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Ticket prices for Alcazaba and Gibralfaro set to double as Málaga updates entrance fees
Málaga City Council has approved a price hike for its monuments, with increased revenue to fund conservation and improvements
Visitors to Málaga’s Alcazaba fortress and Gibralfaro castle will soon face higher entrance fees, as the city council has approved changes to ticket prices. The increase, which is expected to come into effect later this year, is part of a wider initiative to align the cost of entry with other historic sites in Spain and generate additional funding for maintenance and renovations.
The new pricing structure means the standard ticket for either monument will rise from €3.50 to €7. However, visitors can save by purchasing a combined ticket for both sites, which will now cost €10, up from the current €5.50.Discounted rates will also increase. Students, pensioners, those over 65, unemployed individuals, and people with a disability of at least 33% will pay €3 per monument, up from €1.50, while the combined ticket will rise from €2.50 to €5. Group visits will see a similar adjustment, with tickets for individual sites increasing from €2.50 to €5 and the combined option rising from €4 to €8.
Despite the price increases, one tradition will remain unchanged; admission to both sites will still be free on Sundays from 2pm.
Málaga City Council justifies the increase by pointing out that entrance fees for the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro remain lower than the average cost of visiting similar historic landmarks across Spain. For example, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona costs €26, the Alcázar of Segovia €10, and the Cathedral of Mallorca €10. Even within Andalucía, sites such as the Alhambra in Granada (€18) and the Mosque of Córdoba (€13) charge significantly more.
Officials estimate that the new pricing structure will double the city’s revenue from ticket sales, potentially bringing in over €12 million in 2025. The additional funds are set to be reinvested in the preservation and enhancement of both monuments. Planned improvements include expanded visitor facilities, upgraded security measures, better accessibility for those with reduced mobility, enhanced lighting, and general restoration work on the gardens and fountains.
Meanwhile, the Junta de Andalucía has been considering introducing entrance fees for currently free attractions such as Medina Azahara, the Museo de Málaga and the Dolmens of Antequera. Early proposals suggest a charge of €6 for these sites.
Málaga’s Alcazaba and Gibralfaro continue to attract record numbers of visitors, surpassing two million in 2024. With demand growing, city officials believe the new pricing structure will support the long-term sustainability of these historic landmarks while ensuring they remain accessible to the public.Images: andalucia.org
