Alcazaba of Almería
The Alcazaba of Almería is a walled Moorish citadel founded in 955 by Caliph Abd al-Rahman III on a ridge above the old town, its defences running for about 1,430 metres.
About Alcazaba of Almería
The Alcazaba was begun in 955 under Abd al-Rahman III, first Caliph of Córdoba, to guard the port that made Almería one of the richest cities of al-Andalus. It grew under the 11th-century taifa kings and was damaged in the earthquake of about 1522. With the Muralla de Jayrán, its walls run for about 1,430 metres, making it the second-largest Moorish citadel in Spain after the Alhambra. It became a national monument in 1931.
Three enclosures climb the ridge. The first, once a camp and refuge, has terraced gardens, water channels and cisterns. The second held the palace, baths and a mosque later turned into the hermitage of San Juan. The third is the Christian castle, its parade ground overlooked by the Torre del Homenaje.
EU citizens enter free with ID; other visitors, including those from the UK, pay €1.50. No booking is needed, and free guided tours run on Saturdays at 09:00, booked by email from the Tuesday before. The entrance is on Calle Almanzor, by a bus stop; park in the centre. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Steep ramps and steps rule out wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. From late June to September it closes 14:00–19:00 and reopens until 22:00, and the evening is the coolest time to come; otherwise go early. Bring water and a hat, as the upper enclosures have little shade.
Alcazaba of Almería in pictures
What you’ll find
- Free entryFree visitFree
- GardensGarden visitTicket
- Guided tourGuided tour (from 09:00)Book
- Monument visitSelf-guided visit (09:00–18:00)Ticket
- ViewpointSightseeingFree
Nearby places to visit
The Alcazaba stands directly above the old town, and Almería Cathedral (300 m) is a short walk downhill through the Almedina quarter. The city beaches are close by: Playa de San Miguel (2 km) and Playa del Zapillo (2.5 km) line the seafront east of the port. Inland, the Copper Age walls and tombs of Los Millares (14 km) are a short drive up the Andarax valley, and the badlands of the Tabernas Desert (20 km), used for decades as a film location, lie beyond. Back in town, the tapas bars around the Paseo de Almería are the place to finish the day.
Alcazaba of Almería at a glance
Location
Metropolitana de Almería, Almería
Town
Almería
Address
Calle Almanzor s/n, 04002 Almería, Almería, Spain
Opening hours
21 Sep–20 Mar: Tue–Sat 09:00–18:00. 21 Mar–20 Jun: Tue–Sat 09:00–21:00. 21 Jun–20 Sep: Tue–Sat 09:00–14:00 and 19:00–22:00. Sundays, holidays and Mondays before a holiday 09:00–15:00 all year. Closed Mondays, 1 and 6 Jan, 1 May, 24, 25 and 31 Dec.
Prices
Free for EU citizens with ID; other visitors (including UK) €1.50
Checked 1 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
Website
museosdeandalucia.es/web/conjuntomonumentallaalcazabaalmeria
Phone
+34 950 801 008
More places nearby
Other places within 25 km of Alcazaba of Almería, nearest first.
