Castle of Almodóvar del Río

Almodóvar del Río Castle sits on a hilltop above the small town of Almodóvar del Río, roughly 25 km west of Córdoba on the road toward Seville. Its white silhouette and cluster of towers are visible from a long distance, rising above the Guadalquivir valley and catching the eye of anyone driving along the A-431 highway.

Why was this fortress so important?

Thanks to its position guarding the route between Córdoba and Seville, the castle became one of the key strongholds during the Reconquista — the 13th-century Christian campaign to retake the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. Whoever controlled this hill controlled a vital communication line through western Andalusia, which repeatedly put the fortress at the center of the period's military campaigns.

What will you see inside?

A visit starts with a steep climb up the hill — the walk to the gate already offers a preview of the views to come. Inside the walls, a network of courtyards leads visitors up through several towers and onto the highest points of the ramparts, where the panorama opens up over the river valley and the farmland stretching to the horizon. A number of rooms are furnished with pieces and decor evoking medieval life, giving a sense of what daily life inside a fortress like this would have looked like.

The castle picked up a second wave of fame as a filming location — its walls stood in for Highgarden, seat of House Tyrell, in the fifth season of the TV series "Game of Thrones." For many visitors today, that connection is the first reason to come, even though the site's own history is just as compelling.

How do you get there?

The easiest way is by car from Córdoba (about 25–30 minutes) or from Seville, both via the A-431 road. Local buses also run from Córdoba to the town of Almodóvar del Río, but from the bus stop you still need to walk up the hill, which takes a good ten minutes or more. Plan for more time than just the drive — walking the grounds and touring the interior typically takes an hour to an hour and a half.

When is the best time to visit?

The castle is open year-round, though visiting hours shift with the season — in summer (June–July) it opens earlier in the morning and closes earlier in the afternoon, while during the rest of the year the hours stretch into the evening, with a midday break on weekdays. It's closed on January 1 and December 25. Given the steep climb and stone steps, it's worth avoiding a visit during the peak of the Andalusian summer heat — early morning hours in summer are noticeably more comfortable.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a visit take? A standard visit takes about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on how much time you spend on the viewpoints and inside the rooms.

Can you get there without a car? Yes, buses run from Córdoba to Almodóvar del Río, but the final stretch up the hill has to be done on foot.

Was "Game of Thrones" really filmed here? Yes, the castle served as the filming location for Highgarden in the show's fifth season.

Is the castle accessible for visitors with limited mobility? Because of the steep approach to the hill and the numerous stairs inside the fortress, the visit can be difficult for wheelchair users or anyone with trouble navigating uneven terrain.