Discover the Colomares Castle with our guide. An impressive monument in Benalmádena that commemorates the discovery of America by Columbus.
This castle, which seems to have come straight out of a fairy tale and attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year, is one of the most unforgettable visits you can make during your vacation on the Costa del Sol, especially when traveling with children, as the little ones feel immersed in a world of fantasy.
Our 4-star hotel located in the heart of Puerto Banús is ideal for a stay with children and the family. It’s just a short half-hour drive from Colomares Castle, making it the best choice for accommodation if you intend to visit this unique monument.
The History of Colomares Castle in Benalmádena
This Castle of Benalmádena Pueblo was built between 1987 and 1994 by Esteban Martín y Martín and other artists using techniques from the Middle Ages, entirely artisanal, without the use of modern heavy machinery.
The objective was to narrate through its architecture the entire process that led to the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, from the initial meetings with the Catholic Monarchs to the arrival in the New World.
For the construction of the Colomares Monument Castle, which extended over 7 long years, various materials were used, from wood and stone to cement and concrete.
Its medieval appearance is reinforced by the fusion of its architectural styles, which skillfully blend the most relevant ones from the Spain of the time: Byzantine, neo-Romanesque, Gothic, and Mudéjar. The result is a fantasy space of enormous visual impact.
Among the elements that make it up are those related to the three cultures that coexisted in medieval Spain (Christian, Islamic, and Jewish), different symbols of the Catholic Monarchs, and others related to the historic journey of Christopher Columbus that would culminate in the discovery of America.
Points of interest for visiting Colomares Castle
When you visit the Colomares Castle in Benalmádena, you are given an itinerary that indicates the main points of interest along the tour, along with a brief description of each of them.
Among the most striking places (almost all of them are) are the Fountains of the Culebra, the Lovers, Hope, Evangelization, and Andalusia, the Houses of Aragon and Castile and León, the Porticos of Hispanidad and the Catholic Monarchs, the Oriental Tower, the Christmas Fort of 1492, the Castle’s Cistern, and the Map of Hispaniola, among others.
The wonderful gardens of the monumental complex deserve a special mention, from which you can contemplate different perspectives of the monument and some spectacular views of the Malaga coast.
Hotels near the Colomares Monument
The Costa del Sol is one of the world’s major tourist destinations, so its range of accommodations is very extensive.
However, due to its excellent value for money, its extraordinary services geared towards family tourism, and its proximity to Colomares Castle, just a 30-minute drive away via highway or expressway.
The best choice for spending wonderful days along the Malaga coast is Hotel Benabola, located in the heart of one of Spain’s premier tourist centers: Puerto Banús.
It boasts the smallest church in the world
One of the great surprises of the monument (or we could also say one of the smallest) is the Church of Colomares Castle, whose small dimensions have led it to appear in the Guinness World Records as the smallest temple in the world.
It is the Chapel of Santa Isabel of Hungary, measuring only 1.96 square meters. This contrasts with the size of Colomares Castle, the largest in the world dedicated to Christopher Columbus, with over 1,500 square meters.
How can I get to Colomares Castle?
The Colomares Castle is located in the La Carraca Estate, about a 10-minute walk from Benalmádena Pueblo.
No bus stops near this unique building, so if you want to get there, you have different options:
- Car: Your own or rental (there are countless car rental companies throughout the Costa del Sol).
- Taxi: Although you also have the option of hiring VTC services.
What is the price of the ticket to visit Benalmádena Castle?
The tickets for Benalmádena Castle are very affordable, with the proceeds dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of this attractive example of the cultural heritage of the province of Málaga.
The price is 2.50 euros for adult visitors and 2 euros for retirees and children.
Contact information and opening hours for Colomares Castle.
Colomares contact information includes the phone number +34 952 44 88 21 and the email address colomares@hotmail.com.
As for its opening hours, the architectural complex is open to the public year-round from Wednesday to Sunday.
During the fall and winter seasons, the hours are from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; in spring, it opens from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM; finally, during the summer, the hours are in the morning and afternoon: from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Where can I park to visit Colomares Castle?
In the photos of Colomares Castle, you can see that there is a parking lot approximately 10 meters from the main entrance of the monument with a capacity for about 15 cars. It is completely free of charge.
The Colomares Castle and its connection to Game of Thrones.
The novels of the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin served as the inspiration for the most successful television series of all time: Game of Thrones.
This medieval fantasy unfolds on the fictional continent of Westeros and tells the tales of various noble houses and their struggles for power in a world filled with magic, dragons, and undead warriors.
The series producer, HBO, used numerous natural landscapes and castles as settings for the thrilling adventures of the hundreds of characters in this magical medieval universe.
One of the castles that was almost a part of them was Colomares Castle, although unfortunately, no scenes were actually filmed there.
Nevertheless, there are quite a few visitors who believe they recognize the castle in some of the series’ scenes, as its appearance fits perfectly with its fantastical style.
Colomares Monument Castle is a must-visit when exploring the cities and towns of the Costa del Sol, a journey to what we could call the sublimation of the Iberian Middle Ages.