The 10 most spectacular castles in Spain

Spain is a country steeped in natural, cultural and historical wealth. It has witnessed many wars, betrayal, love, conquest... Events that make our territory a unique place in which to visit each and every one of its corners.

For this reason, we present here some of the most impressive Castles in Spain, which will take you on a journey throughout the history of our country and emphasizing more on the curiosities and anecdotes that surround these enclaves.

1. Butrón, a Bavarian in Basque lands

If you are one of those who supported the villain in the movies, you cannot miss visiting this castle in Gatika, Vizcaya. Surrounded by a thick centuries-old forest, stands one of the most peculiar structures in the Castilian area. Much of its exoticism lies in the Bavarian inspiration of its exterior, a rare find among the military architecture of Spain. But it was not always like this.

This castle finds its origins in the Middle Ages, when it was just a tower house of the Butrón lineage, a noble family from Vizcaya. However, it was not until the 19th century that it acquired its current appearance, after a profound remodeling in the Germanic style, as revealed by the fantastic air of its towers and finishes.

After a time operating as a hotel complex with a medieval setting, the castle closed and is currently for sale, a curious fact if you have a few million euros left over. Of course, you must commit to adequate conservation, since this Bavarian giant is part of the Spanish Historical Heritage, and deserves to remain intact for many more years. If Butrón Castle leaves you wanting more fantasy, try touring the Otzarreta Forest… if you dare.

2. The Alcázar, admiral of Segovia

Crowning the city of Segovia, at the top of the highest hill, is one of the most distinctive castle-palaces in Spain and even in Europe. The explanation lies in its curious ship's bow shape, although it is clear that it has no shortage of requirements to be on this list.

It is more than likely that its construction dates back long before its first documentation in the 12th century, and since then it has been almost everything a good castle can be. In addition to being one of the favorite residences of the Castilian kings, especially Alfonso

There were several restorations and extensions from Alfonso Be that as it may, from the Herrerian exterior to the Mudejar decoration of its interior, the alcázar offers so many wonders that it is impossible not to visit it. If you want to see it from a unique perspective, we recommend trying the balloon rides over Segovia.

3. Almodóvar del Río, a high garden

If you want to enjoy beautiful views, come to Almodóvar Castle, In cordoba. Its history begins long before it was built, since it is located in an ancient Ibero-Turdetan site. It was the Berbers who built the first castle in 760, although it took a few centuries and the help of the architect Casanova to achieve the current look that we like so much, with Muslim and Christian cultural touches.

The natural landscape that surrounds it is spectacular and very rich, a place that can be observed from the castle because it is located on a hill, about 252 meters next to the Guadalquivir River. The beauty of this castle is an opinion shared by the Lannisters, or so evidenced by some events in the penultimate season of Game of Thrones. The cast was amazed to see the perfect condition of the tower and its gardens.

Currently, it allows you to enjoy wonderful views of the Guadalquivir River at altitude while you go on incredible adventures between four-meter-thick walls. We recommend it!

4. Coca Castle, double height

It is located on the outskirts of the town of Coca, Segovia, founded on the meander of the Voltoya River. It is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic-Mudejar art. Its palatial entrance, the peculiar acoustics of some areas of the castle, the large interior moat of 560 meters in perimeter, considered the best in Castile, are impressive; as well as the elegance that it exudes from being built of bricks.

The complex is made up of two enclosures, one exterior with a defensive function, and another interior with towers in the corners. We not only like it for its spectacular appearance, but when you go inside you will find a romantic love story, starring the Marquis of Cenete. He ended up scalded by embers thrown from the battlements, when he was pursuing a lady.

After visiting this impressive castle, there are many amazing activities you can do.

5. Loarre Castle, a challenge to gravity

At a thousand meters, in the Pyrenean mountain we find The castle of Loarre, Romanesque style, located in the province of Huesca (Aragón). If you think of a military castle, Loarre meets all the requirements of what a Spanish military castle is.

It sits on a rock promontory. This was a great defensive advantage, since it was difficult to access it without being seen from somewhere in the castle. In addition, it is surrounded by a wall of inclined towers protecting lands that, in previous centuries, were cultivated by Muslims.

If the earth could speak and tell everything that has happened on it, we would be stunned. Historians say that, from its beginnings to the present, the castle hides many secrets inside, stories of romance, business, until they buried King Rodrigo, a Visigoth king between the years 710 and 711, who was betrayed in the battle of La Janda against the Umayyad Caliphate. He was the last Visigoth king of Toledo, and his widow Egilona married the first Muslim vali of Al-Andalus shortly thereafter.

6. Olite Castle, the beautiful palace

It is a courtly and military construction built during the 13th and 14th centuries, by Charles III, in the town of Olite, Navarra.

