Top location! A challenging and steep climb up Mount Benacantil, but you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view over the Bay of Alicante, the port, and the mountains in the Alicante hinterland! Castillo de Santa Bárbara is Alicante's most prominent landmark and one of the most important fortresses on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Perched atop Mount Benacantil, some 166 meters above the city, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of Alicante, the port, and the sea.
Its origins date back to the Moorish period of the 9th century, when the fortress was first built. It received its current name on the Feast of Saint Barbara, December 4, 1248, when the castle was captured by Castilian troops under King Alfonso X. In the following centuries, it was expanded and fortified several times – particularly during the Spanish Renaissance and in the 18th century.
The Castillo served not only as a military stronghold but also, at times, as a prison. Today it is a well-preserved monument and a popular tourist destination. Visitors can stroll through ancient walls, towers, and tunnels, immersing themselves in Alicante's history – a place where past and panorama combine in an impressive way.