Castillo Sohail

About Castillo Sohail

The castle stands on a lone 38-metre hill at the mouth of the Fuengirola river. Roman remains, perhaps of the town of Suel, lie on its slopes. A first tower rose in the 10th or 11th century, and in the 12th century the Almoravids built the walled enclosure seen today. Christian troops took it in 1485, and Napoleon's army blew up its south-west corner during the Peninsular War.

Visitors cross the parade ground and climb onto ramparts and towers, including the keep. Later changes are easy to read: a direct gate replaced the bent entrance, and an eastern tower gave way to a gun platform. Views take in the river mouth, the beaches and the Sierra de Mijas. It now hosts concerts and the Marenostrum festival.

Entry is free and no booking is needed. From late September it opens Tuesday to Friday 10:00–14:00 and at weekends and on holidays 10:00–18:00; it is closed on Mondays and during weather alerts, with restricted opening in summer during the festival. It is on Calle Tartesios at the south-western end of the seafront promenade. Allow 45 minutes. The ramparts have steps, but the approach and open courtyard are easy for families.

A weekend afternoon outside summer gives the longest hours. From June to September check the town's tourism website first, as concerts often change the timetable.

Castillo Sohail in pictures

What you’ll find

• Free entryFree visit (10:00–14:00)Free
• Monument visitSelf-guided visit (10:00–14:00)Ticket
• Ramparts walkWall walk (10:00–14:00)Ticket
• ViewpointSightseeingFree

Nearby places to visit

The castle stands at the south-western end of the seafront. For families, Fuengirola Adventure Golf (800 m) is a miniature golf course with ponds, bridges and tunnels in the Parque Fluvial, and Playa de Fuengirola (1 km) stretches north-east towards the port along the Paseo Marítimo Rey de España. Inland in Mijas Costa, Cerrado del Águila Golf & Resort (3 km) is a nine-hole course where two holes carry across lakes. Further along the coast, Playa de las Gaviotas (4 km) is a Blue Flag town beach of dark sand between Los Boliches and Torreblanca. In the east of the town, the remains of the Roman baths of Torreblanca are a Bien de Interés Cultural.