If you like medieval art, you will love this palace. It is considered one of the most luxurious medieval castles in Europe. There is no king who has a palace, a more beautiful castle with golden rooms, where it is not difficult to travel to the Middle Ages.

Its majestic profile and the elegance of the disorder of its design is due to the fact that its construction was never approached as an "ensemble" project, which has meant that its original style is not preserved.

Olite, a small town that at sunset offers impressive views of the silhouette of the palace, ideal for taking some photos and letting ourselves go. The biodiversity of this province is immense and we recommend that you continue enjoying it with a birdwatching in the Irati Jungle and the Pyrenees of Huesca.

7. Ponferrada Castle, Templar stronghold

It is located on a hill between the Boeza and Sil rivers, in Ponferrada (Province of León). With a curious irregular polygon shape, two different parts can be distinguished: the northern part, from the 12th century, and the rest, built throughout the 15th century. Outside, in memory of that time, today there is a huge red tau made of flowers that decorates the gardens at the foot of the castle, next to the Moclín Tower and, in a state already worn by the passing of the years , there are heraldic emblems of the Catholic Monarchs on the towers.

In ancient times the castle was surrounded by a moat, except in the northwestern part, where the river fulfilled the same function. Inside there is a group of fortifications of Templar origin. access to a patio, to which the elliptical tower opens with double and triple defenses forming barbicans, towers, rooms and a large low patio or albacar.

Before entering the patio there is a defensive enclosure that leads to the Cabrera tower, connected to the first defensive line of the semicircular tower, intended for dungeons and communication with the second line of defense.

At the end of the visit to this wonderful polygonal castle, the only thing left will be the desire to stay and enjoy this wonderful place a little longer. province of Leon.

8. Manzanares Castle, el Real

It is a palace-fortress of medieval origin that is located in Madrid. At the foot of the Guadarrama mountain range and next to the Manzanares River.

Built in the 15th century on a Romanesque-Mudejar church, which was integrated into the structure. The architect Juan Guas participated in its construction, who used Elizabethan Gothic traces, with Spanish-Muslim influences.
Conceived as a key work of Spanish Renaissance architecture and whose usefulness was not defense but a desire to convey an image of wealth and power, which is why inside it preserves great works of art, a collection of tapestries, paintings, armor and furniture from the 16th to 19th centuries.

This castle changes its attractiveness throughout the year. In summer, for example, they light it up at night and make changing light shows. It is not a bad idea to visit it every season, we are sure that after seeing it for the first time, you will want to return.

9. Bellver Castle, beautiful circular view

Bellver Castle is a Mallorcan Gothic style fortification of James II of Mallorca. It is located about three kilometers from the city of Palma de Mallorca. On a mountain 112 meters above sea level, climbing the mountain to show the spectacular views of the Bay of Palma, the city and the Tramuntana Mountains.

It is one of the few castles in all of Europe with a peculiar ecru-colored design, its circular silhouette standing out among the green of the forests that surround it. It is the oldest monument within the cylindrical style. It combines palatial needs with defensive elements, resulting in cultural and artistic wealth. This castle has become a prison, but also a sacred place where the person in charge of the fortress swore fidelity and obedience to his king, sacrificing his life, if necessary to defend the castle.

It is in the heart of the castle where all its grandeur and exquisiteness resides with elegant and refined finishes.
One of the wonders that this castle hides is the Chapel of San Marcos, but Mallorca has many more that you cannot miss such as Illes Malgrats with a fascinating underwater fauna that you can enjoy in this snorkeling activity.

10. Castillo de la Mota, only for the brave

Founded on an elevation of the land, located in the town of Medina del Campo, Valladolid. It was built with the characteristic reddish brick typical of the area. The Thousands of bricks that contain countless legends, adventures and immense stories whose protagonist is Isabel la Católica who spent her last days in this peculiar castle.

On the façade you will be very struck by seeing that the impacts of the wars it has managed to survive are still preserved, remaining in perfect condition. In addition to the impacts, the tower and the castle walls are full of other types of holes called mechinales, which were used to install scaffolding for reconstruction tasks.
The Castle has three well-differentiated areas: the lobby, the Parade Ground and the Keep, only prepared to be visited by adventurous people, since the stairs are vertigo and access to it is only for the brave.

If you like history and want to know the heritage that Isabel la Católica gave to this beautiful place, you can continue knowing the Route of Isabel the Catholic.

These and many more castles await you throughout the country. From Nattule We invite you to stop for a few seconds and listen to the incredible stories that emanate from the bricks of these beautiful castles. We want you to live it like you've never done before. You dare? Tell us your experience in the comments.