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Best castles in Spain
Best castles in Spain

Best castles in Spain

Spain is one of the European countries with the most beautiful castles in the world. Did you know that Segovia Castle inspired Walt Disney to create Cinderella Castle?

 

If you are not a history lover you can visit the castle of Tossa de Mar, surrounded by beautiful beaches. The castle of the Alhambra is perfect for lovers of castles and sumptuous gardens. Discover the history of Spain, invasions, conquests and reconquests, knights and kings by visiting the most beautiful castles in Spain.

 

Need more inspiration? Discover the Best Beaches in Spain, Best Hidden Gems in Spain as well as the Best Places to Visit in Spain.

 

Book your flights and accommodation at the best price as well as your tours and acitvities in Spain and treat yourself to a royal holiday.

 


Best castles in Spain - Alcazar Castle in Segovia Copyright  Juan Enrique del Barrio - European Best Destinations
Copyright Juan Enrique del Barrio

1. Alcazar Castle

Segovia

The best point of view to take a photo of this fairytale castle that inspired Walt Disney is certainly the "Mirador de la Pradera San Marcos" located on the "Calle de San Marcos". This fortified castle is open every day from 10h to 19h. The visit of this castle is to put on top of your travel bucket list if you are in Spain. The whole city of Segovia is a must if you love medieval cities, old stones, fortifications, religious or historical monuments.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Madrid and discover Segovia (1 hour drive from Madrid, 2 hours by train). Book your tours and activities in Segovia and your accommodation at the best price. 

 

Opening hours: This fortified castle is open every day from 10h to 19h. 

 

Where to stay: Have an early breakfast in front of Segovia Castle by booking at the "Hotel Don Felipe" situated in the historic centre of Segovia.

 


Best castles in Spain - Ponferrada Copyright Lux Blue - European Best Destinations
Copyright Lux Blue

2. Ponferrada Castle

Ponferrada - Province of Leon

It may not be the most touristic part of Spain, but lovers of nature and historical heritage will love it. It is located in the north-east of Spain, halfway between the Vigo and Valladolid airports (2h30 drive). Pilgrims know the place well: this charming city is a step on the way to Santiago de Compostela.

 

Ponferrada Castle was built by the Knights Templar at the time of the Reconquista, this period of the Middle Ages during which Christians reconquered many territories occupied by Muslims. Modified on many occasions, the castle does not look like a Templar castle any longer.

 

Local authorities have invested a lot of money in recent years to restore this castle which is now a must for travellers visiting the region.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Vigo or Valladolid airports (2h30 drive) and accommodation to Vigo or Zaragoza at the best price.

 

Opening hours: The castle is open every day from 10h to 14h and from 16h to 18h.

 


Best Castles in Spain - Tossa de Mar Copyright  kavalenkau - Copyright  - European Best Destinations
Copyright kavalenkau

3. Tossa de Mar

Costa Brava

Treat yourself to a day in Tossa de Mar, out of the crowds and big cities. This charming town in the province of Girona is located 90 minutes’ drive from Barcelona. This sublime small seaside resort is famous for its beaches ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Spain.

 

What makes the charm of Tossa de Mar are the towers and ramparts of its castle but also the fact that  pines trees grow very near the beaches of fine golden sands.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Barcelona, your accommodation at the best price in Tossa de Mar or Barcelona and your tours and activities in Costa Brava such as a "Best of Costa Brava with boat ride and Tossa visit".

 


Best Castles in Europe - Alhambra of Grenada Copyright  emperorcosar - European Best Destinations
Copyright emperorcosar

4. Alhambra Castle

Granada

This is probably one of the most beautiful traces of the Muslim presence in Andalusia. Surrounded by lush vegetation, this majestic palace is the symbol of the city of Granada. Behind this monumental palace is the snow-capped mountains of Sierra Nevada.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Malaga, the nearest airport (1 h 30  drive), your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Andalusia as an "Alhambra, Gardens and Alcazaba guided tour".

 

Where to stay: For a royal stay, book your room at the "Alhambra Palace" located just outside the Alhambra's ancient walls.

 

Opening hours: The castle of Alhambra is open every day of the week from 9h to 18h (closed on Mondays).

 


Best castles in Spain - Loarre Castle Copyright  Igor Plotnikov - European Best Destinations
Copyright Igor Plotnikov

5. Loarre Castle

Huesca

The castle of Loarre is 1h15 drive from the city of Zaragoza between Bilbao and Barcelona. This incredible fortress located in the Community of Aragon is in a perfect state of preservation. Fans of fortifications and military architecture, this 11th century castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Spain is well worth a visit. 

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Zaragoza (1h15 drive from the Castle), and your accommodation at the best price in Zaragoza or Huesca located 30 minutes from the castle.

 

Where to stay: We recommend "El Callejon de Andrese", a charming rural guest house situated 800 m from Loarre Castle.

 

Opening hours: The castle is open every weekdays from 10h to 19h. 

 


Best Castles in Spain - Coca Castle Copyright  Quintanilla  - European Best Destinations
Copyright Quintanilla

6. Coca Castle

Coca - Castilla & Leon

Only 40 minutes’ drive from the magnificent Alcazar de Segovia Castle, Coca Castle is also one of the most beautiful castles in Spain.

 

Any question about the name of the castle? No, this castle has no connection with the famous soft drink. Coca is the name of a charming little town north of Segovia.

 

This sublime Gothic castle is very original since it is one of the few castles that is not on a hill and one of the few castles entirely built with bricks. 

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Segovia and your hotel in the small town of Coca or Segovia.

 

Opening hours: The castle is open every day of the week from 9.30am to 1pm and from 4.30pm to 6pm. 

 


Best castles in Spain - Castle of Butron Copyright  Francisco Javier Gil  - European Best Destinations
Copyright Francisco Javier Gil

7. Castle of Butron

Gatika - Bilbao

Book your flights to Bilbao, leave your bags in your hotel in the historic centre and discover one of the most beautiful castles in Spain, Butron Castle.

 

Located in the province of Biscay, Basque Country, the "Castillo de Butron" is located just 20 minutes’ drive from the historic centre of Bilbao. Although its construction dates back to the Middle Ages, Butron Castle has a more contemporary look as it was completely rebuilt in the 19th century by the Marquis "Francisco de Cubas" in a more "Bavarian" style which is quite strange in comparison with other Spanish castles.

 

You are a fan of Kate Middleton? Her dream was to get married in this fairy castle. Come discover one of the most beautiful and most amazing castles in Spain, if you want to treat yourself to a second home, you might be lucky: it was recently on sale for just over 3 million euros.

 


Best Castles in Spain - Olite Castle Copyright  Iakov Filimonov   - European Best Destinations
Copyright Iakov Filimonov

8. Palace of the King of Navarre

Olite

The pretty little town of Olite is in the Community of Navarre, in the north of Spain.  As you will see, the castle actually looks more like a palace than a castle. The defensive elements of the castle are less visible today and its main function was residential.

 

How to get there: The easiest way to get there is to book your flights to Pampelone. Olite Castle is just a 30-minute drive (1 hour by train) from Pamplona Airport.

 

Opening hours: The castle is open every day from 10h to 18h (until 19h on Sundays).

 

 


 

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