Alcazaba of Málaga
The Alcazaba of Málaga is an 11th-century Moorish fortress-palace climbing the hill above the city centre, with two rings of walls and Nasrid courtyards covering some 15,000 m².
About Alcazaba of Málaga
The Alcazaba rises above the Roman Theatre on the lower slope of Mount Gibralfaro. Most of it dates from the 11th century, when Badis, the Zirid king of Granada, fortified the hill after annexing Málaga in 1057; the Nasrids remodelled it in the 13th and 14th centuries. The Coracha walls link it to Gibralfaro Castle. It became a national monument in 1931.
The route climbs through bent gateways such as the Puerta de la Bóveda, built with reused Roman columns, to the Plaza de Armas garden and the 40-metre Airón well. In the upper precinct, the Taifa palace keeps its lobed arches and the rebuilt Nasrid palace frames the Patio de los Naranjos and a long pool.
Entry is €7, or €10 with Gibralfaro (reduced €3/€5; under-6s free), and free for all on Sundays from 14:00. Tickets are sold at the gate and no timed booking is needed. It opens 09:00–18:00 from November to March and until 20:00 from April to October. Allow 1–1.5 hours. Expect slopes, steps and slippery cobbles, though a lift from Calle Guillén Sotelo, behind the town hall, reaches the palace directly.
Spring and autumn are most comfortable; in summer arrive at 09:00, before the heat and tour groups. Free Sunday afternoons bring queues. Wear shoes with grip, and buy the combined ticket if you plan to walk up to Gibralfaro the same day.
Alcazaba of Málaga in pictures
What you’ll find
- ExhibitionExhibition visit (€3–€10, 09:00–18:00)Ticket
- Free entryFree visit (14:00–18:00)Free
- GardensGarden visit (€3–€10, 09:00–18:00)Ticket
- Monument visitSelf-guided visit (€3–€10, 09:00–18:00)Ticket
- Ramparts walkWall walk (€3–€10, 09:00–18:00)Ticket
- Step-free accessAccessible visitFree
- ViewpointSightseeingFree
Nearby places to visit
The Roman Theatre of Málaga (60 m) lies at the foot of the walls, and the Málaga Museum (100 m) fills the Palacio de la Aduana beside the entrance. Málaga Cathedral (300 m) is a few minutes' walk west through the old town, while Gibralfaro Castle (600 m) crowns the hill above and can be reached by a steep path beside the Coracha walls or by bus 35. For a break by the sea, Playa La Malagueta (700 m) is the closest city beach, and the Flamenco Museum (350 m) is in the lanes near the Plaza de la Merced.
Alcazaba of Málaga at a glance
Location
Málaga City, Málaga
Town
Málaga
Address
Calle Alcazabilla 2, 29012 Málaga, Málaga, Spain
Opening hours
Daily 09:00–18:00 (1 Nov–31 Mar) and 09:00–20:00 (1 Apr–31 Oct); last entry one hour before closing.
Prices
Adults €7; Alcazaba + Gibralfaro €10; reduced €3 (€5 combined); under 6 free; free for all on Sundays from 14:00
Checked 1 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
More places nearby
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