Our top castles in Spain:
- you can even sleep in some of them!
Published May 1, 2023, updated March 23rd 2024
All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.
Castillo de Burgalimar in Jaén province.
“How can I visit a castle in Spain?”
One of the biggest questions from our Spain Less Traveled clients is to visit (or even sleep in… but more on that later) a castle.
And with over 10,000 castles and castle ruins*, Spain is the perfect country to go castle hopping. Throughout the land, you will find castles from different periods and in different architectural styles. (*Not all 10,000 castles in Spain are open to the public)
In this post, we list some of our favorite Spanish castles. From the well-known ones to hidden gems off the beaten path. Of course, with over 10,000 castles in Spain, it is hard to choose just a few. But these are some of the castles in Spain we think you should add to your Spain to your travel itinerary.
And we can help make that happen. Be sure to check out the professional Spain travel planning services that we offer. Whether you just need a bit of help or help planning your entire trip, we are here to make your Spain travel dreams come true. And bonus if those dreams include castles in Spain!
What are the best castles in Spain?
Read on for our favourites!
Segovia
Alcázar de Segovia.
Let’s start with one of the castles in Spain that you probably already know of or have at least seen pictures of!
The '‘Alcázar’ in Segovia in Castilla y León is one of the most famous castles in Spain. It was originally a Muslim fortress in the 11th century, and it was later modified and enlarged by Christian kings. Its present look comes from the refurbishment done by Phillip II in the 16th century. In 1862 a fire destroyed the original roofs, which had to be restored. Walt Disney used it as inspiration for the castle in his Snow White film.
The interiors are fully furnished and open to the public. From its walls, there are amazing views of the city and its surroundings.
Segovia is one of the most popular day trips from Madrid.
Manzanares el Real
Castle of Manzanares el Real, Madrid.
The village of Manzanares el Real is located 45 km north of Madrid city, and it has one of the most beautiful castles in Spain.
This is also a wonderful day trip from Madrid.
It was built in the 15th century by the architect Juan Guas (designer also of the gorgeous Palacio del Infantado in Guadalajara) for the House of Mendoza, one of the most important families in the history of Spain.
It’s relatively small, but it has a rich decoration, both outside and inside. The charming Renaissance courtyard is exquisite, as well as the furniture and tapestries. It’s open for tourism and houses a lot of activities, like theater, concerts, and more!
Because it is a fabulous day trip from the capital, this is one of the most popular castles in Spain.
Almodóvar del Rio
Almodóvar del Río castle.
Just a little outside of the city of Córdoba, the castle in the pueblo of Almodóvar del Río recently gained popularity as it was featured in Game of Thrones. But our team has always loved this castle due to its immense size.
Visible from the train, visitors often wonder about that castle in the distance perched up on a hill on the banks of the Guadalquivir River.
The castle is of Moorish origin and was constructed during the 700s. During the middle ages, this castle underwent several renovations. Today you can visit it and even reserve tickets in advance for it. In fact, we often add a visit to this castle to our personalized Spain travel itineraries.
It’s a favorite with our clients for sure!
(And this is just another reason why we do not recommend visiting Córdoba as a day trip, which (in our opinion) is one of the most common Spain travel mistakes.
At the very minimum we recommend at least one night in Córdoba for your Spain travel itinerary.
You can also stop at this castle on your way from Córdoba to Seville if you have your own transportation.
Málaga
Castillo de Gibralfaro of Málaga.
Perched on a hill watching over Málaga City, you will find the Castle of Gibralfaro.
The castle that you can visit today was constructed by the Moors in the 1300s, just about a hundred years before the conquest making it one of Spain’s later Moorish monuments. An important part of the Málaga skyline, this castle in Spain showcases the city’s rich history.
There are great views of the city and parks of Málaga province from the castle and grounds.
The castle is open to the public and can be visited. You can walk up the hill or opt for a bus or taxi. But a super fun way to visit the castle grounds and the mirador is on an e-bike tour! Be sure to also check out the Alcazaba (old Moorish fortress) that leads up to the castle. They are separate entries, but you can buy a combined ticket for both.
Jaén
Santa Catalina Castle in Jaén.
We hinted at sleeping in a castle, and the Castillo de Santa Catalina in Jaén (one of Andalucía's off-the-beaten-path provincial capitals) is one place you can do just that.
