Tickets to the Alcazaba of Malaga: How to Buy, Schedules, and What to See

The Alcazaba of Malaga is one of the architectural jewels of the Muslim period in the Iberian Peninsula and is located at the foot of Mount Gibralfaro. Built as a fortification that served both for military defence and as a residence for the rulers, with its walls and labyrinthine structure it protected the city's inhabitants and today serves to reflect the grandeur of Andalusian Islamic architecture.

Inside the Alcazaba, you can tour courtyards, gardens and towers, and contemplate the Muslims' ingenious use of water and vegetation. From the top of this site you'll also find sweeping views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea, making this fortification one of the best things to do in Malaga.

The most complete option

Malaga Roman Theater and Alcazaba Guided Tour

A guided tour of the Alcazaba of Malaga, including a visit to the Roman Theatre.

You will visit one of the traditional fortresses of Andalusia and you will have the opportunity to discover the Muslim architecture, but you will also be able to see the remains of the Roman Theatre of Malaga.

From £14 at Hellotickets

On this guided tour of the Alcazaba you'll see the gardens and surrounding buildings, as well as visiting the permanent exhibitions inside the fortress, which display archaeological artefacts found in the foundations of the building, from ceramics to ancient tools from the Islamic period. You will also be permanently accompanied by an expert local guide.

This guided experience also includes a tour of the Roman Theatre, which is located next to the Alcazaba and with its more than 2000 years of history is part of the historical circuit of Malaga. From both buildings you will have the opportunity to contemplate the wide views of the city and learn about the past of the city, which was one of the most important cities in the Iberian Peninsula during the Arab domination.

Recommended if... You want to take a complete guided tour of the historical foundations of the city in an experience that includes the iconic building of Malaga: the Alcazaba.

Ticket prices for Malaga's Alcazaba, which is one of the city's most popular attractions, depend on the option you choose. The general ticket for the complex has an initial cost of approximately 3.50 euros, although if you decide to also buy a ticket for the Gibralfaro Castle, which is the main building of the fortress, you can buy a joint ticket which costs approximately 5.50 euros.

However, please note that you can also opt for tickets which include the guided tour. The general admission fee is 10 euros per person, while students and senior citizens pay approximately 8 euros and children between the ages of 6 and 12 pay a fee of 6 euros. Children under the age of 6, accompanied by a responsible adult, can enter for free.

Please note that guided tour tickets only apply to the Alcazaba and do not include a tour of the Castle. Also, if you are looking for an economical option, remember that on Sunday afternoons from 14.00 hours access is free, allowing local visitors and tourists to enjoy the Alcazaba at no cost.

If you want to opt for a complete alternative, you can buy a guided tour of the Alcazaba of Malaga that also includes a tour of the Roman Theatre, another of the city's popular historic buildings, which is located in the old town area.

Useful information

• Timetables: daily from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm.
• Address: C/ Alcazabilla, 2, Distrito Centro, Málaga.
• How to get there: by bus on lines N1 and A to Malaga Park and by Metro line L1 to Atarazanas station.

There are several types of tickets for the Alcazaba of Malaga, suitable for different types of visitors. The general admission ticket allows full access to the fortress for 3.50 euros. In addition, for those who want to make the most of their visit, there is a joint ticket which includes both the Alcazaba and the nearby Gibralfaro Castle, at a price of 5.50 euros.

La Alcazaba, in turn, offers reduced tickets for certain groups of people, such as students, pensioners and minors, who will pay 1.50 euros. On the other hand, on Sundays from 2 p.m. onwards, access is free for all visitors.

As for avoiding queues, there are options for purchasing tickets without waiting in line. Buying tickets in advance online is one of the best ways to avoid long queues at the ticket office, especially in high season. These queue-free tickets give you quicker access to the monument and allow you to make the most of your stay in the city, especially if you plan to visit Malaga in summer, when the influx of tourists is higher.

When you buy tickets for the Alcazaba of Malaga you will be immersed in a journey through the history of the city, exploring one of the most important monuments of the Muslim period in the Iberian Peninsula. The Alcazaba, built in the 11th century by the Muslim rulers of Andalusia, will allow you to discover a walled fortress, popular for its defensive architecture and surrounding gardens.

Also, one of the main attractions you can see inside the Alcazaba is the set of courtyards and interior gardens. These spaces, decorated with fountains and typical Moorish vegetation, are designed to offer tranquillity, replicating the Andalusian style of the period From the top of the Alcazaba you will also have the opportunity to contemplate the defence towers and the sweeping views of the Mediterranean coastline.

If you choose to book the guided tour of the Alcazaba of Malaga and other nearby attractions, such as the Cathedral and the Roman Theatre, you will be able to discover other historic buildings of this destination and the remains of the ancient citadel, of which the Roman columns of some structures are still standing.

In addition, if you opt for the combined ticket that includes Gibralfaro Castle, you can climb up to this other monument located on the upper hill. From there, you will enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Alcazaba monumental complex, gaining a better understanding of the strategic role of both buildings in the defence of the city.

Tickets for the Alcazaba are included in the Malaga Pass, which is one of the most popular tourist cards in the city and includes access to the fortress and also to the Gibralfaro Castle, as well as being able to book tickets for the Picasso Museum and the Pompidou Centre. This pass is ideal for those who want to discover the most emblematic places of the city in a comfortable and money-saving way.

