15 Incredible Castles in Spain You Must Visit

Spain is filled with historic castles that look straight out of a storybook, from hilltop fortresses with panoramic views to royal palaces that once housed kings and queens.

Each one has its own unique story, and visiting them is an unforgettable way to experience Spain’s history up close.

In this guide, I’m sharing 15 of the best castles in Spain that are worth going out of your way to see.

📍 Location: Google Maps

The Alcázar of Segovia looks like something straight out of a fairytale, and it’s easy to see why many believe it inspired Disney’s Cinderella Castle.

Dating back to the 12th century, this impressive castle sits high on a rocky hill overlooking Segovia and was once home to several Spanish kings.

Over the years, it’s served as a royal residence, prison, and even a military academy.

Today, you can explore its beautifully preserved rooms, including the Throne Room and Armory, and climb the tower for incredible views of Segovia and the surrounding countryside.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Bellver Castle is located just outside Palma de Mallorca and is one of the most unique castles in Spain because of its unusual circular design.

The outside might look a little plain, but the inside is much more impressive, with a beautiful circular courtyard surrounded by stone arches.

There’s also a small museum where you can see pottery, statues, and other historical artifacts.

But the real highlight is the panoramic view from the top, where you can see Palma, the Mediterranean Sea, and the surrounding Mallorca countryside.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Loarre Castle in Huesca Province is one of the most impressive medieval fortresses in Spain and a must-visit if you love history.

Built between the 11th and 13th centuries, it’s one of the best-preserved examples of Romanesque architecture in the country and is even on UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list.

A lot of the castle has remained unchanged for nearly a thousand years, so you can really get a sense of what life was like back then.

It’s also been used as a filming location for Kingdom of Heaven, starring Orlando Bloom, and the castle’s location on a rocky hill is pretty impressive!

If you’re exploring northern Spain, this is definitely one castle worth checking out.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Manzanares el Real Castle (also known as the Castle of Los Mendoza), is a beautiful 15th-century fortress located about 45 minutes from Madrid.

It’s surrounded by the Sierra de Madrid mountains, with a pretty impressive backdrop that makes it look like something out of a fairytale.

The castle once belonged to the powerful Mendoza family and was built to show off their wealth and influence.

Inside, you can explore grand halls, elegant rooms, and collections of tapestries, paintings, armor, and medieval weapons.

It’s also one of the best-preserved castles near Madrid, so it’s a great option for a day trip if you want to explore somewhere outside the city.

📍 Location: Google Maps

The Royal Palace of Olite, also known as the Palace of the Kings of Navarre, is a beautiful medieval castle that dates back to the 14th century.

It once served as the royal court of the Kingdom of Navarre and was considered one of the most impressive palaces of its time.

Unfortunately, much of the palace was destroyed by a fire in 1813, and although it was restored in the 20th century, many of its original details were lost.

Today, you can explore its towers, courtyards, and winding passageways, which give you a pretty good idea of just how grand this palace once was.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Peñafiel Castle is a medieval fortress in the province of Valladolid, overlooking the Duratón and Botijas valleys.

Originally built in the 9th century as a defensive fortress, it was later expanded and rebuilt in the 15th century.

What makes this castle so interesting is its unusual shape. It’s long and narrow, almost like a giant ship sitting on top of the hill!

You can climb to the top for incredible views of the surrounding countryside and explore the Provincial Wine Museum inside the castle.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Santa Catalina Castle sits high on a hill overlooking the city of Jaén and offers some incredible views of the surrounding countryside.

It was originally built as a Moorish fortress in the 8th century before being transformed into a Christian stronghold, with thick stone walls and defensive towers.

Today, it’s one of the top attractions in Jaén, and you can explore the restored castle while learning more about its history.

Right next to the castle, you’ll also find the Parador de Jaén, a government-run hotel housed in a historic building.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Belmonte Castle is a beautiful 15th-century fortress located in the province of Cuenca, about 2 hours from Madrid.

From the outside, it looks like a classic medieval castle, with massive stone walls, towers, and a pretty impressive hilltop location.

But the real surprise is inside, where you’ll find beautifully decorated rooms, elaborate ceilings, and elegant furnishings from the 19th century.

