gibralfaro Castle.
Meeting point visit to the Alcazaba of Malaga.
It is possible to make the visit independently, but it is advisable to make the guided tour with our qualified local guides to live a complete experience and in this way not to miss any detail of the monuments and understand their history. We don’t say so ourselves, but the thousands of people who visit us say so. You never know when you will visit a place like the Alcazaba or the Gibralfaro Castle again, so if this is your moment, make the most of it.
During the tour, it is advisable not to take photographs so as not to miss any detail of the guided tour. For this reason, the visit ends inside the monument, allowing visitors time to explore every corner of the monument at their leisure and take any photographs they wish, without the need to leave the site immediately.
Of course it is! Our tour is ideal for all ages, including the youngest visitors. As qualified guides and leaders in school visits, we strive to offer a fun and educational experience that awakens young people’s interest in history and culture. We are not just an audio guide; our aim is to immerse each visitor in the past in a dynamic and captivating way.
The maximum limit per group is 30 people per guide.
Of course it is. If you want to make a private or personalised visit for you, your family, your company or association, etc., you will find information here and if you want to book or ask for more information you can do so by emailing info@castillodegibralfaro.com or via WhatsApp.
Yes, we do offer options for large group bookings at the Alcazaba or Gibralfaro Castle. Whether you are a group of visitors or a large corporate event, our team will be happy to coordinate all the details to make your visit personalised and hassle-free. We adapt to your needs in terms of schedules, specific activities and logistics, guaranteeing a magnificent experience.
For detailed information on our rates, customisation options and any other enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@castillodegibralfaro.com. We will be happy to help you organise an unforgettable visit!
In the event of heavy rainfall due to the fact that both monuments are open air, the visitor will be notified in advance to arrange a new date for the tour.
You always have the possibility to change the date of your visit by sending an email to info@castillodegibralfaro.com or writing to WhatsApp.
If you would like to visit these monuments, but are unable to travel to Malaga, we offer you the possibility to do so. If you are interested please write to info@castillodegibralfaro.com for more information.
We are a benchmark for school visits, receiving more than 50 schools every year. We offer a variety of experiences adapted to the age of the students and the educational objectives of each cycle, providing teachers with a valuable tool to enrich education outside the classroom. Our team is made up of guides qualified in history, infant and primary education and tourism, committed to making each visit a unique educational complement. For more information or by sending an email to visitasescolares@castillodegibralfaro.com or WhatsApp.
The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. In the case of a private guided tour, the time can be adjusted according to your preferences. In the case of a regular guided tour, the duration cannot be modified in order to respect all participants; however, it is possible for anyone to leave the activity at any time.
For more information on resources
historical and cultural sites of Malaga visit the website <a href=”http://aventourate.com” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>aventourate.com <i class=”fa-solid fa-up-right-from-square”></i></a>.
