Heritage Route: Castles, Towers and Watchtowers
Follow the defensive network of the Costa Tropical and discover all the castles, fortresses, watchtowers and lookout towers overlooking the Mediterranean.
Heritage Route: Castles, Towers and Watchtowers
Follow the defensive network of the Costa Tropical and discover all the castles, fortresses, watchtowers and lookout towers overlooking the Mediterranean.
The Costa Tropical preserves exceptional defensive heritage, the result of centuries of history along a strategic stretch of coastline. Castles, fortresses, watchtowers and lookout towers – of Andalusi and Christian origin – rise on promontories and headlands to control the sea.
Beyond their historical interest, many of these structures have become natural viewpoints over the Mediterranean, the bays and the cliffs. Some sites can also be visited inside: it is advisable to check opening times before going.
Itinerary: 24 main stops
Click directly on the map points to see details
Cerro Gordo Tower (16th c.) – La Herradura (external visit)
La Herradura Castle (18th c.) – La Herradura (open to visitors)
Punta de la Mona Tower (lighthouse, 18th c.) – Puerto Marina del Este (external visit)
San Miguel Castle (14th c.) – Almunecar (open to visitors)
Velilla Tower (16th c.) – Almunecar (external visit)
Tesorillo Defence Tower (18th c.) – Playa del Tesorillo (external visit)
Devil’s Tower (18th c.) – near Playa del Curumbico (external visit)
Cambron Tower (13th c.) – Jardin Hotel Salobrena (external visit)
Salobrena Castle (13th c.) – Salobrena (open to visitors)
Guajar Faraguit Castlelet (13th c.) – Los Guajares (open to visitors)
Castle of the Ulloa family (16th c.) – Velez de Benaudalla (open to visitors)
Fortress Church of Motril – Motril (open to visitors)
Carchuna Castle (18th c.) – Carchuna (open to visitors)
Farillo de Calahonda (13th c.) – Calahonda (external visit)
Zambullon Tower (16th c.) – Calahonda (external visit)
La Estancia Watchtower (lighthouse, 16th c.) – Castell de Ferro (external visit)
La Rijana Tower (16th c.) – Castell de Ferro (external visit)
Castell de Ferro Castle (14th c.) – Castell de Ferro (external visit)
Banos Defence Tower (hormabeque, 13th c.) – Polopos (external visit)
Cautor Tower (16th c.) – La Mamola (external visit)
Melicena Tower (16th c.) – Melicena (external visit)
Puntalon Tower (18th c.) – Motril (external visit)
La Rabita Tower (18th c.) – La Rabita (external visit)
La Rabita Castle (14th c.) – La Rabita (external visit)
Experience suggestions
- Do it in sections: choose 4-6 stops per day to combine heritage and beach time.
- Bring binoculars: many towers stand in elevated spots with wide coastal visibility.
- Make the most of sunset: the sea-facing viewpoints are especially photogenic.