Alcazaba Malaga – Tickets and Guide
Alcazaba Malaga – Tickets and Guide
Tourist and Visitor Information for Alcazaba Malaga
The Alcazaba Malaga is a historic fortress located in the city centre. It’s one of the best-preserved Moorish fortresses in Spain with impressive architecture, beautiful gardens, and breathtaking views of Malaga and the Mediterranean Sea.
It’s one of the most popular attractions when in Malaga and a must-do when visiting as a tourist!
Alcazaba Malaga General Information |
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Location |
C/ Alcazabilla, 2, 29012 Málaga, Spain |
Opening Times |
From April 1st to October 31st: 9AM – 8PM
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Entry and Tickets |
– Tickets to the Alcazaba are €3.50 (€1.50 for students and senior citizens)
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Alcazaba Malaga Tickets and Tours |
How to buy tickets to Alcazaba Malaga
Tickets for the Alcazaba can be purchased on-site at the ticket office (half-way up the hill leading to the entrance gate). Book Entry Ticket: |
Visiting the Alcazaba Malaga
To get to the Alcazaba you’ll need to start from Plaza de la Aduana (centre of Malaga) where you’ll see sign posting to the fortress.
Access starts with a small but fairly steep hill to the entrance. The ticket office can be found as you climb the hill where you can buy entry tickets and guided tours.
In my opinion the best time to visit the Alcazaba is first thing in the morning or in time for the evening sunset.
Just make sure that you arrive at least 30 minutes before closing otherwise you will be turned away – even if just popping back to get photos of the sunset!
There is a lot of walking involved when visiting the Alcazaba Malaga, including a steep slope to the entrance and some stairs involved, so make sure you have comfortable shoes.
I’ve found that exploring the whole Alcazaba takes around 90 minutes, but I would schedule around 2 hours to ensure you get the full experience.
Top Tip: The Alcazaba Malaga has a small on-site cafe, however it can get very busy (with queues) and is a little on the expensive side. Bring snacks and water with you when visiting – especially on a warm day – it can be physically draining exploring the fortress.
Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle Connection
When visiting the Alcazaba you’ll also notice Gibralfaro Castle, a castle built to provide additional defences to Malaga and that towers over the fortress.
It’s highly recommended to visit both, and you’ll receive a discount when buying combination tickets from either ticket office.
However it is worth noting that there is no direct access between the two sites, and that you need to exit the Alcazaba and walk all the way up to Gibralfaro.
There is also a tourist train that takes you between the two landmarks.
History of Alcazaba Malaga
The Alcazaba Malaga was initially built in the 8th century during the reign of Abd ar-Rahman I (the first Emir of Cordoba) as a defensive fortification for the city.
Strategically located, the fortress enabled the city to see far across the Mediterranean sea, and offered views overlooking the mountain ranges to the East.
Over the next few centuries, the fortress was expanded and transformed under various Muslim rulers.
In 1487, Catholic Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand captured Malaga, which led to the the Alcazaba changing its whole religious alignment.
Despite the drastic change, the fortress only underwent a few modifications (a testament to how beautiful the Alcazaba was) and remained relatively intact.
Over the next few centuries it continued to be used a military fortification, before being fully restored in the 1930s to one of Malaga’s most visited and popular tourist attractions.
Alcazaba Malaga – What to See
The first stop when entering the Alcazaba is the Puerta de la Boveda (Spanish for Gate of the Vault). This grand door/gate was a clever defensive ploy from the locals as it forces you to walk back on yourself to enter the fortress.
The next stop is Puerta de la Columnas which is a large collection of Roman columns flanking the main door/gate.
From here you can then enter the fortresses inner courtyard through a further gate (yes there are a lot!) which incorporates the Torre del Cristo (Christ’s Tower).
After exploring the outer courtyards and gardens, you can then make your way into the main palace itself – a truly magnificent space. Explore the many rooms, courtyards, and patios and try to not get lost! I would advise at least 45 minutes exploring the main palace.
As with many palaces in the south of Spain, the Alcazaba has beautiful gardens spread out across courtyards and patios. The Patio de los Surtidores is especially elegant with it’s flower display and small water features – an excellent spot for photos!
Although not directly linked, make sure you visit the Gibralfaro Castle as part of your visit – it towers over the fortress and the two landmarks share a lot of history.
The Alcazaba Malaga also has a small archeological museum with a few random pieces on display. It’s honestly very small and with limited information available, I wouldn’t waste time on it if you’re in a rush.
Visit the official Alcazaba Malaga Website for up-to-date Information.
Alcazaba Malaga Location and How to Get There
The Alcazaba is located in central Malaga, in the Centro Historico district, making it convenient to visit alongside a large number of Malaga’s top attractions.
The Cathedral and Picasso Museum are both within minutes walk of the fortress making it easy for tourists visiting Malaga.
With regards to buses, you can take any of the following buses (1, 36, 37, Circular 1 ), and get off at Plaza de la Merced, which is just a 5 minute walk to the museum.
The hop-on hop-off tourist bus also stops near the Alcazaba.
If walking from the centre of Malaga head south toward the waterfront, and you’ll find signs directing you to the fortress (these signs are literally everywhere).
It’s a pleasant walk (especially in the sun) that allows you to explore the city along the way.
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