Experts' Choice Award Alcazaba
What the experts agree on
An 11th-century Moorish fortress-palace crowned with horseshoe arches, serene gardens, and fountains that tower over Málaga. The uphill stroll rewards with sweeping city and sea views—Spain's most impressive preserved Islamic military architecture
“Built from 1040 onwards on a hill dominating the town, the fortress is one of the largest Muslim military buildings preserved in Spain.”
– Michelin Guide
Fodor's "Just beyond the ruins of a Roman theater on Calle Alcazabilla stands Málaga's greatest monument." Full review
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"The caliphal horseshoe arches, courtyards and bubbling fountains are evocative." Full review
The Telegraph "Strategically situated overlooking the sea and the city, the Alcazaba is a fortress, built in the 11th century by Malaga’s Arab rulers, which also served as a palace." Full review
The Guardian "The gentle climb from the old town, through the gardens with their soothing fountains, transports me to Moorish Andalucía. The view across the city...from the top is definitely worh the climb."
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Frommer's "The Alcazaba is filled with fluted Greek-style columns with acanthus capitals from 200 to 300 b.c. and occasional blocks of Roman stones with Latin inscriptions still visible." Full review
Independent "The Alcazaba, Malaga’s answer to Granada’s Alhambra, is the architectural highlight, where stone palaces with horseshoe arches contain gardens and courtyards lined with orange and palm trees"
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The Guardian "Almería, on the eastern side of Andalucía, is often overlooked despite being home to a splendid cathedral, an ancient Moorish castle (the Alcazaba, in pride of place atop a hill) and the Cable Inglés (English pier)"
Time Out "The Alcazaba is all delicate Moorish gardens and archways. It’s a hot and sweaty scramble uphill to the Alcazaba (you could take the lift, but where’s the fun in that?), but you can..."
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