There is a type of tourism very popular in certain areas of Europe. Who hasn’t heard of the Loire Valley castles route, even if just by word of mouth? And the German castles route? It’s true that these two examples are particularly spectacular, but in Huespeding’s commitment to quality tourism, we can only invite you to stroll through the most picturesque castles dotting the Costa del Sol. Fancy a little immersion in the history of the best castles in the province? Let’s go!
The best castles of the province
Gibralfaro: A Fairytale Setting
We couldn’t begin this tour without mentioning Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba. This site overlooks the entire city of Malaga, and can be glimpsed from various points in the centre (the Plaza de la Merced, Calle Alcazabilla…). But to truly enjoy the magic of its nooks and crannies, you must climb up to see it. Its history dates back to the Phoenician civilisation and extends to the 14th century, during the last days of Al-Andalus, when King Yusuf I turned the alcázar into an impregnable fortress almost until the end of this period of Spanish history, with the siege by the Catholic Monarchs in 1487. Although its ruins were condemned to neglect for years, it was restored in 1977 and today is a spectacular enclave from which you can see the entire coast. It’s well worth a visit: its prices are very affordable.
It is undoubtedly one of the best and most iconic castles in the province.
Sohail: Another Remnant of Al-Andalus
As you surely know, the Arabs lived on the Iberian Peninsula from 711 until 1492. In all those centuries, they left numerous monuments, especially in Andalusia. And beyond the Alhambra or the Mosque, there are others like Gibralfaro or this Sohail Castle, which can be visited in Fuengirola. On a Greco-Roman settlement, Abd al-Rahman III ordered the construction of this fortress to strengthen coastal defences. Like Gibralfaro, the Christian siege in 1485 destroyed it; what we see today is the reconstruction carried out after that siege, which has witnessed great moments in history, as you will discover if you visit it.
Colomares: A Charming Tribute to the Discovery of America
And we link the Catholic Monarchs with another episode from their history. Around the year 1987, a doctor, Esteban Martín, together with two bricklayers, had the idea of creating a castle to commemorate the feat of Christopher Columbus. Thus, Colomares Castle was born in Benalmádena: a mix of styles (Neo-Gothic, Neo-Romanesque, Neo-Mudéjar, Neo-Byzantine) whose exterior resembles the keel of a ship and houses curious elements inside (stained glass, a small church, and even a pagoda) that will surprise you if you decide to visit it.
El Bil-Bil: An Icon of the Costa del Sol
Built between the second and third decades of the 20th century, this building, also in Benalmádena, with Arab reminiscences and a reddish facade, has rightfully become a symbol of the Costa del Sol. In reality, it is a residence that a German couple commissioned from the prestigious architect Enrique Atencia, which they never got to inhabit due to the outbreak of the civil war. Its second owners are the ones who gave the castle the curious name by which we know it, with Arab resonances like its architecture: Elsa (El), William (Bil) and William Junior (Bil).
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