Gibralfaro Castle, Malaga, Costa del Sol

Gibralfaro Castle, Malaga, Costa del Sol

Just Inside the Entrance of Gibralfaro Castle

• From this entrance, the highest point in the bailey, I will first take you on a full circuit of the Parapet Walk approx. 830m, then descend and visit the interior of the bailey and its attractions.
• But first an introduction to the Castle

Gibralfaro Castle (Castillo de Gibralfaro), Malaga Introduction

• When you visit Malaga you will notice from almost anywhere in the town the 2 impressive and majestic castle rising up the hillside near the harbour.
• The castles have separate entrances
• The Alcazaba Castle and palace entrance is at the bottom of the hill , next to the Roman theatre ruin
• The Gibralfaro Castle entrance is at the top of the hill. See

  How to Get to the Gibralfaro Castle

• Both castles & the Cathedral in Malaga are a must-visit being the top 3 attractions in Malaga.
• Castillo de Gibralfaro is a Moorish castle of Islamic architecture. Gibralfaro is derived from the Arabic word for mountain, Yabal, and the Greek word for lighthouse, Faru. There was a lighthouse on top of the hill from Phoenician times. The Phoenicians were one of the first civilizations to settle on the coast of Malaga in the 8th century BC.
• The castle is perched high on top of a steep hill a perfect defensive position
• This castle was built in the 14-15^th century, by the Arab ruler Yusuf, to protect the lower & older Alcazaba Castle which had no defence from attack from the slopes above it by cannon.
• The 2 separate castles are connected by a walled corridor called the Coracha.
• The Alcazaba & Gibralfaro are probably the most important castles that remain from the Arab occupation of Spain. Neither of them was captured by assault by the army of the Christian Monarchs but were defeated by being starved to submission after a 4-month siege

Guided Malaga Walking Tour, Gibralfaro, Alcazaba & Catamaran Cruise

• The best way to fully enjoy Malaga's famous monuments is to go on a guided tour.
• We have selected a fabulous tour for you which
• It also Includes, a walking tour of the Old Towns key highlights.
• Private FREE transport to Gibralfaro Castle. Note a taxi price is around 25-30euros
• English & Spanish speaking Tour Guide.
• 5-hour duration.
• Small groups of up to 16 persons
• Not wheelchair accessible

Entrance To the Gibralfaro Entrance

• The ticket office and entrance are located at the top of the hill with a carpark and bus stop just a few metres from the entrance.

After entering the castle you can't miss the magnificent Canon just inside the entrance. Cannon was the reason why this castle was built in order to stop enemy forces from installing their own cannon in this position from where they could fire on the Alcazba Castle & Palace & easily force it to surrender.

My Tour of the Gibralfaro Castle

Join me on my visit to this historic castle that proved to be a classic piece of an impregnable fortification against the Christian Army, surrender was due to starvation after there food reserves were exhausted.

The Tour is in 2 parts which can be undertaken in any order.

• The Rampart Path Walk
• The Bailey Walk

You pass by the cafe on both walks if you require a drink or snack & a sit-down break.

Rampart Path Walk

The Rampart Walk completes a full circuit of the castle and there are many flights of steps making most of it unusable for wheelchair users and very difficult for pushchairs. Luckily 2 sections of the Rampart Path Walk are at the inner bailey level, so the impressive views can be enjoyed at these points.

The Lookout Tower (Torre Del Homenaje)

• Enjoy the most amazing views from all side of the towe, & from the castle ramparts.
• Ensure you take your camera
• You are exposed to the suns rays for about 90 minutes during your visit, ensure you protect yourself from sunburn.
• There is a very small museum located on the site of the gunpowder magazine, and near the cafe. The museum contains a model of the castle and other interesting displays
• This Tower has a very large flat room & the tower does not have an entrance or loopholes in its wall, indicating that it was of solid construction & a bastion for an array of cannons.
• It is the highest point in the castle complex so it has a commandeering position.
• It was also the most vulnerable location in that the approach slope was far less steep, & there is a hill only 300m away that is similar in height. Enemy cannons on this hill would be a threat, hence its solid construction and also it has a protected ravelin, a large flat topped mound of earth with stone faces, in front of it. A battery of cannon could also be placed on the top of this ravelin.
• This ravelin is hardly noticeable as you approach, so keep a lookout for it, It's between the car park & ticket office. It was probably larger being reduced in size for the car park.
• On he top of the ravelin is a low wall, shaded by trees, handy as a seat if waiting for the bus

We will continue the tour clockwise around the walls..

