When my friends come to visit me on Costa del Sol, they often ask what’s there to see around Benalmadena, and my first response is usually: Colomares Castle.
Officially known as Castillo Colomares, it’s actually a monument, not a castle, dedicated to documenting and commemorating the travels of Christopher Columbus.
Castillo de Colomares tells a story of the discovery of the new world and was built between 1987 and 1994 by Dr. D. Esteban Martín. As the author explains, the hero of the story, sailor Colon was part of the expedition of Columbus funded heavily by the Catholic Monarchs in Spain.
It features three ships that were part of the exhibition, and you will also find here the smallest chapel in the world. Now that’s something!
Castillo de Colomares took years to build and features a blend of different architectural styles. To me, it reminded me of the old-fashioned castles, complete with immaculate gardens.
I have visited Colomares Castle three times now, so I have plenty of experience with what it has to offer, when is the best time to visit, and where to park.
Let me take you for a virtual tour and give you everything you need to plan your trip!
Where is Castillo Colomares Monument
Castillo Colomares (as the locals call it) is located just outside of Benalmadena Pueblo, which is the village part of Benalmadena located high up in the hills.
It is not easily accessible on foot from Benalmadena coast, and you can walk there from Benalmadena Pueblo in under 20 minutes – I will give you instructions in the article.
Here is a quick reference for the location on the map:
Is Colomares Castle in Benalmadena Worth Visiting?
Yes, in my opinion, it’s well worth your time!
It’s a beautiful monument with intricate architectural details, not to mention the views from there are spectacular!
I know you may think it’s a tourist trap and the ultimate haven for Instagram-thirsty tourists, but I personally really like the place, and I think it has a lot to offer. If you’re visiting Benalmadena with kids, they will love it too – lots of water features included, and they have a small cafe on site too.
Check out the video tour below to get a better idea about the monument.
Video Tour: Colomares Castle in Benalmadena
How to Get to Castillo de Colomares in Benalmadena
Getting to Colomares Castle is easiest by car or taxi, or walking from Benalmadena Pueblo, as there is no bus stop close by.
Getting there By Car
By car, you can access the monument via the A-7 highway and park right next to the entrance of the monument.
I have also taken this trip with a taxi from Fuengirola, which costs between 10 – 14 euros with uber. You can also get a local taxi from Benalmadena Costa and drive up there with a taxi, which will be up to 10 euros per journey.
Getting there by Bus
For public transportation, the easiest route is by taking the local M-121 bus from Benalmádena and getting off at the Budhist Stupa / Mariposario stop.
You can check the stops for the bus and timetable here. From the bus stop, I would say it’s about 20 minutes walk to the monument. This option is great to consider if you don’t want to drive and want to see the Butterfly Park and the Buddhist temple at the same time.
The other option is a local bus connecting Benalmadena Pueblo and Benalmadena Costa, bus number M-116. You can check the timetable and stop here.
Walking to the Monument
I have experience with walking to the monument from Benalmadena Pueblo, you want to aim for the Murillo Park at the end of the village, and walk downhill from there, it’s about 10 minutes walk.
There are pedestrian paths alongside the main road, and the road is not busy at all, so you don’t need to worry about traffic. Below is a map with the suggested path.
How to Get to Castillo de Colomares from Malaga
As I mentioned earlier, the easiest way to get to the monument from Malaga is by driving there with a rental car; it makes a perfect day trip from Malaga.
As you approach Benalmadena, take the exit next to Restaurante Higueron and continue driving towards Benalmadena Pueblo.
Here is a map with the route:
Best Time to Visit Colomares Castle in Benalmadena
I always recommend getting to the monument as soon as it opens, to avoid crowds during the day. That’s around 10am.
That is especially true in summer time when the temperatures start climbing already early in the morning. Keep in mind that in summer, there is a siesta break in the monument, so it’s closed between 2pm and 5pm.
In terms of seasons, I think summer and autumn are great for a visit, but you won’t be disappointed even if you venture there in winter – at least it will be empty and you will have the place to yourself.
Photo Tour: Colomares Castle in Benalmadena
Now let’s get to the best part – photos of the Colomares Castle!
Here is a virtual photo tour and I have included some details about the history of the castle at the end of the article.
What To See at Colomares Castle
The monument showcases a blend of Gothic, Byzantine, and Moorish styles with detailed sculptures.
Highlights include the Byzantine fountain of the snake, Aragon House symbolizing Columbus’s Jewish origins, the fountain of the lovers representing Isabel and Fernando’s meeting, Casa Castilla y Leon with Castellano architecture, and the large gate with Mudejar arches.
The story progresses through the Fountain of Hope, the Oriental Tower, the Evangelization fountain, a map of Hispaniola, the Lighthouse of the Marine Belief, and concludes with the stern of Santa Maria, symbolizing various aspects of Columbus’s journey and the cultural blend of Andalucia.
Facilities at Colomares Castle
By the entrance, on your left side, there is a small cafe that serves some light snacks and a vending machine. It had a lovely-looking seating area overlooking the monument from a shaded spot, perfect for a bit of rest from the heat.
There are also toilets available further back on the side of the monument.
Castillo de Colomares Tickets
The tickets to the monument are not available online (at least at the time of writing this article) and you can get them at the gate to the monument (see below the photo).
The tickets cost 3 euros for adults, and 2 euros for kids.
Opening Hours of Colomares Castle
In spring time, open every day except Monday, from 10am to 8pm.
In summer, they have a siesta break, so they are open from 10am to 2pm, and then from 5pm to 9pm.
In autumn and winter, the monument is open from 10am to 6pm.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Colomares Castle
- The monument is accessible by wheelchair and pram
- Tickets are available at the gates of the monument and you will also get a small map with explanations
- Guided tours are available but have to be booked in advance
- The monument gets quite busy in the summer and spring, so do visit early in the morning to avoid crowds
- If you’re coming later in the day, there is a fabulous restaurant just up the hill from the monument called La Cupula Lounge that has the most amazing views and cool atmosphere with live music.
Enjoy your trip and let me know how did you like it!
What to Explore in Benalmadena
- 10 Best Excursions from Benalmadena
- Best Benalmadena Boat Trips
- Paloma Park, Benalmadena
- Selwo Marina in Benalmadena: Worth a Visit?
- How to Spend One Day in Benalmadena
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