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Castellar de la Frontera Castle Village, The Magical Spanish Town Built inside a Castle!
- iris de neve
- Jan 6
- 5 min read
Castellar de la Frontera Castle Village is a medieval fortress village in Cádiz, Andalusia, famous for its whitewashed houses, castle walls and sweeping views over Los Alcornocales Natural Park and the Gibraltar area. This complete Castellar de la Frontera travel guide covers how to get there, the best things to do, where to stay and why you should add this white village to your Southern Spain itinerary.
Why Visit Castellar de la Frontera
Castellar de la Frontera is one of Andalusia’s most atmospheric white villages, built entirely inside a hilltop castle overlooking cork‑oak forests, reservoirs and the distant Rock of Gibraltar. Unlike more famous pueblos blancos, this village still feels peaceful and local, ideal for slow travel, photography and romantic getaways.
Use phrases like: “off‑the‑beaten‑path white village in Andalusia”, “hidden gem in Cádiz province” and “best pueblos blancos to visit from the Costa del Sol”.
Where Is Castellar de la Frontera?
Castellar de la Frontera sits in the province of Cádiz, in southern Spain, inside Los Alcornocales Natural Park and about 30–40 minutes by car from Gibraltar and the Costa del Sol. The old fortress village (Castellar Viejo) crowns a rocky hilltop, while the newer town lies further down the valley with easier road access and services.
Best Things To Do in Castellar de la Frontera
1. Explore the medieval castle and fortress village
The top attraction in Castellar de la Frontera is its walled medieval castle, whose ramparts offer panoramic views over Los Alcornocales, the Guadarranque reservoir and, on clear days, the Rock of Gibraltar and even Africa. Wander the cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses, flower‑filled patios and tiny squares that make this one of the most photogenic pueblos blancos in Cádiz.
2. Stroll the whitewashed streets and plazas
Take time to get lost in narrow alleys, stop at the Plaza de Armas just inside the main gate and admire viewpoints like the Balcón de los Amorosos, one of the most romantic corners of the fortress. This is the perfect place to capture sunrise or sunset photos of one of Andalusia’s most beautiful white villages.
3.The Fortress
Castellar de la Frontera Castle is a Nasrid fortress used between the 12th and 15th centuries. It acquired great importance in the wars of the time between Christians and Muslims.
It served as a rear base for controlling the Straits of Gibraltar. This fortress was part of the defence system of the kingdom of Granada.
After the conquest, it became the Palace of the Counts of Castellar – the House of Saavedra – and in the mid-18th century, the House of Saavedra was united with that of Medinaceli.
Between the church and the fortress stands an unusual architectural feature: an algorfa. In this case, the algorfa linked the fortress to the mosque. This alleyway served as a passageway for the lords of the castle.
4. Hike in Los Alcornocales Natural Park
Castellar de la Frontera is surrounded by Los Alcornocales Natural Park, one of Europe’s largest cork‑oak forests and a paradise for hikers, cyclists and birdwatchers. Popular routes include walks through cork‑oak woodland, routes towards the Guadarranque reservoir and the Monarch Butterfly Trail, a 5.5 km path showcasing the local butterfly population.
5. Visit Finca La Almoraima and the historic convent
Just below the village lies La Almoraima, a huge historic estate with a former convent (Convento de San Miguel de la Almoraima) and watchtowers linked to the Moorish past. The convent of San Miguel, built in 1603 by a community of mercenaries. The friars lived there until the middle of the 17th century. It then became the property of the Duke of Medinacelli, who transformed it into a hunting estate.Today the estate offers nature activities and a characterful rural hotel, making it a unique place to stay near Castellar de la Frontera castle.
Note: This former convent is now a beautiful 4-star hotel. To find out more, follow this link to La Almoraima Hotel.
6. The church of Divino Salvador
The church of El Divino Salvador is a 17th-century Gothic-Mudejar church. As was customary after the Castilians conquered a Muslim stronghold, the Christians built a church over the town’s former mosque. Changing a religious temple has always been a way of consolidating power.
However, since the 1970s the church has been desanctified and is no longer a place of worship. It is now used as an exhibition hall and arts centre. However, it has retained its high ceilings with wooden beams.
The lovers’ balcony, a hidden gem to see in Castellar de la Frontera
The Balcón de los Amorosos in Castellar is a very charming and unique corner of the Castellar fortress, with magnificent views and one of the most romantic spots in the village.
You can see from the number of padlocks hanging from the balcony that many lovers have passed through here 🙂 :
The unusual thing about this romantic spot for lovers…, is that it used to be the castle’s ‘canco’.
The canco was the part of the city wall where, for reasons of hygiene, all the city’s rubbish and refuse was dumped. I can assure you, the place is quite glamorous today.
8. The cork oak forest
The cork oak forest that surrounds Castellar de la Frontera has given rise to a wonderful small industry, that of cork.
This activity has been the economic lifeblood of the municipality. A company was even set up in 1945: Empresa Corchera Almoraima. 14,000 hectares of forest are exploited.
As was common at the time, in 1962 the owners of the cork company decided to build housing for their employees.
9.View of the Rock of Gibraltar and Africa
From the mountain where the village is located, you can see the Bay of Algeciras, the Rock of Gibraltar, the African coast and the other surrounding villages.
The views of the Campo de Gibraltar and Morocco on a clear day make the castle a must-see when visiting southern Andalucia.
10. Combine with nearby attractions and day trips
Castellar de la Frontera works well as a base or day trip combined with Gibraltar, Sotogrande, Tarifa, the Costa del Sol and other white villages of Cádiz. You can also join activities like dolphin‑watching cruises from Gibraltar or coastal towns and then drive up into the hills for sunset at the castle.
Where To Stay in Castellar de la Frontera
You can choose between staying inside the castle walls, in the newer town below, or on surrounding rural estates. Inside the fortress you will find characterful guesthouses and small hotels in restored stone houses, while the lower town and estates like La Almoraima offer more modern rooms and nature‑focused stays
When Is the Best Time To Visit?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) bring mild temperatures, green hills and ideal conditions for walking, photography and exploring the castle. Summer is hotter but evenings are cooler at the hilltop village, and local festivals and ferias add extra atmosphere, though it is still quieter than many coastal resorts.
Practical Travel Tips
Getting there: The easiest way to reach Castellar de la Frontera is by car from Cádiz, Algeciras, Gibraltar or the Costa del Sol, driving up through the cork‑oak forest to the fortress.
How long to stay: Plan at least half a day for the castle and village, or stay overnight to enjoy sunset, stars and early‑morning walks before day‑trippers arrive.
Who it’s for: Ideal for couples, photographers, history fans, hikers and road‑trippers exploring the white villages of Cádiz.
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