It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in seeing what the inside of a Spanish castle actually looks like!

📍 Location: Google Maps

Atalaya Castle (also known as Castillo de Villena) is a medieval fortress located in the town of Villena in Alicante Province.

Built by the Almohads in the late 12th century, the castle has a long history and changed hands several times over the centuries.

Today, it’s been restored and is open to visitors, with impressive stone walls, towers, and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

You can also explore the castle’s interior and learn more about its history, including its Moorish origins and the noble families who once controlled it.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Ponferrada Castle (also known as the Castle of the Knights Templar) is a massive medieval fortress located in the town of Ponferrada in León Province.

Covering more than 8,000 square meters, it’s one of the largest castles in northwestern Spain and has a pretty interesting history connected to the Knights Templar.

In the 13th century, the Templars took control of the fortress and strengthened its defenses, turning it into an important military stronghold.

Today, you can explore the castle’s walls, towers, and courtyards, along with the Templars’ Library, which houses historical books and manuscripts.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Coca Castle is a beautiful 15th-century fortress located in the province of Segovia and one of the best-preserved castles in Spain.

What makes this castle stand out is its unique Mudéjar architecture, which combines Moorish and Gothic influences, along with its impressive red-brick walls and towers.

It once belonged to the noble House of Alba and was later handed over to Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture in 1954.

Today, it’s recognized as a Spanish National Monument, and you can explore several rooms inside, including a historic chapel with beautiful artwork.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Colomares Castle, located in Benalmádena near Málaga, looks like something straight out of a fairytale, but it’s actually much newer than you might expect!

Built between 1987 and 1994, the castle was created as a tribute to Christopher Columbus and his voyages to the Americas.

It’s known as the largest monument in the world dedicated to Columbus and features an unusual mix of architectural styles, with detailed carvings, towers, and colorful decorations.

You can’t explore much of the interior, but there’s still a lot to see as you walk around the grounds, including a tiny chapel that’s said to be the smallest church in the world.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Castell de Cardona is an 11th-century fortress and one of the most impressive castles near Barcelona.

Located about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Barcelona by car, it sits on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside.

Highlights include the Romanesque Church of Sant Vicenç, the castle’s well-preserved walls, and the Torre de la Minyona (Maiden’s Tower), where legend says a lord imprisoned his daughter to keep her from seeing her lover.

Today, part of the castle operates as a Parador, a government-run hotel in a historic building. So if you’ve ever wanted to spend the night in a castle, this is your chance!

Self-guided tours are also available Tuesday through Sunday if you’re just visiting for the day.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Peñíscola Castle is a medieval fortress located on a rocky hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with some incredible views of the coastline.

Built by the Knights Templar in the late 13th century, it later became the residence of Pope Benedict XIII, also known as Papa Luna.

Today, you can explore the castle’s stone halls, vaulted ceilings, and defensive walls while learning more about its interesting history.

It’s about an hour’s drive from Castellón and is a great place to visit if you want to combine some sightseeing with time at the beach.

Plus, the surrounding Old Town of Peñíscola is beautiful, with narrow streets, whitewashed buildings, and cute little shops and restaurants to explore.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Located in the coastal town of Tossa de Mar, Castell de Tossa de Mar is one of the most beautiful castles along Spain’s Mediterranean coast.

Dating back to the 12th century, the castle has well-preserved medieval walls that you can walk, with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea.

What makes this castle so special is that the Old Town is actually built within the castle walls, with narrow cobblestone streets, cute restaurants, and little shops to explore.

And on the other side of the castle, you’ll find some beautiful hidden beaches and coves that are perfect for swimming in the summer.

It’s about a 1 hour and 20 minute drive from Barcelona and definitely one of my favorite day trips from Barcelona.

Spain has some seriously impressive castles, and I think they’re well worth adding to your itinerary if you have some extra time and are renting a car.

Many of the best castles in Spain are located outside major city centers, so having your own transportation is usually the easiest way to visit them.

From medieval fortresses and royal palaces to castles overlooking the Mediterranean, there’s so much variety depending on where you’re traveling.

Plus, many are close to beautiful small towns, beaches, and countryside, so you can turn your castle visit into a fun day trip!

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