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The Castillo de Gibralfaro as it is called in Spanish, is also one of Malaga’s characteristic features as it on a hilltop that has the most spectacular views of the city, Mediterranean and Roman Theatre making a visit here well worthwhile.
It was built in the first half of the 14th century by Yusuf I, Caliph of Granada, and the location chosen for the castle was the hilltop on which years earlier a Phoenician lighthouse had been built. Because of this, the Muslims called it “Yabal-Faruk”, meaning “Lighthouse Hill” and from where the name was derived.
The Castle played a major role during the Christian Reconquest of Spain, when in 1487 the Catholic Kings managed to capture it from the Moors and use it to detain war prisoners. The Catholic Kings choose the Castle of Gibralfaro for the coat of arms they gave the city in 1494. Then in 1812 the castle was destroyed by the French army who left it abandoned and its ruins have remained there to this day, sharing the hilltop with cypress and pine trees of the area and a long rampart which originally connected the castle with the Alcazaba but which you can no longer walk along. It is easier and safer to take the bus between the two monuments.
Part of the castle has been transformed into a government run Parador which has some of the most spectacular and wonderful views across the city.

Opening hours: 9.30 am to 6 pm in winter (8 pm in summer.)
Closed on Tuesday.
Entrance is 1.80 euros.