This is one of the many castles in Spain that was originally constructed by the Moors, but after the Jaén was conquered by the Christians, King Ferdinand III ordered a transformation of the castle. Very little of the Moorish origins remain except for part of the fortress.
A castle that is open to visitors, the Castillo de Santa Catalina also has an attached parador hotel (a chain of luxury Spanish hotels mainly built into historic sites). Those who spend the night will be treated to sweeping views of Jaén’s signature olive trees, meals in grand castle dining rooms, and more.
A visit to Castillo de Santa Catalina is a must-do while in Jaén whether you spend the night or not!
Baños de la Encina
Interior of the Burgalimar Castle. From this vantage point, you can see its peculiar shape.
In addition to being known for olives and olive oil, Jaén province is known for castles. And this off-the-beaten-path province has more castles than any other Spanish province. Therefore it’s no surprise that another of our favorite castles in Spain is in Jaén province.
In the small town of Baños de la Encina, you will find Burgalimar Castle. Constructed in the 10th-century under the Caliphate of Córdoba this is one of those hidden gems as far as Moorish castles in Spain go. You may notice right away that the castle is oddly shaped. With fifteen towers, once inside you see just how massive this castle is.
Castillo de Burgalimar is one of the castles in Spain which is open to the public, and it is well worth the detour to visit!
(Like many other castles in Spain, you really need a car to get to this one. Read more of our tips for getting around Spain!)
Castellar de la Frontera
Castellar de la Frontera castle from the exterior.
In Cádiz province, the village of Castellar de la Frontera has two separate parts - a newer part and an older part. Castellar Viejo, the older part is entirely surrounded by a well-preserved Moorish castle.
Constructed between the 12th and 15th centuries is one of the few castles where a town still fully exists within its walls. Surrounded entirely by the castle complex, you will find a small town with winding streets and whitewashed houses typical of Andalucía.
If you want to literally spend the night in a castle, this is the place to do it. Converted into a simple three-star hotel (not a parador), there is also a restaurant built right into the castle.
On a clear day, from the viewpoint, you can often see the Rock of Gibraltar and the African (Moroccan) coastline, making this the perfect vantage point for protection from centuries past.
Zafra
Zafra Castle at night.
There are many castles in Extremadura, Spain’s “wild west” but the one in Zafra made our list because it is another castle in Spain that you can sleep in.
Located just on the edge of Zafra’s quaint historic center, this majestic castle was constructed in the 1400s to house the dukes from the nearby village of Feria. These days it is no longer a royal residence, but you can see why this castle is fit for a king.
Inside you will find an impressive patio with cafe, the perfect place to relax with a glass of local Extremadura wine or a coffee.
And for those who choose to stay at this parador, you will be treated to grand bedrooms complete with high coffered ceilings, intricate ironwork, and other decorations making you feel like royalty.
Check out more incredible historic paradores.
Cardona
Castle of Cardona. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Cardona Castle is located outside of Barcelona, Catalonia.
Like Jaén and Zafra, this is also a parador, and is one of the most famous paradores in a castle of Spain.
This medieval castle was constructed in the 9th century. As a bonus, you can also visit Minyona Tower as well as a church, both built in the 11th century.
There are panoramic views of charming Cardona as well as the Cardoner River that can be seen from the castle.
The town itself is very medieval a bit too far to be a day trip from Barcelona, we recommend spending a night to get a completely different side of Cataluña.
Peñíscola
The castle above Peñíscola. Photo courtesy of UpSplash.
The castle in Peñíscola located in the Valencia region is one of the most famous and picturesque in Spain, given its ideal position surrounded by beaches and the Mediterranean Sea. There are actually two concentrical castles. The castle on top of the peninsula, and the walled city around it.
Built by the Templars in the 13th century, on top of Moorish foundations, the castle has a fascinating story, as it was the residence of Benedict XIII (a.k.a. Papa Luna), one of Avignon’s antipopes.
The castle has been restored and is open to the public, that can walk through its many bare halls, and it houses concerts and plays during the summer.
Located in the province of Castelló, it can be a nice day trip from Valencia. There is a train stop in the neighboring town of Benicarló, from where you can take a taxi or bus to Peñíscola.
Butrón
Butrón castle, in the outskirts of Bilbao.