This pass, as well as allowing queue-free entry to several monuments, often includes additional services such as sightseeing bus tours, discounts in restaurants and shops, and entry to museums and exhibitions. It is an attractive option for those who wish to maximise their experience of the city without compromising their budget and making the most of their time in the city.

In addition to the general passes, there are other types of sightseeing combinations that can include the Alcazaba as part of specific cultural or historical tours. Some of these tours include expert guided tours of the Roman Theatre, the Cathedral and other buildings in the old town.

The answer as to whether the tourist pass is appropriate will depend on the tour plan you have for your itinerary around the city. If you are someone who wants to visit several places when you visit a site, then tourist cards could help you save money and time with skip-the-line entry. It will also be useful if you plan to visit Malaga in 4 days or even less and need to get away from the delays and crowded ticket offices.

You can book tickets that include a guided tour of the Alcazaba of Malaga, allowing you to explore this monument accompanied by an expert guide. These tickets can be purchased through tourist platforms or local agencies, and generally combine access to the Alcazaba with detailed explanations about the history, architecture and main curiosities of the site.

Guided tours of the Alcanzaba usually last between an hour and an hour and a half, offering a more in-depth and contextualised view of the fortress. In addition, opting for this type of tour will ensure that you don't miss out on any of the details of this site, which is one of the most popular and most visited in Andalusia.

Another advantage of guided tours is the possibility of learning in depth details about the construction of the monument, from the use of reused materials from earlier times, such as Roman columns, to the defensive innovations that made the Alcazaba a virtually impregnable fortress in its time. Your guide will also be able to answer your questions and personalise your visit.

Yes, the Alcazaba of Malaga offers discounted tickets for various groups of visitors. Students, senior citizens and minors can benefit from reduced rates or free admission. For these groups, the entrance fee to the Alcazaba is 1.50 euros, instead of the general price of 3.50 euros that applies to all other visitors.

It is also one of the best things to do with children in Malaga, as children under the age of 6 get in free. At the same time, consider that in the case of family groups it is usually beneficial to opt for guided tours of the Alcazaba, because you can have a local private expert guide who will summarise the history of the site.

To access these discounted tickets you will need to present documentation proving your status. For example, students must show proof of student status , while pensioners over 60 years of age must present a document certifying their age.

In addition to discounts for specific groups, the fortress also offers free admission on Sundays from 2 p.m. onwards, an excellent option for those who wish to visit the monument free of charge. However, I advise you to check the opening hours of the Alcazaba in Malaga, which may change if you plan to visit the city during the winter.

Children under the age of 6 who are accompanied by a responsible adult can enter for free, so the answer is yes, the Alcazaba does offer special tickets for children. Also, if you plan to visit Malaga in December, this site is often lit up with Christmas motifs, as are its surroundings, which adds a festive tinge to the experience.

For children over the age of 6, however, there is no specific reduced price, but general admission rates are still quite affordable. The general admission fee for adults is 3.50 euros, and the reduced price, which may apply in certain cases such as organised school visits, is 1.50 euros per visitor. Note that in the case of the joint ticket, children aged 6 and 12 pay only 6 euros, instead of the general rate of 10 euros.

While there are no specific guided tours for children, many guides are geared towards families and can be adapted to keep children interested. In addition, the interior of the Alcazaba offers a display of archaeological material which is considered one of the best museums in Malaga and which children will love for its didactic and interactive displays.

Buying tickets in advance online for the Alcazaba of Malaga instead of at the ticket office offers several advantages that make this option worthwhile. First of all, this way you will avoid the queues that usually form at the entrance, especially in high season or during weekends. This will not only save you time, but will also improve the overall experience of the visit.

Also, if you buy your tickets in advance online, you can plan your visit with more peace of mind. You will secure your ticket for the day and time of your choice, avoiding the possibility of tickets selling out, which can happen on busy days. In addition, many online platforms allow you to choose between different types of tickets, such as those combined with other monuments or those that include guided tours.

Also consider that organising your own travel itinerary in an organised way will allow you to participate in other experiences, such as the best boat tours in Malaga or the gastronomic tours offered by the city.

Finally, don't forget that fares are dynamic and if you wait until you arrive in the city to buy your tickets you may have to pay significantly higher prices than you will find online in advance.

• Organise an organised itinerary. The Alcazaba is one of the city's most popular attractions, but it's located in a fairly large complex. If you choose the combined option, you'll have to go all the way to the top of the hill to visit Gibralfaro Castle, so you won't be able to do it in a hurry and you 'll need at least 3-4 hours to enjoy an enjoyable tour.
• Opt for a guided tour. While you can walk around the site on your own because it is well signposted and has plenty of explanatory signs, the Alcazaba has over 1000 years of history and an expert local guide can help you make sure you don't miss a thing. In addition, these professionals will also be able to recommend other nearby attractions, such as where to book the wine and tapas tour in Malaga.
• Hurry up to book and save money. If you are determined to visit the Alcazaba, don't wait until you arrive in the city to buy tickets or guided tours. This will result in you paying higher prices and having to wait at the ticket office. Also, you might not be able to find a place on your chosen date and time, so buy in advance!