What to do · Guadix
La Calahorra Castle
Information
- Price
- Free, by reservation
- Duration
- 1 h 30
- Who it's for
- All ages
What it is
From outside it is a military fortress: a square plan, thick walls and four cylindrical towers on top of a hill, with Sierra Nevada behind. Inside it hides one of the first Renaissance buildings in Spanish civil architecture. It was ordered built in the early 16th century by Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar y Mendoza, first Marquis of Zenete, on the remains of an Andalusian fortress. For the interior he brought materials, techniques and artists from Italy, such as the Genoese Michele Carlone. At the centre is a square courtyard of two galleries, with Corinthian columns and a Carrara marble balustrade.
For years it was barely possible to visit. The Granada Provincial Council bought it in July 2025 and opened it to the public in September that year; by October 2026 it had already received more than 30,000 visitors.
How to visit
Only with a guided visit and compulsory prior booking, in the castle's online ticket shop (shop.articketing.com). According to the Council, more than 600 free tickets are offered each week for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday visits. The timetable published by the Guadix town council is Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00, and Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00.
On Friday mornings there is a shuttle to the castle for people with reduced mobility. Since summer 2026 there is also a tactile model designed for people with visual impairment.
Getting there
La Calahorra is about 18 km from Guadix on the A-92 towards Almería, about 20 minutes by car, at the foot of the mountains in the Marquesado del Zenete. The castle is at the top of the hill, above the village; ask when you book where to leave the car.
When to go
In winter and spring, with the snowy range behind, the view from the hill is at its best. Book days ahead if you go at the weekend.
Tips
- Book before leaving home Without a reservation you can't enter, and there are no visits Monday to Thursday.
- Combine it with the Alcudia caves The Casas Cueva del Tío Tobas are on the way between Guadix and La Calahorra.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit La Calahorra castle?
The guided visits are free, with compulsory prior booking.
Which days is it open?
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to the timetable published by the Guadix town council.
Can you drive up?
On Friday mornings there is a shuttle for people with reduced mobility. For everything else, ask when you book where to park.
