Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante is a must-see

By Alicante Locker

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Santa Barbara Castle, an icon of Alicante

Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante is one of the city's most iconic landmarks, especially famous for the "Face of the Moor," one of the most photographed spots from Postiguet Beach.
Its privileged location atop Mount Benacantil, 166 meters high and overlooking the sea, offers spectacular views of Alicante, its marina, beaches, and the bay. From the highest point of Alicante's castle, visitors can see the two lighthouses marking the bay: Cabo de las Huertas lighthouse to the left, and the silhouette of Tabarca Island to the right, next to the Santa Pola lighthouse.

The appeal of Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante goes beyond its impressive walls dominating the city skyline and Alicante bay. It is one of Spain's largest and best-preserved medieval fortresses, with initial settlements dating back to the late 9th century. Visiting Alicante's castle is a must-do activity for anyone spending time in the city.

The castle grounds include various spaces and buildings that have evolved over centuries, such as bastions, walls, kitchens, dungeons, and water cisterns, along with modern amenities like cafes, restrooms, and a souvenir shop. Plan for 1 to 2 hours for your visit, with FREE entry available to everyone.

Opening Hours

Santa Barbara Castle is open every day of the year, Monday through Sunday, with the following visiting hours:

Opening Time:

10:00 am daily.

Closing Time:

6:00 pm from November 15 to February 27
8:00 pm from February 28 to June 17
11:00 pm from June 17 to September 4
8:00 pm from September 5 to November 14

Closed on:

June 24
December 24, 25, and 31
January 1 and 6

How to Visit Santa Barbara Castle

There are multiple ways to visit Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante, either on foot, by public transportation, or private vehicle. Public transport is recommended as there is no parking at the castle; vehicles can only drop off and pick up visitors.

Elevator from Postiguet Beach

Elevator access to Santa Barbara Castle from Postiguet Beach

This is the most recommended method, allowing visitors to reach the castle courtyard effortlessly from Postiguet Beach within minutes.

Hours:
- Upward: from 10:00 am until 40 minutes before castle closing.
- Downward: until 20 minutes before castle closing.
General Price (reduced fares available for groups, seniors, etc.):
- Upward: €2.70
- Downward: Free
Ticket booking: Not required, tickets available at the elevator base, though you can reserve online at Santa Barbara Castle Elevator Ticket Reservation.
Elevator Llcation: Opposite Postiguet Beach, Avd. Juan Bautista Lafora, Alicante.
How to get Santa Barbara Castle elevator base

Minibus from Puerta del Mar

You can also access Santa Barbara Castle via a minibus departing from Puerta del Mar.

Frequency: every 40 minutes
Price: €1.45 each way
Bus Stops - click to view location on Google Maps:

Taxi or Private Vehicle

Taxi, chauffeur-driven rental cars, or private vehicles are allowed only for visitor drop-off and pickup; parking at the castle is prohibited.

Walking

Walking to Santa Barbara Castle takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on individual fitness levels, as the ascent covers more than 160 meters in elevation.

Click on each location to view its exact position on Google Maps.

We highlight two main routes:

Through Ereta Park: This park is located on the southwestern slope of Mount Benacantil, offering stunning views of the beach and Alicante's marina.
The route can start from two key points:
- The upper part of Barrio de Santa Cruz, where a stairway leads directly to the vicinity of La Ereta restaurant. From there, visitors can head towards the Porta de Sant Jordi and then follow the final stretch of the access road to the castle.
- Plaza de Santa Maria. From this plaza, home to another must-visit attraction—the Church of Santa Maria—visitors can begin the ascent via a series of stairs next to the Museum of Contemporary Art of Alicante - MACA -. This path initially leads to Calle San Juan, where the Water Museum is located, followed by another set of stairs leading into Ereta Park and eventually reaching the Porta de Sant Jordi.
A short distance from MARQ - Alicante Archaeological Museum or MARQ TRAM Castle Station, visitors can take the northern access road to Santa Barbara Castle. This route, ascending the northern face of Mount Benacantil, takes about 30 minutes to get to the main entrance of the castle.

Our Recommendation

Take the elevator up and walk down using one of the routes mentioned above:

Ereta route ending in Santa Cruz neighborhood, where you can explore its charming alleys.
Ereta route ending in the city's museum district, featuring must-see attractions like MACA museum and the Church of Santa Maria.
North side of Mount Benacantil, ending near MARQ museum, with easy access to the TRAM station for further travel to the commercial center near Luceros Square.