Last weekend I visited Alicante and specifically climbed up to the famous Santa Bárbara Castle. This castle sits atop Mount Benacantil at 166 meters above sea level and is one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses along the entire Mediterranean coast. Standing on the castle walls overlooking the entire Alicante port and city panorama, the view is truly breathtaking.
How to Reach the Castle
There are actually several ways to get up the mountain. The easiest is to take the elevator, with the entrance located on Avenida Juan Bautista Lafora street opposite Postiguet Beach. The elevator ticket costs €2.70 and takes you directly inside the castle. If you enjoy hiking like me, you can walk up from the old town’s Santa Cruz neighborhood, which takes about 20-30 minutes. The path is somewhat steep but the scenery along the way is nice. Another option is to drive up the mountain, where there’s free parking at the top, though parking spaces are quite tight on weekends. For more details, check out this Santa Bárbara Castle guide.
Visiting Information and Tickets
The castle itself is free to enter, which is really generous. Opening hours vary by season:
| Season | Opening Hours | Notes |
|---|
| October to March | 10:00-20:00 | Winter period |
| April to September | 10:00-22:00 | Summer period |
| Mondays | Closed | Weekly closure day |
I recommend avoiding the time slot between noon and 4 PM, as the mountaintop gets really hot in summer with little shade available. I went around 5 PM in the evening when the temperature was just right, and you can wait for the sunset at Alicante Castle.
Must-See Areas Inside the Castle
The castle is divided into three main areas: the highest point is La Torreta, where you’ll find the oldest architectural remains, including 11th-century Arab-period fortifications at [Santa Bárbara Castle]. The middle section contains the main 16th-century buildings, including Felipe II Hall and the armory. The lowest level is the 18th-century addition. The entire tour route is very clear - just follow the signs.
I especially recommend visiting the Macho del Castillo viewpoint, where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Alicante. Looking towards the sea, you’ll see Postiguet Beach and the port, while looking inland reveals distant mountains. The castle also houses a small museum displaying various artifacts and weapons from the Iberian period to modern times, worth a closer look if you’re interested in history.
Practical Tips
Remember to bring water and sunscreen, as there are basically no places to buy things at the top. Comfortable shoes are important because the ground inside the castle is uneven, with stairs in some areas. For photography, instead of midday, I suggest choosing the 10-11 AM morning slot or evening hours when the light is softer. The castle has free WiFi with decent signal. Finally, while most areas are accessible for strollers or wheelchairs, some viewpoints require climbing stairs to reach.
