If you’re looking for an amazing vacation spot that will take your breath away, look no further than Spain! This beautiful country is home to some of the most stunning castles in the world. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a place to relax and escape from reality, these castles are sure to impress. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 20 castles in Spain that will leave you amazed!
20 Castles in Spain That Will Blow Your Mind
Here is a list of 20 castles in Spain that are sure to amaze you!
1. Castillo de Loarre
This imposing castle is located in the province of Huesca, and it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Aragon. The castle was built in the 11th century by the kings of Navarra, and it’s a perfect example of Romanesque architecture.
The castle is located on a hilltop, and a moat surrounds it. There are three main towers, and the castle has been well-preserved over the centuries.
Visitors can explore the inside of the castle, and there are often events and festivals held here.
If you’re interested in castles and Spanish history, Castillo de Loarre is definitely worth visiting. You can easily spend a whole day exploring this fascinating place.
2. Alcázar de Toledo
Alcázar de Toledo is one of the most famous castles in Spain. It’s located in the city of Toledo, and it’s a popular tourist destination. The castle was built in the 14th century, and it’s a mix of Gothic and Moorish architecture.
This castle has a long and rich history. It was originally built as a fortress, and it’s been used as a royal palace, a prison, and a military academy. Today, the castle is open to the public, and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Toledo.
If you’re interested in Spanish castles, then you need to add Alcázar de Toledo to your list. It’s a beautiful castle with a lot of history, and it’s worth a visit.
3. Coca Castle
The Coca Castle is another famous castle in Spain. It’s located in Coca, in the province of Segovia. The castle was built in the 15th century and used as a military fortress, a royal palace, and a state prison. Today, the Coca Castle is open to the public and is one of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions.
Gothic and Moorish architecture styles can both be seen in the Coca Castle. The castle has two courtyards, a keep, a chapel, and a dungeon. Visitors can also see the remains of an old Arab bath. The Coca Castle is one of Spain’s most well-preserved castles and is worth visiting!
4. Castle of Xavier
The Castle of Xavier is a medieval castle located in the town of Xavier, in the province of Burgos. The castle was built in the 10th century and is the birthplace of Saint Francis Xavier.
The castle is a large and imposing structure, with walls up to 12 meters high. The castle has been extensively renovated over the years and now features beautiful gardens and an ornate interior. The castle is open to the public and makes for a fascinating visit.
5. Alcazaba de Málaga
The Alcazaba de Málaga was built in the 11th century and is one of the largest castles in Spain. The castle is located on a hill in the city of Málaga, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The Alcazaba is a complex structure with three levels of walls and towers.
The castle was built for defense purposes and served as a royal residence. The Alcazaba is open to the public and makes for a fascinating visit.
6. Penafiel Castle
The Penafiel Castle is located in Penafiel, in the Valladolid province of Spain. The castle construction commenced in the 10th century and ended by the 15th century. The castle has been declared a national monument and is open for tours.
The Penafiel Castle is one of many castles in Spain built during the medieval period. These castles were often used as fortresses to protect the Spanish monarchy from attack. The Penafiel Castle is a well-preserved example of this type of castle and is open to the public for tours.
The castle is one of the oldest castles in the country. The castle features several impressive defensive towers and a beautiful courtyard. Visitors can explore the castle’s many rooms and corridors, including the grand hall and the dungeon. There is also a museum on site that showcases artifacts from the castle’s long history.
The Penafiel castle is 210 meters long and 33 meters wide. It has six defensive towers and two entrances. A moat surrounds the castle, originally filled with water.
The castle is a popular tourist attraction in Spain and is well worth visiting for anyone interested in castles or medieval history.
7. Castle of La Mota
The Castle of La Mota is located in the town of La Mota, in the province of Burgos, Spain. The castle was built in the 14th century and is one of the most important castles in northern Spain.
The Castle of La Mota is a well-preserved example of a medieval fortress castle. It features thick walls, turrets, and a moat. The castle was built on a hill, making it easier to defend against attackers.
The Castle of La Mota was originally built as a defense against the Moors. It later served as a prison during the Spanish Inquisition; when it served as a prison, house famous prisoners such as Cesare Borgia and Hernando Pizarro.
The castle is open to the public and is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can explore the different rooms and towers of the castle and enjoy views of the surrounding countryside.
8. Montjuïc Castle
The Montjuïc Castle is located in the city of Barcelona, in the province of Catalonia, Spain. The castle’s history is traced back to the 16th century and is one of the most important castles in northeastern Spain.
The Montjuïc Castle is a well-preserved example of a military fortress. It features thick walls, turrets, and a moat. The castle was built in 1640 to help protect the city of Barcelona from invaders. It has been used as a military base, a prison, and even an execution site. Today, the castle is open to the public and is a popular tourist destination.
9. Olite Castle
The Olite Castle is located in the town of Olite, in the province of Navarre, Spain. The castle was built in the 13th century and is one of the most important castles in northern Spain.
The Olite Castle is a well-preserved example of a medieval fortress castle. It was abandoned and has since been restored in 1937 after the Spanish government acquired it.
The castle consists of two main parts: the old and new palaces. The old Palace was built in the 13th century and is the most important part of the castle. It was here that King Charles III of Navarre lived with his family. The new Palace was built in the 15th century and opened to visitors in 1937 and is considered to be one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in Spain.
The Olite Castle is now open to the public, and visitors can explore the old Palace, the new Palace, and the gardens.
10. Castillo de la Yedra
The Castillo de la Yedra is located in the town of Cazorla, in the province of Jaén, Spain. The castle was built in the 14th century and is one of the most important castles in southern Spain.
The Castillo de la Yedra is a well-preserved example of a medieval fortress castle. This castle has been used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows.
