In a city bereft of notable landmarks, it’s no surprise that one of the main draws to the millions of tourists in Alicante is the fort of Santa Barbára, or Castillo de Santa Bárbara as it’s known locally. If you’re thinking about taking in the views from the top, there’s one question you need to answer: Do you walk up, or do you pay for the lift? 

I stayed in Alicante for a few months earlier this year and have done it all, which isn’t as glamorous as it may sound. All I mean is that I visited Santa Barbára on three separate occasions, sampling both the lift and taking on the hike, so let me tell you how it all works, what’s free and what you have to pay for.

Let’s start with an overview of what Santa Barbára actually is, because you might decide to take option ‘C’ and not bother going up there at all.

---

So, what is Santa Bárbara, anyway?

I’m sure you’ve seen a photo or two already, but humour me, Castillo de Santa Bárbara is a giant stone fortress perfectly planted atop Mount Benacantil, 166 metres above the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s been loitering up there since the 9th century when the Moors first built a stronghold, and it’s seen a bit of everything since — sieges, invasions, and probably at least one poorly planned school trip. It officially got its current name in 1248, when the Christian forces seized it on Saint Barbara’s feast day. Because nothing says victory like renaming a fortress after a saint.

Fun fact: If you squint at the rock the castle’s built on, you’ll notice it looks like a face — La Cara del Moro, or “The Moor’s Face.” Locals say it’s a natural feature. I think the mountain just got tired of all the tourists and can’t hide its true feelings anymore.

What’s up the top?

Before we discuss how to get up there, let’s talk about what’s up there once you reach the summit. 

The main selling point is the 360-degree view over the whole city, as well as the backdrop of the mountains and the shimmering sea. If the scenery takes your breath away and leaves you dry-mouthed, there’s a sun-kissed bar and also shady cafe available to quench your thirst.

If you’re a history buff you’ll find a couple of rooms containing what seems like a million pieces of broken pottery, I assume it’s all old and interesting, but if I’m honest, I sped through that room on my way to the very top level, which is nothing more than a flat area offering the best views over the city.

Oh, and there’s a gift shop. There’s always a gift shop. This one is tactically placed, so you have to pass through it on entry and again on exit.

Is it free to visit?

If you walk up and down, it is free to visit the castle. If you take the elevator, it will cost you €2.70. Well, that was the price in early 2025. So, unless you’re reading this in the distant future, it’s unlikely to be much higher than that.

How to get to the top

Now, finally to the information I promised you at the start. Sorry you’ve had to read so much to get here. It’s a common ploy nowadays, we reel you in with promises of instant gratification and instead steal precious seconds of your existence just to try to make some pennies from ads. It’s a cruel world. Anyway….

Walking up and down

You don’t need to be a qualified hiker or hire a sherpa to take on the ascent up to Santa Bárbara. That’s not to say it’s easy, because at times it can be a bit steep, but if you’re moderately mobile and have a bit of water, you should be confident to take it on. My 67-year-old mother took on the challenge and only stopped once to catch her breath. But that was only because she started off too quickly.

It takes about 20 minutes to walk up to the top of Santa Bárbara, and you have two main starting points to choose from. Both are clear paths to follow. One is next to the always busy Mercat metro station, this one has more steps than the other, which is also conveniently located next to a busy station: Marq Castillo. This option is 99% slope, so better for those of you with knees that have seen better days.

If you choose to walk up, the best part is that it makes your whole trip completely free, minus the well-earned cervezas and any of the surprisingly high-quality items available in the gift shop.

Taking the elevator

I was always against the idea of taking the elevator. Not because I’m a fitness enthusiast who never shirks a challenge, but simply because I hate to queue. And it seems that the only people who’ve left a review about the experience were the ones who had to wait for a long time. 

I got lucky, or maybe it’s normal, but at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday in January, there was no queue. I zig-zagged through the empty queue lanes like a teenager first in line for a rollercoaster, paid the fee, walked down the very long tunnel and got straight into the lift. So yes, you do have to pay to take the elevator to the top of Santa Bárbara, but it’s only €2.70. If you can’t cover that, what the hell are you doing on holiday in the first place?

When it’s time to head back down, there doesn’t seem to be any policing of the elevator. I got the feeling it might be free for anyone to use it for the descent. Don’t take my word on that though, I just didn’t see how they would stop not fee payers from taking the easy trip down. Either way, if you pay to go up, you can definitely use it to go down. The entrance to the elevator is along the beachfront, which might also be a determining factor as to whether you walk up one of the paths or take the lift.

My humble opinion

Now that I’ve drowned you in ample information, you can make your own choice as to what’s best for you. But if I were to visit it again, I would without doubt walk up and down. Not because I’m scared of a potential queue or too tight to pay €2.70, no, I just think it’s a great excuse to get some exercise and enjoy the ever-developing view over Alicante.