Almodóvar Castle Entrance Ticket near Córdoba

Almodóvar Castle: from Moorish fortress to restored landmark

The castle's story begins in the 8th century, when the Moors built a fortress on this strategic hill above the Guadalquivir; its name comes from the Arabic al-Mudawwar, "the round one", a reference to the shape of the hill. The fortress guarded the river route between Córdoba and Seville and passed to the Christian kingdom of Castile in the 13th century, later serving as a royal stronghold and treasury.

After centuries of decline, a long restoration in the early 20th century rebuilt the walls, battlements and towers, which is why the castle looks so complete today. It is now privately owned and carefully maintained, and it hosts medieval events and cultural activities through the year. For many visitors it is the most impressive castle within easy reach of Córdoba.

Towers, walls and the Tower Keep

At the entrance you receive a map for your self-guided tour. A route leads you along the wall walks and into the towers, each with information boards in seven languages that explain its use, from defence and storage to prison and lookout. Two projections tell the history of the castle and the region in a lively, visual way.

The climb up the Tower Keep, the tallest tower, is the highlight: from its top the views sweep over the white village, the meanders of the Guadalquivir and the olive groves of the Córdoba countryside. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for the whole visit. The paths include many steps and there is no lift, so wear comfortable shoes and take your time.

The chapel, the medieval hall and the courtyard

At the end of the route you enter the private area of the castle, with its chapel and medieval hall, decorated in the spirit of the restoration and giving an idea of how the owners lived inside the fortress. The contrast between the austere military towers and these more refined rooms is one of the pleasures of the visit.

Before leaving, relax for a moment in the inner courtyard, where you can sit in the shade, look up at the battlements and, if you wish, buy a small medieval souvenir. Is Almodóvar Castle worth visiting? Its sense of completeness, the views and the calm of the courtyard make it a highlight of any trip to Córdoba province.

A filming location of Game of Thrones

The castle's silhouette became known worldwide when it appeared as a filming location in the seventh season of Game of Thrones, which also used other places in Andalusia. Fans recognise its walls and towers, and the information on site points out the spots where filming took place. The castle is proud of this chapter of its history, but the visit remains focused on the real medieval fortress.

Even without the series, the castle has long attracted filmmakers and photographers, because it looks exactly like the image of a medieval fortress: golden stone, crenellated walls and towers outlined against a deep blue sky. Photographers should come in the late afternoon, when the warm light falls on the walls and the valley below turns gold.

How to get to Almodóvar Castle and when to visit

Almodóvar del Río lies about 25 km west of Córdoba, around 30 minutes by car along the Guadalquivir valley; regional buses also link the village with the city. From the car park at the foot of the castle, a walk of about 10 minutes uphill leads to the entrance and the ticket centre.

Ticket sales and access close one hour before the castle closes, even for visitors with tickets, so plan to arrive in good time. The best time to visit Almodóvar Castle is in spring and autumn, when the countryside is green and the temperatures are mild; in summer, go in the morning or late afternoon and bring water and a hat.