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The Best 20 Castles to Visit in Spain (Listed by Popularity)

ByZunaira Ghazal

Spain’s castles, alcázars and fortified palaces preserve the country’s layered Roman, Islamic, medieval Christian and early-modern history. They range from rugged frontier strongholds to royal residences, hilltop citadels and even one striking 20th-century commemorative monument.

Claims about the exact number of castles in Spain vary because inventories define castles, towers, palaces and ruins differently. What is certain is that thousands of fortified sites survive across the country.

This updated selection keeps the original 20 places but no longer presents an old Google search-volume snapshot as a current popularity ranking. The order is editorial, and every construction date below distinguishes the principal surviving phase from earlier occupation where necessary.

10 Iconic Castles and Alcázars to Visit in Spain

1. Castillo de San Marcos

The entrance gate of Castillo de San Marcos.
The entrance gate of Castillo de San Marcos. Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castillo de San Marcos in El Puerto de Santa María began as a fortified church commissioned by Alfonso X after the Christian conquest. It was built over an earlier mosque, parts of which were incorporated rather than simply erased.

The compact monument combines defensive walls with a religious interior and remains associated with the Caballero wine group. Its layers reflect the transition from Islamic to Christian rule in medieval Andalusia.

2. The Alhambra

Full view of Alhambra Castle's structure.
Full view of Alhambra Castle’s structure. Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Alhambra is not a single castle but a fortified palatine city containing the Alcazaba, Nasrid palaces, gardens and later Christian buildings. Earlier defences existed on the hill, but the complex seen today was principally developed by the Nasrid dynasty from the 13th to 15th centuries.

Together with the Generalife and Albayzín, it forms a UNESCO World Heritage property. Timed entry to the Nasrid Palaces is tightly controlled, so advance booking through the official Patronato is essential.

3. Atalaya Castle

The beautiful structure of Atalaya Castle.
The beautiful structure of Atalaya Castle. Superchilum, CC BY-SA 3.0 ES, via Wikimedia Commons

Atalaya Castle dominates Villena from a strategic hilltop. Its earliest surviving work is Almohad, probably from the 12th century, although the site may have had older fortifications.

After the Christian conquest, the castle was enlarged by the lords of Villena. Its double enclosure and robust keep record both Islamic military engineering and later medieval rebuilding.

4. Alcázar of Segovia

The stunning view of Alcazar de Segovia Castle surrounded by trees.
The stunning view of Alcazar de Segovia Castle.

The Alcázar of Segovia occupies a rocky spur above the Eresma and Clamores valleys. A royal fortress existed here by the 12th century, and successive Castilian monarchs transformed it into a palace with ceremonial halls, towers and defensive walls.

A fire in 1862 damaged the roofs and interiors, which were subsequently restored. The familiar claim that it directly inspired Disney’s Snow White castle is popular but not securely documented; the Alcázar’s real architectural history is impressive without it.

Revisit Alcazar of Segovia Here (In-depth History, Travel Tips & Video Tour)

5. Royal Alcázar of Seville

A photo of Alcazar of Seville's architectural structure. showing the details of the castle building.
A photo of Alcazar of Seville’s architectural structure. Reflecting Pool flickr photo by Me in ME shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

The Royal Alcázar developed from an early medieval fortified precinct into a complex of palaces and gardens. Its best-known rooms were created for Peter I of Castile in the 14th century by craftsmen working in the Mudéjar tradition.

It remains a working royal residence and forms part of Seville’s UNESCO World Heritage property with the Cathedral and Archivo de Indias. The buildings span Islamic, Mudéjar, Gothic, Renaissance and later periods.

Revisit More Historic Places Below or Read Further

6. Castillo de Colomares

The view of Castillo de Colomares from afar with trees around the castle.
The view of Castillo de Colomares from afar. V.Sweet #, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite its medieval appearance, Castillo de Colomares is a modern monument. Esteban Martín Martín and a small team built it between 1987 and 1994 as an architectural tribute to Christopher Columbus and the 1492 voyage.

The structure mixes symbolic ships, towers and decorative forms drawn from Gothic, Romanesque, Byzantine and Mudéjar architecture. It is best described as a monument rather than a defensive castle.

