15 Incredible Castles in Spain You Must Visit
Planning a trip to Spain and looking for the best castles to visit? You’ve come to the right guide!
Spain is home to thousands of enchanting castles that are impressively well-preserved and offer a unique glimpse into medieval times.
In this post, I’ll guide you through 15 of the most incredible castles in Spain you absolutely must visit on your trip.
From fairytale-like fortresses to strongholds that have witnessed countless battles, these are the top Spanish castles that shouldn’t be missed.
Best Castles in Spain
Let’s take a closer look at these must-see gems and how they can make your Spanish adventure unforgettable.
1. Alcázar of Segovia – Segovia
📍 Location: Google Maps
Starting at the top of the list has to be the Alcázar of Segovia–a medieval castle that looks like it came straight out of a children’s fairytale!
Rumor has it that it was the main inspiration behind Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World, and I can definitely see the resemblance.
The Alcazar of Segovia was built in the 12th century and has been home to upwards of 22 kings, including King Ferdinand III, King Julian II, King Alfonso X, and King Enrique IV.
It’s believed to have been a near-impenetrable fortress, built on top of a rock to prevent opposing military forces from breaching its defenses.
Throughout its existence, the Alcázar took on many roles. From the mid-1500s to the mid-1700s, it served as a prison. It was then transformed into a Royal Artillery School in the late 1700s to the late 1800s. By the end of the 1800s, it stood as a military college.
Today, the Alcázar functions primarily as a museum and a military archive. Visitors are allowed to visit 12 out of the 40+ rooms in the castle, as well as several halls. This includes the Royal Artillery College Museum, the Fireplace Room, the Armory, and the Throne Room.
2. Bellver Castle – Mallorca
📍 Location: Google Maps
Located in Palma de Mallorca on the island of Mallorca, Bellver Castle admittedly isn’t much to look at from the outside. The interior, however, is a completely different story.
The circular courtyard is encircled by twenty-one semicircular arches, with statues of prominent nobles standing guard.
You’ll also get to see recovered pieces of pottery, statues, and historical busts on display. But the real highlight is the 360° views of the surrounding island once you reach the top!
3. Loarre Castle – Huesca
📍 Location: Google Maps
Built during the 11th and 13th century, the Loarre Castle of Huesca Province is one of the most famous monuments in Spain.
Loarre Castle features Romanesque architecture and, like many of the most famous castles in Spain, is a collection of buildings bounded by curtain walls.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site has been called a “unique creation” because the edifice remains mostly unchanged from the time it was built. It’s a remarkably well-preserved example of an 11th-century fortress.
The Castle of Loarre is perched high up on the native rock outcrop and is certainly worth visiting if you’re in the area. It’s also where “The Kingdom of Heaven” starring Orlando Bloom was filmed, so if you’re a fan of that movie, this castle is a must-visit!
4. Manzanares el Real Castle – Madrid
📍 Location: Google Maps
The Manzanares el Real Castle, also known as the Castle of Los Mendoza, is a Gothic-style palace fortress built in the 15th century in Manzanares el Real.
It’s about 45 minutes away from Madrid, located between the Manzanares River and the Sierra de Madrid mountains.
The Manzanares el Real Castle was once the property of the Mendoza family, one of the most influential families of the time. The Manzanares el Real Castle was a testament to their wealth and nobility. The fortress has large halls, multiple ballrooms, courtly balconies, and six stories.
Despite undergoing extensive renovation in 1919 and 1965, the Manzanares el Real is still considered to be among the best-preserved castles in Madrid.
The entire royal residence is decorated with various paintings, tapestries, and military features (suits of armor, swords, shields, etc.).
5. Royal Palace of Olite – Navarre
📍 Location: Google Maps
Built in the mid-14th century, the Royal Palace of Olite, also known as the Palace of the Kings of Navarre of Olite, used to hold the seat of the Court of the Kingdom of Navarre.
It was once considered among the most beautiful castles of the time, if a German traveler’s diary was anything to go by. “Words cannot describe or even imagine how magnificent and sumptuous this palace truly is,” the traveler wrote, in a now-preserved diary at the British Museum in London.
Regrettably, we may never be able to see how the Royal Palace of Olite looked in its prime. The palace was set ablaze in 1813 as a defensive strategy and damaged most of its interior.
The palace was restored in 1937 but much of its architectural decor and the surrounding gardens were lost. It’s still a magnificent place but most of the rooms are empty.
6. Peñafiel Castle – Valladolid
📍 Location: Google Maps
Peñafiel Castle is a German Gothic-style fortress overlooking the valleys of Duratón and Botijas.
It was built in various phases, starting from the 9th century when it began as a frontier outpost to defend against Arab invasion, until the 15th century when it was built as a royal home.
Peñafiel Castle is unlike other castles on this list because it’s shaped like a long, narrow boat. It’s 688 feet (210 meters) long and 108 feet (33 meters) wide. If you don’t mind walking up several flights of stairs, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views from atop.
The castle is home to the Provincial Wine Museum (Museo Provincial del Vino), dedicated to the history and culture of winemaking. It features exhibits on the tools and techniques used in winemaking, as well as tastings that allow visitors to sample local wines.
7. Santa Catalina Castle – Jaén
📍 Location: Google Maps
Overlooking the city of Jaén, the Santa Catalina Castle once stood as a Moorish fortress in the 8th century before it was expanded and modified into a Christian stronghold.
The castle’s design is typical of Renaissance military architecture, with thick stone walls, defensive towers, and bastions.
Today, the Santa Catalina Castle is one of the main tourist attractions in Jaén. The fortress has undergone several restoration works to preserve its integrity and historical value.
Within the castle stands a Parador, which is a chain of hotels found in historic buildings throughout Spain and operated by the government. So if you’ve ever wanted to stay the night in a castle, the Parador de Jaén is definitely worth considering!
