LA ALCAZABA
Hours	Museum Tues-Sun 8:30am-7pm
Location	Plaza de la Aduana, Alcazabilla
Transportation	Bus: 4, 18, 19, 24, or 135
Phone	95-221-60-05
Prices	Admission 1.80€ ($2.15)

The Alcazaba has been built on tests of a roman fortress and was expanded and completed in the 14th century by the Nasrides, although much of it was built around the middle of the 11th century for King Badis of Granada. Although the castle was mostly destroyed, this is the best-preserved alcazaba in Spain and with the ruins two museums are located here. The archaeological museum and the Museo de la Ceramica. The first one shows findings from the Gothic and greek centuries while the second one displays mostly pottery.

You can see the remains of what was once a Roman theatre at its entrance. The Alcazaba lies on a hill top with good view over the town and the sea and originally consisted of 3 protecting walls (whereas 2 are still remaining), more than 100 towers and a superior part with a residential area including 3 palaces. The first wall completely encloses the second inner area and is dotted with defensive towers. The entrance is through the a gateway called "Puerta de la Bóveda" (Vault Gate), but nowadays it can also be accessed by an elevator. Fortified gates, decorated with columns and Roman capitals, mark the pleasant walk. This maze of gates and nooks makes the long journey even more pleasant.

GIBRALFARO CASTLE
Hours	Daylight hours
Location	Cerro de Gibralfaro
Transportation	Microbus: 35, leaving hourly from cathedral
Prices	Admission 1.80€ ($2.15)

The "Castillo de Gibralfaro" or Gibralfaro Castle is a fortress situated just next to La Alcazaba which it is connected to by ducts from two of its towers. Originally, in the place where the Gibralfaro lies, there was a fortress build by Abderramán III. This fortress was later reconstructed by King Yusuf I, who built this castle in the 14th century to defend the Alcazaba. The castle is famous for being the site of a three month siege by the citizens of Málaga against the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella.

There is a long rampart connecting the two castles, but you cannot walk in or on top of it. To get from one castle to the other, take the bus or the path on the south side of the Alcazaba. From the top of the walls, do not miss the very attractive panoramic view over the town and its harbour.

Alcazaba and Gibralfaro

Cathedral, Museo Picasso and other museums

Jardines Botánicos La Concepción and El Retiro

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