Revisit Castillo de Colomares Here (In-depth History, Travel Tips & Video Tour)

7. Alcázar of Toledo

The view of Alcazar de Toledo from across the bridge.
The view of Alcazar de Toledo from across the bridge.

The Alcázar stands on Toledo’s highest point, a site used for fortified and administrative buildings since Roman times. The imposing square Renaissance palace was shaped in the 16th century under Emperor Charles V, with architects including Alonso de Covarrubias.

The building was repeatedly damaged, most famously during the 1936 siege in the Spanish Civil War, and reconstructed afterward. It now houses Spain’s Army Museum and the Castilla-La Mancha Library.

8. Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

The beautiful garden in Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos showing the fountain in the middle.
The beautiful garden in Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. Cordoba-6 flickr photo by ajay_suresh shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

Alfonso XI ordered this fortified royal residence in Córdoba in 1328 on a site with Roman, Visigothic and Islamic precedents. Later monarchs, including Isabella I and Ferdinand II, used it during the final stages of the conquest of Granada.

The complex is known for its towers, courtyards, mosaics and terraced gardens. Its present appearance combines medieval fabric with substantial modern restoration.

9. Bellver Castle

The tower of Bellver Castle.
The tower of Bellver Castle.

Bellver Castle was built in the early 14th century for King James II of Majorca. Its circular plan, round courtyard and three attached towers make it one of Europe’s most distinctive Gothic castles.

The castle served as a royal residence and later as a prison. It now contains Palma’s city history museum and offers broad views over the city and bay.

10. Alcazaba of Málaga

The view of Alcazaba de Malaga's architectural structure.
The view of Alcazaba de Malaga’s architectural structure. Maksym Abramov, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Málaga’s Alcazaba is a fortified palace on the slopes of Mount Gibralfaro. Most of the surviving complex was developed by the Hammudid dynasty in the 11th century, using and adapting earlier material.

Its double walls, gates and courtyards combine military protection with palatial spaces. Restoration in the 20th century recreated parts of the gardens and interiors.

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11. Castle of Loarre

Castle of Loarre's panoramic aerial view where you can see the village and trees.
Castle of Loarre’s aerial view.

Loarre Castle rises from a rocky outcrop in Aragón and is one of Spain’s best-preserved Romanesque fortresses. Sancho III began the earliest major phase in the first half of the 11th century, with later additions under Sancho Ramírez.

The complex combines towers, walls, a monastic church and living quarters. Its position near the medieval frontier explains the unusually close union of castle and religious community.

12. Coca Castle

The panoramic view of Coca Castle in front of its courtyard.
The panoramic view of Coca Castle. The 15th C. castle of Coca, Segovia Province, Spain flickr photo by Spencer Means shared under a Creative Commons (BY-SA) license

Coca Castle was built in the late 15th century for Alonso de Fonseca and is celebrated for its sophisticated brickwork. Rather than relying on a dramatic hilltop, it uses deep ditches, angular towers and layered defences on relatively level ground.

Its design blends late Gothic planning with Mudéjar decorative traditions. The keep and inner ward survived centuries of damage and restoration and are open as a heritage site.

Revisit Coca Castle Here (In-depth History, Travel Tips & Video Tour)

13. Alcazaba of Almería

Alcazaba of Almeria's view from afar showing the view of the inside of the grounds of the castle.
Alcazaba of Almeria’s view from afar. ANE, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Alcazaba of Almería was founded in 955 by Abd al-Rahman III after Almería became a major Andalusi port. Later rulers enlarged the walls, palatial zones and water systems.

A Christian castle was added after the conquest of 1489. The vast hilltop enclosure therefore preserves distinct Islamic and Christian military phases.

14. Castle of Zafra

The stunning view of Zafra Castle.
The stunning view of Zafra Castle. Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Zafra Castle occupies a narrow sandstone ridge in Guadalajara province. The surviving frontier stronghold is largely associated with the 12th and 13th centuries, although the site may incorporate earlier occupation.