8. Belmonte Castle – Cuenca
📍 Location: Google Maps
Belmonte Castle is another one of the most beautiful castles of Spain. The exterior may not look as fairytale-esque as the Alcázar of Segovia or the Colomares Castle (which I’ll also cover in this article), but it more than makes up for it with its gorgeous interior.
Most rooms are fully decorated in luxurious 19th-century decor. Even the ceilings are a marvel, adorned with intricate patterns and designs.
There’s an elevator that can get you up the floors but I recommend taking the stairs if you’re up for it. Seeing the castle’s architecture and interior design from the stairs is a truly unique experience.
The stairs themselves are beautifully decorated, and the windows along the way offer stunning views of the castle grounds and surrounding landscape.
9. Atalaya Castle – Alicante
📍 Location: Google Maps
Atalaya Castle, also known as Castillo de la Atalaya or Castillo de Villena, is a medieval fortress built by the Almohad Empire at the end of the 12th century.
The castle has a rich (and bloody) history, with the fortress being passed from one family to another from the beginning of the 13th century until the 18th century.
It has since been restored several times and is now considered a tourist destination. The views from the tower roofs are breathtaking–if you’re not afraid of heights!
The castle also houses a huge well-lit museum that features ancient artifacts, paintings, and centuries-old documents.
10. Ponferrada Castle – León
📍 Location: Google Maps
Ponferrada Castle is one of the largest fortresses of northwestern León during the Middle Ages, covering an area of over 8,000 square meters.
In 1211, a peace treaty was signed and Alfonso IX donated the surrounding villages of the castle to the Knights Templar. The Knights reinforced the fortress further and used it as a defense against invading forces.
Today, the castle houses the Templars’ Library and the Ponferrada Investigation and Study Centre. Ponferrada Castle is about an hour away from central León.
11. Coca Castle – Segovia
📍 Location: Google Maps
The Coca Castle of northwest Segovia is remarkably well preserved. It was constructed in the 15th century and one the best examples of Spanish Mudejar brickwork, combining Moorish Muslim designs with Gothic architecture.
The castle belonged to the House of Alba de Tormes, a prominent Spanish noble family consisting of Dukes and Duchesses. The house later donated the property in 1954 to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Presently, the Coca Castle is considered a Spanish National Monument. Several rooms are open to tourists, including the chapel containing several art pieces of historic importance.
Many of the rooms retain their original condition and the surrounding views are really remarkable.
12. Colomares Castle – Málaga
📍 Location: Google Maps
Colomares Castle is one of the newer structures on this list that’s not as old as it looks. It was built between 1987 and 1994 near Benalmádena as a tribute to the life of Christopher Columbus. It’s the world’s largest monument dedicated to Columbus.
As you might expect, the castle is an eclectic mix of architectural styles. Each section of the castle seems to tell a different part of Columbus’s story, with intricate details and motifs that celebrate his voyages and the cultural impact of his discoveries.
Much of the castle’s interior is off-limits but you can enter Columbus’ mausoleum and the chapel. It’s a great location to visit if you want to know more about Columbus and the Age of Exploration in general.
13. Cardona Castle – Barcelona
📍 Location: Google Maps
Cardona Castle, known locally as Castell de Cardona, is one of the best castles near Barcelona. Located a little over an hour away from the city, the castle sits atop a hill overlooking the town of Cardona and the river valley of the Cardener.
The castle was constructed in 886 and completed centuries later. Because of this, it has elements from different time periods.
The Castle of Cardona holds historical significance as it was the last stronghold to surrender in the Spanish Succession War at the dawn of the 18th century.
While visiting, you’ll get to see the impressive Romanesque Church of Sant Vicenç, the castle’s cylindrical watchtower known as Torre de la Minyona (Maiden’s Tower), and its well-preserved walls.
Rumor has it that one of the Lords of Cardona imprisoned his daughter in the watchtower to prevent her from meeting her lover.
The military quarters of the castle also operate as a Parador, a historic hotel where you can stay the night for the full experience.
14. Peníscola Castle – Castellón
📍 Location: Google Maps
Peníscola Castle is perched atop a rocky cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Built by the Knights Templar, it served as a strategic stronghold for centuries.
The castle’s interior is adorned with intricate Gothic architecture, from ornate stonework to soaring vaulted ceilings. You’ll also find numerous historical exhibits within, including artifacts, weapons, and documents discussing the castle’s past.
Peníscola Castle is an hour away from Castellón, so it makes for an excellent day trip if you’re looking to visit the seaside.
15. Tossa de Mar Castle – Girona
📍 Location: Google Maps
Located about 1.5 hours north of Barcelona, Tossa de Mar Castle is a 12th-century castle originally built to protect the seaside town from pirate attacks.
It’s one of the best day trips from Barcelona, where you can experience the charm and beaches of a medieval coastal town.
The village within was protected with a walled enclosure that still stands to this day. The wall features four fortified towers and three cylindrical towers.
I suggest visiting the tower of Joanàs, which overlooks the town’s bay, the tower of Codolar, offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, and the Tower of Hours, housing a historic clock.
And a visit to Tossa de Mar Castle is not complete without strolling through the cobblestone streets and savoring the local cuisine at nearby restaurants.
Final Thoughts: Famous Spanish Castles
Spain is home to some of the most impressive castles in Europe. If you’re passionate about architecture, enjoy exploring historical sites, or are simply searching for a unique experience, these castles have plenty to offer.
I highly recommend including a visit to at least one of these remarkable castles in your travel plans. Beyond the stunning views and intriguing interiors, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Spain’s past and its regional diversity.
Plus, many of Spain’s castles are located near charming towns or beautiful coastlines, making for a perfect day trip with plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
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