El Bil-Bil Castle, Benalmádena, Ghid vizitatori și ce de văzut în apropiere

El Bil-Bil Castle (Castillo de Bil-Bil) is a red-walled building in Benalmádena, on the Costa del Sol in Málaga province, built in an Arabic-inspired style. Despite the name it was never a castle, and today it serves as a cultural and tourist information centre by the seafront.

The story behind it

The building dates from the 1930s and was commissioned by the Hermann family. They never lived in it: when the Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936, they decided to put it up for sale. It was later used as a private residence, and that continued until the 1980s.

At that point Benalmádena town council acquired it and turned it into a cultural and information centre, a role it still plays. The castle look is a matter of style rather than history, which is why the name misleads first-time visitors.

What to look for

• The red plastered exterior stands out against the sea and sky, and it is the quickest way to recognise the building.
• Look closely at the Nazari-style decoration, which appears as tiling and bas-reliefs on the facade.
• The fountains around the building echo the Muslim tradition of water in gardens and courtyards.
• From outside you get fine views over Benalmádena's beaches, which makes it a good spot for a pause and a photo.

Tips for your visit

• Allow around 20 to 30 minutes to look at the exterior, the fountains and the view, longer if you go in for an exhibition.
• Inside there is a tourist information point and often painting exhibitions, so it is a handy place to ask about local activities. Check current opening hours before you go.
• The surroundings host shows during the year, mostly linked to flamenco and Spanish culture, so look at the local programme if you want to catch one.
• Late afternoon is a pleasant time to visit, when the light is softer on the red walls and the beaches below.

See it on a quest

You can reach the castle on foot as one stop on Don Quixote in Benalmadena - The miraculous pouch, a self-guided walk with a Don Quixote theme through the area. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look at the facade and surroundings more closely than you would on a quick photo stop. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group. You can start whenever suits you, with no guide and no group to join.