The most notable feature of the castle is its keep, which is one of the largest in Spain. The castle also has several towers, a chapel, and a courtyard.
11. Alhambra
Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and Palace, is in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. The Palace was built within Alhambra’s walls in the 13th century.
Alhambra is among the famous monuments of Islamic architecture. The Alhambra is a symbol of Muslim art in the Western world.
It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. With over two million visitors per year, it is the most visited monument in Spain.
The Moorish rulers built the palace complex on a strategic location overlooking the city of Granada.
12. Tossa de Mar Castle
The Tossa de Mar Castle is located in the municipality of Tossa de Mar, in the comarca of Selva, in Girona Province, Catalonia, Spain.
The castle was built in the 12th century by Wilfred II of Besalú on a strategic location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1285, King Peter III of Aragon ceded the castle to his uncle, James II of Aragon.
The castle passed through several hands over the centuries until the town council acquired it in 1978. It is now a museum open to the public.
13. New Castle of Manzanares el Real
The New Castle of Manzanares el Real is a castle located in the town of Manzanares el Real, in the Community of Madrid, central Spain.
The castle was built in 1475 by order of King Henry IV of Castile, on top of an old Moorish fortress. It is one of the best-preserved castles from the 15th century in Spain.
This castle became really famous as it was used in the movie El Cid with Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren.
The castle has a quadrangular plan, with four towers at the corners. The walls are made of brick and limestone, and the roof is slate.
Inside the castle, there are several rooms with beautiful Gothic arches and a large courtyard.
The New Castle of Manzanares el Real is entirely constructed with Granite stones.
14. Lorca Castle
Lorca Castle is a castle located in the town of Lorca, in the Region of Murcia, southern Spain.
The Moors built the castle between the 9th to 15 centuries on top of an old Roman fortress. It is one of the best-preserved castles from the Moorish period in Spain.
Lorca Castle is situated in the former Muslim Citadel site and was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931.
The castle has been extensively restored in recent years and is now open to the public. It features exhibitions on the history of Lorca Castle and its art and architecture.
Lorca Castle is also used as a venue for concerts, theatre performances, and other cultural events.
15. Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
The Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos (Castle of the Christian Kings) is a castle in the city of Seville, southern Spain.
It is a building of military character; most of what we see today was constructed by order of King Alfonso XI of Castile in the 13th century, though its origins go back to Islamic times.
The Alcázar is one of the symbols of Seville and was declared a Monumento Nacional (National Monument) in 1931.
It is one of the most visited monuments in Spain, with over two million visitors each year.
16. Castle of San Servando
The castle of San Servando is a castle in Toledo, Spain. The first building was built in the 7th century, but it wasn’t a Castle but a Visigothic monastery.
In 1874, the Castle of San Servando became a national monument. The castle has been used as a military fortress, a royal palace, and a state prison. It was also the site of the Spanish Inquisition.
The castle is currently owned by the city of Toledo and is open to the public as a museum.
17. Castle of Trujillo
The Castle of Trujillo is located in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain. The castle is situated on a hill overlooking the town of Trujillo. It was rebuilt in the 13th century by order of Alfonso VIII of Castile. However, the construction started around the middle of the 9th century.
The Castle of Trujillo was declared a National Monument in 1978, November 10, by Royal Decree As an Asset of Cultural Interest.
This castle is one of the most important fortresses in Extremadura. The castle has a rare plant with four corners and a keep in the center. There is also a cistern, chapel, storerooms, living quarters, and dungeons.
18. Simancas Castle
The Simancas Castle is located in Valladolid, Castile, and León, Spain. It is situated on a hill overlooking the town of Simancas. The castle was built in the 15th century by the Enriquez family.
The Simancas Castle today is used for the general assembly of the Cortes Generales, the national parliament of Spain.
The Simancas Castle is an important fortress because it played an important role in the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714).
If you are looking for a great place to visit in Spain, make sure you add Simancas Castle to your list!
19. Castillo de Vélez-Blanco
The Castillo de Vélez-Blanco is a medieval castle located in the province of Almería, Andalusia, southern Spain. The castle was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural landmark in 1997.
The Castillo de Vélez-Blanco is believed to have been built on an ancient Iberian settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. This castle is locally known as Castillo de Velez-Blanco, Don Pedro Fajardo y Chacon, built between 1506 and 1515.
The castle combines the best architecture of the time, such as the Portuguese style Manueline, with Moorish and Renaissance features. The castle has a symmetrical rectangular plan with four towers at the corners. The main entrance is located on the north side, defended by a drawbridge and a portcullis.
The castle was built to defend against attacks from North Africa, but it never saw any action. The Castillo de Vélez-Blanco was abandoned in the 18th century and fell into disrepair. In the 20th century, the Castillo underwent extensive restoration work financed by the regional government of Andalusia.
20. Castillo de Belmonte
The Castillo de Belmonte is a medieval castle located in Cuenca, southern Spain.
In 1931, this castle was declared a National Monument within the National Artistic Treasury.
The castle is built strategically, on top of a hill of San Cristobal.
This castle was built by order of Don Juan Pacheco in the second half of the 15th century.
The fortress is abandoned between the 17th and 18th centuries.
This castle opened doors to visitors in July 2010.
The objective of the administration is to make it self-sustaining through visitors’ fees.
The castle and the Belmonte have been used in many films, such as El Cid (1961), the Lord of steel, Juana la Loca, and the gentleman Don Quixote.
If you’re looking for a truly unique experience in southern Spain, make sure to visit the Castillo de Belmonte.
Conclusion: Spain is home to some of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles in the world. From Moorish castles perched on rocky hillsides to Renaissance palaces, there’s something for everyone who visits this enchanting country. If you’re looking for an unforgettable vacation spot, consider adding one (or twenty!) of these amazing Spanish castles to your travel itinerary.
