Trujillo Castle (Castillo de Trujillo), also known as the Alcazaba of Trujillo, is a medieval Moorish fortress built between the 9th and 12th centuries. Situated at the highest point of the town on a hill known as Cabeza de Zorro, the granite fortress dominates the skyline of Trujillo in Extremadura, Spain. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide updated in March 2026 to reflect the current €2.00 adult admission fee and the seasonal split-shift operating hours.
Quick facts about Trujillo Castle
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Open daily. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, then reopens late afternoon (4:00 pm or 5:00 pm depending on the season). |
| Ticket prices | Adults €2.00, Groups (10+) €1.50, Children under 13 go free. |
| Address | Plaza del Castillo, 1, 10200 Trujillo, Cáceres, Spain. |
| Nearest parking | Underground Parking Centro or street parking in the lower town. |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 1.5 hours. |
Trujillo Castle opening hours
Trujillo Castle is open every day of the year, operating on a split-shift schedule that closes the fortress during the early afternoon siesta hours. The castle always opens at 10:00 am and closes at 2:00 pm for the morning session.
During the winter months (roughly October through March), the castle reopens for the afternoon from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm (often extended to 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm depending on sunset). During the summer months (April through September), the afternoon session shifts later to avoid the extreme heat, typically opening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Trujillo Castle ticket prices
Admission to Trujillo Castle is highly affordable. Standard walk-up tickets cost just €2.00 for adults. Groups of 10 or more people qualify for a reduced rate of €1.50 per person, while children under the age of 13 and registered residents of Trujillo enter for free.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked using live regional tourism data and last updated in March 2026.
How to get to Trujillo Castle
The castle is located at the very top of the medieval quarter of Trujillo. The town itself is easily accessible by car or bus, situated roughly 35 minutes east of Cáceres and about two hours and 50 minutes southwest of Madrid.
There is no public transport that runs directly to the castle gates. From the central Plaza Mayor in the lower town, visitors must walk uphill through the narrow, winding cobblestone streets (such as the Cuesta de la Sangre). The walk takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes but involves a steep incline.
Parking at Trujillo Castle
Driving directly up to the castle is strongly discouraged for visitors. The medieval streets are incredibly narrow, steep, and feature tight corners that are difficult to navigate and lack designated public parking at the summit.
Instead, visitors should park in the lower town. There is an affordable underground car park (Parking Centro) located on Calle de los Pardos, which charges around €9.00 for a full day. Alternatively, free or metered street parking can often be found on the outskirts of the historic centre, a short walk from the Plaza Mayor.
How long to spend at Trujillo Castle
Most visitors spend between one and one and a half hours exploring the castle.
Because the interior courtyard is largely an open, empty space, the majority of your time will be spent climbing the defense towers, walking along the historic battlements, and taking photographs of the sweeping panoramic views over the Extremadura plains.
Accessibility at Trujillo Castle
Due to its 9th-century origins and hilltop location, Trujillo Castle is not accessible for wheelchair users or visitors with severe mobility limitations.
Reaching the castle requires a strenuous uphill walk over uneven cobblestones. Inside the fortress, accessing the battlements and the 17 defense towers requires climbing narrow, steep, and uneven stone staircases without modern handrails. Visitors who cannot climb stairs can enter the main courtyard to view the architecture from ground level, but they will not be able to access the upper walls.
Inside / what to see at Trujillo Castle
This European castle is an imposing military fortress built from blocks of local granite masonry. It is surrounded by 17 square defense towers, providing a textbook example of medieval military architecture.
One of the oldest surviving features of the Moorish era are the two Arab cisterns (aljibes) located in the courtyard, which were engineered to catch and store rainwater for the garrison.
Between two of the main towers at the entrance sits a small chapel housing the Virgen de la Victoria (Virgin of Victory), the patron saint of Trujillo. According to local legend, the Virgin appeared above the walls to inspire the Christian troops during the final siege against the Moors.
The absolute highlight of the visit is walking the outer battlements. The pathway along the top of the walls offers uninterrupted, 360-degree views of the town’s tiled roofs, church spires, and the surrounding rocky landscape (the berrocal).
Pop culture fans will also recognize the fortress from television: Trujillo Castle famously served as the filming location for Casterly Rock, the ancestral stronghold of House Lannister, in Season 7 of Game of Thrones.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Practical advice |
| Timing | Visit during the late afternoon session to watch the sunset over the Extremadura plains from the highest tower. |
| Crowds | The castle is rarely crowded, but the narrow staircases up to the battlements can bottleneck if a large tour group arrives. |
| Layout | Wear sturdy, flat-soled walking shoes; the cobblestones on the walk up and inside the castle are notoriously uneven and slippery. |
| Entry process | Bring €2.00 in physical cash to pay the entrance fee, as card machines at the small ticket booth can occasionally lose signal. |
| On-site logistics | There are no cafes, water fountains, or extensive restroom facilities inside the castle; use the amenities in the Plaza Mayor before walking up. |
Frequently asked questions about Trujillo Castle
| Search query | Answer |
| Is Trujillo Castle suitable for children? | Yes, children enjoy exploring the towers and walls, but they must be closely supervised as the historic battlements have low edges. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Trujillo Castle? | No, advance booking is not necessary; you can always purchase walk-up tickets at the gate. |
| Is Trujillo Castle open on Sundays? | Yes, the castle is open every Sunday, operating on its standard morning and afternoon split shifts. |
| Was Game of Thrones filmed at Trujillo Castle? | Yes, the castle’s exterior and battlements were used to depict Casterly Rock in Season 7 of the HBO series. |
Things to do near Trujillo Castle
- Plaza Mayor: The magnificent Renaissance main square of Trujillo, featuring the famous equestrian statue of conqueror Francisco Pizarro.
- Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor: A beautiful 13th-century church built over a former mosque, offering an impressive altarpiece and a bell tower you can climb.
- Palacio de los Marqueses de la Conquista: An ornate 16th-century palace located on the Plaza Mayor, featuring intricate corner balconies.
- Casa-Museo de Pizarro: A museum located in the restored 15th-century family home of Francisco Pizarro, detailing his life and expeditions.
- The Historic Gates: Walk the remnants of the old town walls to find the four surviving medieval gates, including the Puerta de Santiago and Puerta de San Andrés.
More Spain travel
Other Spain travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How to visit the Castillo de Coca near Segovia.
- All the key information about Zamora Cathedral.
- First-time visitors’ guide to Montjuic Castle in Barcelona.
- How to get to the Poblet Monastery in Tarragona.
- A guide to Almeria for first time visitors – including Almeria Cathedral, the Alcazaba and the Guitar Museum.
