Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez
The Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez in Cuevas del Almanzora is a 16th-century castle and palace of the Fajardo family, now home to the town's archaeology and contemporary art museums.
About Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez
The complex grew after the Catholic Monarchs took the Kingdom of Granada, around an older Moorish tower. In 1503 the lordship went to Pedro Fajardo, first Marquis of los Vélez from 1507; a perimeter wall followed in the early 16th century and the palace in 1517–1520. The town council bought the castle in 1989 and made it the town's cultural centre.
Inside the walls are the municipal archaeological museum, with finds from the Almanzora valley, and the Antonio Manuel Campoy contemporary art museum, built round the collection of the Cuevas-born critic. There is also an interpretation centre, an exhibition hall, an open-air stage and the keep, where prisoners' graffiti survive in the old cells.
From mid-September to mid-June the courtyard opens Monday–Friday 08:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:00, Saturday 16:30–19:00 and Sunday 10:00–13:30, and the museums Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–13:30 and 16:30–19:00 and Sunday mornings. The museums cost €2, or €4 for a pass to four town museums. The graffiti are shown only on Saturday guided visits booked by phone. Allow 1–1.5 hours; the keep has stairs.
From mid-June to mid-September the museums open only Tuesday to Saturday mornings, so plan a morning visit. Book the graffiti tour a few days ahead, and use the combined pass for the town's cave-house museum.
Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez in pictures
What you’ll find
- ExhibitionExhibition visit (€2, 10:00–19:00)Ticket
- Guided tourGuided tourBook
- Monument visitSelf-guided visit (08:00–20:00)Ticket
- Visitor centreVisitor information (10:00–19:00)Free
Nearby places to visit
The beaches of the Levante Almeriense are a short drive away, including Playa de Quitapellejos (11 km) at Palomares and Playa de El Playazo (Vera) (11 km). Golfers can play at Desert Springs Golf Club (7 km). The Pulpí Geode (19 km), a cavity lined with giant gypsum crystals in an old mine, is visited on guided tours. Inland, the Fajardo family's grander seat, the Castillo de Vélez-Blanco (48 km), dominates the Los Vélez district, and the hilltop village of Mojácar (18 km) lies to the south.
Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez at a glance
Location
Levante Almeriense, Almería
Town
Cuevas del Almanzora
Address
Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez, town centre, 04610 Cuevas del Almanzora, Almería, Spain
Opening hours
Castle and library: 15 Sep–15 Jun Mon–Fri 08:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:00, Sat 16:30–19:00, Sun 10:00–13:30; summer Mon–Fri 08:00–14:00 (to 14:30 1–15 Sep), Sat 10:00–14:00, Sun closed. Museums and tourist office: 16 Sep–14 Jun Tue–Sat 10:00–13:30 and 16:30–19:00, Sun 10:00–13:30; 15 Jun–15 Sep Tue–Sat 10:00–14:00; Mon closed.
Prices
Castle museums (archaeological + AMC) €2; pass to four town museums €4 (reduced €2)
Checked 1 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
Website
castillo.cuevasdelalmanzora.es
Phone
+34 950 548 717
More places nearby
Other places within 25 km of Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez, nearest first.