The castle in Butrón, located close to Bilbao, is one of the finest castles in the Basque Country.
The castle has its origins in the middle ages, but what you see today comes from the 19th-century reconstruction. The then owner, Marquis of Cubas, was inspired by Louis II's castles in Bavaria (Germany), and intended it more like a playground than a residence.
And that it does. Unfortunately, the castle is private and can’t be visited, but you can still admire its playful and unique exterior from the outside.
The Basque Country is a popular region due to its international reputation for having some of the best food in Spain (and the world in general).
Zaragoza
La Aljafería Palace, in Zaragoza.
La Aljafería Palace in Zaragoza is one of the finest examples of muslim architecture in Spain. It was first built in the 11th century, by King al-Muqtadir of Saraqusta. After the city was taken by the christians in the 12th century , it was residence for the Kings of Aragon first and then Spain. In the 16th century was converted into a military fortification.
The sturdy exterior contrasts with the exquisite interiors, with beautiful arches, courtwayds and gardens.
Nowadays it houses the Aragon Regional Parliament, but it’s open to the public for visits. It’s a very popular attraction, and is often sold out, so a tip that we make sure to give our clients on Spain travel consultation calls is to book in advance.
Belmonte
Castle of Belmonte, Cuenca.
Built in the 15th century, the castle of Belmonte in Cuenca province in Castilla-La Mancha hasn’t changed its appearance during the following centuries. It suffered during the Napoleonic wars and went into decline for a long time. The renovations have been going on for almost 20 years, and the castle has finally recovered its splendor.
Like many castles of Spain, it’s privately owned (by the House of Peñaranda, descendants of the Dukes of Alba) but it’s open to the public. The interiors are spectacular and fully furnished.
Medina del Campo
Castle of La Mota in Medina del Campo, Valladolid.
The La Mota (Hill) castle in Medina del Campo (Valladolid province in Castilla Y León) is one of the most famous castles in Spain.
The present castle is built entirely of bricks, on top of 11th-century foundations. It was enlarged and refurbished during the following four centuries and has had different uses, like the residence of the Kings of Castille, a school, and even a prison!
The massive exterior contrast with the decorated courtyard, which can be visited by the public.
This is a great option for an off-the-beaten-path day trip from Madrid, accessible by train.
Palma de Mallorca
Castle of Bellver in Palma de Mallorca.
Towering over Palma harbor on the island of Mallorca, the castle of Bellver (‘beautiful view’ in Mallorquín) is one of the few examples of castles in the islands. It was built in the 14th century by king James II of Mallorca. Its main feature is its ‘donut’ shape, with a round exterior, and a beautiful gothic circular courtyard.
It houses the city’s History Museum and can be visited all year round. If you go in the summer, you can attend one of the several classical music concerts in the courtyard.
Granada
The Alcazaba of the Alhambra.
And last but not least, perhaps the most famous of the castles in Spain, the Alhambra in Granada. Sure the Alhambra is much more than a castle, but the Alcazaba is technically a castle, so we are including it here.
Included in part of the Alhambra visit, make sure to visit the Alcazaba. It is the original citadel and fortress. You can climb the towers of the Alcazaba for amazing views. The Alcazaba also offers insight into the medina, the urban district where the members of the guardsmen lived.
The name “Alhambra” comes from the Arabic for red palace (al-qala’a al-hamra), and you will soon see why. This impressive red-fortified palace as we know it today, watches over the city of Granada. However, it is a little-known fact that the first palace on the site was built in the 11th by Samuel Ha-Nagrid, Granada’s Jewish vizier.
In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Moors took hold of the complex, constructing the Alhambra as we know it today. Hence, the castle is a Moorish castle.
Not only is the Alhambra a must-see for any visit to Granada, but it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Be sure to plan your visit in advance!
(Be sure to check out our tips on how to visit the Alhambra!)
Inspired by these castles in Spain?
And want to weave some of them into your Spain travel itinerary?
Let’s face it, some of these castles in Spain aren’t exactly easy to get to. And logistically, adding some of them to your Spain travel itinerary would be much easier with the help of a Spain travel planning professional. Great news…
No matter how much or how little help you need, Spain Less Traveled is here to work with you to plan and design your dream trip to Spain, personalized just for you, castles included if you’d like!
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