Santa Barbara Castle

The Santa Barbara Castle in Alicante, Spain is one of the largest in the Mediterranean region.  It stands at the summit looking down on the slopes of Mount Benacantil, 166m above the city.  Include a visit to this prominent and historical landmark in your tour of Alicante by car hire.

From the castle you can enjoy spectacular views of the city and the sea.  Artifacts from the Bronze, Iberian, and Roman eras have all been found here, and the castle itself has three distinct areas.  The highest contains the oldest remains, from possibly the 11th century. 

The intermediate section was constructed primarily during the 16h century, along with the ruins of the ancient hermitage of St Barbara, located in the town below.  The most recent additions to the castle came in the 18th century, including an angular embankment and a monument to a famous soldier from Alicante.

Santa Barbara Castle is a perfect tour for families or history buffs.  It is free to visit and there are two entrance points.  Walk along the road around the back of the mountain for a beautiful view of the city on your way up, or you can drive your car hire in Alicante to the top. 

There are also two walking routes down from the castle, so you can enjoy a different view on your way back down.

Visit during the summer for special 'castle evenings' hosted by Alicante's Town Hall.  These are free concerts held on the weekend nights in the courtyard of Santa Barbara Castle.