Castle of Sohail
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Why go
- Six of the fortress’s original eight towers remain.
- Carved stones in the western foundations date from before Roman times.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 14:00Show all
Don't miss
- Northeast-wall cannonsThree cannons face the sea; other castle cannons stand on the promenade.Northeastern perimeter wall and promenade
- Covered courtyard wellThe covered well is fed by the nearby river.Courtyard
- Roman garum vatsThe vats were used to make garum, a fish sauce.Beside the seafront promenade at the foot of the hill
Know before you go
- Open Tuesday to Friday, 10:00–14:00; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00–18:00.
What's inside
- The interior retains partition-wall remains, but no buildings survive.
- Artillery pieces found in 1914 are kept inside the castle.
Tips for your visit
- Informational panels let visitors explore the site at their own pace.
- At the hill’s base, the visitor center has a small museum, gift shop and café.
Interesting facts3
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38 metres
The castle stands 38 metres above sea level.
Castillo Sohail - Wikipedia -
Its position controlled the river mouth and the Málaga–Marbella route within a coastal watch network.
Castillo Sohail - Wikipedia -
Its name comes from Sohail or Sujayl, the former Arabic name of the settlement that became Fuengirola.
Castillo de Sohail - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Phoenician and Roman Republic settlements existed in the area before the castle. Over time, the fortress was captured, damaged and adapted for coastal defense. Its later uses included military detachments; municipal restoration prepared the site for tourism and cultural events.
- 956Abd-ar-Rahman III ordered a citadel built at Sohail to strengthen coastal defenses.
- 12th c.The Almoravids built an irregular defensive enclosure.
- 1285The Sohail area came under the rule of the Emirate of Granada.
- 16th c.A new entrance replaced the principal tower entrance, and the eastern tower was removed for a gun battery.
- Late 15th c.Christian forces captured the castle, leaving it badly damaged; it was later rebuilt and used in coastal defenses.
Show all
- 18th c.The castle was partly destroyed during the War of Spanish Succession.
- 1810French imperial forces occupied the castle. It witnessed the Battle of Fuengirola.
- 16 April 1812Spanish forces under General Ballesteros retook the castle. French troops blew up the southwest tower and nearby wall sections during their evacuation; these were not rebuilt.
- 19th–20th c.The castle housed Spanish cavalry, Carabineros and Civil Guard detachments at different times.
- 1969Last owner Leopoldo Werne de Bolin undertook restoration work.
- 1989The castle joined municipal heritage, and a consolidation and rehabilitation project began.
- 1990–1997A workshop carried out restoration work and adapted the interior and approaches for use as an auditorium.
- 2000The municipality began restoring the ruins for tourism and cultural events.
Sources: Sohail Castle - Wikipedia · Castillo de Sohail - Wikipedia · Castillo Sohail - Wikipedia · Château Sohail - Wikipedia · checked 30 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +34 663 99 67 27
Questions and answers
Where is Castle of Sohail?
Calle Mijas, Fuengirola, on the Costa del Sol in Málaga province, Andalusia.
How can I contact Castle of Sohail?
+34 663 99 67 27.
How can I get to Castle of Sohail by bus?
Avanza Route M-220 stops beside the parking lot near the castle.
Why is the hill separated from the hill opposite Castle of Sohail?
The A-7 motorway now separates the hills.
Were the walls demolished in 1812 rebuilt at Castle of Sohail?
No. The southwest tower and adjoining wall sections demolished during the French evacuation were not rebuilt.
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