Moorish Castle Castle

Address: Moorish Castle, Gibraltar

Hours: Open daily (access to some interior areas may vary)

Admission: Free (exterior site)

The Moorish Castle is a medieval fortification complex on the northern slopes of the Rock of Gibraltar, originally constructed by Muslim rulers and subsequently modified by later Spanish and British authorities. The site includes multi-period masonry, towers and defensive works that dominated access to the town for centuries.

Prominent parts of the surviving complex include the Tower of Homage, gatehouse remains and associated curtain walls, with later additions to the fortifications visible nearby. The castle and adjacent defensive works are accessible to visitors and are a key historical attraction in Gibraltar’s historic quarter.

The initial fortress on the site dates to the early medieval period under Muslim control, with significant rebuilding and expansion in the 14th century; subsequent military engineering in the early modern period and the British era added tunnels and artillery-facing works. The complex therefore preserves features from Moorish, medieval and later military phases.

The Moorish Castle occupies a commanding position on the Rock of Gibraltar, overlooking the town and the Bay of Gibraltar on the Iberian Peninsula’s southern tip; it is within walking distance of Gibraltar’s central town area and visitor facilities.

• Layered history: The complex includes medieval Moorish fabric and later British-period modifications, reflecting Gibraltar’s layered military history.

What to See#

• Tower of Homage: Tower of Homage - the principal surviving medieval tower from the Moorish castle complex, retaining visible medieval masonry.
• Gatehouse and curtain walls: Gatehouse and curtain works - lower defensive elements and remnants of the gate complex that controlled approach routes on the Rock of Gibraltar’s west face.

The Moorish Castle in Gibraltar is on the Upper Rock close to the old town. It’s reachable on foot from Main Street and the main bus/coach terminal with a steep 10-20 minute uphill walk, or by taxi and local buses that serve the town and rock area.

If you drive, follow signs for the Upper Rock/Upper Town; parking in central Gibraltar is limited so many visitors arrive by taxi or on foot from the pedestrianised Main Street area.

• Go up to the Moorish Castle early in the morning before cruise-ship arrivals to enjoy quieter views of the Gate House and Tower of Homage and to avoid the busiest periods in Gibraltar's Old Town.
• Approach the complex on foot from the town centre (Castle Street/Main Street area) rather than relying solely on the cable car; this lets you explore the surrounding historic streets and viewpoints at a relaxed pace.
• Combine a visit to the Moorish Castle with a walk to nearby Upper Rock or the Great Siege Tunnels to get wider historical context and panoramic views over the harbour and Spain.