ARCHIVED - Visiting Lorca castle this winter

Lorca Castle can be enjoyed via a number of special packages and is open 7 days a week

Lorca castle is widely known as the “Fortaleza del Sol” or fortress of the sun, and during the best months of the year, when the cooler temperatures of autumn make the castle a perfect daytrip out, general entry is priced at just 6 euros, including a visit to the visitor centre in the Convento de la Merced at the foot of the hill beforehand.

The castle can be visited without prior booking seven days a week and is open until 17:30 in the evening.

The castle continues to offer a number of special guided tours throughout the winter, either with or without the option of a set meal in the on-site cafetería.

The theatrical guided tours are in Spanish, but non-Spanish speakers can take an audioguide in English to follow their own route their own way around the castle, and tapas and refreshments can be purchased on an individual basis from the terrace café on site. Alternatively, join in with the Spanish language tours to see limited access areas of the castle. Information boards are in dual languages and there's often someone on the tour keen to practice their English!

Opting to take the guided tours to restricted areas within the castle with a guide, all of which are in Spanish, increases the entry price to 10 euros. 

These additional tours leave from the main entrance to the castle at the following times daily:

The Mediaeval Jewish synagogue and old Jewish quarter: 

Every morning at 11:30 and 13.30.

Between October and March an additional tour is available at 18:30.

During July and August additional tours in the evenings are at 18:30 and 20:30.

At weekends an additional tour is offered at 16:30.

Torre Alfonsine, the Alfonsine Tower.

Tours daily at 12:30 and 17:30. During July and August the evening tour is at 19:30.

Click for more information about Lorca Castle and map: Lorca Castle, Fortaleza del Sol

Click to see full what's on agenda for Lorca which includes all of the tours in the castle during the festive period as well as those in the city below.

Opening hours Winter/ Early Spring 2020:

Monday to Sunday 10.30 to 17.30

Last entry one hour before closing time.

Entry 6 euros, reduced tariff 5 euros.

Nb: This also includes stopping off first at the Lorca Visitor Centre of the Convento de la Merced to see the static exhibit relating to the history of Lorca and the castle, as well as the temporary exhibitions on show at the centre.

Thursdays:

Special English language guided tours on THURSDAYS ONLY.

Although standard entry to the castle (6 euros for adults) includes an English language guided audiotour, on Thursdays the castle offers a special ENGLISH LANGUAGE package with a mixture of audioguide and tour guide, including lunch in the on-site cafetería, which gives access to areas not normally included within the open-visits.

These tours include the 15^th century synagogue which has been discovered within the castle walls and a climb to the top of the keep (the Torre Alfonsina) to enjoy the panoramic view out over the landscape below.

Morning tour with lunch:

This tour starts at 10:30 with a one hour audioguide around the main sites of the castle itself, including a chance to enjoy the fabulous views from the top of the Espolón tower, walk the Mediaeval walls, and see the different displays focusing on the various aspects of day to day life in the castle.

After this at 11:30 a guided tour of the 15th century Jewish quarter and synagogue shows the only synagogue in Spain from this period which survived the Christian Reconquist of Spain without being coverted into a Christian place of worship. During the Mediaeval period Jews formed an essential link in the trading loop between the Moors who had occupied much of Spain in the 8th century and the Christian forces who gradually re-gained control of the Murcia area in the 13th century but had to contend with the last remaining Moorish forces who maintained their hold on the neighbouring Kingdom of Granada for a further 250 years.Jewish traders were forced to live in closed districts away from the Christian population and the remains found in Lorca show their settlement was abandoned and never re-inhabited after they were expelled from Spain altogether.

At 12.30 visit the Alfonsina Tower with an audioguide.

And to wrap up the morning, choose from the menu on offer in the cafeteria included in the price and enjoy the atmosphere inside the castle with your meal. It is possible to continue the audioguide tour to other areas of the castle at any time after the set visits.

Advance booking essential

The English language tours are priced at 24 euros for adults including a full menu at the onsite restaurant, and 14 euros for children.Children under the age of 5 may join in with the tour for 5 euros, although this price does not include a meal.

See below for menu links.

Booking by phone (968 479 003 or 968 959 646.)

Weekends:

On Saturdays and Sundays set activities which target a family audience are offered in SPANISH only.

Viviendo en un Castillo de Frontera on Saturdays

A Spanish language family tour.

A fun family tour exploring the dangers of living on the frontier between Moorish ruled Granada and the the reconquered territory of the Kingdom of Murcia with the Christian Alfonso X El Sabio of Castile at its helm. Become the Mayor and rule the castle, defend its walls as a brave soldier or discover how the wards of the castle fed the inhabitants.

During the early part of 2020 this tour is available at 12.30 on Saturdays.

Price : Adults and children over the age of 13; 8 euros

Children aged 12 to 5; 7 euros

Click the red button to book online or book by phone (968 479 003 or 968 959 646.)

With full meal included:

22€ Adult entry and meal if prebooking or 23€ if paying on the door, 16€ for children on the door, or deduct one euro for prior booking using the booking form above or for booking by phone (968 479 003 or 968 959 646.)

Click here for adult sample menu

Click here for children's sample menu

Sundays: Sundays with the family in Lorca castle. Activity in Spanish

This is a SPANISH LANGUAGE activity for a family audience.
 

Domingo en Familia en el Castillo de Lorca

Participate in this family theatrical guided visit and discover the heart of the castle through play, finding hidden routes and training to defend the walls of the castle.

This theatrical tour is a leisure activity which visits the military zone within the castle. After this part of the visit has concluded, participants can visit the remaining areas and exhibits within the castle, with the exception of the Alfonsino tower and synagogue at their leisure. The cafeteria is open for refreshments.

Dates: Every Sunday 

Activity times:

10.30 The castle opens and can be visited at leisure from this time onwards

11.45 and 13.15; family theatrical visit in Spanish lasting for approximately 75 minutes.

14.00 Lunch in the cafetería

15.30 Children's entertainment

Price; Adults and children over the age of 13; 22 euros, Children aged 5-12:15 €, Children under 5 free of charge. Includes lunch.

Un castillo en exclusiva para ti; a castle exclusively for you!

Enjoy an exclusive and intimate meal in one of the most important hidden spaces of the castle!

This year a new experience is on offer in the castle, with the opportunity to sample Murcian cuisine and wines in the intimacy of either the Torre del Espolón tower, the Torre Alfonsina tower or the Aljibe pequeño water storage area.

A minimum of two people are required, and six is the maximum group size, the evening priced at 130 euros per person, with a great deal of attention paid to providing a suitably luxurious ambience and meal.

The price includes entry and full access to the castle.

Prior booking is required.

Click to see the full what's on agenda of guided tours and activities on offer in Lorca this spring: Lorca agenda

Click for more information about visiting Lorca