• View of a tower with sentry box 2 from the wall walk
• The building on your right is the Interpretation Centre

Then we descend steps to the level of the bailey where the wall walk continues. Before we reach the Sentry Box 2 on our right is a small brick tower which is the wellhead to an underground cistern tank for the collection of water, further to the right is the Cafe

Original Entrance Gatehouse

Connection between the Gibralfaro & Alcazaba Castles. (Coracha)

• The original & only entrance to the Gibralfaro Castle was via the Coracha, which was a corridor path connecting the the Alcazaba Castle & Palace, to the Gibralfaro Castle. The pathway was protected by a curtain wall on both sides. The inside of the Coracha is closed to the public
• The 2 Castles are separate monument are 255m apart. Each castle now have separate entrance and have separate entrance fees or a combined discounted ticket to visit both, valid for 2 consecutive days.
• There are only 3 towers along the walls of the Coracha, so the walls zigzag, to give flanking fire along the walls, thus doing away with additional towers. It also helps follow the contours of the hill slope..

The White Tower

North Wall

Cafe Bar

• There is a small terrace cafe bar within the castle, where I had the best tasting chicken tapas during my stay, and considering it's location quiet reasonable in price. The tapas had chicken, couscous and sultanas in it and was delicious.
• Italian and Mediterranean cuisines
• Ideal place to have a rest, a snack and a refreshing drink, after or during your tour of the castle.
• The cafe kiosk by the bus stop was quiet expensive.

Bailey Walk

On entering the castle is the cannon, behind the cannon is a small garden style rectangular pool, to the left of the poll is a building, The Interpretation Centre, which is a small but interesting museummainly showing the history & the life of the Castle as a military garrison and coastal lookout from 1487 to 1925

Water Supply

The castle had 2 different sources of water.

Water Sources

• A 40m deep well was dug through the solid rock reaching  a spring.

• Several under ground water cistern tanks that stored rainwater which was directed to the cistern by surface channels. Above each cistern was a small tower similar in looks to the sentry boxes to allow water retrieval. One of the cisterns had a much larger octagonal structure above it.

How to Get to the Gibralfaro Castle

• There is no lift to Gibralfaro Castle. Although there is a lift to Alcazaba Castle.
• Open top sightseeing bus stop number 7 on the map Red Route.
• Bus Number 35, from the Paseo del Parque
• Taxi
• Walking Its a long steep hike to the hill top entrance, but it has great views all the way up. Beware of the heat in summer, there is little shade, so take plenty of water with you & protect yourself from the sun.
• The walking routes South, seaward side of the Coracha are very popular with Tourists.
• The route North of the Coracha is much longer. the slope is less steep, most of the route is through a Forrest of trees , in the shade & therefore cooler. This route is less frequented & popular with locals.

Entrance to Gibralfaro Castle

• From the Car Park or Bus stop, follow the path uphill. The Ticket Office& Entrance is just to the left of the large tall tower with 4 flags on top.
• Entrance fee approximately: €3.50 for a single castle. Various concessions are available. If you intend visiting both castles then buy the discounted combined ticket
  • Free every Sunday from 2:00 p.m.
• Opening Times: 9am 6pm

Accessible Gibralfaro Castle

• A section of the Gibralfaro is accessible for wheelchair users, including the Carpark, Mobility Car Park & Bus Stop to the ticket office, entrance, museum and a section around the museum and part of the garden area.
• There are some steepish inclines and in some areas a few very low steps about 10-11cm (4inch)high. See photo below.
• For a fit wheelchair user or one with assistant to push, these much larger areas are available including stunning views from sections of the Parapet walk that are at ground level, including the very large area, that is the lowest part of the castle with incredible views over the harbour & Malaga. The shaded pergola located there, is ideal for a rest before the uphill return. This is because there are some steepish incline and in some areas a few very low steps about 10-11cm (4inch)high. See photo below.
• Buses, Citysightseeing Buses & some taxis are accessible

Interactive 360⁰ Photograph of Steps near Plaza de Aramas

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