Santa Bárbara Castle: how to visit

Entry is free. The only thing you might pay for is the ride up.

Official price: Free
Free: Free entry all year
Opening hours: 15 Nov to 27 Feb, 10:00–18:00; otherwise until 20:00 or 23:00

Official prices and opening hours

Official price

Entry to the castleFree
Lift from Postiguet€2.70
Shuttle (minibus), per trip€1.45
Lift: retirement pensioners or over-65sFree

Free

Entry to the castle is completely free. So are the guided tours. The lift is free for retirement pensioners or over-65s.

Booking

You don't need a ticket for the castle. The operator recommends buying your lift ticket in advance. Free guided tours are booked in person on the day.

Opening hours

15 November to 27 February, 10:00 to 18:00. 28 February to 16 June and 5 September to 14 November, 10:00 to 20:00. 17 June to 4 September, 10:00 to 23:00. Entry until 40 minutes before closing. On performance days, check the closing time.

Closed

1 and 6 January, 24 June, 24, 25 and 31 December.

Address

Monte Benacantil, Alicante

Checked on 4 November 2026 · Sources

Lift, shuttle or on foot

Lift. It leaves from opposite Postiguet beach and costs €2.70. Buying your ticket in advance is recommended. The last lift up goes 40 minutes before the lifts close, and the last one down 20 minutes before.

Shuttle. The minibus costs €1.45 per trip, runs roughly every 40 minutes and stops at Puerta del Mar and opposite the MARQ.

On foot. The way in is through Parque de la Ereta.

Car. You can't drive up or park inside the grounds. The free La Ereta car park is close by.

Closing time depends on the date

From 15 November to 27 February it closes at 18:00. The rest of the year it's 20:00 or 23:00. Entry stops 40 minutes before closing, and on performance days you should check the closing time.

It doesn't open on 1 and 6 January, 24 June, or 24, 25 and 31 December. The castle's website recommends allowing at least an hour.

Free guided tours

Free guided tours run every day, with a maximum of 30 places. Book in person on the day, up to half an hour before, at the information desk in the Patio de Armas. The theatrical tours, on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00, can also be booked online.

A museum afterwards

The shuttle stops opposite the MARQ, the provincial archaeological museum: €5, or €3 on Sundays and public holidays. The MACA, for contemporary art, is free and closes on Mondays. More ideas in museums in Alicante.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to enter Santa Bárbara Castle?

Nothing: entry is completely free. You only pay for the lift (€2.70) or the shuttle (€1.45 per trip) if you use them.

How much is the lift to Santa Bárbara Castle?

€2.70 per person. It's free for retirement pensioners or over-65s. The lift is opposite Postiguet beach, on Avenida Juan Bautista Lafora.

What are the opening hours of Santa Bárbara Castle?

From 15 November to 27 February, 10:00–18:00. From 28 February to 16 June and from 5 September to 14 November, 10:00–20:00. From 17 June to 4 September, 10:00–23:00.

Can you drive up to Santa Bárbara Castle?

No. You can't reach the castle by car or park inside the grounds. The free La Ereta car park is nearby, on Mount Benacantil itself.

Are there free guided tours of the castle?

Yes, every day, with a maximum of 30 places. You book in person at the castle on the day of your visit.

Sources

Facts taken from the official websites, quoted in their original language. Has something changed? Write to info@museums.es.

Official website: Castillo de Santa Bárbara
castillodesantabarbara.com/preguntas-frecuentes — El acceso al castillo, ¿es gratuito? Sí, el acceso es totalmente gratuito.
castillodesantabarbara.com/preguntas-frecuentes — La tarifa establecida para el mismo es de 2,7€ por persona, a excepción de pensionistas por jubilación o mayores de 65 años.
castillodesantabarbara.com/preguntas-frecuentes — Su frecuencia es de 40 minutos aproximadamente, y el billete tiene un precio de 1,45€.
castillodesantabarbara.com/preguntas-frecuentes — Temporada baja (del 15 de noviembre al 27 de febrero): todos los días, de 10 a 18 horas. Temporada media (del 28 de febrero al 16 de junio, y del 5 de septiembre al 14 de noviembre): todos los días, de 10 a 20 horas.
castillodesantabarbara.com/preguntas-frecuentes — Temporada alta (del 17 de junio al 4 de septiembre): todos los días, de 10 a 23 horas.
castillodesantabarbara.com/preguntas-frecuentes — No es posible acceder al castillo en coche.
castillodesantabarbara.com/preguntas-frecuentes — Próximo al castillo se encuentra el parking gratuito de La Ereta, en el propio monte Benacantil.
castillodesantabarbara.com/preguntas-frecuentes — Las visitas guiadas se llevan a cabo, de forma gratuita, todos los días de la semana
castillodesantabarbara.com/preguntas-frecuentes — Para ambos tipos de visitas es necesario reservar plaza comunicándolo hasta media hora antes en el Mostrador de información (ubicado en el patio de Armas, junto a la tienda)
alicanteturismo.com/castillo-de-santa-barbara — La fortaleza permanecerá cerrada los días 24, 25 y 31 de diciembre, el 1 y 6 de enero, y el 24 de junio.
alicanteturismo.com/castillo-de-santa-barbara — Solo se permite el acceso al recinto hasta 40 minutos antes del cierre.
alicanteturismo.com/castillo-de-santa-barbara — Los días de actuaciones: consultar horarios de cierre del Castillo.
alicanteturismo.com/castillo-de-santa-barbara — Último ascensor de subida: 40 minutos antes de la hora de cierre de los ascensores Último ascensor de bajada: 20 minutos antes de la hora de cierre de los ascensores
alicanteturismo.com/castillo-de-santa-barbara — Se recomienda comprar el ticket de acceso al ascensor de manera anticipada
alicanteturismo.com/castillo-de-santa-barbara — Ascensores en Avenida Juan Bautista Lafora , frente a la Playa del Postiguet
alicanteturismo.com/castillo-de-santa-barbara — Estacionamiento en el recinto del Castillo Santa Bárbara no permitido.
alicanteturismo.com/castillo-de-santa-barbara — Puerta del MAR Postiguet-Pasarela. MARQ- Castillo( TRAM) Plaza del Doctor Gómez Ulla, frente al Museo MARQ
alicanteturismo.com/castillo-de-santa-barbara — Acceso por el Parque de la Ereta
castillodesantabarbara.com/informacion-del-castillo — el tiempo de visita recomendado es de, al menos, 1 hora
castillodesantabarbara.com/que-ver-que-hacer — PLAZAS LIMITADAS: Máximo 30 plazas
castillodesantabarbara.com/que-ver-que-hacer — Estas se reservan de manera presencial, el mismo día de la visita en la fortaleza.
castillodesantabarbara.com/que-ver-que-hacer — Las reservas para las visitas teatralizadas pueden realizarse online a través de esta página web o de forma presencial
castillodesantabarbara.com/preguntas-frecuentes — Sábados y domingos a las 12:00 horas.
alicanteturismo.com/en/museos/provincial-archaeological-museum-of-alic — 5€ (Sundays and public holidays 3€)
alicanteturismo.com/en/museos/museum-of-contemporary-art-of-alicante — Free access.
maca-alicante.es — Lunes cerrado.