ARCHIVED - July 2019 in Lorca Castle; opening times,special packages and prices

Lorca Castle can be enjoyed in the evening via a number of special packages, with or without tapas supper and is open 7 days a week during the summer

Enjoy the cooler evening air during the summer months in Lorca.

Lorca castle is widely known as the “Fortaleza del Sol” or fortress of the sun, and during the hottest months of the year daytime temperatures can detract from the pleasure of wandering around the extensive exhibits and interesting corners of this large fortress complex.

But as the sun drops lower in the sky, cool breezes make the castle one of the best places to visit in Lorca, with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside as the sun sets and atmospheric lighting adding to the fun of wandering around the complex in the cooler air of a summer evening.

The cafeteria in the complex also serves a summer menu of light tapas and on some evenings there are live music sessions.

The castle can be visited without prior booking seven days a week and is open until 21:30 in the evening closing when the last visitors have left.

However, there are a number of special guided tours, either with or without the option of a tapas supper.

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.

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

Opening hours during July

Monday to Sunday 10.30 -21.30

The castle complex itself closes at 21.30, but visitors may remain inside the complex and eat in the cafetería which remains open until 23.30 or until the last guest leaves. There is no admittance to the complex after 21.30.

During the summer months the set menu is a tapas menu and costs 20 euros when purchased individually and single portions, snacks and refreshments can be purchased from the cafeteria during normal opening times.

Sample set menu (will change during the summer depending on produce availability): Select four dishes from the following list:
Special castle gazpacho (cold soup), Salmorejo ( a different type of cold soup with bread),lorquian goats cheese, home made croquettes, Montadito ( a piece of bread with pork, cheese and tomato), pork brochette with herbs, Salchicha (a type of sausage), Tuna pastry empanada (like a small Cornish pastry but with tuna and the pastry flavoured with pimiento), courgette and parmesan salad, Zarangollo ( a scrambled egg mix made with lots of olive oil, usually served with vegetables fried into it and very flavoursome it is!), Morcilla (blood sausage, with pine nuts and onions, again, very nice squeezed out onto bread), Michirones (broad beans slowly cooked with pork, again, filling and flavoursome), Revuelto de bacalao with mushrooms ( scramble egg with cod and mushrooms, actually tastes good), beef in a sauce, squid brochette

Followed by a choice of dessert which normally comprises fruit, ice cream, crema quemado, a set custard dish with glazed top and a type of pastry, which varies from day to day.

Two drinks per person are included.

There are several options:
Option 1: Entry to the castle anytime without packages

Opening hours from 1st July to the 30th August

Prebook your visit here:

7 days a week from 10:30 to 21:30 (last entry time 21:20), and excluding any guided visits to the Synagogue and Alfonsine Tower which can only be visited with a guide: Adult entry 6 euros (NB Includes English language audioguide)
Reduced tariff for children 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.

Should visitors wish to join the Spanish language tours to the Alfonsine Tower and Mediaeval Synagogue, then the entry price is 10 euros and the Spanish language visits to these two locations (which are well worth visiting) are as follows:

Mediaeval Synagogue; 11.30, 13.30, 18.30 and 20.30

The Alfonsine Tower; 12.30, 17.30, 19.30
 

Option 2:
SPANISH LANGUAGE guided tour
Visita Guiada "Un Castillo de Leyenda"
Sunset is one of the most beautiful moments of any summer day in the fortress of the sun, with warm winds blowing as the sun dips below the horizon and the Guadalentín valley is bathed in red and gold light as it slowly passes into darkness.

This guided tour explores the castle, uncovering the tales and mysteries which surround it.
The tour offers the option of concluding the evening with supper in the cafeteria.

Dates:
Every Saturday during July
During August; Wednesday and Thursday

Start time: 21:30

Price:
10€ Adults and children over 13
7€ Children aged 5-12
24€ Adult entry and supper, 14€ for children.

Approximate duration: One hour 30 minutes

Option 3: Thursday evenings during July; Supper and live music in Lorca castle

From 21.30 onwards every Thursday evening, the cafetería in Lorca castle offers a night of live ambiental music, with supper included.

Price: 24 euros for adults and children aged 13 and over.

14 euros for children aged 5-12.

Option 4: 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.

Option 5: Spanish language theatrical visit "En busca de la llave mágica"

In search of the magic key; a family theatrical visit in which participants help to find the missing key to the castle!

Visitors have the option of visiting the castle complex either before or after the guided tour at their leisure and joining this tour which starts at 12.30 midday.

During July and august this tour option is available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Prices:

8 euros for adults and children over the age of 13

7 euros for children aged 5-12

There is also the option to eat in the castle cafetería, with a meal included in the price for 22 euros for adults or 15 euros for children.

Option 6: Sundays: Sundays with the family in Lorca castle. Activity in Spanish

This is a SPANISH LANGUAGE activity for a family audience.
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 in July and August

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

Click for more information about visiting Lorca