The castle is privately owned and was restored in the 20th century. There is no regular interior tour, but the remote exterior became internationally familiar after appearing in Game of Thrones.

Revisit Castle of Zafra Here (In-depth History, Travel Tips & Video Tour)
  • Location: Campillo de Dueñas, Guadalajara
  • Main construction: 12th–13th centuries
  • Architectural character: Medieval frontier fortress
  • Visiting: Exterior viewing only; there is no regular public interior tour.

15. New Castle of Manzanares el Real

New Castle of Manzanares el Real entrance.
New Castle of Manzanares el Real entrance.

The Mendoza family began the New Castle of Manzanares el Real in the late 15th century. Juan Guas is associated with its refined gallery and decorative details, which softened the military character of the fortified palace.

The building combines round corner towers, a rectangular enclosure and late Gothic-Isabelline ornament with Mudéjar influence. Restoration has made it one of the best-preserved castles in the Madrid region.

Revisit More Historic Places Below or Read Further

16. Ampudia Castle

View of Castillo Ampudia's castle structure.
View of Castillo Ampudia’s castle structure. Luis Rogelio HM, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The present Ampudia Castle is principally a 15th-century noble fortress, not an 11th-century survival. Its square plan, corner towers and restrained stone façades reflect the power of the Castilian aristocracy.

After periods of neglect, Eugenio Fontaneda restored the building in the 20th century and assembled a wide-ranging collection of archaeology, art and decorative objects.

Revisit Castillo Ampudia Here (In-depth History, Travel Tips & Video Tour)

17. Cardona Castle

The view of Castillo de Cardona from afar.
The view of Castillo de Cardona from afar.

Cardona’s strategic hill was fortified by at least the late 9th century, but the castle developed through many later phases. Its most important surviving monument is the Romanesque collegiate church of Sant Vicenç, consecrated in 1040.

The complex became the seat of the powerful lords and dukes of Cardona, then a major military fortress. Part of it now operates as a Parador hotel, while other areas remain accessible as heritage spaces.

18. Castle of La Mota

The view of Castillo of La Mota's architectural structure.
The view of Castillo of La Mota’s architectural structure. VIEX – Ernest Niedermann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

La Mota at Medina del Campo is principally a 15th-century brick fortress built and enlarged by the Castilian crown on the site of earlier defences. Its imposing keep and artillery-adapted walls make it a major example of late medieval military architecture.

The castle later served as a state prison; Cesare Borgia was among its best-known inmates. Large-scale restoration in the 20th century preserved the monument for public use.

19. Peñafiel Castle

The beautiful structure of Penafiel Castle.
The beautiful structure of Penafiel Castle. Castillo de Peñafiel. Valladolid. flickr photo by Miguel. (respenda) shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

Peñafiel Castle occupies a long, narrow ridge above the town. Earlier fortifications existed here by the 10th or 11th century, but the present enclosure and central keep were largely shaped in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Its ship-like plan follows the ridge for roughly 200 metres. The castle now houses the Provincial Wine Museum, connecting the monument with the Ribera del Duero landscape.

20. Burgalimar Castle

The panoramic view of Castillo de Burgalimar.
The panoramic view of Castillo de Burgalimar. Castillo_de_Burgalimar_K34.jpg: Kordas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Burgalimar Castle at Baños de la Encina is one of Spain’s finest surviving caliphal fortresses. An inscription dates its construction to 968, during the reign of the Umayyad caliph al-Hakam II.

Fourteen small towers reinforce the enclosure, while a larger Christian keep was added later. Calling it “the second-oldest castle in Europe” is a promotional simplification; its secure 10th-century date and exceptional preservation are remarkable enough.

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Planning Your Spain Castle Trip

Spain’s major palace-fortresses often use timed admission, while smaller castles may have seasonal or weekend-only access. Check the linked official or public tourism pages shortly before travelling, especially for the Alhambra, the Royal Alcázar of Seville and other high-demand sites.

The variety is the real attraction: Romanesque Loarre, Nasrid Granada, Gothic-Mudéjar Coca, Renaissance Toledo and the 10th-century walls of Burgalimar tell very different chapters of Iberian history.

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